DOE launches database on energy performance of 60,000 buildings

The Energy Department today launched a new Buildings Performance Database, the largest free, publicly available database of residential and commercial building energy performance information. Currently, commercial and residential buildings account for approximately 70% of the electricity consumption in the nation. The database strengthens the Department's commitment to provide U.S. industry, state and local governments, and researchers with innovative energy data tools that can help cut energy waste and save money.

This database will allow users to access energy performance data and perform statistical analyses on more than 60,000 commercial and residential buildings across the country, and new records are being added regularly. The database includes buildings' location; age; size and function; electricity and fuel consumption; equipment information and operational characteristics. The data can also be used to compare performance trends among similar buildings, identify and prioritize cost-saving energy efficiency improvements, and assess the range of likely savings from these improvements. An application programming interface (API) will allow external software developers to incorporate analytical results from the database into their own tools and services.

The database tools have been designed to meet the content and usability needs of public agencies, building owners and managers, contractors, energy efficiency program administrators, and financial institutions, with over 1,000 users testing the site since March 2013. The Department hopes that public and private stakeholders will continue to submit data and expand the resource. All data is made anonymous and protected by stringent privacy and security protocols.

The Buildings Performance Database was developed for the Department's Building Technologies Office by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Building Energy Inc. The Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality.

Thornton Tomasetti provided structural design services through construction administration to architect HOK for the 1.6-million-sf tower and tiara structure, which comprises 15 steel tube arches spanning approximately 158 feet horizontally and 130 feet vertically from the top of the main building roof.

The new addition will keep with the feel of the existing building while incorpor

| Apr 23, 2012

Construction underway on City Winery Chicago

The Building Team is maintaining the old brick and timber construction, while adding 5,000-sf of new construction in the form of a two-story addition within the site’s existing courtyard.

The $300 million project is part of a six-phased inpatient facility construction

| Apr 20, 2012

McCarthy completes Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Replacement Facility

The new hospital’s architectural design combines traditional Santa Barbara Spanish colonial architecture with 21st century medical conveniences highlighted by a therapeutic and sustainable atmosphere.

Young Conaway is the sole tenant of the notable Daniel L. Herrmann Courthouse in

| Apr 20, 2012

Century-old courthouse renovated for Delaware law firm offices

To account for future expansion, Francis Cauffman developed a plan to accommodate the addition of an 8-story tower to the building.

This conference is for professionals in the roof coating, building envelope, gre

| Apr 20, 2012

RCMA and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to host International Roof Coatings Conference

The International Roof Coatings Conference will feature keynote speakers Marc LaFrance of the U.S. Department of Energy, and Art Rosenfeld of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.