Building Design + Construction

ABI remains positive for three straight months

tgregorski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:57:58 +0000

The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has reached positive territory three months in a row.

As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending.

Larry Lord joins HDR Architecture as south region science and technology director

tgregorski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:50:20 +0000

HDR Architecture announced that Larry Lord, AIA, has joined the firm as director of science + technology for the southern region.

A founding partner at Lord, Aeck & Sargent, Lord is nationally renowned for his leadership in architecture for complex projects. His career has included design for basic science, translational health science, analytical testing, next-generation engineering, and facilities for energy and environmental sciences.

Pottorff elevated to principal at Ricci Greene Associates

tgregorski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:43:50 +0000

April Pottorff, AIA has been elevated to principal joining fellow principals Ken Ricci FAIA, Frank Greene FAIA, and Rob Fisch AICP at the New York-based Justice Facilities planning and design firm Ricci Greene Associates, Architects and Planners.

Pottorff is recognized in the justice field as an expert solely dedicated to the design and planning of courts and urban jails in both the U.S. and Canada. BD+C

Skanska hires Tingle as senior VP and national director for its Sports Center of Excellence

tgregorski — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:34:52 +0000

Skanska’s building business unit named Tom Tingle as senior vice president and national director of its Sports Center of Excellence. He will lead a nationwide team of sports facility construction experts.

Federal budget cuts put major building projects on hold

pfabris — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:24:17 +0000

A plan to build the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas is among several major building projects in jeopardy after the Obama administration’s 2013 budget was unveiled. The budget would cut all construction spending for the facility. Construction on military bases is likely to drop dramatically, as well, due to budget cuts.

Federal agencies fixed on leasing LEED-certified space

pfabris — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:22:48 +0000

More tenants are demanding greener offices, says an executive from real estate firm Transwestern. The federal government is especially focused on renting LEED-certified spaces.

Click here for more information. BD+C

Regulators investigating construction accident at World Trade Center

pfabris — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:21:14 +0000

The New York Port Authority and the city’s fire and building departments are investigating an accident at the World Trade Center construction site in lower Manhattan after a crane dropped steel beams that fell about 40 stories onto the truck that delivered them. No one was injured in the accident, but the work site was partially shut down.

Click here for more information. BD+C

New Virginia statewide building code goes into effect March 1

pfabris — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:20:02 +0000

After March 1, all building plans in Virginia must adhere to the 2009 code that was adopted a year ago. During a yearlong grace period, builders had been able to choose between the 2009 and 2006 codes. Among the code changes are: requirement for programmable thermostats, at least half of lighting fixtures must use energy efficient bulbs, and a mandate for mounted kitchen fire extinguishers for single family homes without sprinkler systems.

Privatizing flood insurance could lead to new code requirements

pfabris — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:18:46 +0000

With the federally run National Flood Insurance Program now $17.8 billion in debt, there is likely to be renewed discussion about privatizing the program. One thing that could pave the way toward private flood insurance would be NFIP reforms, like requiring new construction in flood-prone areas to be elevated.

For more information, click here. BD+C

ACI BIM manual for cast-in-place concrete in development

tgregorski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:36:24 +0000

A working group of the American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) Committee 131 on Building Information Modeling (BIM) is actively developing an Information Delivery Manual (IDM) for cast-in-place concrete. The IDM will capture in written form the interaction that occurs in the design and construction of concrete structures by identifying the parties involved in information exchange, what information is exchanged and when, based on a typical construction project timeline.

Siemens earns LEED certification for Maryland office

tgregorski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:26:04 +0000

The Siemens Building Technologies Division’s Beltsville, Md. branch office was recently awarded LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance certification by the USGBC.

CISCO recognizes Gilbane for quality construction, design, and safety

tgregorski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:18:39 +0000

The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) recently announced its Project of the Year winners as part of its annual Pride in Construction award program. Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Integrated Healthcare Facility received top honors in the New Construction – Suburbs category.

Perkins Eastman expands portfolio in China and Vietnam

tgregorski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:53:38 +0000

Perkins Eastman announced awards and milestones in their International Education portfolio, reflecting the firm’s long-standing commitment to design work in Asia.

With an office in Shanghai, Perkins Eastman’s experience in China and Vietnam includes Education, Urban Planning, Healthcare, Senior Living, Retail, and Mixed-use Residential, with a specialty in waterfront development.

