Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
What constitutes a zero-emissions building? The Biden administration is working to create a national, standardized, and verifiable definition for all stakeholders. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has developed Part 1 of a draft national definition for zero-emissions buildings and is now seeking feedback from industry, academia, research laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders through […]
Leading organizations dedicated to sustainable building practices and impact reduction in the built environment have joined forces to align around the Common Materials Framework (CMF), which establishes a common language for holistic material sustainability in the building industry. The groups include the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), […]
In early October, a major bird-collision event occurred in Chicago. While there were other collisions across the city, one building, McCormick Place, killed nearly 1,000 migrating birds in a single night. Although weather patterns played a role, McCormick’s reflective glass walls and bright lighting are known to be the problem. Collisions with glass result in […]
Office conversions in the U.S. are on pace to more than double their recent annual average this year, with momentum picking up due to increased incentives and other support from state and local governments, according to new insight from CBRE. CBRE analyzed the number of office conversions in major U.S. cities since 2016 and found nearly 100 projects […]
The carbon emissions associated with materials used in the built environment, referred to as “embodied carbon,” are estimated to contribute up to 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions. According to a new report from sustainable development consultancy Arup, developed on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), California is one of the first states in […]
Texas Instruments (TI) announced its new semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Richardson, Texas, called RFAB2, achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification under version 4 (v4). According to the company, this designation makes RFAB2 the first wafer fab in the United States and the fourth in the world to achieve this more […]
Sustainable construction practices are becoming increasingly important as we work to combat climate change and build healthier spaces to live and work in. “Green construction” refers to the use of processes and materials that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout the life cycle of a building project. As green building continues to grow in […]
A new report reveals how local laws and policies are speeding up protections for birds from deadly building collisions, one of the leading causes of bird mortality. A staggering number of birds are killed by window collisions each year in the United States, with estimates of up to 1 billion. The Law, Ethics, and Animals Program (LEAP) […]
UC Davis Health, a nationally renowned academic health center that’s part of the University of California, Davis, is building a major new ambulatory surgery center. To learn more about the $589 million project, Facilities Management Advisor recently spoke with an executive at the organization. Called the 48X Complex due to its location at the corner […]
Learn about the importance of next-generation window films at Facilities Management Advisor’s FREE webinar, which will explore how window films can improve building sustainability, resilience, and aesthetics. Can’t make it to the live event? No worries! All registrants also receive a link to an on-demand recording. Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Webinar | How to […]