GBCI begins testing for new LEED professional credentials. The Green Building Certification Institute last week began testing candidates who wish to pursue credentials through the new LEED Green Associate or LEED Accredited Professional Operations and Maintenance programs. The LEED Green Associate program is intended for individuals seeking knowledge and skills in the non-technical fields of green practice. LEED AP O+M is for those seeking advanced knowledge in sustainable operations and specialized expertise in greening existing buildings.Architects rank durability over 'green' in product attributes. Architects say durability is the most important attribute for a green building product, according to a new industry survey commissioned by PPG Industries. Durability was followed by Energy Star compliance, life cycle assessment, no- or low-volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and the ability to source products regionally.Architecture Billings Index falls slightly in April, but shows market improvement. After an eight-point jump in March, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell less than a full point in April. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI rating was 42.8, down from the 43.7 mark in March. This was the first time since August and September 2008 that the index was above 40 for consecutive months. The new projects inquiry score, however, was positive at 56.8.ASHRAE's building energy label set to launch in June. A label for grading commercial buildings according to their energy efficiency is being developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The label, due out in June, will measure both the design efficiency and operational performance of buildings, similar to the government's Energy Star program.AIA names bus shelter, restroom, Cleveland Arts Center among small project winners. The American Institute of Architects has selected 20 recipients of the 2009 Small Project Awards, including: the Media Arts Center in Cleveland, Ohio, by Robert Maschke Architects; the Public Bus Shelters of New Haven Conn., by David Thompson Architects; and the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail restroom facility in Austin, Texas, by Miro Rivera Architects. See below for more on restrooms.Half of U.S. design firms cut staff, profit margins stabilize. Half of architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms cut staff in 2008, while profit margins on net service revenue remained virtually unchanged from 2007 to 2008, according to ZweigWhite's newly released 2009 Financial Performance Survey.DOE sets partnership with hospitals for energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy has launched the Hospital Energy Alliance (HEA), an industry-led partnership between the DOE and national healthcare sector leaders to promote the integration of advanced energy efficiency and renewable technologies in hospital design, construction, retrofit, operations, and maintenance.More than 30 new Marriott hotels seek LEED certification. Marriott International recently announced that its global headquarters building in Bethesda, Md., and more than 30 of its hotels in design or development or under construction are expected to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 7, 2022
FEMA launches National Initiative to Advance Building Codes
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has launched a new government-wide effort to boost national resiliency and reduce energy costs.
Plumbing | Jun 7, 2022
Sloan launches ‘Sinks Beyond the Restroom’ innovation
Sloan, the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems, has launched its ‘Sinks Beyond the Restroom’ concept.
Building Team | Jun 7, 2022
Announcing construction inclusion week 2022: October 17-21, 2022
Save the date for Construction Inclusion Week 2022: October 17-21, 2022.
University Buildings | Jun 7, 2022
Newfoundland university STEM building emulates natural elements, local traditions
Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) recently opened a new building that will provide interdisciplinary learning and research space for Faculties of Science and Engineering.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2022
Guide helps schools find funding for buildings from federal, state government
New Buildings Institute (NBI) recently released a guide to help schools identify funding programs for facilities improvements available from federal and state government programs.
Airports | Jun 2, 2022
SOM-designed International Arrival Facility at Seattle’s Sea–Tac airport features the world’s largest aerial walkway
The Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)-designed International Arrivals Facility (IAF) at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has opened, replacing a 50-year-old arrival facility.
Women in Design+Construction | Jun 2, 2022
Women in Architecture: How HMC Pioneers Gender Equality
A survey by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) shows that while women account for nearly half of graduates from architecture programs, they only make up about 15 percent of licensed architects.
Codes and Standards | Jun 2, 2022
New design guide for hybrid steel-mass timber frames released
The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has released the first-ever set of U.S. recommendations for hybrid steel frames with mass timber floors, according to a news release.
Mass Timber | Jun 2, 2022
Brooklyn is home to New York City’s first mass timber condo building
In the Brooklyn neighborhood of Park Slope, the newly completed Timber House is New York City’s first mass timber condominium building and its largest mass timber project (by height and square footage).
Codes and Standards | Jun 1, 2022
HKS, U. of Texas Dallas partner on brain health study
HKS and The University of Texas at Dallas’ Center for BrainHealth are conducting a six-month study to improve the way the firm’s employees work, collaborate, and innovate, both individually and as an organization, according to a news release.
