Buildings back issues from November 2008:
A flood of praise.(EDITOR'S LETTER)(Editorial)
Nov 01, 2008; ... "It's the variety," most facilities professionals answer when asked what they like about their jobs. Every day presents a whole new set of unique challenges that require individuals in this profession to be agile, flexible, and resourceful. While most people consider the unexpected to be ...
Bring your green to work.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... In September, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a new online tool called ENERGY STAR @ work. An animated office cube, the tool provides specific tips on how to save energy at the office. (Take a tour of the tool at www.energystar.gov/work.) Energy use in commercial ...
Living building coming to Pittsburgh.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Slated to be one of the world's greenest buildings, ground was broken in September for the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' Center for Sustainable Landscapes in the Oakland area of Pittsburqh. Qualifying as a "living building," the center will be a zero-net-energy structure that ...
DOE finds EIFSs to be energy efficient.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFSs) performed better than brick, stucco, and fiber cement siding in a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) study that measured energy efficiency, moisture intrusion, and temperature control. The study concluded that an EIFS is a preferable ...
Luxury Philadelphia condos top highest prices in history.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... The Residences at Two Liberty Place in Philadelphia has made history with the highest prices per square foot ever recorded in residential real estate: $1,370 per square foot. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A signature landmark of the Philadelphia skyline, the iconic tower ...
EnergySmart Hospitals initiative promotes energy efficiency.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... The EnergySmart Hospitals initiative was announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to increase the use of energy-efficient technologies in nearly 8,000 hospitals across the country. Because hospitals are among the most energy-intensive commercial buildings, the initiative will ...
San Francisco approves green-building standard.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom recently approved a green-building ordinance that imposes strict requirements on newly constructed residential and commercial buildings within the city, as well as on building renovations. For commercial buildings and high-rise residential ...
Survey says: competitive advantage with project-management software.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Respondents to a recent survey confirmed that the use of project-management software not only enhances project control, improves visibility, and standardizes processes, but it also provides a competitive advantage and delivers a return on investment that increases over time. ...
Survey says: 42 percent of small businesses lack disaster plans.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... A recent national survey shows that an alarming number of small businesses remain unprepared to face a disaster (hurricane, tornado, wildfire, computer virus, etc.), and the majority of these businesses have no plans to change. Commissioned by Delray Beach, FL-based Office Depot, the ...
Lighting Research Center assesses light pollution.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Scientists at the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Troy, NY-based Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed the first-ever comprehensive method for predicting and measuring various aspects of light pollution. Too much nighttime illumination can cause problems for stargazing and ...
Flexible interiors at new Palm Beach Community College building.(NEWSWORTHY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... The new Natural Science Building has opened at Palm Beach Community College (PBCC) in Lake Worth, FL. The 50,000-square-foot, 2-story building includes educational spaces that can change each hour to support various teaching methods and learning styles. This flexibility also extends to ...
U.S. office market sees nominal gains in NOI: recent turbulence in the capital markets has economists and industry practitioners revisiting the fundamentals of real estate performance. As access to capital in the commercial real estate markets has tightened, and cap rates have started to climb, it's clear that commercial real estate firms will be under pressure to make their assets perform.(BOMA FILES: OFFICE MARKET)
Nov 01, 2008 ... These firms will have their work cut out for them. In 2007, net operating income (NOI) increased only marginally in downtown properties, up 61 cents to $14.89 per square foot (PSF) from $14.10, a 5.6-percent nominal change, which amounts to only 1.2-percent real change when dollar values ...
An update on carpet standards.(SUSTAINABILITY: CARPET)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As organizations like yours incorporate sustainable practices, product manufacturers are revising their RSD and production plans to address market demand. A major challenge has been the reliability and understanding of sustainable product standards that ...
The dos and don'ts of soundmasking: squeezing more employees into the same amount of--or smaller--space might save on real estate, but the decision doesn't come without a price. While it's hard to know just how much productivity is lost (and the resultant costs), no one argues that speech privacy in an open-plan work environment can be a significant problem if it isn't addressed.(BUILDING INTEGRATION: SOUNDMASKING)
Nov 01, 2008; ... While soundmasking isn't a silver-bullet solution, it can significantly decrease conversational distractions. The following advice will help you quiet the complaints, curb eavesdropping, and increase privacy. Do your homework. Don't let a lack of knowledge or ...
