flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Trends in U.S. commercial building size in three charts

Contractors

Trends in U.S. commercial building size in three charts

A new study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that there were 5.6 million commercial buildings in the U.S. in 2012, totaling 87 billion sf of floor space. This is a 14% increase in floor space since 2003.


By BD+C Staff | May 8, 2015
Share of buildings in the South exceeds region’s share of U.S. population

Construction projects today tend to be larger nationwide. Photo: James Willamor/Flickr

A new study released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals that the average size of new commercial buildings continue to grow. Size increases continued to outpace increases in the number of buildings over the past decade.

The data, documented in the administration’s Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), estimates that there were 5.6 million commercial buildings in the United States in 2012, totaling 87 billion sf of floor space. This is a 14% increase in floor space since 2003, the last time CBECS results were recorded.

Newer buildings tend to be larger than older buildings. In particular, healthcare buildings, hospitality buildings, retail, and religious worship buildings today are larger. 

When broken up by region, the South experienced a lot of growth in building size, and the region’s share of buildings far exceeds its share of the U.S. population.

More information can be found on the Energy Information Administration’s website.

 

 

Related Stories

| Jul 24, 2012

Dragon Valley Retail at epicenter of Yongsan International Business District

Masterplanned by architect Daniel Libeskind, the Yongsan IBD encompasses ten city blocks and includes a collection of high-rise residences and commercial buildings.

| Jul 23, 2012

Giants 300 Firm Index 2012

An alphabetical index of the Giants 300 AEC firms and their ranking in specific categories.

| Jul 23, 2012

Haynes Whaley announces leadership transition

Pronier has worked in the construction industry for the past 30 years.

| Jul 23, 2012

Missner Group completes construction of Chicago auto dealership

The Missner Group also incorporated numerous sustainable improvements to the property including the implementation of a vegetative roof, and the utilization of permeable pavers for the parking lot.

| Jul 20, 2012

2012 Giants 300 Special Report

Ranking the leading firms in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction.

| Jul 20, 2012

Data Centers Report: Demand ‘exploding’

BD+C's Giants 300 Top 25 AEC Firms in the Data Center sector.

| Jul 20, 2012

Office Report: Fitouts, renovations keep sector moving

BD+C's Giants 300 Top 25 AEC Firms in the Office sector.

| Jul 20, 2012

K-12 Schools Report: ‘A lot of pent-up need,’ with optimism for ’13

The Giants 300 Top 25 AEC Firms in the K-12 Schools Sector.

| Jul 20, 2012

Higher education market holding steady

But Giants 300 University AEC Firms aren’t expecting a flood of new work.

| Jul 20, 2012

3 important trends in hospital design that Healthcare Giants are watching closely

BD+C’s Giants 300 reveals top AEC firms in the healthcare sector.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021