New LEED energy and water requirements take effect. All new construction projects seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council must now use version 3.0 of the green building standard, which requires owners either to submit annual data about how much energy and water their buildings use, or face having to recertify their buildings every two years.ASHRAE publishes energy efficiency guide for hotels. Recommendations on achieving 30% energy savings over minimum code requirements are contained in ASHRAE's new Advanced Energy Design Guide for Highway Lodging, which could pave the way for new hotels to achieve net-zero energy usage.ICC launches green building code initiative for commercial structures. The International Code Council has launched its International Green Construction Code (IGCC) initiative, whose aim is to reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings. "IGCC: Safe and Sustainable by the Book" will seek to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings.SmithGroup picks up Dallas's F&S Partners. F&S Partners, a Dallas architecture firm specializing in the design of educational, recreational, and religious projects, has merged with SmithGroup, a top 10 U.S. architecture/engineering firm. The 40-person office in Dallas will carry the name SmithGroup/F&S.
For more:www.BDCnetwork.com.
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NCARB welcomes new board of directors
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Berkebile wins $100K award for commitment to environment
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Polshek Partnership unveils design for University of North Texas business building
New York-based architect Polshek Partnership today unveiled its design scheme for the $70 million Business Leadership Building at the University of North Texas in Denton. Designed to provide UNT’s 5,400-plus business majors the highest level of academic instruction and professional training, the 180,000-sf facility will include an open atrium, an internet café, and numerous study and tutoring rooms—all designed to help develop a spirit of collaboration and team-oriented focus.
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University of Florida aiming for nation’s first LEED Platinum parking garage
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Draft NIST report on Cowboys practice facility collapse released for public comment
A fabric-covered, steel frame practice facility owned by the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys collapsed under wind loads significantly less than those required under applicable design standards, according to a report released today for public comment by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
