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Four Things That Make Difficult Conversations Difficult
What are difficult conversations for you in the AE workplace? What do they look like?
M&A Valuations in 2023: Nuances Prevail in Very Interesting Times
2023’s Southeast M&A, Strategy, and Innovation Symposium saw discussion of today’s volatile market conditions, and how they will affect valuations in the A&E space.
When opportunity knocks
Ultimately, a sale may not be for you. But you’ll never know for sure unless you’re open to at least considering the possibilities.
Six tips for AE firms looking to close a deal in 2023
Even as the market cools, there’s still plenty of opportunities for deal-making in the AE space.
The (Mostly) Unstoppable AE Industry
While the overall market outlook for A&E is strong, lingering issues with employee morale could threaten to hamstring growth.
How will the A&E industry be disrupted?
While some fear the A&E industry is falling into obsolescence, external forces such as the acquisition of major firms by software or technology companies could drive innovation.
Consulting-Specifying Engineer most-viewed building types articles in 2023
Read the best articles about building types including design models, hospital emergency systems, building electrical model shifts and more
The M&A World through the Eyes of Buyers and Sellers (Part 2—The Buyers)
Jon Escobar, vice president of Morrissey Goodale’s buy-side engagements, gives readers a glimpse into the minds of buyers.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Content: February 10-16, 2023
The most viewed content from the past week covered codes and standards, emergency generator systems, product of the year and sustainability
The M&A world through the eyes of the sellers
Morrissey Goodale's Brendon Cussio weighs in on the current stage of mergers and acquisitions in the A&E market.
What is a commercial building?
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineers focus on commercial buildings and the engineered systems within them
Mitigating financial risk in large construction projects
It’s crucial to make sure the risk of financial loss is limited during a construction project and focus on the budget and construction.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Content: October 28- November 3, 2022
The most viewed content from the past week covered BAS, smoke damper, generators, arc flash, and more.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Content: October 7-13, 2022
The most viewed content from the past week covered building design, electrical power systems, EV charging, BAS audits and more.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Content: August 19-25, 2022
The most viewed content from the past week covered the 2022 FGI guidelines, energy efficiency, transformers, industrial facilities and merger and acquisition updates.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer content: May 20-26, 2022
The most-viewed content from the past week covered 40 Under 40 winners, airport fire protection, hospital decarbonization, air handling systems and dynamic UPS systems.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: April 22-28, 2022
Read the best articles from the past week. AI and building systems, building electrical systems, fire alarm signals, air handling systems and school changes.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: April 15-21, 2022
Read the best articles from the past week. Building electrical systems, prefabrication, K-12 school changes, electrical power quality and specifying variable-speed compression.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: April 1-7, 2022
Read the best articles from the past week. Prefabrication's future, electrical power quality, office building standards, chilled water system trends and building system controls
What is the future of prefabrication in the U.S. construction industry?
Prefabrication offers many advantages, and its adoption hinges on support from players across the building and design industry
Dependable transportation networks through the lens of resilience
Creating a resilient transportation network implies that when something unexpected happens so systems can continue to operate.
Hidden features future-proof science complex
The University of Connecticut’s Gant Science Complex has undergone many transformations to let this building remain vibrant and competitive more than 50 years after its inception.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: February 25 to March 3, 2022
Read the best articles from the past week. Smart building essentials, airport building assets, office design, chilled water system design and specifying generators.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: February 18-24, 2022
Read the best articles from the past week. Smart building essentials, electrical power quality, metal-clad cable and busways, electrification and chilled water system design.
Consulting-Specifying Engineer most-viewed building types articles in 2022
Read the best articles about building types including pandemics and building design, hydraulic systems, HVAC system specifying, net zero carbon in buildings and more.
Mitigation funding targets resilience
The Biden Administration announced that an additional $3.46 billion dollars will be dispersed among states and tribes to invest in mitigation projects around the country.
Making communities more resilient against disasters
Resilient measures into infrastructure design includes safety plans for evacuation against disaster as well as making buildings safer.
Designing the post-pandemic library
College students learn, study and collaborate in various places, but the academic culture of the campus is housed in the library.
Higher Ed STEM design: NC State’s new engineering building puts research on display
Fitts-Woolard Hall is an engineering hub that provides infrastructure for new innovations and developing tomorrow’s workforce
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: September 24-30, 2021
Read the best articles from the past week. Hydraulic systems, circuit coordination, COVID-19 mitigation, chilled water plants and automated fault detection.
Four ways to create training facilities that better support athlete’s mental health and mental fitness
Simone Biles stood up for mental health by sitting down at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Citing her mental wellness, Biles withdrew from multiple gymnastics competitions to best empower her teammates to medal at the games.
Project Profile: Virgin Design District Hotel
The vision for the Virgin Hotel brand is to create an adventurous and fun experience for its guests.
Project Profile: Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
A boutique reinvention of a landmark hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, which was designed and built over a century ago.
A developer’s guide to condominiums and risk mitigation
See four common causes of condominium litigation.
Power, electrical equipment for hospitals
Electrical systems, including batteries, are touched on in this hospital electrical systems discussion
Consulting-Specifying Engineer July/August 2021 issue
Read the July/August 2021 issue to learn about data center supercomputers, hydraulic systems design for high-rise buildings and the 2021 Product of the Year finalists.
How to design government buildings
In this Q&A with multiple experts, learn how to design government, state, municipal, federal, correctional and military buildings
Four demand factors beyond COVID-19 prevention for smart buildings
Smart building technologies have gained more visibility due to COVID-19, but the long-term benefits they provide will last long after the pandemic subsides.
Data-Driven Design: Harnessing building analytics to deliver a low-carbon future
Glumac's new Data-Driven Design Series focuses on cutting edge building design concepts.
5 questions with an expert: Peter Aranyi talks student housing
Clark Nexsen’s Student Life practice leader, Peter Aranyi, discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the student housing market and the issues that are top of mind for higher education clients as we emerge from the pandemic.
Improving health for night shift workers through design
The negative impact of artificial lighting on the circadian rhythms of night shift workers can be successfully mitigated through design following the WELL Building Standard
Creating safe and healthy buildings through good design
The possibility of transmitting or contracting COVID-19 and overwhelming our healthcare system is still a concern for many and needs to be part of the overall building design.
How the hotel industry is going green
The hospitality industry is entering a more health- and environmentally conscious world as COVID-19 restrictions ease.
Data center facility meshes with modern office
RagingWire’s TX-1 facility in North Texas is a mixture of an office space and operations hub for a sophisticated data center.
The obstacles and opportunities of mass timber construction in the United States
The opportunity to reduce carbon emissions within the building sector is great news for design professionals who specialize in mass timber construction, but it comes with challenges.
Designing efficient, flexible and resilient federal projects
There is a shift in the needs of government agencies in the big picture and at the project level, making both the adaptability of the design team and the flexibility of any future facility even more important.
Best practices for engineering government buildings
Designing utilities, public works, airport, mass transit, transportation or other government projects is a big task. Learn how to design government buildings.
Smart buildings: How a virus might lead to healthier buildings
Health threats like COVID-19 require specific mitigations, including the challenge of ongoing social distancing within workplace and social environments.
Pandemic design considerations for police facilities
COVID-19 has changed police facility design strategies and drastically changed the way officers interact with the public on a daily basis.
Five applications of computation fluid dynamics motion in three dimensions
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used retrofitting, estimating hydraulic losses, optimizing flow distribution and more.
Concrete mixture designed to cut carbon emissions
Purdue University engineers have discovered a way to make concrete more sustainable, which has the potential to cut carbon emissions.
Humidification installed for U.S. Army national museum
Southland and Envise installed an air system which provides controlled ventilation and humidification to gallery spaces.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: January 22-28, 2021
Read the best articles from the past week. Smart buildings, NEC changes, designing and retrofitting hospitals, choosing between an ECM and VFD and NEC changes
Recommendations for periodic testing, adjusting and balancing of existing buildings
Existing, occupied buildings can benefit greatly from the TAB process as well by improving its performance and efficiency.
Three takeaways from design-build conference
While the 2020 Design-Build Conference & Expo didn’t take place in person, the virtual conference was nonetheless successful.
Hardened and resilient facilities considerations
There is often considerable confusion and misinformation as to what the criteria includes and more importantly what is appropriate based on a rigorous consideration
Ultra-low temperature storage considerations for COVID-19 vaccines
There are many challenges companies need to consider when it comes to ultra-low temperature storage considerations when it comes to safely storing vaccines.
Bond referenda: Challenging, but winnable
Getting a bond referendum is more challenging these days, but it can be accomplished with the right approach and mindset.
Understanding federal funding opportunities
Several federal funding programs focus on increasing the resilience of our nation’s economy and infrastructure while others focus on recovery from manmade and natural disasters and, recently, the pandemic.
Designing flexible, safe labs
Safety, budget and flexibility are key factors when designing laboratory and research space
Multi-family housing design trends driven by COVID-19
As the COVID situation has driven many to work from home, the need for changes to the way in which new multifamily apartment buildings are designed has become apparent; architects and designers are adjusting to this new normal.
Safety by design: Safe projects from concept to facility operation
Cross-team collaboration prevents incidents, improves efficiency and gives clients more for their money.
Three ways to pandemic-proof your facility
Segregation, cleanability, and automation/process closure are proven ways to protect viral containment through a pandemic and beyond.
