More permits for ADUs than single-family homes issued in San Diego

Popularity of granny flats growing in California

Codes and Standards

New York City code update changes definition of a major building

Changes affecting how construction projects in New York City are permitted will have significant impacts for contractors. On Dec. 11, the definition of a major building in the city’s code will change from 10 stories to seven, or 75 feet. The change will affect thousands more projects.

Government Buildings

GSA adopts new accessibility guidelines for federal properties

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) adopted a new rule with new accessibility guidelines for federal buildings. The rule establishes that pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way are readily accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.

Office Buildings

Office vacancy peak of 22% to 28% forecasted for 2026

The work from home trend will continue to put pressure on the office real estate market, with peak vacancy of between 22% and 28% in 2026, according to a forecast by Moody’s.

Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2022

Biden Administration launches state, local coalition to boost building performance standards

Will focus on energy efficiency and electrification across the buildings sector.

Codes and Standards | Jan 26, 2022

Downtown digital twin to aid Las Vegas in setting policy priorities

Will be used to address energy use, emissions, traffic, parking, noise, and emergency management.

Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022

Modeling tool helps compare options for HVAC systems when little known about a building

Compares projected costs and energy usage for all HVAC systems and hot water consumption.

Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2022

Critics slam proposed revamp of California’s solar net energy metering rate

Could make rooftop solar panels unaffordable for most customers.

IMAGE_1_Norshield_high securitywindows_ and_doors

Resiliency | Jan 24, 2022

Norshield Products Fortify Critical NYC Infrastructure

New York City has two very large buildings dedicated to answering the 911 calls of its five boroughs. With more than 11 million emergency calls annually, it makes perfect sense. The second of these buildings, the Public Safety Answering Center II (PSAC II) is located on a nine-acre parcel of land in the Bronx. It’s an imposing 450,000 square-foot structure—a 240-foot-wide by 240-foot-tall cube. The gleaming aluminum cube risesthe equivalent of 24 stories from behind a grassy berm, projecting the unlikely impression that it might actually be floating. Like most visually striking structures, the building has drawn as much scorn as it has admiration.