Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The market for net-zero commercial buildings is expected to grow dramatically over the next decade, largely due to the implementation of net-zero building codes by national and state governments across Europe and North America. According to a new report from Guidehouse Insights, the number of net-zero commercial buildings around the world is estimated to be nearly 500 in […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of up to $32 million to address indoor air pollution at K-12 schools in “overburdened communities.” The announcement comes just days after the EPA awarded nearly $1 billion for zero- and low-emission school buses. This new funding opportunity is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act and […]
The U.S. Department of Education announced eight new grant awards totaling more than $37 million over five years under the Supporting America’s School Infrastructure (SASI) program and one new grant for $10 million over five years under the National Center on School Infrastructure (NCSI) program. According to the department, this $47 million investment bolsters the capacity of states to […]
What constitutes a zero-emissions building? The Biden administration is working to create a national, standardized, and verifiable definition for all stakeholders. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed Part 1 of a draft national definition for zero-emissions buildings and is now seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders through […]
The Seattle Convention Center (SCC) announced that its Summit building has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as part of the council’s New Construction (v3) rating system. Opened in January 2023, Summit nearly doubled the center’s capacity by adding 573,770 square feet of event […]
Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Before Jack Frost comes knocking on their doors, facilities managers should ensure their commercial facility’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are in tip-top shape. A failed HVAC system can not only lead to discomfort […]
In Part 1 of this two-parter on industry predictions, former “Faces of Facilities” guests forecast the top challenges of 2024. That was the bad news. Now here’s the good news: Opportunities abound! For Part 2, industry insiders were asked to identify the No. 1 opportunity for facilities managers in the new year and offer advice […]
Although it’s been a full three years since the start of the pandemic, the question among employers and employees about how and where to work still very much exists. Despite initial concerns when the world shut down in early 2020, work persisted and productivity flourished with the help of new collaboration tools and processes, affirming […]
Globally, commercial buildings are experiencing a number of dynamic challenges. Following the impact of the COVID pandemic, tenant needs and behaviors have drastically changed. The cost of property has grown as interest rates continue to escalate in an ongoing effort to curb inflation. At the same time, the energy crisis has raised operating costs and […]
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 […]