Five answers on the current state of science research, learning
Three experts from CannonDesign offered their advice on the current state of science research and learning and how that informs their decisions.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: October 23-29, 2020
Read the best articles from the past week. Hospital ventilation, higher ed design, building automation systems, industrial manufacturing facility design and commissioning giants.
Harnessing an interdisciplinary team for resilient design
By collaborating with an interdisciplinary team, engineers can offer high-value, holistic solutions that promote resilient design for buildings and sites of all types
How warehouse design is evolving
The warehouse and distribution industry has been evolving in recent years and fulfilling these online orders has necessitated expanded and more advanced warehousing for many of our partners.
Guidelines for infection control in housing design facilities
Due to COVID-19, citizens across the country have spent more time inside their homes than ever before.
What PK-12 schools can learn from museum design
Schools can encourage enthusiasm from children by designing them to be more like museums, which encourage interactivity as well as learning.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: October 2, 2020
This week Morrissey Goodale reported nine deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada and Ireland.
Basics of industrial, manufacturing facility design
Industrial and manufacturing facilities have specialty needs engineers must include in new or retrofit projects
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer articles: September 14-20, 2020
Read the best articles from the past week. Government building design, MEP giants revenue, integrated buildings and the COVID-19 pandemic and better building ventilation.
Warehouse building systems design: Designing today for the needs of tomorrow
Retailers and grocers alike have had to expand their warehouse capabilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created a major spike in demand for online shopping.
Engineering the art of data science for climate-resilient communities
The core of the problem with flooding is understanding, preparing, mitigating, predicting, and responding to current and future flood risk. Learn how data science can help.
How integrated buildings can react in pandemics
Integrated buildings can support an effective response in a pandemic, and assist with long-term planning
Upgrading to first class: The future of airports
The future of aviation is an ongoing discussion, but there are immediate actions being taken to build confidence both onboard planes as well as in the airports improved security and best practices to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Making humans and buildings more resilient
While building resiliency is important, creating flexibility for how humans interact in a building also is important
A community beacon for health, hope and optimism on Buffalo’s West Side
A walk through Buffalo’s West Side is a wonderful immersion in human culture. Rich with immigrants and refugees, the West Side offers diverse languages, food and aromas, social icons and civic energy.
The difference between design-build and design-bid-build projects
The terms are similar, but the meaning and how they are conducted are quite different and have different implications for construction projects.
Best practices for designing government buildings
Learn how to specify systems for government and military buildings
The future of venue design amid COVID-19
Design professionals are working hand-in-hand with sports leagues and owners to develop strategies to control any potential spread of infection to reduce COVID-19 concerns and fears.
The importance of healthy buildings in a pandemic
The wellness impacts of sustainable building design approaches in creating healthier and more productive lives for their occupants is even more important as the COVID-19 pandemic becomes a fact of life.
A look at living-centered projects in California
A highlight of local projects in Califronia designed to address life’s complex interdependencies.
Wellness is the new basis for building design
Because the COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we work, buildings have a unique opportunity to cause a profound effect on occupant wellness.
How Clark Nexsen is approaching COVID-19 engineering challenges
Clark Nexsen’s Bill Stingl shares technical solutions to building engineering challenges.
Warehouse, manufacturing facilities go high-tech
Warehouse, manufacturing and logistics buildings are more than simple boxy structures used to make products and store them before they move onto their next destination. Engineers working find these facilities can be as complex and advanced as any other building. What’s more, factors like increased interest in online shopping and demand to have desired products yesterday are boosting demand for these projects.
Modular, walk-in booth design for COVID-19 testing
To address the need for testing in urban areas for those without vehicles, CannonDesign architect Albert Rhee created a walk-in testing booth that is slated for public use.
Infection control technologies for building design
Building design and operations need to consider infection control technologies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
Learn from the experts on COVID-19: Ask the NV5 engineering experts
Jerry Bauers and Steven A. Lipson provided expert advice to engineers and others involved in various technical aspects of engineering and designing building systems
Designing Virginia Tech’s drone park
Virginia Tech's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone park to support testing of drones and conducting research safely on campus brought some unique challenges.
Converting alternative structures for COVID-19 patients
Converting structures such as hospitals, arenas, convention centers and other large-scale buildings in the wake of COVID-19 is a challenge, but perhaps a necessary one as the pandemic continues.
Have you designed grow facilities?
Yes, grow rooms, as in marijuana. Tell us your engineering success stories
Restorative care village project to help homeless in L.A.
The LAC+USC Restorative Care Village is a project designed as part of a comprehensive strategy to address the homelessness problem in Los Angeles
Dewberry project profile: David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center expansion
David L. Moss Criminal Justice Center, Tulsa, Okla.
Considerations for building in dense urban areas
While many issues involved in these types of designs are universal, there are some that are specific to the building type or location when it comes to dense urban areas, with some being specific to a particular city.
Refrigeration design trends are changing
The rise of e-commerce has changed how the food chain handles refrigeration and companies need to adapt.
Fast-tracking design and construction to save more lives
Coordination and communication are key aspects when fast-tracking design and construction projects that need to be completed quickly.
Vivarium renovation planning and design
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), a Tier I Research University, wanted to develop a barrier suite within its existing vivarium facility.
How to host a major sporting event
Advice on how to build a successful sporting event and the benefits of working with the government to make it a success, which starts with a culture of listening.
Room mockups and their utilization in the design process
The room mock-up process might seem like an extra step, but it often justifies the time and money to produce them.
Improving facility design and management with digital twins
Digital twin technology can provide facility managers with accurate and relevant infrastructure information to improve operational decisions.
What does an age-inclusive city look like?
As our lifespans extend it’s becoming clear we need to do a better job of designing cities that work for the old as well as the young.
Planning multifamily dwellings
Engineers know these multifamily structures are more than just simply boxes to keep human beings in. They’re as complex and varied as the people inside.
Comfort that contributes to the bottom line
Airports across the country are struggling to increase revenue and find funding for these projects.
Project Showcase: Artis Senior Living
RTM was selected to provide engineering design of the MEP/FP systems as well as civil engineering for Artis Senior Living’s first community in an urban setting.
Ask an Engineering Expert: What trends do you see in the design of hotels and resorts?
In this installment of our Ask an Engineering Expert series, Cameron Collins, Principal at RTM Engineering Consultants, answers the question: What trends do you see in the design of hotels and resorts?
Technology and delivery methods are reshaping construction
Despite coming slow out of the gate, the construction industry is beginning to make major strides in becoming a technology leader.
Engineering shortages
What will happen when the supply of materials and human resources runs out? How will the building and engineering community cope?
Designing industrial, manufacturing, and warehouse facilities: Electrical, power, and lighting
More than just places to make and store products, industrial, manufacturing, and warehouse facilities are becoming more complex. Electrical and power systems require detailed engineering, and lighting systems are key for all work spaces.
Developing a roadmap for net zero design
You can't design a building that doesn't consume energy, so the challenge is to create an incrementally more efficient building.
The evolution of the energy efficiency market
Some key trends have emerged in the energy efficiency market that are changing the priorities and focus of energy efficiency for commercial and municipal entities.
The future of the utilities sector
Utilities companies are facing some big challenges as customers seek to become more self-reliant through the installation of on-site generation solutions.
Cloud adoption drives hyperscale data centers
This change in data center landscape ultimately is a result of the mass emergence of the cloud in 2016.
Case study: Using BIM to design a LEED Silver ice arena
A maximized BIM was an integral in the design and construction team for the Pegula Ice Arena at Penn State University.
Technology with a capital T
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering (MEP/FP) firms should consider adding a “T” for technology into the jumble of acronyms.
Examining government, state, municipal, federal, and military facilities: Sustainable buildings and energy efficiency
Government and military projects are among the toughest challenges an engineer can face. Demanding facility owners, tight budget limitations, safety concerns, and other factors all come into play. Here, engineers with experience in the field offer advice on how to succeed in regards to sustainable buildings and energy efficiency.
Examining government, state, municipal, federal, and military facilities: Automation, controls, and technology
Government and military projects are among the toughest challenges an engineer can face. Demanding facility owners, tight budget limitations, safety concerns, and other factors all come into play. Here, engineers with experience in the field offer advice on how to succeed in regards to automation, controls, and technology.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, Jul. 2-8
Energy-performance goals, parallel generator design, chilled-water systems, exploring mixed-use, retail, and restaurant facilities, and lighting system integration were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, Jul. 2-8. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: July 6
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. involving companies from Pennsylvania, Missouri, and California.
How to deal with a coincident storm surge and rainfall in a community
Having boots on the ground or developing a mathematical model to simulate the flood event can help communities deal with flooding from a surge storm and heavy rainfall that occur at the same time.
Lifecycle after BIM
One area where BIM adoption has lagged is its use with facility owners and managers. However, that is changing as more owners are leveraging the benefits of BIM—the data—for lifecycle operation and maintenance.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 29
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. involving companies from Massachusetts, California, Illinois, New York, and New Hampshire.
How to engineer the future and increase energy efficiency
Current methods and devices for mass production are outdated and need to adapt to more flexible, automated, and energy-efficient methods of engineering.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 22
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from the U.K., Canada, and France.
When and how to design parallel generators
When designing generator systems, electrical engineers must ensure that generators and the building electrical systems that they support are appropriate for the specific application. Whether providing standby power for health care facilities or prime power for processing plants, engineers must make decisions regarding generator sizing and whether generators should be paralleled.
