Shopping malls, retail store design

Shopping malls, retail stores, and strip malls pose many challenges to fire protection, lighting, mechanical, and electrical engineers.

Performance art

Performing arts centers and museums play host to a wide range of virtuoso concerts, exhibits by master artists, and other special events. It stands to reason, then, that such structures require special engineering considerations. Here, a group of experts lend advice on how to ensure these unique projects receive standing ovations.

Military intelligence

With added security concerns, international code issues, and other special considerations, military facilities are unique, demanding projects. Here’s how to handle such complex structures and get results that make clients stand at attention.

High expectations in higher educational facilities

Colleges and universities must keep up with a demand for high-tech facilities, sustainability requirements, competition for students, and decreasing public funding. Engineers are charged with meeting the complex needs of such buildings.

Smart hospital engineering

To operate properly, hospitals need smart engineering, from the HVAC systems to the fire/life safety and electrical equipment. Here, some expert engineers offer advice on smart hospital engineering.

Office design: raising the standard

Office buildings present a range of challenges as diverse as the tenants that occupy the structures. To succeed, engineers need to stay on top of owners’ needs, environmental concerns, sustainability, and a range of other issues.

Tall order for super high-rises

Super high-rise buildings pose unique challenges to engineers. The number of these buildings is increasing, which is creating more demand for specialized engineers with high-rise expertise.

Improving lab design

Laboratory facilities have specific environmental integrity and safety requirements. Four experienced engineers share their thoughts on how well-designed systems impact the success of such structures.

Centering on data

With the need to balance a number of complex, changing demands (such as scalability, sustainability, and shifts in codes), data center projects are among the most complex an engineer can face. Here, top experts in the data center field offer advice on getting projects to compute.

Learning curve

In the face of dwindling budgets, growing sustainability requirements, and other considerations, K-12 school projects can be a challenging—yet rewarding—area for engineers to tackle. Here, a group of experts share advice on how to handle such projects and go to the head of the class.

Right-sizing HVAC

Improperly designed HVAC systems can be a source of headaches. Too big for a project and they can lead to huge bills, both at the outset and over years of operation; too small, and they don’t provide adequate heating and cooling for the facility. Here, industry experts offer advice on tailoring HVAC systems just right, every time.

Talking yourself up

Engineers have a reputation of being less-than-great communicators, but selling energy-efficient design requires a keen ability to paint a verbal picture about your capabilities. Here are some tips.

Gray matters; Water reuse systems

Gray-water reuse systems are becoming a staple in both newly constructed and existing facilities. Industry experts share the benefits and pitfalls of specifying and implementing the systems.

Speaking of certification

Many engineers believe certification educates and bolsters careers; others think that there are too many available certifications, diluting any potential benefit.