Construction Newswire
Honeywell Oversees $4.6M Lighting Retrofit in California Town - GreenerBuildings - February 19, 2010
Honeywell is helping the San Francisco Bay Area town of Antioch transform the lighting in city buildings, streets, parks and parking lots in a $4.65 million retrofit project.
Online Broadband Mapping Tool May Help Local Governments Land Stimulus Funds - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Mapping existing broadband service is a requirement for states angling for a piece of the roughly $4.2 billion in matching American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for high-speed Internet expansion.
Unemployment Hits 25% - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Construction’s unemployment rate soared to 25% in January, up from 18% the previous year, 11% in 2008 and 9% in 2007, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jacobs Buys Southeast U.S. Water-Wastewater Engineer - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
In its latest step on the acquisition trail, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Pasadena, Calif., said on Feb. 15 it had purchased Norcross, Ga.-based Jordan, Jones &Goulding Inc. (JJG), a 500-person engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater markets.
Feds Back Big Construction Program With Big Bucks - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
The Obama administration announced on Feb. 16 the first of what it hopes will be several loan guarantees for the construction of new U.S. nuclear facilities.
Texas Takes a New Direction With DFW Connector Project - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
An innovative, Texas-style highway contract will be put to the test as construction starts this month on the $1.02-billion DFW Connector project. It is designed to relieve congestion and double traffic capacity near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Advocates Call For Composites Codes - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Thanks to an increasing national awareness of infrastructure maintenance issues and the environment, composite materials are gaining support.
Operations and Maintenance Tools Join Design Portfolio - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Two companies with industrial- strength software for handling data for infrastructure operations and management have been bought by a vendor known for design and engineering software. The firm has its eye on delivering cradle-to-grave facilities-information management solutions.
Delaying California Diesel Rule Offers Builders Little Relief - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
California’s Air Resources Board downshifted this month by offering contractors “relief.” The regulatory board says it will delay enforcement of its emissions regulations—which were set to go into effect on March 1—for existing off-road diesel machinery until it receives a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Clean-Air Costs Will Come In Stages, Caterpillar Execs Say - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Prices for Caterpillar construction equipment will rise by about 12% over the next four years as the company rolls out new and revised models that meet the next level of worldwide clean-air standards.
Post-Recession Strategy for Firms Is the New Turning Point - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Engineering and construction firms are charting new courses for corporate survival and growth as the recession takes hold. Time will tell if it’s the right path for each.
The Senate Floats A Pared Back Jobs Bill - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Reid’s surprise proposal would extend SAFETEA-LU and bolster the Highway Trust Fund, but it wouldn’t increase federal infrastructure spending beyond current levels
Bentley Offers Free Data Exchange Tools - Architectural Record - February 19, 2010
In an effort to ease the exchange of structural information among construction project participants and between applications, Pennsylvania-based software developer Bentley Systems has released two tools, making them available to users without charge.
Biodegradable Toys Explored by Spanish Institute - GreenerDesign - February 19, 2010
The Technological Institute for Toys is running a project called BIOTOY to find biodegradable materials suitable for use in toys.
Mountainsmith Weaves Recycled Content Into More Outdoor Gear - GreenerDesign - February 19, 2010
Outdoor bag and pack maker Mountainsmith has added recycled content to almost 40 percent of its products over the past five years, and with the right circumstances, it could double that amount in the coming years.
KB Home to Webcast Presentation at the 2010 Wells Fargo Securities Housing and Building Products Conference (Business Wire) - Yahoo! - February 19, 2010
LOS ANGELES----KB Home , one of America’s premier homebuilders, today announced that senior management will present at the 2010 Wells Fargo Securities Housing and Building Products Conference on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.
Toxics Become a Strategic Issue: The State of Green Business 2010 - GreenerDesign - February 12, 2010
The toxicity of products and manufacturing processes has been a concern ever since Silent Spring was published 48 years ago, but a confluence of events and trends in 2009 pushed toxics further into the public spotlight -- and further up the corporate ladder.
Commercial Building Portfolios Rake In Savings with Energy Star Certifications - GreenerBuildings - February 12, 2010
Groups that have earned recognition as "Energy Star Leaders" saved more than $48 million last year in energy costs, four times as much as in 2008.
Lack of Awareness About Water Risks Threatens to Sink Global Firms - GreenerBuildings - February 12, 2010
The vast majority of large publicly companies are failing to adequately manage and disclose risks they face from water stress and scarcity, an issue that will likely become more acute as the world's population increases and the future impacts of climate change come to pass, according to new Ceres research.
DC Keeps PACE to Support Energy Efficiency - GreenerBuildings - February 12, 2010
As the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bond program is poised to begin San Francisco, green building attorney Chris Cheatham recaps efforts to establish the plan in Washington, D.C.
Time To Hammer Into The Homebuilders? (at Investopedia) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
KB Home Debuts Martha Stewart Built to Order Kitchens in Florida (Business Wire) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
TAMPA &ORLANDO, Fla.----KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia have announced the debut of Martha Stewart™ Built to Order™ Kitchens in two Florida markets. For the first time, homebuyers will have the exclusive opportunity to choose a Martha Stewart-inspired kitchen as a feature in their new Built to Order KB home.
[audio] Blizzards could damage spring real estate market [5.0 min] (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
All the snow hitting the eastern part of the U.S. could dampen the spring housing season. So says Steve Kerch, an editor at MarketWatch. He joins John Wordock to talk about next week's housing reports, the spring housing season, and the role of Old Man Winter.
Lennar scoops up distressed loans from FDIC (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
The home builder has positioned itself to benefit further from a real estate recovery through a distressed-land deal with the FDIC to purchase a 40% stake in bank loans with a combined unpaid balance of about $3 billion.
Pulte Homes (PHM) To Pickup By End Of 2010 And Aggressively Perform, According To President Of P.R. Herzig And Co. (Wall Street Transcript) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
Lennar shares jump on FDIC loan portfolio deal (AP) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
Shares of Lennar Corp. surged Thursday, a day after the homebuilder disclosed a deal with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to resolve about 5,500 distressed real estate loans.
Don't Get Hosed by Home Builders (at Barrons.com) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
Don't Get Hosed by Home Builders By Steven M. Sears Jefferies tells clients to sell out-of-the-money calls on housing stocks.
Home-builder stocks rise ahead of Pulte earnings (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
After losing ground for the previous three sessions, home-builder stocks are among the market's strongest performers Monday ahead of quarterly results from Pulte Homes.
Earnings Preview: Pulte Homes (AP) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
Pulte Homes Inc., the nation's largest homebuilder, reports its fourth-quarter results before the stock market opens Tuesday.
Can IT Solve the World's Problems? - GreenerDesign - February 8, 2010
These tools and resources from some of the world's largest IT companies serve as a companion to the discussion at the State of Green Business Forum 2010, looking at how technology can address the 98 percent of the world's CO2 emissions it is not directly responsible for.