Case study: Patient-bed tower addition
A hospital required paralleled generators to ensure adequate power distribution and prepare for future growth.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 15
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the U.S. and four international deals involving companies from the U.S., U.K., Sweden, Norway, and China.
What you need to know about the local AHJ’s role in the design process
Ensure a code-compliant electrical design by involving the authority having jurisdiction early.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, Jun. 4-10
Performance-based design, millennials in the workforce, complex hotels, resorts, and casinos, and the 2018 Lighting and Lighting Controls Study were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, Jun. 4-10. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 8
This week Morrissey Goodale reported five deals in the U.S. and five international deals involving companies from France, Sweden, Finland, the U.K., and the Netherlands.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 1
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 25
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
Pairing performance-based design with IPD for the best value
Integrated project delivery (IPD) is on the upswing. Pairing this approach with performance-based design is challenging but capitalizing on the skills of all parties at the right time can provide results that are worth the effort.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 18
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from Denmark, Austria, the U.S., and the U.K.
2018 40 Under 40: Stet Sanborn, AIA, CPHC; 37
Associate Principal, Integral Group, Oakland, Calif. BS mechanical engineering, Kettering University, Flint, Mich.M.Arch, University of California, Berkeley As an associate principal with Integral Group in Oakland, Calif., Sanborn is primarily responsible for highly innovative mechanical system design. He also leads the firm’s efforts in integrating high-performance building enclosures and passive design strategies into a wide range of building types in pursuit of net zero and net positive energy. As a designer with a background in both engineering and architecture, he is able to bridge the communication gap that commonly occurs between disciplines.
2018 40 Under 40: Hilary Williams, CEng MIMechE, LEED AP BD+C; 39
Associate, Mechanical Engineer, Arup, Boston MEng mechanical engineering, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England Williams is an associate and mechanical engineer in Arup’s Boston office, where she manages the mechanical team and is responsible for engineering design, project management, quality control, and business development on a wide range of building projects, focusing on science and education. Over the past 17 years, she has been involved in projects throughout North America, Europe, and the Middle East, working in Arup’s London, New York, and Boston offices. Her international experience gives her a unique insight into a wide variety of design approaches and standards.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 11
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the U.S. and five international deals involving companies from Sweden, Denmark, the U.K., and France.
Your questions answered: To Switch or Not to Switch … Key approaches to meet NEC 240.87
The April 24, 2018, “To Switch or Not to Switch … Key approaches to meet NEC 240.87” webcast presenter addressed questions not covered during the live event.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 4
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and one deal in Canada.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 27
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
Designing efficient data centers: Automation and controls
In today’s digital age, businesses rely on running an efficient, reliable, and secure operation, especially with mission critical facilities such as data centers. Here, engineers with experience on such structures share advice and tips on ensuring project success in regards to automation and controls.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 20
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from Denmark, the U.K., and Columbia.
Intelligent building asset management
Wireless sensors and other tools can help optimize building management and use.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 13
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the United States and four international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 30
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from Canada and the United Kingdom.
Code of ethics
Learning about products and manufacturers is important, but how far should the relationship go?
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 23
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from Canada and Norway.
Commissioning: Moving from Required to Desired
Building commissioning has become more and more valuable. There are financial, environmental, and operational benefits of commissioning.
Adapt or be left behind: Technology and the future of engineering
Building design has been slow to adapt to changing technologies in the past, but they must now adapt and react quickly to a changing world.
The sustainability case for timber structures in building design
Timber is a sustainable, and realistically attainable, material with which to build modern workspaces.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 9
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia.
Five considerations when coordinating BIM projects
Construction projects can benefit significantly by leveraging BIM, but there are a few areas to take into consideration that, when applied, can help your next project reach its full BIM potential.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 2
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from the U.S., France, Sweden, and Germany.
Three ways to improve patient experience through hospital design and planning
Hospital design and planning aspects that directly impact key elements supporting a positive patient experience include noise reduction and strategic layout and design.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: February 23
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. involving companies from Illinois, California, Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
Three ways to improve the AEC industry
The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry can make advances and improve safety by ensuring the right people are on the project and making sure there is trust among the workers and the right tools are in place.
How a sustainability approach helped Washington, D.C., achieve LEED Platinum as a city
Washington, D.C., earned the distinction of becoming the world's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum City through the LEED for Cities initiative was launched in 2016, which tasked the city with setting energy efficiency goals. Dewberry helped in that initiative with a variety of projects.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: February 16
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from Canada, New Zealand, France, and Mexico.
Recognizing an effective leader
An effective leader builds relationships on trust and mutual respect and a leader is responsible for the success of a business and helping a team achiever their professional goals.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: February 9
This week Morrissey Goodale reported eight deals in the U.S. involving companies from Pennsylvania, California, Idaho, North Carolina, and Kentucky. There was also one international deal involving companies from the U.S. and Hong Kong.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: February 2
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and five international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: January 26
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and four international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Sweden, France, and Spain.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: January 19
This week Morrissey Goodale reported 11 deals in the U.S. and four international deals involving companies from the Netherlands, Ireland, and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: January 12
This week Morrissey Goodale reported 13 deals in the U.S. and six international deals involving companies from Sweden, Denmark, Canada, and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: January 5
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from Canada and Finland.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: December 29
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from France and the U.S.
Data center design considerations
This article provides guidelines on distribution systems’ levels of redundancy, the correct generator rating to use, and whether solar power can be used in a data center.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: December 22
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from France, Canada, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: December 15
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. involving companies from Texas, Ohio, Nebraska, Arkansas, New York, and Massachusetts.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: December 8
This week Morrissey Goodale reported seven deals in the U.S. and five international deals involving companies from France, Australia, South Korea, Mexico, Japan, and Belgium.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: December 1
This week Morrissey Goodale reported seven deals in the U.S. and five international deals involving companies from Singapore, France, the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Netherlands, Spain, Norway, and Sweden.
Using IoT to measure and verify energy consumption in buildings
An Internet of Things (IoT) platform can revolutionize the traditional measurement and verification process approach.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: November 17
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the U.S. and one international deal involving two companies from Canada.
MIT Media Lab unveils autonomous construction platform
An autonomous robot under development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) could provide the blueprint for construction projects of the future. The Digital Construction Platform (DCP) can effectively 3D print an entire building.
Insight into solar tracker industry
With regards to the regional frame of reference and the contribution of leading behemoths toward business expansion.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: November 10
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and six international deals involving companies from Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, France, Denmark, Finland, and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: November 3
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the U.S. and four international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: October 27
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from Canada, Hong Kong, China, the U.K., and Kenya.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: October 20
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the United States and five international deals involving companies from the U.S., the U.K., Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France, and India.
Getting back to nature: Why does biophilic design seem so new?
Biophilic design is the practice of integrating nature into the built environment.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: October 6
This week Morrissey Goodale reported eight deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Malaysia.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, September 25-October 1: Harmonics and VFDs, arc flash mitigation, designing generator sets, and more.
Harmonics and VFDs, arc flash mitigation, designing generator sets, MEP Giants and boiler selection basics were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, September 18-24. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: September 29
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the United States involving companies from Texas, New York, California, and Washington State.
The complexities of industrial, manufacturing, and warehouse facilities: automation and controls
Warehouses and factories are more than simply bare-bones buildings for companies to keep equipment. Here, professionals with experience on such facilities offer advice on how to meet and exceed expectations regarding automation and controls.
Best practices for building integration and interoperability
Many benefits to building integration include efficiency and reduced maintenance, when best practices are followed during the design process.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: September 15
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: September 8
This week Morrissey Goodale reported five deals in the United States and three international deals involving companies from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
Four steps to getting started on your smart building approach
When it comes to creating a smart building, there is no right or wrong way, it all boils down to what your goals are and what the desired end-state is.
Incorporating personality and soul into stadium design
The main challenge for sports architects and designers is to find the perfect balance between keeping a new stadium authentic while planning for future trends and commercial opportunities.
Super-track to improved patient outcomes
Huntington Hospital Emergency Department in New York was looking to significantly increase its emergency department (ED) treatment capacity while improving efficiency and patient outcomes.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: September 1
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three international deals involving companies from Singapore, China, Scotland, Sweden, and Belgium.
The art of designing sports, entertainment, and specialty structures: Electrical, power, and lighting
Entertainment venues are big businesses—and big on complexity, with a host of complex systems and requirements for engineers to tackle. Electrical engineers and lighting designers have many things to consider.
The art of designing sports, entertainment, and specialty structures: Controls and automation
Entertainment venues are big businesses—and big on complexity, with a host of complex systems and requirements for engineers to tackle. Building automation systems must be carefully considered.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: August 25
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from Canada.
The art of designing sports, entertainment, and specialty structures
Entertainment venues are big businesses—and big on complexity, with a host of complex systems and requirements for engineers to tackle.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: August 18
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from Canada, Malaysia, and New Zealand.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: August 11
This week Morrissey Goodale reported seven deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from the U.S., the U.K., and France.
The rise of the digital building
The concept of digital buildings combines architecture, engineering, and technology for increased building optimization.
Next-generation lighting control unit
Douglas Lighting Controls introduces next-generation lighting control unit for centralized or multi-facility lighting applications.