Renovating elevator cabs: when it comes to keeping your building competitive, elevator cabs can be an afterthought, and can also paint a picture of disrepair throughout the rest of your facility if they're out of date. As the professionals at HKA Elevator Consulting, Laguna Hills, CA, put it: "If your elevator cabs look unsightly, are outdated, or [have an] odor, you're working your way toward a Class-B building.".(ENGINEERED SYSTEMS: ELEVATORS)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Tommy Bowden, vice president of modernization at Frisco, TX-based ThyssenKrupp Elevator, offers two main reasons for cab renovations: aesthetics and ADA/code changes. Bowden says that modernization should also be considered to rid cabs of hazardous materials, such as products containing ...
The best way to stop a leak? Prevent it.(BUILDING ENVELOPE: FACADES)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Even the most durable of building materials, from brick and stone to concrete and steel, eventually succumbs to the forces of time and the elements. If deterioration is inevitable, are leaks, too? Not necessarily. While even the most diligently maintained structure will show signs of ...
Trends in security surveillance: like most technologies, closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance continues to emerge with more effective possibilities, and these changes are affecting the decision-makers who are responsible for installing these systems.(SAFETY AND SECURITY: CCTV)
Nov 01, 2008; ... In the past (and now), the installation of a CCTV system depended on myriad factors, most commonly including: * The purpose of surveillance. * The cost of installation. * Personnel to operate and monitor the system. * Maintenance. ...
Composing collaborative workspaces: collaboration is the top trend in furniture, according to Tim Ruffini, director of brand management at Spring Lake, MI-based izzydesign. He says the movement calls for "flatter, leaner, non-hierarchical structure that encourages collaboration amongst individuals" and also considers a more individualistic and mobile work style.(INTERIORS: FURNITURE)
Nov 01, 2008; ... To manage, encourage, and contribute to the spirit of collaboration in emerging work environments, facility managers need to understand why and how the workplace is changing, and support tenants/occupants with appropriate furniture systems and office arrangements. The Trend ...
Lessons from the flood.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY: Facilities professionals who dealt with the Flood of 2008 share their experiences and advice for disaster planning and recovery)(Cover story)
Nov 01, 2008; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's a tale of two cities and two rivers, as one reader put it. The Flood of 2008, which ravaged eastern Iowa this June, caused unbelievable damage to commercial and institutional buildings in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and surrounding towns. ...
Mercy Medical Center.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 1 Mercy Medical Center When word first spread in early June that Cedar Rapids downtown area could flood, no one imagined that Mercy Medical Center, located nearly three-fourths of a mile from the river, would be impacted. Professionals at Mercy Medical Center, which is comprised ...
Alliant Energy Tower.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 2 Alliant Energy Tower On Thursday, June 12, the facilities team at Alliant Energy in Cedar Rapids, IA, got the call: The power was officially going off. We asked for 5 minutes," says Karl Schmidt, property manager at Alliant Energy, "and we did everything we could to minimize ...
The University of Iowa.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 3 The University of Iowa "I'll never look at winter the same," says Rod Lehnertz, the University of Iowa's director of planning, design, and construction, reflecting on the Flood of 2008. What started as a cold, record-breaking, snow-white winter turned into the most ...
City of Cedar Rapids.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 4 City of Cedar Rapids Dean Archer, facilities services manager for the City of Cedar Rapids, IA, has a lot on his plate these days. In June, 30 to 40 city facilities were devastated by floodwater--approximately 2.4 million square feet of city property. "It's been an ongoing ...
Guaranty Bank & Trust.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 5 Guaranty Bank & Trust Core community values have always been the focus of Guaranty Bank & Trust in Cedar Rapids, IA. For three generations, this independent, locally owned financial institution has favored a neighborhood approach to banking, reflected by local decision-making, ...
Quaker Oats.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 6 Quaker Oats On Friday, June 13, when the Cedar River crested at 31 feet, it exceeded its banks to become nearly 2 miles wide. It then spilled over the dike and sandbags, and filled the basements of the 22 buildings on the site of the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids. "We ...
Cedar River Tower.(DISASTER PREPARATION/RECOVERY)(Editorial)
Nov 01, 2008; ... 7 Cedar River Tower One of the best views of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, IA, can be enjoyed from the 25-story office and residential tower nestled along its banks. Cedar River Tower--built in the early 1970s, and one of the city's few true high rises--was 100-percent ...
Selecting a mass-notification solution.(EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: A solid understanding of mass-notification systems can help you evaluate which system will best meet your organization's needs)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Whether you're a building owner or a facilities manager, the requirement to protect building occupants has never been greater. No longer are fire alarms and fire drills sufficient. At a minimum, you need to be aware of the tools available to provide mass notification to potentially ...