Builders Start to Look Up (at The Wall Street Journal Online) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
Looking for Value in Homebuilders (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
Majority of Americans Still in the Dark About Federal Phaseout of Traditional Bulbs - GreenerBuildings - January 29, 2010
More Americans are buying energy efficient lighting and are aware of the energy-saving benefits -- but most are clueless about the phaseout of incandescent bulbs that starts in two years.
Lighting: A Path to a Greener Bottom Line - GreenerBuildings - January 29, 2010
Companies must not only survive the "Great Recession" of today, but must strategically position themselves for the green economy of tomorrow. More than even before, sustainability objectives are converging with profitability expectations.
How Our Bones Inspire Architecture, Chairs and Cars - GreenerDesign - January 29, 2010
Material is expensive and so is the energy used to make it. You should put the material where it is needed and take it away from where it is doing no good. Living bone is actually doing this all the time, and some designers have mimicked this process.
Global Packaging Definitions, Metrics Approved - GreenerDesign - January 29, 2010
Leaders from major consumer goods companies and retailers have agreed on a suggested set of definitions, principles and metrics (which will be tested in the coming months) regarding sustinability in packaging.
Online Directory Links Plastic Waste Buyers and Sellers - GreenerDesign - January 29, 2010
PlasticsMarkets.org, an online directory for buyers and sellers of plastic scrap, has been expanded with a wider scope of materials, scrap pricing and an improved search feature.
New York City Transit Chief Cites Worsening Budget Problems - ENR.com - January 29, 2010
One of the biggest capital construction programs in the country faces a crisis as Obama vows spending limits.
California, Midwest, Florida Lead Winners of High-Speed Rail Grants - ENR.com - January 29, 2010
California is the top winner but Midwest states and Florida also scored big in states' fierce competition for $8 billion in federal grants to build high-speed-rail lines around the country.
U.S. Embassy in Haiti Stood Up to Quake's Shaking - ENR.com - January 29, 2010
The U.S. embassy in Haiti is one of the rare significant structures in Port-au-Prince to have survived the Jan. 12, 7.0 magnitude earthquake with only minor damage, none of it structural.
[audio] Housing falls to second-tier on Obama's agenda [7.5 min] (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - January 29, 2010
Housing has "clearly"fallen to the second-tier on Washington's agenda. So says Rick Sharga at RealtyTrac. Of the 77,000 words in President Obama's State of the Union address, Sharga notes only 30 dealt with housing.
A Once Eminent Firm Meets a Bitter End - Architectural Record - January 29, 2010
The legacy firm of famed midcentury Modernist Minoru Yamasaki has closed its doors amid a sea of recriminations and debts.
What Does the FDA's BPA Decision Mean for Companies? - GreenerDesign - January 25, 2010
When the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month expressed for the first time some concern about bisphenol A, it no doubt caused some panic among potentially impacted firms -- but it also opened the door of opportunity for early movers.
What’s Your Biggest Green Accomplishment of 2009? - GreenerDesign - December 29, 2009
Everybody’s got one, but some years even our loved ones — not to mention our bosses — fail to ask. But we did.
World’s Tallest Buildings Reconsidered - Architectural Record - December 29, 2009
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has changed the way it measures building height.
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Wells Fargo Bank Questions Schwing’s Financial Viability - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
Construction lender Wells Fargo &Co. has called into question the viability of concrete-pump supplier Schwing America Inc. in a recent bankruptcy filing.
Q&A: Ten Minutes With Pennsylvania Governor Rendell - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
On eve of expected release of Obama's jobs-bill proposal, Rendell seeks to see the plan include $100 billion for infrastructure.
Brazil Seeks Bids for Continent’s First High-Speed Rail Line - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
The government of Brazil has announced it is seeking bid proposals for a 317-mile high-speed rail line linking São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Offshore ‘Oyster’ Wave-Powered Generator Undergoing Testing in the U.K. - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
An unusual wave-power system that pumps high-pressure water to an onshore hydroelectric plant recently began feeding electricity into the U.K.’s national transmission system.
Builders Don’t Like Stormwater Rule - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
The anticipated costs to contractors to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule addressing stormwater runoff on construction sites outweigh any benefits to water quality, say industry representatives.
845-MW Wind Farm To Be World’s Largest - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
Wind energy from north-central Oregon will power homes in Southern California when an 845-MW wind farm is completed in 2012.
Washington and EG&G Brands Disappear in URS Move - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
URS Corp., the San Francisco-based engineering-construction giant, announced on Dec. 22 it will “rebrand and integrate” its Washington Group and EG&G divisions into the firm.
Cushman &Wakefield Helps SF Highrise Attain Record-Setting LEED-Gold Certification - GreenerBuildings - December 21, 2009
With help from property management firm Cushman & Wakefield, the 38-story First Market Tower in San Francisco has earned LEED-Gold certification and become the largest existing building on the U.S. West Coast to receive such a rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Homebuilder M&A 2010: A Big Land Grab? (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - December 21, 2009
Homebuyers Are Settling for Smaller Houses (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - December 21, 2009
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Q&A: Ten Minutes With Pennsylvania Governor Rendell - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
On eve of expected release of Obama's jobs-bill proposal, Rendell seeks to see the plan include $100 billion for infrastructure.
Brazil Seeks Bids for Continent’s First High-Speed Rail Line - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
The government of Brazil has announced it is seeking bid proposals for a 317-mile high-speed rail line linking São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Offshore ‘Oyster’ Wave-Powered Generator Undergoing Testing in the U.K. - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
An unusual wave-power system that pumps high-pressure water to an onshore hydroelectric plant recently began feeding electricity into the U.K.’s national transmission system.
Builders Don’t Like Stormwater Rule - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
The anticipated costs to contractors to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule addressing stormwater runoff on construction sites outweigh any benefits to water quality, say industry representatives.
845-MW Wind Farm To Be World’s Largest - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
Wind energy from north-central Oregon will power homes in Southern California when an 845-MW wind farm is completed in 2012.
Green Teams: Engaging Employees in Sustainability - GreenerDesign - December 8, 2009
The latest in our series of GreenBiz Reports explores and outlines the 10 best practices for bringing all your employees on board with your company's sustainability projects.
Sustainable Packaging Indicators and Metrics Framework Version 1.0 - GreenerDesign - December 8, 2009
The Sustainable Packaging Indicators and Metrics Framework Version 1.0 is the outcome of an 18-month project that the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) undertook to develop a set of common indicators and metrics to help companies measure progress against the criteria articulated in the SPC Definition of Sustainable Packaging.
New Guide Points the Way to Sustainable Packaging - GreenerDesign - December 8, 2009
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has publicly released its all-encompassing framework of indicators and metrics that should be used to determine the sustainability of packaging, from materials to energy to how workers are treated.
AT&T Creates New Post to Marshal Efficiency Efforts Companywide - GreenerBuildings - December 8, 2009
AT&T has established a corporate post for a director of energy to take the reins of the firm's energy management drive -- and named its first appointee to the job.