Suffolk awarded Boston post office renovation project

tgregorski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:42:09 +0000

Suffolk Construction has been selected by institutional investment advisor, Bentall Kennedy, as construction manager on the renovation of 50 Post Office Square. Formerly 185 Franklin Street, the art deco high-rise building located in Boston’s Financial District will be open to the public for the first time in 60 years upon completion.

Top 10 trends in commercial lenders’ environmental due diligence

tgregorski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:30:52 +0000

What’s in store for lender due diligence this year? Join this EDR Insight webinar to learn about the top ten trends that will define the world of lender environmental due diligence this year. Topics will include:

How lender’s risk aversion is changing in response to market conditions; geographic hot spots for commercial real estate investment; the implication of this year’s wave of loan maturities for environmental risk management; the forecast for commercial real estate lending in 2012, and more.

Three Goettsch leaders elevated to AIA College of Fellows

tgregorski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:22:30 +0000

Steven M. Nilles, FAIA, LEED AP; James E. Prendergast, FAIA, LEED AP; and Leonard Koroski, FAIA, LEED AP, have all been elected to the distinguished College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. All three are senior leaders at architecture firm Goettsch Partners (GP) and represent half of the six Chicago-based architects that were elevated this year, out of a total of 105 nationwide.

Image Gallery:

Skanska welcomes Morrison and Viviano to Atlanta office

tgregorski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:11:43 +0000

Skanska USA announced that Bill Morrison and Jim Viviano have joined the company’s Atlanta office. Morrison will serve as a vice president and Viviano will serve as senior director of business development for Georgia.

Bill Morrison joins Skanska as an Atlanta native with more than 25 years experience in construction, program management, and real estate development. In his new role, he will focus on growing the business, primarily in the higher education and commercial sectors, as well as guide the strategic growth of Skanska in the region.

PV America West conference showcases solar growth market

tgregorski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:02:27 +0000

PV America 2012 West features a conference program designed to provide attendees from all sectors involved with solar with tools and knowledge for the fast-changing photovoltaics industry.

With more than 30 concurrent educational sessions covering finance, markets, policy, technology, utilities, and cross-cutting issues; four instructional workshops, and four interactive Solar Idea Swaps, the program delivers a wide range of topics that address the key developments and policies that are driving industry growth.

SMPS announces Build Business 2012 keynote speakers

tgregorski — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:48:57 +0000

The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is pleased to announce the keynote speakers for Build Business: Take Action, the 2012 SMPS National Conference: Greg Bennick, motivational speaker and founder of One Hundred For Haiti, and Greg Bell, author and founder, Water the Bamboo Center for Leadership.

Comment period for update to USGBC's LEED Green Building Program to open March 1

tgregorski — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:03:37 +0000

The USGBC announced that the third public comment period for the proposed 2012 update to its LEED green building program will open March 1, 2012. The comment period, which will close on March 20, marks the start of the LEED 2012 program delivery process.

Sto Corp. announces new technical director for Canada

tgregorski — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:55:33 +0000

Sto Corp. announced John Edgar as the new technical director for Canada. Edgar has been working for Sto for the last 20 years, serving in multiple leadership positions involving both Canadian and U.S. technical matters.

Edgar will have full responsibility of specifications, details, website technical content, testing and approvals, and will support the Canada sales team. In addition, Edgar will continue to manage several important research projects involving the U.S. and Canada markets. BD+C

GAF introduces web portal for architects and specifiers

tgregorski — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:45:30 +0000

GAF, a North American roofing manufacturer, announced the creation of the Architects’ Portal, a web area accessible from the GAF home page (www.gaf.com) for architects and specification professionals.

It can also be accessed directly at www.gaf.com/architects-specifiers.

The new portal offers a clean look with minimal clutter to make it easier to find the technical information and product data that architects need.

All Steel names Breagy director of metro New York

tgregorski — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:27:28 +0000

James Breagy has been appointed director of sales metro New York for Allsteel Inc.

Breagy is responsible for overseeing this region’s sales team while strategically coordinating the sales efforts of Allsteel dealers and representatives in the tri-state area.

Tremco Inc. headquarters achieves LEED Gold certification

tgregorski — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:41:39 +0000

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded Tremco Inc. LEED Gold certification for the reconstruction of the company's 40-year-old headquarters.

Changes were so extensive that the certification is for new construction and not for renovation; officially, the building is LEED-NC. The building received 72 points from the USGBC, far surpassing the minimum number required for LEED Gold.

AGC advocates for federal procurement reform

tgregorski — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:31:37 +0000

Representatives from The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) testified at a Congressional hearing for reform of the federal procurement process. AGC's recommendations include: