Ā
Ā
Reconstruction in its many formsātenant improvements, retail fitouts, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, gut rehab, and so onāis keeping many design and construction firms solvent.
The collapse of the U.S. housing market in 2007-2008 precipitated a nearly commensurate downturn in new nonresidential construction in the United States. Filling the gap, at least to some extent, has been reconstruction.
Architecture, engineering, and construction firms that once realized less than 20% of their revenues from renovation work are now performing 30-40% of their work in reconstruction. Another telling metric: LEED for Existing Buildings has now surpassed LEED for New Construction in total floor space. It is no exaggeration to say that reconstruction is keeping many AEC firms afloat.
This chain of events has created an excellent opportunity for the design and construction industry to seek ways to take reconstruction to the next highest level: from 20-30% energy and water savings, for example, to 40-60%āwhat those in the field are calling ādeep energy retrofits.ā
This White Paper details the obstacles to achieving high-performance reconstructed buildings and describes the promising opportunities available to AEC firms in this sector of the green building market.
The editors argue the case that existing and reused buildings represent āthe 99% solutionā for reducing energy, water, and materials waste in buildings and cutting the share of greenhouse gases produced by nonresidential buildings.
As in our eight previous White Papers, we conclude with a set of specific recommendationsāan 18-point Action Planāfor stakeholders in the built environment to consider.
The editors welcome your feedback. Please contact Robert Cassidy, Editorial Director, at 847-391-1040; rcassidy@sgcmail.com.
Ā
Click here to download a PDF of High-Performance Reconstructed Buildings: The 99% Solution, the 9th in a Series of White Papers on the Green Building Movement
Ā
Chapter 1 Reconstruction: āThe 99% Solutionā for Energy Savings in Buildings
Ā
Chapter 2 Exemplary High-Performance Reconstruction Projects
Ā
Chapter 3 How Building Technologies Contribute to Reconstruction Advances
Ā
Chapter 4 Business Case for High-Performance Reconstructed Buildings
Ā
Chapter 5 LEED-EB and Green Globes CIEB: Rating Sustainable Reconstruction
Ā
Chapter 6 Energy Codes + Reconstructed Buildings: 2012 and Beyond
Ā
Chapter 7 When Modern Becomes Historic: Preserving the Modernist Building Envelope
Ā
Chapter 8 High-Performance Reconstruction and Historic Preservation: Conflict and Opportunity
Ā
Chapter 9 The Key to Commissioning That Works? It Never Stops
Ā
Chapter 10 Action Plan: 18 Recommendations for Advancing Sustainability in Reconstructed Buildings
Ā
DIRECTORY OF SPONSORS
Associations
Construction Specifications Institute
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
The Vinyl Institute
Government
U.S. General Services AdministrationĀ Ā Public Buildings Service
Manufacturers
Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.
SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
Sika Sarnafil
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Nov 6, 2014
To build your strongest team, don't hire clones
To attract and keep talented individuals who are different than you, Entrepreneur magazine suggests a few foundational principles. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Nov 6, 2014
Hines planning tall wood office building in Minneapolis
The Houston-based developer is planning a seven-story wood-framed office building in Minneapolisā North Loop that will respect the neighborhoodās historic warehouse district look.
| Nov 6, 2014
Studio Gang Architects will convert power plant into college recreation center
The century-old power plant will be converted into a recreation facility with a coffee shop, lounges, club rooms, a conference center, lecture hall, and theater, according to designboom.
Sponsored | | Nov 6, 2014
Drilling deeper: On the ground insights from the Marcellus Shale region
The Marcellus Shale region is expansive, stretching from upstate New York through Pennsylvania to West Virginia. Itās an exciting time to live and work in the area. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Nov 5, 2014
AEC firms leverage custom scripts to bridge the āBIM language gap'
Without a common language linking BIM/VDC software platforms, firms seek out interoperability solutions to assist with the data transfer between design tools.
| Nov 5, 2014
Survey: More than 75% of workload takes place without face-to-face interactions
With the rise of technology, much of the workdayāeven the most productive morning hoursāis spent corresponding via email or conference call, according to a recent survey of corporate workers by Manciniā¢Duffy.
| Nov 5, 2014
The architects behind George Lucas' planned Chicago museum unveil 'futuristic pyramid'
Preliminary designs for the $300 millionĀ George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art have been unveiled, and it looks like a futuristic, curvy pyramid.
Sponsored | | Nov 5, 2014
How to maximize affordability and sustainability through all-wood podiums
Wood podium construction takes an age-old material and moves it into the 21st century.Ā
| Nov 4, 2014
Zaha Hadid's first building in Shanghai debuts
Sky SOHO is the third in a trilogy of SOHO China developments designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
| Nov 4, 2014
HOK breaks ground on colossal research complex for LG in Seoul
Located in Seoulās Magok District, the LG Science Park provides facilities to support innovative research and industrial prototyping.Ā HOK designed phase one of the master plan and six of the laboratory and office buildings.