All State Properties Holdings Forms Oklahoma Subsidiary (Business Wire) - Yahoo! - December 8, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn.----All State Properties Holdings, Inc. today announced the launch of a new wholly owned subsidiary company, All State Energy of Oklahoma, Inc. The new company will focus on the acquisition, exploration, and development of crude oil and natural gas reserves in Oklahoma.
Orleans Homebuilders Announces Notice from the NYSE Amex LLC (PR Newswire) - Yahoo! - December 8, 2009
Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. announced today that on December 1, 2009 the Company received a written notice from NYSE Amex LLC stating that the Company is not in compliance with certain of the Exchange's continued listing criteria.
Homebuilder Gets De-Listing Notice (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - December 8, 2009
The No-Maintenance Home Myth - Builder - December 8, 2009
Virtual home designer and building scientist weigh in on defining true sustainability.
Energy-Efficient Mortgages - Builder - December 8, 2009
Despite the growth of green building, EEMs can't gain a foothold.
Factory-Built Green Housing - Builder - December 8, 2009
New World Homes offers traditional house styles that combine off-site building with high-level performance.
Richard Rogers Wins Stirling Prize for Maggie’s Centre - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.
Why the Architecture Profession Needs the AAO - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
In early November, more than 150 representatives of architecture and design organizations came to Chicago to hold the inaugural meeting of the Association of Architecture Organizations (AAO).
Cubellis, One of Boston’s Largest Firms, Shuttered - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
Cubellis, a top-earning international architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Boston, has closed.
Construction Jobless Rate Climbs To 19.4% in November - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
Construction's unemployment rate continued to to rise in November, climbing to 19.4% from October's 18.7%, while the nation's overall jobless rate declined slightly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.
Masdar City Offers $150,000 Prize for Sustainable Concrete Mix - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
In an effort to accelerate the development of cost-effective, sustainable concrete, Masdar, the developer of the planned carbon and waste-neutral Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, is holding a concrete mix design competition.
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - December 8, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Wells Fargo Bank Questions Schwing’s Financial Viability - ENR.com - December 8, 2009
Construction lender Wells Fargo &Co. has called into question the viability of concrete-pump supplier Schwing America Inc. in a recent bankruptcy filing.
An Updated Benchmark for Corporate Green Chemistry Practices - GreenerDesign - November 30, 2009
This tool allows companies to develop an initial assessment of where they stand on the use of toxic chemicals in their operations, and discover and implement safer alternatives.
L.F. Driscoll Acquisition Boosts Structure Tone’s Reach - ENR.com - November 30, 2009
Philadelphia firm’s healthcare expertise would bolster the big New York City-based interiors contractor.
Custom Builder Squares Off with Production Builder Over Green Construction - Builder - November 20, 2009
At the Greenbuild Conference last week, Tedd Benson chastised builders for not crafting high-quality homes.
Richard Rogers Wins Stirling Prize for Maggie’s Centre - Architectural Record - November 20, 2009
It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.
Projects Will Cement Southwest’s Lead in Renewable Energy - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Corps Failed to Protect New Orleans From Katrina Flooding, Court Rules - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to blame for massive flooding in the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina and is liable for damages, a federal court judge in New Orleans ruled Nov. 18.
Sen. Boxer Seeks DOT Help To Push Six-Month Transport Bill - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has urged top U.S. Dept. of Transportation officials to weigh in to help end what she termed a "standoff" with the House over the length of a surface transportation bill.
Ford Mixes Wheat Waste With Plastic in 2010 Flex - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
The 2010 Ford Flex will include the auto industry's first use of wheat straw, a waste byproduct from wheat production, expanding Ford's use of bio-based and alternative materials.
Vetrazzo Gets a Green Audit to Back Its Product Claims - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
The manufacturer of recycled-glass surfaces announced during Greenbuild 2009 that it had published an Environmental Product Declaration, allowing customers to verify the reduced impacts of its product line.
Nanotube Sponge Promises Improved Pollution Mop-up - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
Chinese researchers say new carbon nanotubes will make oil spill clean-ups quicker and easier.
Marriott to Launch Prototype for Green Design of Courtyard Hotels - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
In the latest move to expand its sustainability efforts, Marriott International Inc. says its green hotel portfolio will grow tenfold in the next five years with the introduction of a design prototype for new green properties.
Scenes from My 15th Greenbuild Expo - GreenerBuildings - November 13, 2009
The sights and sounds of this year's conference show just how far the gathering -- and the green building as an industry -- has changed since the first, tiny outdoor gathering in Big Sky, Montana in 1994.
Starbucks Expands Green Building Projects with LEED Volume Certifications - GreenerBuildings - November 13, 2009
During Greenbuild 2009, the coffee giant announced its membership in a U.S. Green Building Council program that will allow it to rapidly certify new stores as green buildings around the world.
Autodesk Brings Its High-Tech Toolbox to Greenbuild - GreenerBuildings - November 13, 2009
Amidst the drumbeat of news coming from Greenbuild, it's been impossible to ignore the multitude of announcements unleashed by Autodesk -- and our sources tell us there are more on the way.
Rates on 30-year loans remain below 5 percent (AP) - Yahoo! - November 13, 2009
Rates this week for 30-year home loans stayed below 5 percent for the second week in a row. The average rate fell to 4.91 percent from 4.98 percent a week earlier, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday.
Homebuilders slide on mortgage applications report (AP) - Yahoo! - November 13, 2009
Shares of homebuilders slid Thursday after the Mortgage Bankers Association said the volume of mortgage loan applications filed to purchase homes dropped last week to the lowest level in nine years.
Adrian Smith Develops “Decarbonization” Plan for Cities - Architectural Record - November 13, 2009
At Last, A Green Light for Foster’s 980 Madison Avenue Scheme - Architectural Record - November 13, 2009
Supporting University’s Glass Dome Tests Foundation Crew - ENR.com - November 13, 2009
Projects Will Cement Southwest’s Lead in Renewable Energy - ENR.com - November 13, 2009
By 2020 China Will Pass U.S. As Pre-Eminent Construction Market - ENR.com - November 13, 2009
China will push the U.S. into second place as the world's biggest construction market before the end of the next decade, according to a new forecast of the next decade called Global Construction 2020 (CG2020).
Beyond the Black Cloud: Looking at Lifecycles - GreenerDesign - November 6, 2009
Looking at the full impact of any type of product or device -- rather than, say, the cloud of exhaust in front of you on the highway -- opens the door to a whole new understanding of how design affects the environment.
Nike Debuts Latest Collection of 'Considered Design' Products - GreenerDesign - November 6, 2009
Nike will debut a new collection of athletic footwear Saturday made with environmentally preferred materials. A portion of revenue from the N7 line will support Native American youth sports through the N7 Fund.
The Green Building Market and Impact Report 2009 - GreenerDesign - November 6, 2009
This second annual report, by Rob Watson and the GreenBiz.com editorial team, explores the impacts that LEED-certified buildings have already had on energy, water, waste and employee productivity -- and projects those impacts for the next 20 years.