Global M&A activity holds steady as domestic M&A falls
More mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection engineering firms are acquiring while other engineering sectors slow deal-making activities.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: August 4
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the United States involving companies from Texas, Maryland, Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: July 28
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from the U.S. and the Netherlands.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: July 7
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
RTM sustainability studio services: Commissioning & retro-commissioning
By prioritizing sustainable builds, building owners can experience long-term benefits including lower energy usage, improved operations, and better occupant comfort.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 30
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the U.S. and one international deal involving companies from Norway and Iceland.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 16
This week Morrissey Goodale reported two deals in the United States and one international deal involving companies from the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 9
This week Morrissey Goodale reported ten deals in the United States and two international deals involving companies from Canada, the U.S., and Sweden.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: June 2
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the United States and three international deals involving companies from the U.S., India, Sweden, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Microhospitals: a win-win for patient access and financial viability
Microhospitals are seeking to address factors that are new: a mercurial set of financial, operational, and patient-loyalty constraints that will continue to evolve as a different presidential administration comes into play.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 26
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the United States and three international deals involving companies from Singapore, France, and Canada.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 19
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. and one international deal involving two companies from Canada.
2017 40 Under 40: Joshua Schubert, PE, LEED AP, GBE, CEM; 36
Director of Energy Engineering, Goby
2017 40 Under 40: Cory Abramowicz, PE, HBDP, LEED AP, 31
Associate, Project Manager, Lead Mechanical Engineer at Environmental Systems Design Inc. (ESD)
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 12
This week Morrissey Goodale reported five deals in the United States and five international deals involving companies from Canada, the U.K., China, and Japan.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, May 1-7: BIM, integration, data centers, 2017 Product of the Year, and wireless technologies
Articles about BIM, integration, data centers, 2017 Product of the Year, and wireless technologies were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, May 1 to 7. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: May 5
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the U.S. and three international deals involving companies from Sweden, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 28
This week Morrissey Goodale reported five deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from Canada and the U.K.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 21
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the U.S. involving companies from Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, Arizona, and Indiana.
Designing for radiation protection at Texas Children’s Hospital
A key successful element for the design process was the ongoing conversation and collaboration between multiple hospital departments to make sure protocols and safety measures were considered before finalizing the design.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 14
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the United States involving companies from Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York, California, North Carolina, and Michigan.
Incubator spaces, innovation hubs: How to design workplaces for big ideas
Organizations seeking to thrive in today’s knowledge economy need to ensure their workplaces are setup to help employees innovate the key ideas that lead to differentiation and growth.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: April 7
This week Morrissey Goodale reported six deals in the U.S. and two international deals involving companies from the U.S. and Canada.
Wireless building controls system
Trane's Air-Fi wireless technology replaces the wired communication link needed for the building controls system and integrates multiple building system devices.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 31
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the United States and three international deals involving companies from Australia, Denmark, Sweden, and Spain.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 24
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the United States involving companies from Tennessee, California, New York, Colorado, Texas, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 17
This week Morrissey Goodale reported four deals in the United States and one international deal involving companies from France and Germany.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 10
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the United States and four international deals involving companies from the United States, France, Australia, France, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: March 3
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the United States and four international deals involving companies from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, India, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: February 24
This week Morrissey Goodale reported one deal in the United States and one international deal involving companies from Australia and Italy.
The importance of providing weekly updates to clients
Providing architects with weekly project updates allows for more efficiency onsite and saves time and stress so they can focus on their numerous additional priorities.
BIM design software solutions worth $3 billion across 57 countries: report
Architectural CAD dominates in developed countries, other BIM design tools and civil CAD are the next biggest categories, followed by structural CAD.
Grumman/Butkus Associates 2016 hospital benchmarking survey released
This report about hospitals and health care facilities examines electricity, fossil fuel, water/sewer, and carbon footprint.
Weekly merger, acquisition, deal update: February 17
This week Morrissey Goodale reported three deals in the United States and one international deal involving companies from the United Kingdom and Italy.
Engineering flexible office buildings: sustainable buildings/energy efficiency
Office buildings need to have the ability to accommodate myriad types of businesses and activities to meet the needs of tenants. Here, engineers with experience on such buildings share their knowledge, lessons learned over the years for sustainable buildings/energy efficiency.
Working by daylight: How circadian lighting increases productivity
Low access to daylight can be detrimental to our health. Eye strain, exhaustion, and weakening mental health are all issues that share a root cause in poor access to light.
Project update: All Saints Cancer Care expansion and renovation
All Saints Hospital in Racine, Wis., recently unveiled a newly expanded and renovated cancer center for which RTM Engineering Consultants provided electrical engineering.
The future of health care delivery
At Glumac, a discussion was opened on how the AEC industry must adapt to deliver projects that work within the new model of health care business plans.
Arup Thoughts: Data manipulation means better design
Once data is seen as malleable and versatile, data sets can be combined to generate a more detailed picture of how an asset can be operated and maintained.
No time to waste: construction-waste management
A construction-waste management plan is now a requirement of many municipalities and sustainable design standards. A thoughtful and well-prepared waste management plan will greatly assist a project in achieving its sustainable goals while reducing the burden on the nation's landfills.
A day in the life of a mechanical engineer
Lauren Blas explains how incorporating personal passions in her work has become her recipe for career success at CannonDesign.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, December 12-December 18: professional salaries of engineers, assessing electrical system replacement, more
Articles about professional salaries of engineers, assessing electrical system replacement, NEC 2017 changes, redefining the term consulting engineer, and 2016 Commissioning Giants were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, December 12-December 18. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Energy, infrastructure changes ahead
The next president promises vast changes to America’s energy and infrastructure plans. Details are sketchy, however.
Part 2: ILPD at UHS Henderson Hospital
An IFOA contract encourages team members to challenge each other on a continual basis to reduce risk and increase productivity.
Redefining the term consulting engineer
Engineers who play a more integrated role on a project team can add real value and find new inspiration in their jobs.
Best apps to use in the field for BIM, inspections, and compliance
CRB has incorporated multiple technologies in the field to prevent and solve coordination and safety issues in a real-time environment.
BIM drives new organization models and advanced technologies
The impact on the way buildings are designed is changed forever with the adoption for BIM platforms.
Operating on medical and hospital projects: sustainable buildings/energy efficiency
Engineers tasked with working on hospital and medical campuses find themselves tackling unique challenges: evolving technology, increased specialization, and maintaining operations while under construction. Here, professionals with experience on such facilities share advice on how to finish projects that report a clean bill of health for sustainable buildings and energy efficiency.
Sharing the risk in ILPD
The Integrated Lean Project Delivery method strives to eliminate waste in construction by breaking down barriers, increasing productivity, and reducing costs through integration and collaboration.
Operating on medical and hospital projects: automation and controls
Engineers tasked with working on hospital and medical campuses find themselves tackling unique challenges: evolving technology, increased specialization, and maintaining operations while under construction. Here, professionals with experience on such facilities share advice on how to finish projects that report a clean bill of health regarding automation and controls.
Bringing people to the forefront of workplace design
Zurich collected feedback before, during, and after, with early results showing that frequency of interaction within teams increased by 19% in the pilot while satisfaction increased 21%.
2016 Commissioning Giants
Building commissioning providers are closely tracking the business, market, and technical trends that are influencing—and, in some cases, reshaping—their profession. At the top of the list are priorities that affect practical business decisions, both near-term and in the future.
Smart building integrated digital lighting and HVAC controller
nLight ECLYPSE controller combines digital lighting and HVAC controls onto one platform.
Analog sensor control box with built-in data logging
SmartBOX1 is a general purpose, PLC-based, dual analog input sensor instrumentation control box with built-in data logging/trending.
The demands of mixed-use facilities: sustainable buildings/energy efficiency
Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with sustainable buildings/ energy efficiency.
BAS for energy savings and secure operations
Metasys 8.0 the building automation system (BAS) provides instrumentation and control to save energy and enable efficient and secure operations.
The demands of mixed-use facilities: automation and controls
Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix with automation and controls.
The demands of mixed-use facilities
Mixed-use facilities require engineers to handle several complex components. Here, engineers with experience on such facilities offer advice on bringing successful execution into the mix.
Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: automation and controls
Fulfilling the demands of a mixed-use facility can be challenging, considering the structure’s diverse components. Here, professionals with experience on such projects share advice and explain how to end up with positive results concerning automation and controls.
Arup Thoughts: How the digital world is shaping our cities
In developed nations, Internet-powered smartphone apps have already started to transform many daily tasks, changing the way we think about the provision of goods and services, from travel to food shopping.
Linear high-bay LEDs for harsh environments
Crouse-Hinds series Pauluhn Apex linear high-bay LED luminaires are designed to withstand high-pressure wash-down environments, and can be customized for application specific performance requirements.
The RMH Group Inc.: Breckenridge Brewery and Farm House Restaurant
Automation, controls; electrical, power; fire, life safety; HVAC, mechanical; lighting; energy, sustainability; plumbing, piping
Digital service connecting data center to electric cloud
StruxureOn is a digital service that connects data center physical infrastructure assets to the electric cloud enabling the delivery of simplified and fast services.
Passive harmonic filter line
FN3415 model is a passive harmonic filter for 60 Hz, 480 or 600 VAC applications.
High-power LED for outdoor and industrial lighting
XLamp XT-E LED includes a high-efficacy option that delivers a minimum efficacy of 164 LPW at 185°F and 350 mA.
Hospitals are at the center of the health care transition
The U.S. health care industry is undergoing significant change due to high cost of care and the industry wide efforts to reduce these costs. Hospitals are at the center of this unprecedented convergence of changes the affect how patients receive care, how doctors and hospitals are paid to provide care, and how sustainability and “going green” is a big part of the solution.
