Category: Design and Construction

How to Create Smarter Workplaces with Shrinking Office Footprints in 2024

Gallup measures employee engagement by surveying samples of the working population on various workplace issues, like profitability, productivity, customer service, and retention, linked to business outcomes. According to a recent Gallup poll, only 32% of U.S. employees overall were engaged in 2022. With the influx of new generations of professionals with different working styles, smart […]

How Will Local Law 97 Impact NYC Facilities?

Groundbreaking legislation, called Local Law 97, which was enacted in 2019, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New York City by reducing the carbon impact of the city’s largest buildings is expected to encourage building owners to work more closely with facilities professionals for compliance. According to Urban Green Council, the law is […]

NFPA Unveils 2024 Outlook for Skilled Trades Industry

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has released its second annual Industry Trends Survey, which reveals skilled trade workers’ sentiment around the current state of labor, training, and technology on the jobsite. NFPA collected responses from 310 U.S.-based workers in the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect/design, facility maintenance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields. In […]

Navigating the Path to Commercial EV Charging Stations

Companies across various sectors, from retail locations to commercial businesses, are recognizing the shifting consumer attitudes toward electric vehicles (EVs). This growing awareness and changing sentiment are driving substantial investments in EV charging solutions, and there’s no sign this will let up, as EV sales are expected to leap 35% in 2023. As a result, […]

10 Safety Measures for Winter Workers

Winter brings to mind a picturesque landscape blanketed in snow, but for workers, it also poses unique challenges to safety. The cold temperatures, icy surfaces, and unpredictable weather conditions demand heightened vigilance to ensure the well-being of both workers and the projects they undertake. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the critical aspects of […]

USGBC Officials Reveal Details of LEED Version 5 Draft

During a November 16 webinar, more information was released regarding the highly anticipated draft of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) version 5 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) rating system. The draft was released in September 2023 at the 2023 Greenfield Conference and Expo. While the launch of LEED […]

NSA’s New Mission-Critical Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification for Sustainability

The Morrison Center, constructed on the National Security Agency (NSA)/Central Security Service (CSS) Washington East Campus in Fort Mead, Md., has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification—the first project on the campus to earn the designation. The 843,000 square-foot, seven-story facility opened in November 2022. As the […]

How Automated Parking Systems Could Help Boost EVs and Sustainability

By 2030, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on American roads is projected to reach 26.4 million. Furthermore, President Joe Biden has set a goal of having 50% of all new vehicle sales be electric, again by 2030. In order to support this EV initiative, the president also announced his vision of building 500,000 new […]

Why Smart Buildings Are a Smart Choice for Corporate Facilities Management

Smart buildings are modern structures engineered to automate various functions, rendering daily operations more efficient, safe, and cost-effective. This shift towards intelligent infrastructure is particularly noticeable in the corporate sector, offering a blend of architectural intelligence, energy conservation, and streamlined operational management. This article explores the various advantages that smart buildings bring to the corporate […]

Green Building Groups Unite Around Common Materials Framework

Leading organizations dedicated to sustainable building practices and impact reduction in the built environment have joined forces to align around the Common Materials Framework (CMF), which establishes a common language for holistic material sustainability in the building industry. The groups include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), […]