Construction Trends - Page 14 of 18 - Beyond the Build

Construction Costs Headed Up in ’12…But How Much?

Economics of construction cost can be confounding at times. Just when we think pricing should stabilize, it moves in the opposite direction. Knowing the current cost for a project maybe painful, but it sure beats the alternative. This Construction Executive article summarizes the “why” behind the materials aspect. Factors impacting cost are: *Supply/demand balance; *The amount …

Construction Trends

A Sustainable Carpet That Tracks Footsteps

Last year, the carpet industry lost on innovator. Ray Anderson was a pioneer for corporate sustainability, who changed an entire industry when he founded InterFace. Given his relatively young age, we were saddened to hear news of his passing. Anderson showed the world that corporations can have a focus on capitalism and sustainability. Among many innovations, his …

Construction Trends

EPA Storm Water Regulations: Tough Sailing.

Under the Clean Water Act, quantity and quality of storm water discharge continue to be right in the EPA’s bulls eye. I remember years ago, the late 70s to be exact, I was involved in a project where we graded 5 acres uphill from the surrounding terrain. You guessed it: every time it rained thousands …

Construction Trends

LED Lighting Trends in Commercial Construction

Electricity is the #2 operating expense for most properties. Lowering cost can be a real game changer. We’re about to commence our second LED exterior lighting package at the Redstone Arsenal and in the process should achieve about a 70% energy savings. Here is what we are seeing across the board: There is less new construction, but …

Construction Trends

How the Economy is Remodeling Office Space

A few weeks ago, I was showing the former President of the San Francisco AIA Chapter around our offices. He has done design work for Google and other .coms. His first comment: “Wow, you guys have big offices.” They measure 162 square feet. This got me thinking what future concepts in office space might look like. While the …

Construction Trends

Reimagining Retail

Since the big squeeze started four years ago, we’ve seen lots of retail companies go out of business, change locations or infill/ backfill. As survivors adjust to reality, innovative ideas continue to pop up. Two of these are on my radar at the moment: right-sizing big boxes and creative uses for excess second floor space. …

Construction Trends

In Construction, Green and Frugal Often Go Hand-in-Hand

About this time last year, the Birmingham Business Journal published an article titled “Frugal by Design.” They talked with local architects about something that I truly think is national in interest: the changing landscape of the building business. Three trends were identified that I’ve seen do nothing but grow over the last year. In fact, …

Construction Trends

Civil Rights and the Evolution of Design

Last fall, we broke ground on a project that was more than special. It’s an honor. Independent Living Resources provides community-based, non-residential services and advocacy for those living with disabilities. The new location we are building in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District seems more than fitting. As IRL Executive Director Dan Kessler, told The Birmingham News, …

Construction Trends

Those Who Work in Glass Offices…

Might be over-exposed. That’s what the Wall Street Journal, “Indecent Exposure: The Downsides of Working in a Glass Office” says, anyway. With all the talk about the benefits of open design, no one seemed to consider the pitfalls. Here are a few the WSJ identified: Privacy on personal matters, where human resources or other private …

Construction Trends

LED Lighting: Where We See Things Currently

Recently, we completed two projects using LED lighting for the parking fields. I thought it would be helpful to share a few basic observations and thoughts: PROS: Energy Efficiency. Conventional lighting wastes a high percentage of energy through heat, while LEDs remain cool. This makes these bulbs much more energy efficient. In total, LEDs consume …

Construction Trends

What’s Beyond the Horizon?

In the U.S. today, right now, we have more of everything than we need. More housing, more GLA of every type of space, more service providers, more developers and more building contractors. In order to survive this cycle, we’ve remained nimble, watched expenses and never forgotten what brought us to the party. Our goal is …

Construction Trends

Overcoming a Construction Talent Crunch

As an industry, the recent years have taken us through some lows. As we continue to look ahead and heal, it’s important to consider and overcome what could hold us back. At a recent breakfast, Brian Moore of FMI presented three challenges ahead of us, and some thoughts on how to keep them at bay. 1. Availability of entry-level employees. …

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Construction Costs Headed Up in ’12…But How Much?

A Sustainable Carpet That Tracks Footsteps

EPA Storm Water Regulations: Tough Sailing.

LED Lighting Trends in Commercial Construction

How the Economy is Remodeling Office Space

Reimagining Retail

In Construction, Green and Frugal Often Go Hand-in-Hand

Civil Rights and the Evolution of Design

Those Who Work in Glass Offices…

LED Lighting: Where We See Things Currently

What’s Beyond the Horizon?

Overcoming a Construction Talent Crunch