Richard Vedvik, PE, joins Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board
Richard Vedvik, a senior electrical engineer and acoustics engineer from KJWW Engineering Consultants, has joined the editorial advisory board.
Tom Earp, PE, ATD, joins Consulting-Specifying Engineer editorial advisory board
Tom Earp, principal/MEP engineering director at Page, has joined the editorial advisory board.
How’s business?
While research and data provide a snapshot of the consulting industry, hearing directly from you helps Consulting-Specifying Engineer track business trends.
Case study: Mitigating noise in a warehouse
Many acoustical challenges were resolved in this distribution warehouse.
Facility management software
Quantum Vue 3.2 facility management software gives the power to deliver an individualized light experience for every occupant in the facility.
Lighting and control technology platform
SensAble Technology lighting and control technology platform integrates Doppler radar occupancy sensors, IR daylight sensors, power usage monitoring, and Zigbee wireless connectivity into a commercial Helen Lamp Linear T8, Helen Lamp PL, and Susan Lamp HID plug-and-play LED lamp families.
Stand-alone health care buildings: Automation and controls
Stand-alone medical buildings and specialized treatment facilities are engineering challenges, and more are being designed and built due to changes in health care requirements. Building automation keeps each of these buildings running efficiently and effectively.
2016 40 Under 40: Nate Boyd, PE, CPMP, LEED AP, 36
Mechanical Engineer, Energy Specialist, Hanson Professional Services Inc., Maitland, Fla. BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Central Florida
2016 40 Under 40: Richard Gerbe, EIT, 38
Co-founder, Highmark, New York City BS Mechanical Engineering, New York Institute of Technology
Data centers’ intricate design: Sustainability
Data centers are important structures that hold vital information for businesses, schools, public agencies, and private individuals. Energy-efficient designs frequently are requested by building owners.
Data centers’ intricate design: Automation and controls
Data centers are important structures that hold vital information for businesses, schools, public agencies, and private individuals. Building automation systems are key to the design of these mission critical facilities.
Data centers’ intricate design
Data centers are important structures that hold vital information for businesses, schools, public agencies, and private individuals. If these mission critical facilities aren’t properly designed and equipped, the gear inside and the data the servers handle is at risk.
LED area/site luminaire
Featuring a patent-pending architectural design, Eaton's Lumark Prevail LED Area/Site Luminaire combines easy installation features with multiple controls options, resulting in significant installation, energy, and maintenance savings for both retrofit and new applications.
Arup Thoughts: Human interaction in smart city design
Cities are our future. Urban populations are growing globally and cities are the logical answer to using land and resources in a sustainable manner.
Arup Thoughts: A giant leap forward for sustainability
For many years, sustainability in the built environment has been focused on incrementally doing less damage to the environment. However, increasingly science points to the fact that we need to do so much more than that, and urgently—not only to address planetary health, and climate change, but also to improve health, comfort and wellbeing.
Class A office building system design: Automation and controls
Class A office buildings are among the toughest projects an engineer can work on—complex structures, demanding clients, and advanced technology. Building automation and controls keep these buildings running smoothly.
Nonresidential construction costs forecast to increase
The Mortenson Construction quarterly Construction Cost Index report shows robust activity and employment.
Ben Coe joins Syska Hennessy Group’s Atlanta office
Syska Hennessy Group brings in health care and mission critical engineering industry veteran for key Southeast location.
Dimming lighting control
The ZSD07 device can be used for stand-alone lighting control or attached to the Lumina RF ecosystem to dim/brighten lights at scheduled preset times or control remotely via an app.
CxEnergy 2016 technical program announced
The third annual CxEnergy Conference & Expo provides more topical, in-depth educational presentations than ever for commissioning and energy management professionals. The 30+ speakers represent top manufacturing, engineering, and technology companies delivering presentations on the hottest topics in the industry.
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff’s building sector announces several senior-level promotions
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global engineering and professional services organization, recently announced the appointment of several employees to senior vice president and vice president positions in its U.S.buildings practice.
Dewberry welcomes Anthony Alduino and Alex Melgar
Dewberry has hired Anthony Alduino, PE, and Alex Melgar, PE, as senior project managers in the firm's New York City office.
Arup Thoughts: We have a duty of care to the planet
As an engineer, I think I have a duty to address the challenge of climate change in my work. If I don’t, then how can I hope to shape a better world?
Resolve to be successful
Set simple goals—one new thing each month—to re-energize your professional career.
BAS, controls are at a crossroads
An integrated engineering team should collaborate on all software programming and optimization during design and construction.
Modules for data acquisition
USB DAQ delivers connection and results for both portable-measurement and machine-automation applications while providing mainstream OS support, including Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems, for data acquisition.
Evidence-based design and simulation modeling – a powerful future at RSNA
There are truly hundreds of powerful ideas I could share from my experience last week at the Radiology Society of North America (RSNA) conference in Chicago, but I believe the key message is this: it's time for healthcare to stop designing patient environments with one arm tied behind its back.
LED linear lighting fixtures
Commercial Bespoke Fixture Series provides complete customization, commercial lumen performance, color rendition, low-energy consumption, and maintenance savings for commercial and institutional applications.
Operating system of the Internet of Things
QA Graphics has completed certification training for Tridium's Niagara 4 Framework, which includes fast problem solving, charting tools, standardized data models, security features, and more.
Lighting system design
Lighting designers must consider eight key factors when specifying lighting systems for nonresidential buildings. In addition to considering the type of lighting fixture (LED, fluorescent, etc.), they must also take into account daylighting, lighting controls, codes and standards, and other factors.
Smart building technology
Honeywell's Command and Control Suite turns complex facility data into recommendations and easy-to-implement changes while linking building automation and the enterprise by combining automation, analytics, and visualization.
Healthy hospital success: Automation and controls
With hospital projects, it is imperative that engineers get everything exactly right—after all, the lives of patients treated in the health care building may depend on it. Building automation systems and controls are key to a building’s success.
Webcast: How to thrive in the ‘nontraditional’ engineering work world
Telecommuting, growing numbers of contract employees, stressed corporate profits reducing the number of core employees, people working reduced amount of time past "normal" retirement age, a desire for part-time work, parenting, and elder care—all are contributing to a rapidly changing picture of how engineering work is and will be done.
NCBC call for papers
The Building Commissioning Association's NCBC 2016 has opened its call for presenters.
Designing, enhancing office buildings: Automation and controls
Office buildings might seem like relatively simple structures, but engineers with experience in the field know differently. Building automation and control systems must be carefully designed.
Designing, enhancing office buildings
Office buildings might seem like relatively simple structures, but engineers with experience in the field know differently. Words of advice from several professionals show how to make such deceptively complex projects work.
2015 Commissioning Giants
Commissioning professionals (CxPs) can be defined as technical analysts, bloodhounds, and diagnosticians working to connect ideas and project teams to future buildings and systems. The Building Commissioning Association (BCA) surveyed commissioning professionals who are “giants” in their field due to their advocacy in educational and industry support on behalf their profession.
KJWW and TTG agree to merger
KJWW Engineering and TTG Engineers have aligned in a merger that creates a 900-employee workforce and spread across 25 national and five international locations.
Correctional facility boasts secure network
A medium-security correctional facility required a secure wireless network that could be designed quickly and transmit through precast construction.
Commissioning commercial buildings: Automation and controls
Ideally, all nonresidential buildings would be commissioned, and the team would start at the onset of the project. Because that’s not always the case, commissioning authorities and experts offer advice on building projects in various stages of commissioning, recommissioning, or retro-commissioning. Automation and controls are important to this process.
The engineering market merry-go-round
The mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection engineering firms are constantly expanding and contracting. Watch the market to stay abreast of these changes.
QBS: qualifications- versus cost-based selection
Qualifications-based selection (QBS) avoids the pitfalls of low-bid and other cost-based selection methods by focusing on the owner’s vision and scope, and negotiating price based on a comprehensive understanding of project scope and deliverables. QBS makes it easier to bring in projects on time, within budget, with a minimum of changes and discordance during design and construction. Commissioning professionals are getting on board, learning the process, and educating clients.
2014 biggest year yet for mergers, acquisitions
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection engineering firms accelerate dealmaking as industry continues to consolidate at unprecedented pace.
It’s time to recommission the construction industry
The commissioning team protects the owner by establishing and enforcing expectations.
Engineering on an international scale: Automation and controls
Working on projects clear across the globe may introduce more obstacles to overcome than mere distance and language barriers—each locale comes with its own codes, climate conditions, and unique characteristics. This includes a discussion of building automation and control systems.
The Internet of Things and the consulting-specifying engineer, part II: IoT issues and the standard process
IoT services, IoT communications and networking infrastructure, and IoT architectures are collectively trying to analyze technology gap in order to pinpoint where additional technology is needed to provide end-to-end IoT standardization solutions.
Clinical best practices, collaboration inform better design
Collaboration on clinical best practices improves emergency department design.
The Internet of Things and the consulting-specifying engineer
What considerations should a consulting specifying engineer make for the demands of scale? And should a smart building be its own Intranet of Things, or should it be connected to the larger Internet of Things?
Can you make a new office building as cool as a warehouse?
We need to start looking at our traditional office space differently. Just as we looked at that boarded up warehouse and thought it could be something other, office towers can be reborn.
