Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay

Bridging the gap: How early architect involvement can revolutionize a city’s capital improvement plans

Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) typically span three to five years and outline future city projects and their costs. While they set the stage, the design and construction of these projects often extend beyond the CIP window, leading to a disconnect between the initial budget and evolving project scope. This can result in financial shortfalls, forcing cities to cut back on critical project features.

MFPRO+ New Projects

Luxury waterfront tower in Brooklyn features East River and Manhattan skyline views

Leasing recently began for The Dupont, a 41-story luxury rental property along the Brooklyn, N.Y., waterfront. Located within the 22-acre Greenpoint Landing, where it overlooks the newly constructed Newtown Barge Park, the high-rise features East River and Manhattan skyline views along with 20,000 sf of indoor and outdoor communal space.

Resiliency

Climate change degrades buildings slowly but steadily

While natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires can destroy buildings in minutes, other factors exacerbated by climate change degrade buildings more slowly but still cause costly damage.

Healthcare Facilities

New surgical tower is largest addition to UNC Health campus in Chapel Hill

Construction on UNC Health’s North Carolina Surgical Hospital, the largest addition to the Chapel Hill campus since it was built in 1952, was recently completed. The seven-story, 375,000-sf structure houses 26 operating rooms, four of which are hybrid size to accommodate additional equipment and technology for newly developed procedures.

Multifamily Housing | Jan 23, 2023

Long Beach, Calif., office tower converted to market rate multifamily housing

A project to convert an underperforming mid-century office tower in Long Beach, Calif., created badly needed market rate housing with a significantly lowered carbon footprint. The adaptive reuse project, composed of 203,177 sf including parking, created 106 apartment units out of a Class B office building that had been vacant for about 10 years.

U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters green roof

Sustainability | HOK | Jan 23, 2023

How regenerative design is driving AEC industry innovation

HOK's Sean Quinn and Microsoft's JoAnn Garbin discuss the next step of sustainability: regenerative design.

AEC Tech | Jan 19, 2023

Data-informed design, with Josh Fritz of LEO A DALY

Joshua Fritz, Leo A Daly's first Data Scientist, discusses how information analysis can improve building project outcomes.

The penthouse terrace at The Row Fulton Market multifamily tower in Chicago by Related Midwest

Multifamily Housing | Jan 19, 2023

Chicago multifamily high-rise inspired by industrial infrastructure and L tracks

The recently unveiled design of The Row Fulton Market, a new Chicago high-rise residential building, draws inspiration from industrial infrastructure and L tracks in the historic Fulton Market District neighborhood. The 43-story, 300-unit rental property is in the city’s former meatpacking district, and its glass-and-steel façade reflects the arched support beams of the L tracks.

Cuyahoga Riverfront Master Plan Cleveland Rendering courtesy Adjaye Associates

Urban Planning | Jan 18, 2023

David Adjaye unveils master plan for Cleveland’s Cuyahoga Riverfront

Real estate developer Bedrock and the city of Cleveland recently unveiled a comprehensive Cuyahoga Riverfront master plan that will transform the riverfront. The 15-to-20-year vision will redevelop Tower City Center, and prioritize accessibility, equity, sustainability, and resilience.

Niagara Falls Visitor Center aerial shot. Courtesy GWWO

Museums | GWWO | Jan 18, 2023

Building memory: Why interpretive centers matter in an era of social change

The last few years have borne witness to some of the most rapid cultural shifts in our nation’s long history. If the experience has taught us anything, it is that we must find a way to keep our history in view, while also putting it in perspective.

Texas Christian University planning medical school for the growing Dallas-Fort Worth region

University Buildings | Jan 17, 2023

Texas Christian University breaks ground on medical school for Dallas-Fort Worth region

Texas Christian University (TCU) has broken ground on the Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine, which aims to help meet the expanding medical needs of the growing Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Green | Jan 17, 2023

Top 10 U.S. states for green building in 2022

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual ranking of U.S. states leading the way on green building, with Massachusetts topping the list. The USGBC ranking is based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year.

Libraries | Jan 13, 2023

One of the world’s largest new libraries opens in Shanghai

Designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Shanghai Library East covers more than 1.2 million sf, 80% of it dedicated to community activity.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine and public plaza overlooking reflecting pools. Photo: © Alan Karchmer for Santiago Calatrava

Religious Facilities | Jan 9, 2023

Santiago Calatrava-designed St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church opens in New York

In December, New York saw the reopening of the new St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine—the only religious structure destroyed on 9/11. Renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava designed St. Nicholas Church to address the traditional Greek Orthodox liturgy while honoring the Church’s connection with the World Trade Center Memorial site.