A Regional Green Building Case Study Project - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
This report from the U.S. Green Building Council's Chicago Chapter is the first to provide detailed post-occupancy performance data on a regional level.
Johnson Controls: The Quiet Company Raises Its Voice and Its Profile - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
Though a giant in the buildings and automotive industries, Johnson Controls Inc. was long considered a quiet company — seldom a major presence outside its lines of business. That's changing as the firm increasingly raises its voice and its profile to spread its mantra of "Efficiency Now."
Diversey Ups Emissions Reductions Investments, Earns Bigger ROI - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
One year after setting a goal to cut corporate emissions by 8 percent before 2013, Diversey CEO today announced the company had already surpassed that target, and upped the goal to a 25 percent reduction in the same time frame.
Green Buildings Continue Impressive Growth, New Market Study Finds - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
The Green Building Market and Impact Report, released this morning by GreenerBuildings.com, measures the beneficial impacts that LEED-certified buildings have on energy, water, worker productivity and more, and charts the growth of the green marketplace in the coming years.
The Green Building Market and Impact Report 2009 - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
This second annual report, by Rob Watson and the GreenBiz.com editorial team, explores the impacts that LEED-certified buildings have already had on energy, water, waste and employee productivity -- and projects those impacts for the next 20 years.
YKK Boosts Green Product Line with Window Additions to enerGfacade Line - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
Just in advance of the Greenbuild conference, YKK AP America this week unveiled a new aluminum window designed to boost energy efficiency by as much as 30 percent over standard windows.
[$$] Shaky Foundation for Home Builders (at Barrons.com) - Yahoo! - November 6, 2009
Shaky Foundation for Home Builders Investors are best advised to avoid the group through year end, says Fox-Pitt Kelton.
Orleans Homebuilders Announces Limited Waiver and Amendment Extension (PR Newswire) - Yahoo! - November 6, 2009
Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. announced today that on November 4, 2009, but effective as of October 30, 2009, the Company had received from the lenders under the Company's $375 million Credit Facility a limited waiver and amendment extension letter related to the Company's Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2008 .
At Least 50 Tall Buildings Now on Hold - Architectural Record - November 6, 2009
Seattle fund fuels efficiency - Sustainable Industries - November 6, 2009
An investment fund focused on energy efficiency launches.
A Regional Green Building Case Study Project - GreenerBuildings - October 30, 2009
This report from the U.S. Green Building Council's Chicago Chapter is the first to provide detailed post-occupancy performance data on a regional level.
Has The Real Estate Market Bottomed? (at Forbes.com) - Yahoo! - October 30, 2009
Standard Pacific reports smaller 3Q loss (AP) - Yahoo! - October 30, 2009
Homebuilder Standard Pacific Corp. on Thursday reported a much narrower third-quarter loss as it booked fewer charges to write down land values amid the housing slump.
Adrian Smith Develops “Decarbonization” Plan for Cities - Architectural Record - October 30, 2009
Repair Crew Back on Bay Bridge As New Failure Raises Questions - ENR.com - October 30, 2009
Deirdre Imus's Mission to Green up Toxic Hospitals - GreenerDesign - October 29, 2009
<p>The head of the Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center talks about how she developed and promotes her line of green cleaning products, the lessons all ecopreneurs can take from her story, and how her success is a system, not a secret.</p><img src="http://www.greenerdesign.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/wide_small/091029-clark-w.jpg" alt="" title="" width="100" height="75" /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/greenerdesign/~4/FK_qCxt445E" height="1" width="1"/>
Life Cycle Assessment 101: Why Does it Matter? - GreenerDesign - October 29, 2009
<p>Understanding life cycle assessment is important for product engineers and designers, as it is a tool that uses quantifiable analysis to evaluate sustainability metrics. As these tools and skills develop over time, they also lead themselves to ever more sustainable future products.</p><img src="http://www.greenerdesign.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/wide_small/1010LCAH.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-wide_small" /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/greenerdesign/~4/3w5yj9wW5sk" height="1" width="1"/>
New Home Sales Dip in September (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - October 29, 2009
Democrats and Republicans Agree to Keep Juicing the Housing Market (TechTicker) - Yahoo! - October 29, 2009
Supporting University’s Glass Dome Tests Foundation Crew - ENR.com - October 29, 2009
"First-Time Homebuyer"Credit May Cost Government up to $96,000 Per Home (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - September 21, 2009
Mound Technologies Continues to Complete Key Projects and Win New Contracts (PR Newswire) - Yahoo! - September 11, 2009
Heartland, Inc. , a diversified company with businesses in steel warehousing and fabrication and petroleum retail and wholesale operations, today announced that Mound Technologies, its steel fabrication subsidiary, has completed a number of projects, continues to win new contracts and grow a healthy backlog and is becoming a stronger key player for fabricated and value-added steel products and services in the region it serves.
Going Green? Windows Matter. - Builder - September 11, 2009
Choosing the right windows and placing them properly can make a big difference in a home's overall energy efficiency.
[video] Real Estate Buyers Are Back (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - August 31, 2009
Home run - Sustainable Industries - August 31, 2009
A new market segment focused on home energy performance could spark the economy and save homeowners millions.
Home Prices Up for First Time Since '06 (Updated) (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
[$$] These Three Banks Are the Best Play on Housing (at RealMoney by TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
Homebuilders up as index shows higher home prices (AP) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
Shares of homebuilders got a boost Tuesday after a report showing a rise in home prices -- the first quarterly increase in three years -- was the latest sign of an incipient recovery in housing.
Ahead of the Bell: New Home Sales (AP) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
Government data are expected to show that new home sales rose in July for the fourth consecutive month, another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back.
Educating Tomorrow's Green IT Workforce - GreenerBuildings - August 26, 2009
The Carbon Chasm - GreenerBuildings - August 26, 2009
10 Strategies to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Homes - Builder - August 26, 2009
Discover tactics that are guaranteed to work and won’t break the bank.
Billings Index Jumps Nearly Six Points - Architectural Record - August 26, 2009
Portland firm designs Passive House - Sustainable Industries - August 26, 2009
A Portland firm brings the German Passive House design to Oregon.
State of Green Business 2009: Greener Design Comes Out of the Lab - GreenBiz.com - March 4, 2009
The Fast Company 50: Green, Tech (and Greentech) On the Rise - GreenBiz.com - March 4, 2009
Honeywell is helping the San Francisco Bay Area town of Antioch transform the lighting in city buildings, streets, parks and parking lots in a $4.65 million retrofit project.
Online Broadband Mapping Tool May Help Local Governments Land Stimulus Funds - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Mapping existing broadband service is a requirement for states angling for a piece of the roughly $4.2 billion in matching American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for high-speed Internet expansion.
Unemployment Hits 25% - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Construction’s unemployment rate soared to 25% in January, up from 18% the previous year, 11% in 2008 and 9% in 2007, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Jacobs Buys Southeast U.S. Water-Wastewater Engineer - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
In its latest step on the acquisition trail, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Pasadena, Calif., said on Feb. 15 it had purchased Norcross, Ga.-based Jordan, Jones &Goulding Inc. (JJG), a 500-person engineering firm specializing in water and wastewater markets.