Industrial-strength design
Manufacturing and industrial facilities tackle heavy-duty projects during their day-to-day operations—so it makes sense that engineers working on such structures face a number of tough challenges. Engineers offer advice on how to achieve strong results.
Industrial-strength design: Automation and controls
Manufacturing and industrial facilities tackle heavy-duty projects during their day-to-day operations—so it makes sense that engineers working on such structures face a number of tough challenges. Engineers offer advice on how to achieve strong results in building automation and control systems.
IPD: What’s in it for the engineer?
Integrated project delivery (IPD) requires a team approach and buy-in from all players, including the architect, engineer, and contractor.
Hospital achieves success through IPD
By employing integrated project delivery (IPD) and Lean construction methods, Sutter Health Eden Medical Center was completed on time and within budget.
Three key characteristics of IPD
There are three key elements to integrated project delivery (IPD) success.
Go big or go home
There are myriad opportunities to change the face of engineering.
Arup Thoughts: Can BIM show the value of engineering?
Building information modelling (BIM) puts the focus on quality and value, not cost.
First impressions at UnityPoint Health – Trinity’s new ED and Heart Center
UnityPoint Health-Trinity’s new ED and Heart Center paired Health Advisory Services with Architecture and Interior Design services. Upon its opening three years later, the new facility is being recognized by both UnityPoint Health-Trinity’s leadership and the press for the use of this process in the final design and the positive impact it will have on the community for years to come.
How climate science affects building design
New York City’s Urban Green Council concluded that NYC could reduce its carbon footprint 90% by 2050 by focusing primarily on the building sector.
2015 40 Under 40: Christopher F. Benson, PE, LEED AP, CEM, CxA, 33
Commissioning Authority, Total Building Commissioning, Salt Lake City BS Electrical Engineering, University of Utah
2015 40 Under 40: Arvinder Dang, BEMP, HBDP, LEED AP BD+C, 39
Director, Americas East, dbHMS Bachelor of Architecture, TVB School of Habitat Studies, New Delhi, India; MS Building Design, Energy Performance, and Climate Responsive Architecture; Arizona State University
2015 40 Under 40: Julie L. DeNardis, LEED AP, Estidama PQP, 36
Director, Vice President, Mechanical Engineer, Environmental Systems Design Inc., Abu Dhabi BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
2015 40 Under 40: Jared A. Higgins, PE, CEM, CPMP, GGP, 32
Corporate Associate, Mechanical Engineering and Energy Services Discipline Leader, Parkhill, Smith, & Cooper Inc., Lubbock, Texas BS Mechanical Engineering, Texas Tech University
2015 40 Under 40: Benjamin Skelton, PE, LEED AP BD+C O+M, BEMP, CxA, 36
President and CEO, Cyclone Energy Group, Chicago BS Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University
2015 40 Under 40: Rick Szcodronski, 29
Senior Associate, Technology Systems, Environmental Systems Design Inc., Chicago BS Electrical and Computer Engineering and BS Environmental Science, Duke University
2015 40 Under 40: Cassie Waddell, PE, LEED AP, 32
Principal, Mechanical Engineer, AlfaTech, San Francisco BS Architectural Engineering, BA Architecture, University of Kansas
2015 40 Under 40: Marc Zuluaga, PE, 36
Senior Vice President; Director, Multifamily Energy Services, Steven Winter Associates Inc., New York BS Mechanical Engineering, Brown University
Case study: Designing an intelligent building system
This case study highlights lessons learned on the challenges and overall successes of this campus’s intelligent building design and construction, and how this global financial institution ultimately achieved its goals.
Arup Thoughts: Making sustainability meaningful
Designers and sustainability professionals need to translate sustainability into the language that businesses really value, for example reducing operating costs, attracting and retaining staff and reputation.
Building Commissioning Association announces NCBC keynote presentation
The Building Commissioning Association (BCA) has announced its keynote presenter for the 2015 National Conference on Building Commissioning.
Integration: BIM design
Building information modeling (BIM) is used frequently when working across multiple disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering, and also with other stakeholders such as architects and contractors.
Software for BIM, modular construction
PROficient is designed to help consulting engineers address challenges including evolving codes and standards, continual pushes in BIM advancement, prefab/modular construction, and the increasing speed and complexity of projects.
Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania honors AHN Health + Wellness Pavilion
CannonDesign has been elected to receive the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania (ESWP’s) 2014 “Project of the Year” award in the Commercial category for the design of Allegheny Health Network’s Health + Wellness Pavilion.
The consumer reigns in 2014 ambulatory openings
Retail. Options. Convenience. Accessibility. These were key themes in the health industry in 2014, as a consumer-driven healthcare landscape emerged.
Intelligent lighting control and energy performance
By designing intelligent lighting systems, lighting designers and engineers can achieve energy performance in a variety of building types.
Driving data center design: Automation and controls
In the information age, data centers can be the beating heart of not just a building, but an entire global corporation. Building automation systems and controls are key to ensuring constant uptime.
Rapid positioning system
The Trimble Rapid Positioning System is a simplified layout solution for building construction professionals that enables them to record and find positions for layout points on the construction job site.
Connecting buildings via the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things offers engineers ripe opportunities to take the lead with clients.
Remote commissioning device
The remote commissioning device unifies specification for energy harvesting in building automation systems and has an interoperable interface that product manufacturers can integrate in their devices.
Arup Thoughts: New robots will revolutionize the built environment
Robotics has shifted from being the domain of the mechanical engineer to the realm of network experts.
Health care is on the brink of change
Laws are pushing unprecedented changes in the hospital and health care market. Engineers need to stay on top of the building needs for flexible, efficient space.
Are you prepared for the digital revolution in facility management?
There is a digital revolution in facility management; it is gaining steam as you read this.
WSP acquires ccrd
Merger expands WSP's national footprint and health care, science, and technology capabilities.
Engineering workable, successful office space: Automation and controls
Whether new or retrofit, office buildings can be a challenge for the mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), or fire protection engineer. Building automation systems and controls must be carefully planned.
Engineering workable, successful office space: Electric, power systems
Whether new or retrofit, office buildings can be a challenge for the mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), or fire protection engineer. Electrical and power systems are key to these facilities, which includes lighting.
Engineering workable, successful office space: Sustainability and energy efficiency
Whether new or retrofit, office buildings can be a challenge for the mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), or fire protection engineer. A team of experienced professionals discuss energy-efficient buildings.
Cx Giants make their mark
The 2014 Commissioning Giants had several new entries this year. The 15 firms reported a total of more than $351 million in revenue dedicated to commissioning new buildings or retro-commissioning existing buildings.
Want to be your own boss?
Ask four key questions to determine whether to become a private consultant.
Energy modeling and climate change
Weather data and climatic shifts affect building energy modeling results.
Arup Thoughts: Should the world plan for fewer, not more, people?
Demographic transitions could lead to the world’s population stabilizing and eventually decreasing. Cities must plan for scenarios where populations shrink in the long term.
International Design Awards recognize UCSD Headwall design
The International Design Awards (IDA) have recognized an original headwall design for theUniversity of California, San Diego Jacobs Medical Center by the Yazdani Studio of CannonDesign in collaboration with the firm's LA Healthcare team as the First Prize in its Industrial and Life Science Design competition.
Voluntourism will boost your career
Four reasons becoming a global citizen will help you at work.
Designing data center electrical distribution systems
Designing efficient and reliable data center electrical systems requires looking through the eyes of the electrical engineer—and the owner.
Arup Thoughts: Making darkness visible
Rather than looking to turn night into day, we should embrace the darkness.
Building commissioning challenges, solutions: Automation and controls
Commissioning, recommissioning, or retro-commissioning, can be a challenge—and the more complex a facility is, the more boxes an engineer has to check to get the job done right. Building automation systems, sequence of operations, and controls are of key importance.
Arup thoughts: Can we use structural materials more efficiently?
We need to design building structures to make more efficient use of materials – fast!
The challenge: Tall and super-tall buildings: Automation and controls
High-rise buildings aren’t just big—for engineers, they present big challenges. Building automation systems and integration are top-of-mind in these projects
Arup Thoughts: Making the most of daylight
Daylight is vital to our health and well-being and making more use of daylight in place of artificial lighting can help reduce energy consumption.
Lighting control sensors
The LightHAWK2 series of wall switch and occupancy lighting sensors are designed for building operators and features a built-in photocell as well as passive infrared and dual technology.
How to engineer manufacturing, industrial buildings
Manufacturing and industrial facilities can be particularly complex projects, involving large facilities containing behemoth machinery, hazardous chemicals, and a range of other concerns.
How to engineer manufacturing, industrial buildings: Automation and controls
Manufacturing and industrial facilities can be particularly complex projects, involving large facilities containing behemoth machinery, hazardous chemicals, and a range of other concerns. Building automation systems and system integration are discussed.
A glimpse in the Consulting-Specifying Engineer mirror
What does the average Consulting-Specifying Engineer reader look like? Here’s a look in the mirror.
Arup Thoughts: The world’s railways need more capacity
How advanced signaling technology will play an essential role if the world increases its railway capacity.
Toledo courthouse receives 2014 GSA Design Award
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded the U.S. Courthouse in Toledo, Ohio, with a 2014 GSA Design Award. This award recognizes excellence in design engineering.
