6 must reads for the AEC industry today: August 20, 2020

1. Japan’s Tokyo Toilet project looks to improve the perception of public restrooms (BD+C) 
"Five toilet locations, including two from Pritzker Prize-winning architect Shigeru Ban, have already opened on July 31 and Aug. 7. Shigeru Ban’s designs, located in Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park and Haru-No-Ogawa Community Park, feature an all glass design that allows people to see from the outside if the restroom is clean, as well as if anyone is currently inside."

2. Existing laws may be restricting efforts to cut carbon emissions (BD+C) 
"For example, the town of Brookline, Mass., enacted at ban on natural gas and oil heating systems and cooking appliances using fossil fuels in new buildings. But, the state’s attorney general overturned the law, citing the town’s lack of authority to create their own building permitting rules or to control the piping installed in buildings."

3. How has shopping changed over the past 100 years? A look at the evolution of retail (Stantec) 
"From malls and big-box stores to online delivery and mall redevelopment: Here’s how the retail landscape has evolved—and where it’s likely headed."

4. Retail Rent Collections Increased in July (Globe St.)
"July rent collections for retail properties increased nearly 15% compared to June and 36% compared to May."

5. 'The Nature Of The Mall Is Changing' As Simon, Brookfield Eye Converting Anchors To Industrial (Bisnow)
"Dead malls have been viewed as attractive targets for industrial conversion projects in recent years, but now the retail-to-industrial conversion trend is expanding to shopping centers that are merely wounded, but still alive."

6. CEO Paul Layne Reorients Howard Hughes Towards Suburbia (Commercial Observer)
"His focus on master-planned suburban communities is proving prescient during the pandemic."