6 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 29, 2020

1. New HQ for Chinese tech supplier will feature gardens on every floor (BD+C)
"NBBJ’s spiral design maximizes worker exposure to the green spaces."

2. ICYMI The Weekly show: The hotel sector's 'competition for cleanliness' and workplace design amid COVID-19 (BD+C)
"The June 25 episode of BD+C's "The Weekly" is available for viewing on demand."

3. The head of Hilton talks about how his business will survive (Bloomberg)
"CEO Christopher Nassetta says many things will never be the same, but people will still be traveling."

4. E-Commerce driving industrial growth even faster due to pandemic (GlobeSt)
"E-commerce companies require, on average, triple the amount of logistics property space as brick-and-mortar retailers, according to Prologis Inc., a real estate investment trust."

5. Some types of office tenants are returning faster than others (National Real Estate Investor)
"Some industries face constraints in how much of their work can be done from home."

6. Can’t touch this: What you need to know about antimicrobial and 'Self-Cleaning' surfaces (Bisnow)
"While antimicrobial metals may actually kill microbes, it can take hours for them to do that work."

Multifamily rents continued to increase through the first half of 2023, despite challenges for the sector and continuing economic uncertainty. But job growth has remained robust and new households keep forming, creating apartment demand and ongoing rent growth. The average U.S. apartment rent reached an all-time high of $1,716 in May.

Industry Research | Jun 15, 2023

Exurbs and emerging suburbs having fastest population growth, says Cushman & Wakefield

Recently released county and metro-level population growth data by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the fastest growing areas are found in exurbs and emerging suburbs.

Contractors | Jun 13, 2023

The average U.S. contractor has 8.9 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of May 2023

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator remained unchanged at 8.9 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted May 20 to June 7. The reading is 0.1 months lower than in May 2022. Backlog in the infrastructure category ticked up again and has now returned to May 2022 levels. On a regional basis, backlog increased in every region but the Northeast.

Supply-chain snags are among the factors delaying construction.

Industry Research | Jun 13, 2023

Two new surveys track how the construction industry, in the U.S. and globally, is navigating market disruption and volatility

The surveys, conducted by XYZ Reality and KPMG International, found greater willingness to embrace technology, workplace diversity, and ESG precepts.

Skanska USA's mental health trainees are identified by a Green Sticker

| Jun 5, 2023

Communication is the key to AEC firms’ mental health programs and training

The core of recent awareness efforts—and their greatest challenge—is getting workers to come forward and share stories.

Contractors | May 24, 2023

The average U.S. contractor has 8.9 months worth of construction work in the pipeline, as of April 2023

Contractor backlogs climbed slightly in April, from a seven-month low the previous month, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.

Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2023

One out of three office buildings in largest U.S. cities are suitable for residential conversion

Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.