Microsoft plans campus face-lift with new 4-acre green roof, office space expansion

The company said that once the project is approved by the city, work will begin in early 2017 and take three years to complete, with Skanska as the general contractor.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 25, 2016

Striving to 'overcome inertia': Solar industry growth faces obstacles among builders, homeowners

Most industry experts agree that, currently, the biggest hindrance to wider adoption of solar energy is cost.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 22, 2015

Swedish research team explores wood-based 3-D printing

Project members of Would Wood said they hope to eventually produce large-scale wood structures and objects to contribute to the sustainable cities of the future.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 15, 2015

Detroit plans massive 'greening' effort to improve property values, city life

City officials hope the strategy will provide a successful future model for the 20-30 square miles of vacant land in Detroit.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 8, 2015

USGBC pledges to add 5B square feet of green buildings over next 5 years

The group joined other green councils at COP21 in a committment to support sustainability of buildings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 2 degrees.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 4, 2015

Skanska, Autodesk among more than 50 construction companies calling for action on climate change

Amid the COP21 International Climate talks in Paris this month, 54 industry firms signed on to the Building and Real Estate Climate Declaration.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 3, 2015

Heard at Greenbuild 2015: Insights from James Cameron, Skanska, HUD and more

We rounded up some of the most notable quotes from events and interviews during the conference.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 23, 2015

Tesla gigafactory to reach net-zero energy level

Tesla made its roof solar-ready and did not include natural gas pipelines in the factory's construction.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 20, 2015

Profits: The emerging motive for builders and developers to embrace green building

Sustainable construction practices are more than just beneficial for the environment; they also make good business sense.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 20, 2015

Top 10 green building products for 2016

From office furniture to urinals, BuildingGreen offers its predictions of what green products will emerge on top of the growing market next year.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 19, 2015

Report: Dominion Energy construction projects to spur $10B in VA economic benefits

The company's investment program over the next six years aims to achieve goals set in the federal Clean Power Plan.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 19, 2015

Startups Ecovative Design, 10x Technology win Saint-Gobain NOVA Innovation Competition

The competition, held during Greenbuild in Washington, DC, resulted in $37,500 prizes for both winners.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 18, 2015

Dodge: Green building doubling every three years

The report highlights trends, including a rise in green building in emerging economies. About 70% of survey respondents cite lower operating costs as the greatest benefit. 

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 18, 2015

Pew Research: Swelling home sizes hinder progress made in energy efficiency

The average new single-family home completed last year was 2,657 square feet — 57% larger than 40 years ago.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 10, 2015

Study: Buyers spend 3.5% more for homes with green features

An analyst said builders and sellers who "are not factoring in energy efficiency when selling a home are leaving money on the table."

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2015

NY startup Delos aims to elevate building wellness program to LEED heights

Is this new standard "bigger than anything in real estate since the invention of the roof"?

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 26, 2015

Chicago suburb considering bird-friendly building regulations

Between 100 million and a billion birds a year die after flying into glass structures.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 19, 2015

Can green roofs bloom into cost savings for building owners?

With plant-covered roofs garnering major attention for being featured on Facebook's new campus and a proposed Silicon Valley shopping mall, some advocates are trying to get construction decision-makers to give them more consideration.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 15, 2015

NYC tops list of 'greenest' cities in U.S.

WalletHub's list ranks cities according to how much they embrace a "green" way of life.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 15, 2015

CA renewable energy bill likely to trigger construction boom

The governor has signed the bill, which changes the state's previous goals of 33% renewable energy by 2030 to 50%, along with a 50% increase in existing building energy efficiency. 

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 8, 2015

SolarCity factory project exceeds minority hiring goals

The mayor of Buffalo said the construction hiring numbers are a good sign that SolarCity will continue its practices when employment triples at the site over the next few months.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 6, 2015

ULI report: Real estate firms reduce building emissions, energy use

Greenprint is aiming for its members to reach a 50% reduction in building emissions and energy use by 2030.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 6, 2015

'Urban farm' concept wins in battle for CA property development

Core Companies beat out other developers with its "agrihood" design for the 6-acre, Santa Clara space.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 1, 2015

Lennar to build 1st 'solar-standard' community in Austin, TX

Owners in the planned development will have the choice to either lease pre-installed solar panels for $50 a month or buy them outright for $15,000.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 1, 2015

NYC mayor introduces 'retrofit accelerator' to cut building emissions

The announcement was part of Bill de Blasio's "One City Built to Last" initiative, which outlined measures to retrofit all city-owned buildings by 2025.

By Deborah Barrington • Sept. 29, 2015