Feds Back Big Construction Program With Big Bucks - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
The Obama administration announced on Feb. 16 the first of what it hopes will be several loan guarantees for the construction of new U.S. nuclear facilities.
Texas Takes a New Direction With DFW Connector Project - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
An innovative, Texas-style highway contract will be put to the test as construction starts this month on the $1.02-billion DFW Connector project. It is designed to relieve congestion and double traffic capacity near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Advocates Call For Composites Codes - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Thanks to an increasing national awareness of infrastructure maintenance issues and the environment, composite materials are gaining support.
Operations and Maintenance Tools Join Design Portfolio - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Two companies with industrial- strength software for handling data for infrastructure operations and management have been bought by a vendor known for design and engineering software. The firm has its eye on delivering cradle-to-grave facilities-information management solutions.
Delaying California Diesel Rule Offers Builders Little Relief - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
California’s Air Resources Board downshifted this month by offering contractors “relief.” The regulatory board says it will delay enforcement of its emissions regulations—which were set to go into effect on March 1—for existing off-road diesel machinery until it receives a waiver from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Clean-Air Costs Will Come In Stages, Caterpillar Execs Say - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Prices for Caterpillar construction equipment will rise by about 12% over the next four years as the company rolls out new and revised models that meet the next level of worldwide clean-air standards.
Post-Recession Strategy for Firms Is the New Turning Point - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Engineering and construction firms are charting new courses for corporate survival and growth as the recession takes hold. Time will tell if it’s the right path for each.
The Senate Floats A Pared Back Jobs Bill - ENR.com - February 19, 2010
Reid’s surprise proposal would extend SAFETEA-LU and bolster the Highway Trust Fund, but it wouldn’t increase federal infrastructure spending beyond current levels
Bentley Offers Free Data Exchange Tools - Architectural Record - February 19, 2010
In an effort to ease the exchange of structural information among construction project participants and between applications, Pennsylvania-based software developer Bentley Systems has released two tools, making them available to users without charge.
Biodegradable Toys Explored by Spanish Institute - GreenerDesign - February 19, 2010
The Technological Institute for Toys is running a project called BIOTOY to find biodegradable materials suitable for use in toys.
Mountainsmith Weaves Recycled Content Into More Outdoor Gear - GreenerDesign - February 19, 2010
Outdoor bag and pack maker Mountainsmith has added recycled content to almost 40 percent of its products over the past five years, and with the right circumstances, it could double that amount in the coming years.
KB Home to Webcast Presentation at the 2010 Wells Fargo Securities Housing and Building Products Conference (Business Wire) - Yahoo! - February 19, 2010
LOS ANGELES----KB Home , one of America’s premier homebuilders, today announced that senior management will present at the 2010 Wells Fargo Securities Housing and Building Products Conference on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.
Toxics Become a Strategic Issue: The State of Green Business 2010 - GreenerDesign - February 12, 2010
The toxicity of products and manufacturing processes has been a concern ever since Silent Spring was published 48 years ago, but a confluence of events and trends in 2009 pushed toxics further into the public spotlight -- and further up the corporate ladder.
Commercial Building Portfolios Rake In Savings with Energy Star Certifications - GreenerBuildings - February 12, 2010
Groups that have earned recognition as "Energy Star Leaders" saved more than $48 million last year in energy costs, four times as much as in 2008.
Lack of Awareness About Water Risks Threatens to Sink Global Firms - GreenerBuildings - February 12, 2010
The vast majority of large publicly companies are failing to adequately manage and disclose risks they face from water stress and scarcity, an issue that will likely become more acute as the world's population increases and the future impacts of climate change come to pass, according to new Ceres research.
DC Keeps PACE to Support Energy Efficiency - GreenerBuildings - February 12, 2010
As the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bond program is poised to begin San Francisco, green building attorney Chris Cheatham recaps efforts to establish the plan in Washington, D.C.
Time To Hammer Into The Homebuilders? (at Investopedia) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
KB Home Debuts Martha Stewart Built to Order Kitchens in Florida (Business Wire) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
TAMPA &ORLANDO, Fla.----KB Home and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia have announced the debut of Martha Stewart™ Built to Order™ Kitchens in two Florida markets. For the first time, homebuyers will have the exclusive opportunity to choose a Martha Stewart-inspired kitchen as a feature in their new Built to Order KB home.
[audio] Blizzards could damage spring real estate market [5.0 min] (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
All the snow hitting the eastern part of the U.S. could dampen the spring housing season. So says Steve Kerch, an editor at MarketWatch. He joins John Wordock to talk about next week's housing reports, the spring housing season, and the role of Old Man Winter.
Lennar scoops up distressed loans from FDIC (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
The home builder has positioned itself to benefit further from a real estate recovery through a distressed-land deal with the FDIC to purchase a 40% stake in bank loans with a combined unpaid balance of about $3 billion.
Pulte Homes (PHM) To Pickup By End Of 2010 And Aggressively Perform, According To President Of P.R. Herzig And Co. (Wall Street Transcript) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
Lennar shares jump on FDIC loan portfolio deal (AP) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
Shares of Lennar Corp. surged Thursday, a day after the homebuilder disclosed a deal with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to resolve about 5,500 distressed real estate loans.
Don't Get Hosed by Home Builders (at Barrons.com) - Yahoo! - February 12, 2010
Don't Get Hosed by Home Builders By Steven M. Sears Jefferies tells clients to sell out-of-the-money calls on housing stocks.
Home-builder stocks rise ahead of Pulte earnings (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
After losing ground for the previous three sessions, home-builder stocks are among the market's strongest performers Monday ahead of quarterly results from Pulte Homes.
Earnings Preview: Pulte Homes (AP) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
Pulte Homes Inc., the nation's largest homebuilder, reports its fourth-quarter results before the stock market opens Tuesday.
Can IT Solve the World's Problems? - GreenerDesign - February 8, 2010
These tools and resources from some of the world's largest IT companies serve as a companion to the discussion at the State of Green Business Forum 2010, looking at how technology can address the 98 percent of the world's CO2 emissions it is not directly responsible for.
Builders Start to Look Up (at The Wall Street Journal Online) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
Looking for Value in Homebuilders (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - February 8, 2010
Majority of Americans Still in the Dark About Federal Phaseout of Traditional Bulbs - GreenerBuildings - January 29, 2010
More Americans are buying energy efficient lighting and are aware of the energy-saving benefits -- but most are clueless about the phaseout of incandescent bulbs that starts in two years.
Lighting: A Path to a Greener Bottom Line - GreenerBuildings - January 29, 2010
Companies must not only survive the "Great Recession" of today, but must strategically position themselves for the green economy of tomorrow. More than even before, sustainability objectives are converging with profitability expectations.
