Buildings & Design
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EPA launches new Energy Star residential standard
Requirements for certification include heat pumps, resident electric vehicle charging stations, electric cooking appliances and highly energy-efficient construction.
By Mary Salmonsen • May 17, 2024 -
Sponsored by Dow
Structural integrity and safety begins with the right materials
By selecting only high-quality materials that help infrastructure meet—or exceed—minimum building codes and standards, we can ensure our community’s structures are safe, durable and cost-effective.
May 13, 2024 -
Trendline
Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive
From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them in 2024.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
HUD’s $4.8B green retrofit program announces first construction project deal
A new heat pump system will replace the existing gas-powered system at an apartment community housing low-income older adults.
By Ysabelle Kempe • May 9, 2024 -
Q&A
‘The death of the mall was a myth’: Brookfield Properties CEO on the evolution of an aging retail concept
The right mix of retailers depends on the local community, Kevin McCrain said.
By Daphne Howland • May 8, 2024 -
HUD tightens flood-protection rules for new and rebuilt homes
One floodplain manager predicts similar state and local standards may pop up nationwide, but those in real estate finance decried the rule.
By Ysabelle Kempe • May 1, 2024 -
Atlanta office conversion goes to foreclosure
Atlanta, like many cities, has plenty of office conversion candidates. However, those projects come with challenges.
By Leslie Shaver • April 30, 2024 -
Energy Department finalizes rule to phase out fossil fuels in federal buildings
The elimination of on-site fossil fuel use in new projects after 2030 is part of the Biden administration’s push for net-zero emissions from federal facilities by 2045.
By Nish Amarnath • April 29, 2024 -
Results are in for a Los Angeles cool pavement experiment
The covered neighborhood saw cooling benefits, a new study finds. But some researchers contend shade is king when it comes to protecting people from heat.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 26, 2024 -
Suburban office markets show better rent growth, lower vacancy rates than urban ones: Moody’s
Top-performing properties had less access to local amenities, a Moody’s analysis found, challenging the common belief that high-performing properties must be in growing parts of metropolitan areas.
By Joe Burns • April 18, 2024 -
Rooftop heat pump technologies can save US businesses $5B annually: DOE
A new U.S. Department of Energy program aims to bring higher-efficiency rooftop heat pump technologies to market as soon as 2027.
By Nish Amarnath • April 9, 2024 -
This city wants to deconstruct buildings to balance climate goals with growth
Tacoma, Washington’s city council recently directed the city manager to propose ways to boost deconstruction and salvage in the community. It may be challenging given that demolition is often cheaper and easier.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 9, 2024 -
Inside the rise of groundwater-based geothermal heat pumps
The technology, which is cost-effective across 75% of the U.S. landmass and ideal for space-constrained users, could eventually displace utility gas service, proponents say.
By Brian Martucci • April 5, 2024 -
These 8 nonprofits got $20B from the Biden administration for local clean energy financing. Now what?
The “green bank” funds must be obligated by September 2024 amid efforts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 5, 2024 -
High-priority local actions in Biden’s new plan to slash building GHG emissions
The Department of Energy blueprint lays out specific goals to lower U.S. building emissions 90% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 3, 2024 -
DC mayor brokers $515M deal to keep two pro sports teams downtown
The city’s new downtown revival plan is among the factors that reportedly convinced the owner of the Wizards and Capitals to keep them in downtown D.C. instead of proceeding with plans to move them to the Virginia suburbs.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 28, 2024 -
To chart its path away from gas, Massachusetts launches energy transformation office
Headed by a former utility executive, the office will convene a task force with representatives from utilities, municipalities, business, labor and the supply chain industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 25, 2024 -
DC’s downtown revival plan, from office conversions to ‘neighborhood safety centers’
Facing public safety concerns, the possible loss of two professional sports teams and costly office-to-residential conversions, Washington, D.C., officials released highlights of a proposed revitalization.
By Danielle McLean • March 22, 2024 -
New York City bill would mandate solar panels on public buildings
The legislation would prohibit the use of power purchase agreements to meet solar targets, leaving the city to figure out who should handle routine operations and maintenance of the systems.
By Nish Amarnath • March 12, 2024 -
ASHRAE commercial building code standard now requires on-site renewables
The Energy Department estimates that ASHRAE’s updated Standard 90.1 will drive energy savings nationwide. States have two years to certify that they have reviewed and, if needed, updated their codes.
By Nish Amarnath • March 8, 2024 -
Q&A
Think holistically about infrastructure, new president of civil engineering group urges
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ Marsia Geldert-Murphey talks about why public transit is the most underfunded infrastructure sector and how to build climate change-ready structures.
By Julie Strupp • March 7, 2024 -
Building energy code revamps can get another $90M from DOE
More energy-efficient homes can remain habitable longer during extreme heat and cold events, which could save lives, a Department of Energy-commissioned study finds.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 5, 2024 -
LA City Council plans to streamline solar, battery installation review process
The move, which echoes a similar initiative in New York City, aims to help Los Angeles reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035.
By Joe Burns • March 5, 2024 -
NYC defines ‘green economy,’ projects job growth in new action plan
The 124-page plan released yesterday is the city’s latest signal that it is hungry to be at the center of climate change-related business and workforce growth.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 29, 2024 -
JLL urges governments to right-size leased space, focus on talent retention in 2024
Agencies must reimagine workspaces to attract younger workers amid a looming “talent cliff,” according to the firm’s 2024 government trends report.
By Brian Martucci • Feb. 27, 2024 -
Heat pumps would cut energy bills for majority of US homes: NREL research
Even so, “we need work to bring down the cost of installing heat pumps,” said a senior research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 23, 2024