2014 40 Under 40: Mark Knipfer, PE, LEED AP, 36
Vice President, Integrated Environmental Solutions Ltd., Atlanta
2014 40 Under 40: Christopher Reeves, PE, LEED AP, CEM, 35
Principal, Mechanical Engineer, CMTA Consulting Engineers, Lexington, Ky.
2014 40 Under 40: Amarpreet Sethi, CEM, BEMP, HBDP, LEED AP, 38
Associate, Senior Sustainability Analyst, DLR Group, Seattle
2014 40 Under 40: Eric A. Sheffer, LEED AP, 37
Principal, Smith Seckman Reid Inc., Nashville, Tenn.
2014 40 Under 40: John Williams, PE, 35
Associate, Arup, San Francisco
2014 40 Under 40: Abdel K. Darwich, PE, CEng, HFDP, LEED AP, 40
Associate Principal, Mechanical Engineer, Guttmann & Blaevoet, Sacramento, Calif.
2014 40 Under 40: Patrick Dempsey, LEED AP, 32
Mechanical Engineer, CannonDesign, Chicago
The project manager’s role in marketing
Learn to manage your project and your client.
Westlake Reed Leskosky announces promotions
Several engineers—plus other professionals—have been promoted at Westlake Reed Leskosky.
Designing a winning sports venue: Building automation
Sports and entertainment arenas are more than just seats and a playing field; they are highly complex structures bringing in thousands of fans—and millions of dollars—every year. Building automation systems and controls play a role in ensuring a smooth-running building.
BIM turns back the clock
BIM has turned back the clock on the design process by putting the design professional into a virtual construction site.
CannonDesign: Facility Optimization Solutions launches proprietary facility condition assessment software
CannonDesign Facility Optimization Solutions has released proprietary Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) software that allows organizations to manage existing facility assets and operations more efficiently and effectively.
Arup Thoughts: Build stadiums to last
In the end, all buildings are temporary. A poorly conceived or badly constructed building will quickly need to be replaced, with all the financial and environmental costs that brings. So designing our buildings to last as long as possible benefits both the people who use them and the environment.
Everyone’s a critic
It’s report card time—please provide your feedback on Consulting-Specifying Engineer’s print and online performance.
Specifying for sustainability: performance specifying
One of the cores of LEED v4 or any sustainable design standard is specifying performance. Here's how to do it properly.
Nonresidential construction index reaches record high, reports FMI
According to FMI, the nonresidential construction index reaches 64.9 in first quarter of 2014.
Warranty and guarantee: What’s the difference?
Who will decide whether a building performs to the standard to which it was designed? LEED v4 changes the way an engineer must think during design.
Abrupt impacts of climate change: Anticipating surprises
The study from the National Academy of Sciences, "Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change: Anticipating Surprises," has some useful advice for how building engineers should advise their clients.
Report: Supplier revenues for smart building applications to grow 150%
Annual expenditures of integrated smart building applications, as measured by equipment supplier revenues, will grow globally by 150% by 2017, according to a new report released by IHS.
How the Internet of Things will affect consulting engineers
Echelon’s Varun Nagaraj answers one-on-one questions, explaining how the Internet of Things can and should be used by engineers.
Engineering in a global environment
Four keys to delivering successful projects.
RMF names two new partners
RMF Engineering has named Beth Crutchfield and Craig Buck as partners in its Charleston, S.C., office.
FMI: nonresidential construction index dropped
FMI's Fourth Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) dropped 2.9 points to finish 2013 at 57.4 due to declining productivity and partisan politics.
Prescription for building automation and controls in hospital, health care facilities
Hospital and health care facility projects are especially important due to their sensitive nature. Engineers chime in on building automation systems (BAS), building management systems (BMS), and controls.
Burns & McDonnell names director of commissioning services
Burns & McDonnell has hired Brian Lindstrom as its director of commissioning services.
FMI predicts U.S. construction will increase in 2014
FMI predicts that put in place construction will increase to $977 billion in 2014 in spite of economic and fiscal concerns.
Commissioning for high performance buildings at MABFM 2013.
The Mid-Atlantic Buildings and Facilities Management show has case studies that show commissioning's potential for energy and financial savings.
Specifying building automation, control systems for new, existing office buildings
Office buildings might seem like simple structures from the outside, but engineers engaged in such projects know they can be highly complex. This Q&A covers building automation systems (BAS) and controls.
Specifying electrical and power systems for new, existing office buildings
Office buildings might seem like simple structures from the outside, but engineers engaged in such projects know they can be highly complex, with specialized fire/life safety requirements, laboratory spaces, and other unique needs. This looks at the building electrical and power systems.
Specifying energy efficiency systems for new, existing office buildings
Office buildings might seem like simple structures from the outside, but engineers engaged in such projects know they can be highly complex, and building owners are requesting more sustainable buildings.
Robert Linder named NEBB president
The National Envrionmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) has elected Robert Linder, a senior project manager for Karges-Faulconbridge, as the organization's president for 2014.
Topping Out At UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center
The UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center, as shown in the rendering, is designed to be three hospitals in one.
FMI releases Q3-2013 construction outlook
FMI's Q3-2013 outlook was down slightly from estimates, while the 2014 construction outlook forecast projects moderate growth of 7% to $977 billion.
Chicago requiring building owners to disclose energy usage
Chicago is now requiring building owners to disclose energy usage in an effort cut energy use of Chicago buildings by 30% in 2020.
FMI: Nonresidential construction index remains constant
FMI's 2013 Third Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index showed a 0.2-point increase to 60.3, showing continuing sustainability and consistency in the industry.
USGBC’s ‘LEED in motion’ report reveals more than 4.3 million people live and Work in LEED-Certified Buildings
The U.S. Green Building Council's report 'LEED in Motion' revealed that 4.3 million live and work in LEED-certified buildings and 6.2 million experience a LEED project every day.
WSP promotes 12 employees
WSP promoted two to vice president as well as 10 others in four different offices.
Case Study: Achieving high-performance operation with energy alarms
More than 400 validated corrections to energy operations have been reported translating to $600,000 in savings for Partners Healthcare Systems.
Send in the engineering troops: Building automation and controls
Military facilities present an army of challenges—exacting codes and regulations, stepped-up security issues, and budgetary concerns. Building automation and controls must be compatible across multiple platforms.
ccrd promotes senior associate
Carl A. Crow, PE, ASHRAE HEDP, has been promoted to senior associate by ccrd partners. Crow has 34 years of experience in engineering and construction and is licensed as a mechanical engineer in 19 states.
2013 40 Under 40: Alexis D. Kurtz, 37
Project Manager/Acoustic Consultant, The Sextant Group, Falls Church, Va.
2013 40 Under 40: Jason Krolicki, 38
Associate Structural Engineer, Arup, San Francisco
2013 40 Under 40: Ruairí Barnwell, 37
Energy Services Leader, DLR Group, Chicago
WRL names Roger Chang mechanical engineering director
Roger Chang, a specialist in sustainability and integrated design, has been named as Westlake Reed Leskosky's (WRL's) mechanical engineering director.
ESD promotes two to senior VP
Environmental Systems Design has promoted James Vallort and James Sauvageau to senior VP.
Special report: New rules for 2013
As a new year begins in a post fiscal-cliff world, we lay out what we see as four new rules for the industry that have major implications for every firm principal and manager.
Dewberry promotes two to senior associate
Dewberry has promoted Mark Heinrich, PE, LEED AP BD+C, and Brian M. Tanner, PE, CEM, CxA, LEED AP BD+C to senior associate in its Fairfax, Va., office.
Vote with an engineer’s heart
What are the political topics of key importance to professionals in the building industry in the 2012 presidential elections?
Building efficiency system
Panoptix is a combination of software and services designed by Johnson Controls to monitor and improve building performance for any size facility.
NEBB’s Building Envelope Testing
Review the new NEBB BET guideline, how BET should be specified, and how it is performed.
TLC Engineering names five associates
TLC Engineering for Architecture's board of directors has announced five new associates.
MEP TEST Stuff
MEP Giants 2012 Rankings: Click on linked names to view project profiles Ranking Firm Name Ranking Firm Name Ranking Firm Name Ranking Firm Name 1 Black & Veatch 26 ESD (Environmental Systems Design Inc.) 51 Joseph R. Loring & Assocs. Inc. 76 Spectrum Engineers Inc. 2 AECOM Technology 27 TLC Engineering for Architecture Inc. 52 Michaud Cooley Erickson 77 Bala Consulting Engineers 3 URS Corp. 28 Glumac 53 TME Inc. 78 PEDCO E&A Services 4 Southland Industries 29 RMF Engineering Inc. 54 CMTA 79 Dynamix Engineering Ltd. 5 Burns & McDonnell 30 M-E Engineers Inc. 55 Jordan & Skala Engineers Inc. 80 Wick Fisher White 6 exp 31 RDK Engineers 56 Gannett Fleming Inc. 81 Paulus, Sokolowski and Sartor LLC 7 Parsons Brinckerhoff 32 EYP Architecture & Engineering 57 James Posey Assocs.
Building design software integrated
Bentley Systems and Trelligence have integrated their AECOsim Building Designer and Affinity program, respectively.
Sebesta Blomberg hires director of building envelope commissioning
George Houk has been hired as Director of Building Envelope Commissioning Services by Sebesta Blomberg. He will be responsible for developing the company's capabilities to improve commissioning.
Commissioning subsidiary announced
The new commissioning firm, Brooks + Wright, will be led by William A. Wright. The group's purpose is to ensure and verify that building systems function properly.