How Our Bones Inspire Architecture, Chairs and Cars - GreenerDesign - January 29, 2010
Material is expensive and so is the energy used to make it. You should put the material where it is needed and take it away from where it is doing no good. Living bone is actually doing this all the time, and some designers have mimicked this process.
Global Packaging Definitions, Metrics Approved - GreenerDesign - January 29, 2010
Leaders from major consumer goods companies and retailers have agreed on a suggested set of definitions, principles and metrics (which will be tested in the coming months) regarding sustinability in packaging.
Online Directory Links Plastic Waste Buyers and Sellers - GreenerDesign - January 29, 2010
PlasticsMarkets.org, an online directory for buyers and sellers of plastic scrap, has been expanded with a wider scope of materials, scrap pricing and an improved search feature.
New York City Transit Chief Cites Worsening Budget Problems - ENR.com - January 29, 2010
One of the biggest capital construction programs in the country faces a crisis as Obama vows spending limits.
California, Midwest, Florida Lead Winners of High-Speed Rail Grants - ENR.com - January 29, 2010
California is the top winner but Midwest states and Florida also scored big in states' fierce competition for $8 billion in federal grants to build high-speed-rail lines around the country.
U.S. Embassy in Haiti Stood Up to Quake's Shaking - ENR.com - January 29, 2010
The U.S. embassy in Haiti is one of the rare significant structures in Port-au-Prince to have survived the Jan. 12, 7.0 magnitude earthquake with only minor damage, none of it structural.
[audio] Housing falls to second-tier on Obama's agenda [7.5 min] (at MarketWatch) - Yahoo! - January 29, 2010
Housing has "clearly"fallen to the second-tier on Washington's agenda. So says Rick Sharga at RealtyTrac. Of the 77,000 words in President Obama's State of the Union address, Sharga notes only 30 dealt with housing.
A Once Eminent Firm Meets a Bitter End - Architectural Record - January 29, 2010
The legacy firm of famed midcentury Modernist Minoru Yamasaki has closed its doors amid a sea of recriminations and debts.
What Does the FDA's BPA Decision Mean for Companies? - GreenerDesign - January 25, 2010
When the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month expressed for the first time some concern about bisphenol A, it no doubt caused some panic among potentially impacted firms -- but it also opened the door of opportunity for early movers.
What’s Your Biggest Green Accomplishment of 2009? - GreenerDesign - December 29, 2009
Everybody’s got one, but some years even our loved ones — not to mention our bosses — fail to ask. But we did.
World’s Tallest Buildings Reconsidered - Architectural Record - December 29, 2009
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has changed the way it measures building height.
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Wells Fargo Bank Questions Schwing’s Financial Viability - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
Construction lender Wells Fargo &Co. has called into question the viability of concrete-pump supplier Schwing America Inc. in a recent bankruptcy filing.
Q&A: Ten Minutes With Pennsylvania Governor Rendell - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
On eve of expected release of Obama's jobs-bill proposal, Rendell seeks to see the plan include $100 billion for infrastructure.
Brazil Seeks Bids for Continent’s First High-Speed Rail Line - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
The government of Brazil has announced it is seeking bid proposals for a 317-mile high-speed rail line linking São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Offshore ‘Oyster’ Wave-Powered Generator Undergoing Testing in the U.K. - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
An unusual wave-power system that pumps high-pressure water to an onshore hydroelectric plant recently began feeding electricity into the U.K.’s national transmission system.
Builders Don’t Like Stormwater Rule - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
The anticipated costs to contractors to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule addressing stormwater runoff on construction sites outweigh any benefits to water quality, say industry representatives.
845-MW Wind Farm To Be World’s Largest - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
Wind energy from north-central Oregon will power homes in Southern California when an 845-MW wind farm is completed in 2012.
Washington and EG&G Brands Disappear in URS Move - ENR.com - December 29, 2009
URS Corp., the San Francisco-based engineering-construction giant, announced on Dec. 22 it will “rebrand and integrate” its Washington Group and EG&G divisions into the firm.
Cushman &Wakefield Helps SF Highrise Attain Record-Setting LEED-Gold Certification - GreenerBuildings - December 21, 2009
With help from property management firm Cushman & Wakefield, the 38-story First Market Tower in San Francisco has earned LEED-Gold certification and become the largest existing building on the U.S. West Coast to receive such a rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Homebuilder M&A 2010: A Big Land Grab? (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - December 21, 2009
Homebuyers Are Settling for Smaller Houses (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - December 21, 2009
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Q&A: Ten Minutes With Pennsylvania Governor Rendell - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
On eve of expected release of Obama's jobs-bill proposal, Rendell seeks to see the plan include $100 billion for infrastructure.
Brazil Seeks Bids for Continent’s First High-Speed Rail Line - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
The government of Brazil has announced it is seeking bid proposals for a 317-mile high-speed rail line linking São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Offshore ‘Oyster’ Wave-Powered Generator Undergoing Testing in the U.K. - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
An unusual wave-power system that pumps high-pressure water to an onshore hydroelectric plant recently began feeding electricity into the U.K.’s national transmission system.
Builders Don’t Like Stormwater Rule - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
The anticipated costs to contractors to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule addressing stormwater runoff on construction sites outweigh any benefits to water quality, say industry representatives.
845-MW Wind Farm To Be World’s Largest - ENR.com - December 21, 2009
Wind energy from north-central Oregon will power homes in Southern California when an 845-MW wind farm is completed in 2012.
Green Teams: Engaging Employees in Sustainability - GreenerDesign - December 8, 2009
The latest in our series of GreenBiz Reports explores and outlines the 10 best practices for bringing all your employees on board with your company's sustainability projects.
Sustainable Packaging Indicators and Metrics Framework Version 1.0 - GreenerDesign - December 8, 2009
The Sustainable Packaging Indicators and Metrics Framework Version 1.0 is the outcome of an 18-month project that the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) undertook to develop a set of common indicators and metrics to help companies measure progress against the criteria articulated in the SPC Definition of Sustainable Packaging.
New Guide Points the Way to Sustainable Packaging - GreenerDesign - December 8, 2009
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition has publicly released its all-encompassing framework of indicators and metrics that should be used to determine the sustainability of packaging, from materials to energy to how workers are treated.
AT&T Creates New Post to Marshal Efficiency Efforts Companywide - GreenerBuildings - December 8, 2009
AT&T has established a corporate post for a director of energy to take the reins of the firm's energy management drive -- and named its first appointee to the job.
All State Properties Holdings Forms Oklahoma Subsidiary (Business Wire) - Yahoo! - December 8, 2009
MEMPHIS, Tenn.----All State Properties Holdings, Inc. today announced the launch of a new wholly owned subsidiary company, All State Energy of Oklahoma, Inc. The new company will focus on the acquisition, exploration, and development of crude oil and natural gas reserves in Oklahoma.
Orleans Homebuilders Announces Notice from the NYSE Amex LLC (PR Newswire) - Yahoo! - December 8, 2009
Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. announced today that on December 1, 2009 the Company received a written notice from NYSE Amex LLC stating that the Company is not in compliance with certain of the Exchange's continued listing criteria.
