University of Michigan’s Central Campus residence hall, as seen looking west from Hill Street. Rendering © RAMSA

The University of Michigan addresses a decades-long student housing shortage with a new housing-dining facility

The University of Michigan has faced a decades-long shortage of on-campus student housing. In a couple of years, the situation should significantly improve with the addition of a new residential community on Central Campus in Ann Arbor, Mich. The University of Michigan has engaged American Campus Communities in a public-private partnership to lead the development of the environmentally sustainable living-learning student community.

MFPRO+ New Projects

Shipping containers converted into attractive, affordable multifamily housing in L.A.

In the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles, a new affordable multifamily housing project using shipping containers resulted in 24 micro-units for formerly unhoused residents. The containers were acquired from a nearby port and converted into housing units at a factory.

Adaptive Reuse

Empty mall to be converted to UCLA Research Park

UCLA recently acquired a former mall that it will convert into the UCLA Research Park that will house the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy at UCLA and the UCLA Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, as well as programs across other disciplines. The 700,000-sf property, formerly the Westside Pavilion shopping mall, is two miles from the university’s main Westwood campus. Google, which previously leased part of the property, helped enable and support UCLA’s acquisition.

Geothermal Technology

Rochester, Minn., plans extensive geothermal network

The city of Rochester, Minn., home of the famed Mayo Clinic, is going big on geothermal networks. The city is constructing Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) that consist of ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via water-source heat pumps.

Engineers

Engineering goes hand-in-hand with design, putting a practical lens on the architect’s vision and finding the best way to make it happen. Without a talented engineer, the project will never reach completion, and certainly will not reach the standards of functionality and sustainability that the architect and client are seeking.

Apr 8, 2014

40 Under 40 winners: Meet the contractors

Of the up-and-coming AEC professionals to be named to the class of 2014, nine make their living as contractors.

Apr 8, 2014

40 Under 40 winners: Meet the engineers

Of the up-and-coming AEC professionals to be named to the class of 2014, 10 make their living as engineers.

Wyatt Frantom, Associate and Senior Architectural Designer, Gensler, Los Angeles

Apr 7, 2014

40 Under 40 winners: Meet the architects

Of the up-and-coming AEC professionals to be named 40 Under 40 winners by the editors of Building Design+Construction, 21 make their living in the architecture profession.

Sasha Reed | Apr 3, 2014

Security, accountability, and cloud access: Can you really have it all?

I’ve heard countless stories of conversations between project engineers and IT professionals who can’t come to an agreement on the level of security needed to protect their data while making it more accessible—not only externally, but also internally.

Apr 2, 2014

The new model of healthcare facility management

A growing number of healthcare organizations are moving to an integrated real estate model in an effort to better manage costs, respond to regulatory requirements, and support changes in patient care delivery.

The rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the Old Naval Hospital, Washington, D.C

Apr 2, 2014

8 tips for avoiding thermal bridges in window applications

Aligning thermal breaks and applying air barriers are among the top design and installation tricks recommended by building enclosure experts.

ESIF merges three very specialized components: an ultra-energy efficient workpla

Apr 2, 2014

Check out the stunning research facility just named 2014 Lab of the Year [slideshow]

NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility takes top honors in R&D Magazine's 48th annual lab design awards.

Apr 1, 2014

Planned global commerce center breaks ground near Phoenix

When completed, PhoenixMart will be one of the largest single-level trade centers in the U.S.

Apr 1, 2014

Paints, coatings and sealants: Choosing products and procedures for best performance

This course covers life cycle assessment, color selection, emissions, durability, resilience, corrosion resistance, specification standards, and other critical aspects of choosing coatings for interior and exterior walls, ceilings, and roofs.

Mar 31, 2014

Removable flood prevention system installed in one of New York City's largest office buildings

EKO Flood Protection created a flood prevention solution for one of New York City's largest office buildings, 55 Water Street, that can be put up in 8 hours by a crew of 30 people.