LafargeHolcim launches CO2-reducing cement business

After six years in the making through a partnership with Solidia Technologies, the Solidia product reduces the carbon footprint in precast concrete by 70%, the firms said.

By Kim Slowey • Aug. 9, 2019

Sidewalk Labs is building a smart city entirely of mass timber. What could go wrong?

North America is on the cusp of a mass timber revolution, and the Waterfront Toronto project is leading the way. But the material faces major obstacles.

By Kira Barrett • Aug. 5, 2019

Berkeley, California, sets historic law banning natural gas in new buildings

Berkeley is the first U.S. city to pass such a measure, designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions and prepare new buildings for electric infrastructure.

By Kristin Musulin • July 30, 2019

USGBC seeks proposals to strengthen new LEED standard

The council wants input on how to shape the next version of its rating system following the April release of v4.1. 

By Kim Slowey • July 10, 2019

Hawaii DOT to use carbon-injected concrete in all construction

The state agency said the material is stronger and adds no extra costs, and some cities are moving toward calling for its use in vertical structures as well.

By Jason Plautz • July 8, 2019

BRE Global introduces new construction standard to US

The "Americanized" version of the International New Construction standard, which has spent a year in development, also certifies "non-standard" buildings with uncommon configurations or in unusual locations. ​

By Kim Slowey • June 19, 2019

Analysts: Infrastructure, modularization, resiliency top industry drivers

While a recession is likely on the horizon, several segments of the construction industry will experience massive growth in the next few years, say experts from McKinsey and Dodge.

By Jennifer Goodman • June 11, 2019

Iowa office first to be built with dowel-laminated timber

The all-wood mass timber product employed on the Des Moines project is the first in North America to not require nails or other fasteners.

By Kim Slowey • May 24, 2019

PCL, CopperTree partner to build smart from the ground up

The contractor will embed energy analytics services during construction to meet owners' demand for less costly, simplified building management.

By Kathleen Brown • April 24, 2019

NYC's 'Green New Deal' to ban glass, steel skyscrapers

Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to reduce greenhouse emissions 30% by 2030 while creating "tens of thousands" of well-paying green construction jobs.

By Kim Slowey • April 24, 2019

NABTU: Union, wage protections must underlie $1T infrastructure plan

Union leaders and lawmakers at a conference this week called for prevailing wages, project labor agreements and other standards to be included.

By Kathleen Brown • April 10, 2019

Test lab for timber technology: college campus construction

With 34 mass timber college buildings completed or in the works across the country, the technology is seeing a lot of support despite challenges.

By Hallie Busta • April 10, 2019

Chicago's building code overhauled after 70 years

The modernization brings the city in line with international standards and gives contractors more options for building materials and technologies.

By Kim Slowey • March 26, 2019

How connected devices are driving a new wave of data center construction

While demand for massive data centers is subsiding, smaller facilities with better geographic spread will need to come online to support video streaming, smart devices, 5G and more, says DPR Construction's Tom Maples.

By Kathleen Brown • Jan. 30, 2019

21-story timber building in Wisconsin, tallest in US, advances

Milwaukee Common Council's approval means the residential structure must now pass fire safety specs and paves the way for its developer to propose a 7-story wood office building as well.

By Kim Slowey • Updated March 1, 2019

How tech giants are driving US construction trends

While HQ2s and office projects draw the most eyeballs, companies like Amazon, Apple and Microsoft are driving construction outside cities and across the country in the form of data centers, warehouses and more.

By Kathleen Brown • Jan. 23, 2019

New York's Cuomo proposes $150B, 5-year infrastructure plan

The governor's proposed fiscal year 2020 budget also includes transportation funds and legislation to expand the use of the design-build project delivery method, among other provisions.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 22, 2019

Repairing Puerto Rico's schools post-Maria will cost $11B, take 7 years

The money the U.S. territory is counting on could be diverted to pay for wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border if the president declares a national emergency.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 16, 2019

Trump planning another pass at $1T infrastructure package

A massive program of infrastructure construction and rehabilitation was one of the linchpins of President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign but the initiative has not yet come to fruition.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 7, 2018

Half of industry expects majority of projects to be 'green' in 3 years

The Dodge Data & Analytics study also revealed that although green building techniques are increasing, not everyone is pursuing third-party certification.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 16, 2018

ICC releases collaborative 2018 green building code

The unified green building code — which addresses topics such as energy efficiency, water safety, land use, site development and building performance — is meant to make it easier for jurisdictions and contractors.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 13, 2018

What you need to know about green building and sustainability

.spotlight-list { counter-reset: counter; list-style-type: none; margin-left: 0; padding-left: 0; } .spotlight-list-item { margin: 2rem 0; padding-left: 3rem; position: relative; } .spotlight-list-item:before { background-color: #d62828; color: white; conte...

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 30, 2018

6 green certifications contractors should know about

Though they trail LEED and Energy Star, several other unique benchmarks for building in a way that is healthy for both occupants and the environment are gaining ground and can't be ignored.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2018

10 contractors profiting from sustainable building

These are the industry leaders, per ENR revenue rankings, that are implementing sustainable practices in innovative, effective ways.

By Kathleen Brown • Oct. 29, 2018

Mass timber's striking case for sustainability

As mass timber lays claim to increasingly innovative technology and prefabrication, it also hopes to get an edge up on its traditional building material counterparts through its lower carbon footprint and renewability traits.

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 26, 2018