Homebuilder Gets De-Listing Notice (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - December 8, 2009
The No-Maintenance Home Myth - Builder - December 8, 2009
Virtual home designer and building scientist weigh in on defining true sustainability.
Energy-Efficient Mortgages - Builder - December 8, 2009
Despite the growth of green building, EEMs can't gain a foothold.
Factory-Built Green Housing - Builder - December 8, 2009
New World Homes offers traditional house styles that combine off-site building with high-level performance.
Richard Rogers Wins Stirling Prize for Maggie’s Centre - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.
Why the Architecture Profession Needs the AAO - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
In early November, more than 150 representatives of architecture and design organizations came to Chicago to hold the inaugural meeting of the Association of Architecture Organizations (AAO).
Cubellis, One of Boston’s Largest Firms, Shuttered - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
Cubellis, a top-earning international architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Boston, has closed.
Construction Jobless Rate Climbs To 19.4% in November - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
Construction's unemployment rate continued to to rise in November, climbing to 19.4% from October's 18.7%, while the nation's overall jobless rate declined slightly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.
Masdar City Offers $150,000 Prize for Sustainable Concrete Mix - Architectural Record - December 8, 2009
In an effort to accelerate the development of cost-effective, sustainable concrete, Masdar, the developer of the planned carbon and waste-neutral Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, is holding a concrete mix design competition.
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - December 8, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Wells Fargo Bank Questions Schwing’s Financial Viability - ENR.com - December 8, 2009
Construction lender Wells Fargo &Co. has called into question the viability of concrete-pump supplier Schwing America Inc. in a recent bankruptcy filing.
An Updated Benchmark for Corporate Green Chemistry Practices - GreenerDesign - November 30, 2009
This tool allows companies to develop an initial assessment of where they stand on the use of toxic chemicals in their operations, and discover and implement safer alternatives.
L.F. Driscoll Acquisition Boosts Structure Tone’s Reach - ENR.com - November 30, 2009
Philadelphia firm’s healthcare expertise would bolster the big New York City-based interiors contractor.
Custom Builder Squares Off with Production Builder Over Green Construction - Builder - November 20, 2009
At the Greenbuild Conference last week, Tedd Benson chastised builders for not crafting high-quality homes.
Richard Rogers Wins Stirling Prize for Maggie’s Centre - Architectural Record - November 20, 2009
It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.
Projects Will Cement Southwest’s Lead in Renewable Energy - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
Bond Would Leverage Money For California’s Needs - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
The California legislature last week approved a series of bills designed to address water issues facing the state, including an $11.4-billion bond that will leverage another $30 billion if passed by voters next November.
Corps Failed to Protect New Orleans From Katrina Flooding, Court Rules - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is to blame for massive flooding in the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina and is liable for damages, a federal court judge in New Orleans ruled Nov. 18.
Sen. Boxer Seeks DOT Help To Push Six-Month Transport Bill - ENR.com - November 20, 2009
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has urged top U.S. Dept. of Transportation officials to weigh in to help end what she termed a "standoff" with the House over the length of a surface transportation bill.
Ford Mixes Wheat Waste With Plastic in 2010 Flex - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
The 2010 Ford Flex will include the auto industry's first use of wheat straw, a waste byproduct from wheat production, expanding Ford's use of bio-based and alternative materials.
Vetrazzo Gets a Green Audit to Back Its Product Claims - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
The manufacturer of recycled-glass surfaces announced during Greenbuild 2009 that it had published an Environmental Product Declaration, allowing customers to verify the reduced impacts of its product line.
Nanotube Sponge Promises Improved Pollution Mop-up - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
Chinese researchers say new carbon nanotubes will make oil spill clean-ups quicker and easier.
Marriott to Launch Prototype for Green Design of Courtyard Hotels - GreenerDesign - November 13, 2009
In the latest move to expand its sustainability efforts, Marriott International Inc. says its green hotel portfolio will grow tenfold in the next five years with the introduction of a design prototype for new green properties.
Scenes from My 15th Greenbuild Expo - GreenerBuildings - November 13, 2009
The sights and sounds of this year's conference show just how far the gathering -- and the green building as an industry -- has changed since the first, tiny outdoor gathering in Big Sky, Montana in 1994.
Starbucks Expands Green Building Projects with LEED Volume Certifications - GreenerBuildings - November 13, 2009
During Greenbuild 2009, the coffee giant announced its membership in a U.S. Green Building Council program that will allow it to rapidly certify new stores as green buildings around the world.
Autodesk Brings Its High-Tech Toolbox to Greenbuild - GreenerBuildings - November 13, 2009
Amidst the drumbeat of news coming from Greenbuild, it's been impossible to ignore the multitude of announcements unleashed by Autodesk -- and our sources tell us there are more on the way.
Rates on 30-year loans remain below 5 percent (AP) - Yahoo! - November 13, 2009
Rates this week for 30-year home loans stayed below 5 percent for the second week in a row. The average rate fell to 4.91 percent from 4.98 percent a week earlier, mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday.
Homebuilders slide on mortgage applications report (AP) - Yahoo! - November 13, 2009
Shares of homebuilders slid Thursday after the Mortgage Bankers Association said the volume of mortgage loan applications filed to purchase homes dropped last week to the lowest level in nine years.
Adrian Smith Develops “Decarbonization” Plan for Cities - Architectural Record - November 13, 2009
At Last, A Green Light for Foster’s 980 Madison Avenue Scheme - Architectural Record - November 13, 2009
Supporting University’s Glass Dome Tests Foundation Crew - ENR.com - November 13, 2009
Projects Will Cement Southwest’s Lead in Renewable Energy - ENR.com - November 13, 2009
By 2020 China Will Pass U.S. As Pre-Eminent Construction Market - ENR.com - November 13, 2009
China will push the U.S. into second place as the world's biggest construction market before the end of the next decade, according to a new forecast of the next decade called Global Construction 2020 (CG2020).
Beyond the Black Cloud: Looking at Lifecycles - GreenerDesign - November 6, 2009
Looking at the full impact of any type of product or device -- rather than, say, the cloud of exhaust in front of you on the highway -- opens the door to a whole new understanding of how design affects the environment.
Nike Debuts Latest Collection of 'Considered Design' Products - GreenerDesign - November 6, 2009
Nike will debut a new collection of athletic footwear Saturday made with environmentally preferred materials. A portion of revenue from the N7 line will support Native American youth sports through the N7 Fund.
The Green Building Market and Impact Report 2009 - GreenerDesign - November 6, 2009
This second annual report, by Rob Watson and the GreenBiz.com editorial team, explores the impacts that LEED-certified buildings have already had on energy, water, waste and employee productivity -- and projects those impacts for the next 20 years.
A Regional Green Building Case Study Project - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
This report from the U.S. Green Building Council's Chicago Chapter is the first to provide detailed post-occupancy performance data on a regional level.
