Austin, Texas, adopts AI-driven building permit software

After a successful pilot program, Austin has adopted AI-driven building permit software to speed up the building permitting process.

Calif. governor signs limited extension to hospital seismic retrofit mandate

Some California hospitals will have three additional years to comply with the state’s seismic retrofit mandate, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill extending the 2030 deadline.

San Francisco unveils guidelines to streamline office-to-residential conversions

The San Francisco Department of Building Inspection announced a series of new building code guidelines clarifying adaptive reuse code provisions and exceptions for converting office-to-residential buildings. Developed in response to the Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse program established in July 2023, the guidelines aim to increase the viability of converting underutilized office buildings into housing by reducing regulatory barriers in specific zoning districts downtown.

Codes and Standards

Navigating the intricacies of code compliance and authorities having jurisdiction

The construction of a building entails navigating through a maze of regulations, permits, and codes. Architects are more than mere designers; we are stewards of safety and navigators of code compliance.

Codes and Standards | Apr 4, 2022

Construction of industrial space continues robust growth

Construction and development of new industrial space in the U.S. remains robust, with all signs pointing to another big year in this market segment

Legislation | Apr 1, 2022

American Bird Conservancy doubles capacity to test bird-friendly glass

American Bird Conservancy (ABC), working with Washington College in Maryland, says it has doubled its capacity to test and rate glass and other materials for their ability to deter bird collisions.

Modular construction startup Autovol uses robots to build affordable multifamily housing HoD Rough Openings Material Handlers.jpg

Modular Building | Mar 31, 2022

Rick Murdock’s dream multifamily housing factory

Modular housing leader Rick Murdock had a vision: Why not use robotic systems to automate the production of affordable modular housing? Now that vision is a reality.

Legislation | Mar 31, 2022

Bill in Washington State would fund seismic retrofits in schools

A bill recently passed by the Washington State Senate could unleash hundreds of millions of dollars for school seismic retrofits over several years.

Legislation | Mar 30, 2022

Wisconsin legislators expand the scope of interior design in the state

Legislators in Wisconsin passed a bill, quickly signed into law by the governor, that codifies holistic interior design legislation and significantly expands the scope of interior design in the state.

Legislation | Mar 28, 2022

LEED Platinum office tower faces millions in fines due to New York’s Local Law 97

One Bryant Park, also known as the Bank of America Tower, in Manhattan faces an estimated $2.4 million in annual fines when New York City’s York’s Local Law 97 goes into effect.

Codes and Standards | Mar 24, 2022

New York senate moves to speed up fossil fuel ban in new buildings

Lawmakers in the New York State Senate are backing a proposal to ban fossil fuels in new building construction three years sooner than a plan proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2022

High office vacancies have cities rethinking downtown zoning

As record-high office vacancies persist in U.S. urban areas, cities are rethinking zoning policy.

Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2022

Dept. of Energy awards $32 million for next-generation building retrofits

The U.S. Dept. of Energy has awarded a total of $32 million for more than 30 next-generation building retrofit projects that will dramatically improve affordable housing technologies, according to a DOE news release.