Category: Design and Construction

An Actionable Plan to Achieve Net Zero

How do we achieve net zero? This is a key question that facilities managers and other stakeholders are increasingly being required to ask themselves. The world is evolving, and a central piece in this evolution is the shift toward net-zero carbon emissions. This is a marked shift from 10 years ago, when the focus was […]

How California Can Slash Carbon from Building Materials

The carbon emissions associated with materials used in the built environment, referred to as “embodied carbon,” are estimated to contribute up to 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions. According to a new report from sustainable development consultancy Arup, developed on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), California is one of the first states in […]

How to Improve Facility Health Through WELL

COVID-19 brought wellness to the forefront of everyone’s minds, and as infection numbers are yet again going up, many facilities managers are looking for ways to make their facilities healthier by becoming WELL-certified through the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). Angela Spangler, senior director of global market development for IWBI, was the speaker for the […]

Gillette Stadium Completes $250M Renovation Ahead of NFL Season

To the disappointment of many football fans, the New England Patriots kicked off the new NFL season with a 20-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, days before the big game, the Patriots’ home stadium celebrated a major win with the completion of a facility overhaul. On Sept. 7, the Kraft family and Gillette Stadium […]

Texas Instruments’ New Semiconductor Factory Achieves LEED Gold v4 Certification

Texas Instruments (TI) announced its new semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Richardson, Texas, called RFAB2, achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification under version 4 (v4). According to the company, this designation makes RFAB2 the first wafer fab in the United States and the fourth in the world to achieve this more […]

Back to Basics: Flood Mitigation 101

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. No matter where their facilities are located, facilities managers should have a long-range and short-range plan to mitigate flood damage to their buildings, as well as a plan to clean up damage caused in the aftermath. […]

FM Industry Welcomes the 2023 Class of IFMA Fellows

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has announced the 2023 Class of IFMA Fellows. Bestowed with the association’s highest honor, Marshall MacFarlane, Paul Ratkovic, and Debbie Jaslow Shatz will be inducted officially on Sept. 27 at the opening session of IFMA’s World Workplace 2023 Conference and Expo in Denver. IFMA’s Fellows Program was established in 1992 to recognize […]

Biden Administration Awards Nearly $3 Billion for Climate Resilience Projects

Leaders from the U.S Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, and the White House announced the project selections for nearly $3 billion in climate resilience funding after record-breaking demand. Funded through two competitive grant programs, the projects will help communities across the nation enhance resilience to climate change and extreme weather events. The latest selections include […]

How Houston Is Making Its Facilities More Resilient Against Natural Disasters

While facilities professionals who work in the public and private sectors are tasked with ensuring their facilities are ready when disaster strikes, increasing amounts of greenhouse gas (GHGs) have resulted in more destructive and extremely hot weather, which greatly impacts residents and businesses. Specifically, these conditions can severely impact the power grid. Municipalities should therefore […]

Amid ‘Unprecedented Destruction,’ NFPA Urges Comprehensive Action on Wildfire Protection

Following the catastrophic Maui wildfires, which are among the deadliest in U.S. history, and with the state of Washington now grappling with its own destructive blazes, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is urging governments, communities, and individual property owners alike to take science-backed steps to prepare for wildfire, reduce risks, and support more robust […]