Johnson Controls: The Quiet Company Raises Its Voice and Its Profile - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
Though a giant in the buildings and automotive industries, Johnson Controls Inc. was long considered a quiet company — seldom a major presence outside its lines of business. That's changing as the firm increasingly raises its voice and its profile to spread its mantra of "Efficiency Now."
Diversey Ups Emissions Reductions Investments, Earns Bigger ROI - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
One year after setting a goal to cut corporate emissions by 8 percent before 2013, Diversey CEO today announced the company had already surpassed that target, and upped the goal to a 25 percent reduction in the same time frame.
Green Buildings Continue Impressive Growth, New Market Study Finds - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
The Green Building Market and Impact Report, released this morning by GreenerBuildings.com, measures the beneficial impacts that LEED-certified buildings have on energy, water, worker productivity and more, and charts the growth of the green marketplace in the coming years.
The Green Building Market and Impact Report 2009 - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
This second annual report, by Rob Watson and the GreenBiz.com editorial team, explores the impacts that LEED-certified buildings have already had on energy, water, waste and employee productivity -- and projects those impacts for the next 20 years.
YKK Boosts Green Product Line with Window Additions to enerGfacade Line - GreenerBuildings - November 6, 2009
Just in advance of the Greenbuild conference, YKK AP America this week unveiled a new aluminum window designed to boost energy efficiency by as much as 30 percent over standard windows.
[$$] Shaky Foundation for Home Builders (at Barrons.com) - Yahoo! - November 6, 2009
Shaky Foundation for Home Builders Investors are best advised to avoid the group through year end, says Fox-Pitt Kelton.
Orleans Homebuilders Announces Limited Waiver and Amendment Extension (PR Newswire) - Yahoo! - November 6, 2009
Orleans Homebuilders, Inc. announced today that on November 4, 2009, but effective as of October 30, 2009, the Company had received from the lenders under the Company's $375 million Credit Facility a limited waiver and amendment extension letter related to the Company's Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Loan Agreement dated September 30, 2008 .
At Least 50 Tall Buildings Now on Hold - Architectural Record - November 6, 2009
Seattle fund fuels efficiency - Sustainable Industries - November 6, 2009
An investment fund focused on energy efficiency launches.
A Regional Green Building Case Study Project - GreenerBuildings - October 30, 2009
This report from the U.S. Green Building Council's Chicago Chapter is the first to provide detailed post-occupancy performance data on a regional level.
Has The Real Estate Market Bottomed? (at Forbes.com) - Yahoo! - October 30, 2009
Standard Pacific reports smaller 3Q loss (AP) - Yahoo! - October 30, 2009
Homebuilder Standard Pacific Corp. on Thursday reported a much narrower third-quarter loss as it booked fewer charges to write down land values amid the housing slump.
Adrian Smith Develops “Decarbonization” Plan for Cities - Architectural Record - October 30, 2009
Repair Crew Back on Bay Bridge As New Failure Raises Questions - ENR.com - October 30, 2009
Deirdre Imus's Mission to Green up Toxic Hospitals - GreenerDesign - October 29, 2009
<p>The head of the Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology at Hackensack University Medical Center talks about how she developed and promotes her line of green cleaning products, the lessons all ecopreneurs can take from her story, and how her success is a system, not a secret.</p><img src="http://www.greenerdesign.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/wide_small/091029-clark-w.jpg" alt="" title="" width="100" height="75" /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/greenerdesign/~4/FK_qCxt445E" height="1" width="1"/>
Life Cycle Assessment 101: Why Does it Matter? - GreenerDesign - October 29, 2009
<p>Understanding life cycle assessment is important for product engineers and designers, as it is a tool that uses quantifiable analysis to evaluate sustainability metrics. As these tools and skills develop over time, they also lead themselves to ever more sustainable future products.</p><img src="http://www.greenerdesign.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/wide_small/1010LCAH.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-wide_small" /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/greenerdesign/~4/3w5yj9wW5sk" height="1" width="1"/>
New Home Sales Dip in September (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - October 29, 2009
Democrats and Republicans Agree to Keep Juicing the Housing Market (TechTicker) - Yahoo! - October 29, 2009
Supporting University’s Glass Dome Tests Foundation Crew - ENR.com - October 29, 2009
"First-Time Homebuyer"Credit May Cost Government up to $96,000 Per Home (at Seeking Alpha) - Yahoo! - September 21, 2009
Mound Technologies Continues to Complete Key Projects and Win New Contracts (PR Newswire) - Yahoo! - September 11, 2009
Heartland, Inc. , a diversified company with businesses in steel warehousing and fabrication and petroleum retail and wholesale operations, today announced that Mound Technologies, its steel fabrication subsidiary, has completed a number of projects, continues to win new contracts and grow a healthy backlog and is becoming a stronger key player for fabricated and value-added steel products and services in the region it serves.
Going Green? Windows Matter. - Builder - September 11, 2009
Choosing the right windows and placing them properly can make a big difference in a home's overall energy efficiency.
[video] Real Estate Buyers Are Back (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - August 31, 2009
Home run - Sustainable Industries - August 31, 2009
A new market segment focused on home energy performance could spark the economy and save homeowners millions.
Home Prices Up for First Time Since '06 (Updated) (at TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
[$$] These Three Banks Are the Best Play on Housing (at RealMoney by TheStreet.com) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
Homebuilders up as index shows higher home prices (AP) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
Shares of homebuilders got a boost Tuesday after a report showing a rise in home prices -- the first quarterly increase in three years -- was the latest sign of an incipient recovery in housing.
Ahead of the Bell: New Home Sales (AP) - Yahoo! - August 26, 2009
Government data are expected to show that new home sales rose in July for the fourth consecutive month, another sign the housing market is finally bouncing back.
Educating Tomorrow's Green IT Workforce - GreenerBuildings - August 26, 2009
This white paper from Cisco lays out why green IT is growing in importance, as well as case studies of schools that are helping students get out ahead of the green wave in IT.
The Carbon Chasm - GreenerBuildings - August 26, 2009
This report utilizes the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) dataset to analyze how the world’s largest companies currently set emissions reduction targets and whether planned reductions are sufficient to combat long term climate change.
10 Strategies to Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Homes - Builder - August 26, 2009
Discover tactics that are guaranteed to work and won’t break the bank.
Billings Index Jumps Nearly Six Points - Architectural Record - August 26, 2009
Portland firm designs Passive House - Sustainable Industries - August 26, 2009
A Portland firm brings the German Passive House design to Oregon.
State of Green Business 2009: Greener Design Comes Out of the Lab - GreenBiz.com - March 4, 2009
Along with the growth of concern about toxics in everyday products has come a growing number of solutions, a small but promising toolkit of chemical alternatives and design strategies aimed at wringing out the most toxic ingredients -- and, at the same time, improving some products' performance characteristics.
The Fast Company 50: Green, Tech (and Greentech) On the Rise - GreenBiz.com - March 4, 2009
The magazine's annual list of the most innovative firms on the market is as heavy on cleantech companies as you might expect, but the full list highlights just how high-tech green is getting -- and how green high-tech is getting.