Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Thanks to recent innovation pairing mineral fiber ceiling panels with phase change material technology (PCM), architects, designers, facilities managers, and other key players in construction and renovation projects are rethinking the role ceilings play in supporting environmental objectives—especially energy savings. As a space warms—typically during the day when it is occupied or receives sunlight—the crystalized […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has officially launched LEED v5, the latest version of its flagship LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification program. The USGBC released the first draft of the highly anticipated update in late 2023. In 2024, the group held two public comment periods, receiving more than 7,000 […]
As sustainability becomes a vital component of facilities management, it’s essential to view waste management strategies not just as a responsibility but as a valuable pathway to achieving immediate cost savings and long-term operational efficiency. By transforming waste practices from reactive measures to proactive investments, facilities managers can significantly enhance their operational performance, create a […]
On the surface, 2025 has not shaped up to be an easy year for facilities managers. Economic uncertainty continues, and skilled labor shortages and budgetary restrictions are making it difficult to improve building performance. These challenges are especially prominent in older buildings with outdated systems and aging infrastructure. At the same time, external forces beyond […]
Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. All-Electric Hospital Major healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente broke ground on an 18-acre, sustainable medical center located at the historic Railyards in downtown Sacramento, Calif. The new facility is expected to help boost the local economy and “bring […]
Chico State, part of the California State University system, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Behavioral and Social Sciences Building. According to project partner Turner Construction, the 94,000-square-foot facility sets a new benchmark for sustainable construction while fostering cutting-edge research, collaboration, and student success. Earning LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building […]
The recently expanded Baird Center, Milwaukee’s premier convention center, has earned LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The $456 million expansion and modernization of Baird Center opened in May 2024 and increased the convention center’s footprint to 1.3 million square feet. Through the use of recycled materials in its construction and equipped with state-of-the-art green […]
Who says going green can’t be fancy and stylish? The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, a luxury resort on Florida’s Paradise Coast, has received LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its Vanderbilt Tower. As one of the world’s most widely used green building rating systems, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification underscores the resort’s […]
Facilities managers must feel like they’re balancing several seemingly conflicting pressures. Chief among them: budgets. Every dollar counts, and pressures on both the supply chain and labor markets leave little room for unexpected cost premiums. At the same time, the incentives for more energy and water efficiency—and the long-term bottom line benefits they can unlock—are […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released its annual Top 10 list of U.S. states LEED-ing the way on green buildings, with Massachusetts taking the top spot in 2024. The USGBC ranking is based on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year. The LEED rating system […]