Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
In honor of Termite Awareness Week, March 1-7, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is urging commercial property owners and facilities managers to take action before spring termite activity reaches its peak. Termites cause an estimated $6.8 billion in property damage annually in the United States, with commercial facilities facing unique risks that can lead […]
For many years, shared commercial spaces such as offices, lounges, and lobbies followed stark and simplistic design templates. Elements such as white walls, rigid layouts, and lackluster furniture were standard. As consumers and workers continue to gravitate toward spaces they find aesthetically pleasing, thoughtful and personalized interior design has become essential. It is now a […]
Water systems are among the most essential—and least visible—components of any facility. Pipes, valves, pumps, and recirculation loops work quietly behind walls and below floors, delivering water for sanitation, heating, cooling, and daily operations. Because these systems often function behind the scenes, they tend to receive less attention than HVAC or electrical systems—until a failure […]
The buildings landscape is evolving at lightning speed, and staying ahead means more than just keeping the lights on. It requires a proactive approach, including embracing new technologies, adapting to regulatory changes, and reimagining traditional building operations. With innovation accelerating across every aspect of the built environment, facilities managers are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the global developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the independent body that administers LEED certifications, have announced their annual Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED ranking outside the United States for 2025. While the U.S. remains the […]
Five years into the remote work era, the push to bring employees back to the office continues. But the modern workplace can’t simply revert to its pre-pandemic state. With 14% of U.S. office space still vacant, return-to-office mandates remain a tough sell. In fact, 46% of employees have said they would consider leaving their job […]
The U.S. office vacancy rate reached another all-time high in the second quarter of 2025 at 20.7%, as Moody’s recently reported. That’s the highest vacancy rate in three decades, ABC News reported, with more than 900 million square feet of empty office space—enough to fill New York City’s One World Trade Center 300 times. U.S. […]
The world’s climate clock is ticking, and the built environment stands at a crossroads. Buildings account for nearly 30% of global energy-related carbon emissions, making them both a challenge and an opportunity in the race to stave off the irreversible effects of climate change. At the same time, a new era is dawning, one where […]
Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. Facilities managers are sitting on an untapped treasure trove: cleaning. By rethinking their cleaning practices, they could access higher returns on multiple fronts. Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind, and the microscopic […]
Office properties in vibrant mixed-use districts are dramatically outperforming the rest of the U.S. office market, thanks to post-pandemic demographic shifts and growing preferences for “live-work-play” environments, according to JLL’s Lifestyle Office Markets research report. The report identifies “lifestyle office markets” as mixed-use regions that combine urban amenities with suburban accessibility, featuring moderate density, convenient […]