A LEED reorganization: find out about the modifications that will be made to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system in 2009.(SUSTAINABILITY)
Nov 01, 2008; ... It's hard to remember a time when sustainable buildings weren't in the news, weren't being discussed around water coolers and in board meetings, and weren't on nearly everyone's radar screens. The roots of the green movement go back a long way; one of the key drivers to bringing the built ...
The thinking behind LEED Version 3: Buildings speaks with two U.S. Green Building Council representatives about the changes that accompany LEED Version 3, which includes LEED 2009.(SUSTAINABILITY)(Interview)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Kelly: What was the rationale for the reorganization of LEED? What's the thinking behind it, and what are the market forces driving it? Gatlin: One of the great things about the USGBC is that we're a member-driven organization. We have more than 15,000 member organizations. In ...
Evolving tools.(SUSTAINABILITY)(Editorial)
Nov 01, 2008 ... Owens on including life-cycle assessments in LEED v3 ... The buildings industry, over the last 8 years (since LEED has been in the market), has changed ... faster than we ever could have expected it to. There's an opportunity to rethink the way we built the LEED rating system. If ...
The return to Urban America: find out how lifestyle changes influenced by government policies and transportation, are affecting mixed-use space plans.(MIXED-USE FACILITIES)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Perhaps Dorothy said it best in The Wizard of Oz when she proclaimed, "There's no place like home." But, the definition of home is relative. Today, the physical location of residences is what appears to be changing the most. Many once dreamed of a house in the suburbs with ...
Preventive maintenance for commercial asphalt pavement: learn what measures to take--and when--to protect pavement and increase its life.(PAVED SURFACES)
Nov 01, 2008; ... Even the most well-designed asphalt pavement system can't escape the effects of Mother Nature. Facility owners and managers are often challenged with making financial decisions on how to implement a program that's best suited for their needs. One such need is to lessen the impact of the ...
A: the Kool Roof Solutions Package from Polyglass[R] USA includes Polykool, Polybianko, and Polyfresko self-adhesive roofing membranes.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ROOFING)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A: The Kool Roof Solutions Package from Polyglass[R] USA includes Polykool, Polybianko, and Polyfresko self-adhesive roofing membranes. These high-performance white membranes are designed to provide superior reflectivity and energy efficiency ...
B: R-Mer Lite II by The Garland Co. Inc. is an insulated steel roofing system that features fewer fasteners, an innovative aluminum seam bar, and a unique, free-floating, self-venting flashing design.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ROOFING)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] B: R-Mer Lite II by The Garland Co. Inc. is an insulated steel roofing system that features fewer fasteners, an innovative aluminum seam bar, and a unique, free-floating, self-venting flashing design. Its lightweight steel ...
C: the Security Series roof hatch increases building security in high-risk applications, such as banks, pharmacies, and correctional facilities.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ROOFING)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] C: The Security Series roof hatch increases building security in high-risk applications, such as banks, pharmacies, and correctional facilities. Designed with features that prevent unauthorized access at the roof level, the security hatch is ...
D: Tecta America's TectaGreen continuous green roof system is modular and can be pre-planted or installed and filled on-site in units.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ROOFING)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] D: Tecta America's TectaGreen continuous green roof system is modular and can be pre-planted or installed and filled on-site in units. Known for environmental performance, flexibility in design, and overall plant health, these modular systems include ...
E: System 14 Total Silicone Roof System delivers a complete range of products, including silicone sheet goods, skylight glazing, silicone sealants and coatings, and spray polyurethane foam insulation.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ROOFING)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] E: System 14 Total Silicone Roof System delivers a complete range of products, including silicone sheet goods, skylight glazing, silicone sealants and coatings, and spray polyurethane foam insulation. System 14 ...
F: 1000 Series standing seam roofing options are perfect for low-slope roofing applications.(TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ROOFING)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] F: 1000 Series standing seam roofing options are perfect for low-slope roofing applications. The innovative product combines the performance advantages of a standing seam roof with the insulation advantages of a sandwich panel. The ...
Tools of the trade: products.
Nov 01, 2008 ... <Pre> TOOLS OF THE TRADE PRODUCTSPRODUCT DETAILS LIGHTING [ILLUSTRATION Quick Jack Transformers and OMITTED]Adapters by Juno Lighting Group[TM]allow for increased ...
Graffiti shield helps: building owners fight back.(EDITORS' CHOICE: PRODUCT REVIEW SPOTLIGHT)(United Coatings Inc.)
Nov 01, 2008 ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] One of the most frustrating problems facing building owners and facilities managers--the deliberate defacing of property--can be addressed with GRAFFITI SHIELD, a two-component, urethane-modified acrylic coating and cleaner system from Spokane Valley, ...