Total Building Commissioning conference discounted
ACG is offering a discount to building owners, architects, and owner's reps on its Total Building Commissioning conference.
Mobile energy dashboard
Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard by QA Graphics
Cheers to the end of a rocky year
This year has been tough—and terrific—on many levels.
Fine-tuning a career
No matter what point we’re at in our personal lives or professional careers, we never stop learning.
David Miller named Cx manager at TLC office
TLC Engineering for Architecture has promoted David Miller to be the corporate commissioning manager for the company's Cocoa, Fla., office.
Syska Hennessy Group opens office in Dubai
Syska's latest opening in Dubai, UAE, is a reflection of the company's continued expansion in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region.
A passion for results
Stephen R. Wiggins, an associate partner for Newcomb + Boyd, talks about his experiences in the commissioning industry
Shinn named to first class of LEED fellows by GBCI
Kim Shinn, a principal and sustainability consultant with TLC Engineering for Architecture, was named to the inaugural group by the GBCI and will be formally introduced in October.
Top Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, July 2011
Most visited articles at www.csemag.com during July 2011 included technical articles looking at circuit protection in healthcare facilities, adding value to specifying fire sprinkler systems, properly sizing transformers for commercial projects, integrated HVAC and lighting controls to optimize BAS, and incorporating a detailed test and balance plan to overcome project pitfalls.
Mold growth test method released
ASTM has developed a new method called WK32079 for checking mold growth for buildings that have exterior applications.
2017 40 Under 40: Nolan Lenahan, PE, LEED AP BD+C; 32
Associate, DLR Group
2017 40 Under 40: Anthony Sannazzaro, LEED AP; 33
Co-founder, HIGHMARK
New component to green building design: green walls
The practice of incorporating green walls into commercial building design continues to gain in popularity.
Green (re)building in New Orleans
A new report from the Sierra Club examines the green rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.
Expert: Green building needs to push further
A construction expert with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is urging built-environmental professionals need to embrace "transformative" structures in order to further the green-building cause.
Americans pick building security as top priority
A survey by the Society for Fire Protection Engineers reveals that security beats out comfort, environmental friendliness, and other factors in the list of most important building features.
Non-residential construction losing ground
Although non-residential construction continues to grow, the dollars invested are showing signs of decline.
Economy’s green lining
Economy may get a boost from green technology, though venture-capital investment saw a recent decline.
NYC to hire 63 more building inspectors
Due to the unique nature of building in New York—where undeveloped space is scare—most properties feature extensions. Extensions can be unsecured and affect neighboring properties. The decision to hire more buildings inspectors—in the wake of Patricia Lancaster's resignation as buildings commissioner—brings the city's total to 461 inspectors.
Siemens mass notification
Integrate communications technology with Sygnal from Siemens Buildings Technologies.
CCMC report issued for CertainTeed MemBrain Smart Vapor Retarder
The Canadian Construction Materials Centre report provides impartial and technical comment on the product. CCMC reports broaden the resources available to Canadian building professionals tasked with creating environmentally sound and sustainable buildings.
CSI manufacturers alliance
The Construction Specifications Institute, Alexandria, Va., announced the formation of the Building Product Manufacturers Alliance (BPMA), a new group that will bring together leading manufacturers to share knowledge that can reshape and enhance the future of the building industry. “Today's construction market increasingly calls for high-performance buildings, environmentally friendly ma...
University of Florida Launches a Survey on the Effects of Building Information Modeling
The University of Florida's M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction, in conjunction with the Facility Information Council (FIC) of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), launched a survey today welcoming all members of the building industry to voice their opinions regarding the effect of building information modeling (BIM) on construction. The survey can be completed quickly (it has only 16 questions).
Remember the Walter Reed
Walter Reed Army Medical Center has become the new poster child for sick buildings—an Edmund Fitzgerald of sorts, where the best of the fleet sank in a storm with no one watching. Like many of you, I've been following the news, and find the matter disheartening. When I saw a report on television that showed water-stained ceiling tiles and peeling wallpaper revealing what looked like mold ...
Green Building Alliance Receives $1.25 Million for New Development Initiative
Armed with $1.25 million in seed money, the Green Building Alliance (GBA) announced that it will launch the Green Building Products Initiative, a new economic-development program created to leverage Western Pennsylvania’s internationally recognized leadership in green building and maximize its potential for economic growth. According to Rebecca Flora, executive director of GBA, the initiative is designed to encourage interaction among regional businesses and organizations involved in the development and manufacture of green building products. “We believe there is an extraordinary opportunity for Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania to position itself as a worldwide center for green building,” Ms. Flora said. The funding for the new initiative comes from two sources: a $1 million state grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority and a $250,000 grant from The Heinz Endowments. • Position Western Pennsylvania as the national center for green building innovation, production and utilization. • Support and grow the green building products industry in Western Pennsylvania with direct assistance as well as applied research grants. • Create a competitive advantage for green building product manufacturers in Western Pennsylvania, as well as companies that want to relocate there. • Encourage innovation, integration and collaboration between building product manufacturers and building professionals to improve building performance throughout the world. • Facilitate networking to assist with education, labor training and product innovation to reduce the incubation time of marketable innovations. For more information or to join the Green Building Products Initiative, call (412) 431-0709 or visit www.gbapgh.org .
Security Tops the List of a Building’s Most Important Feature
A nationwide survey by the Bethesda, Md.-based Society for Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) reveals that from a list of characteristics that included comfort, fire safety, environmental friendliness and other amenities, security was chosen by more Americans as the most important feature of a building. Twenty-eight percent of Americans feel general security is the most important feature, while 15% of respondents indicated that fire safety is the most important aspect of a building’s design. “The findings are not a huge surprise, given the threat from terrorism that we face today,” says Chris Jelenewicz, SFPE’s engineering program manager. “But one thing people don’t often think about is how security and fire protection have common goals in building design—protecting life and property.” As part of National Engineering Week, which took place from Feb. 19 through 25, the organization published on its website (at www.sfpe.org ) an article from Fire Protection Engineering Magazine that features how fire protection engineers design ways to balance fire protection and security in a building.
SBIC Offers Schools Guide at Half-Price to School Decision-Makers
In an effort to disseminate High-Performance School Buildings Resource and Strategy Guide, Second Edition to the K-12 school decision-makers for whom it was written, the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) is reducing the price of the Guide from $50 to $25 for this group only, which includes school board members, superintendents and facility managers. The book is organized into three core sections. Section 1 provides an overview and two interrelated discussions: “What Is a High-PerformanceSchoolBuilding?” and “Why Is a High-Performance School Building Valuable?” Section 2 is the Process Guide, which provides issue-specific questions for each stage of the design process. And Section 3 contains briefs that describe each of the 17 key “Building Blocks” that, when integrated as elements of a “whole building” design, result in a high-performance building. The second edition of the High-Performance School Buildings Resource and Strategy Guide contains a new Building Block on durability, updated Building Blocks on acoustics and safety/security, and new case studies, photographs, resources and web links. The guide is available here .
Security: Vulnerability Assessment Service for Commercial Buildings
Immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, terrorism was excluded from most insurance policies. In response, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 was passed, which ensures that terrorism risk insurance is available to building owners. Unfortunately, current terrorist experience is limited in the United States, and so there is no credible process for insurance carriers to rely on when setting premiums. One engineering consulting firm, Houston-based BAQ, Inc., has responded by launching a “building vulnerability assessment program” that is designed to guide and inform commercial building owners, insurance writers and commercial lenders about the new issues that terrorist attacks have brought to the forefront.
Architecture Organization Says P.E.s Not Fit For Building Design
Reopening Age-old Design Debate The National Society of Professional Engineers has alerted its state societies to the release of an updated guidance document published by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards that attempts to cut engineers out of the building design process. “Architecture as it Differs from Engineering” asserts that architects are the only licensed professionals qualified to design buildings intended for human occupancy. NSPE objects to this statement, which follows NCARB’s longstanding tradition of trying to prohibit qualified professional engineers from performing building and other facility design services or from serving as the coordinating design professional on facilities design and construction projects. NCARB, the national organization for state architectural boards, says the paper was reissued to assist its member boards in their “continuing effort to prevent the unlawful practice of architecture by unlicensed persons.” NCARB published the document in 1982 and reissued it in 1995 and again this past August. NSPE is most concerned about statements in the paper that contend that architects are the only licensed professionals qualified to coordinate design and construction of buildings intended for human habitation. “We’ve been watching this issue for the past several years and architects need to realize that engineers are also competent to oversee the design of buildings and structures,” says NSPE President Bobby Price.
Sustainable Surfing
Green Building Websites
Construction Market Report
Total nationwide construction spending (seasonally adjusted) rose by 0.3% between October and November of 2002, according to a report by Daryl Delano, Reed Business Information’s Director of Economics. This marked the third straight month of increase following four months of decline.
WTC Performance Study Presented to Congress
A 25-member professional task force—organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Society of Civil Engineers—has presented to Congress the findings of a building performance study evaluating the collapse and damage of the World Trade Center (WTC) and surrounding buildings on Sept. 11, 2001.
Collapse of 7 World Trade Center Concerns Engineers
Although the fate of 7 World Trade Center was overshadowed by the destruction caused by the twin towers, building professionals are now suggesting that the specific circumstances behind the collapse of the 2 million-square-foot office building may be a matter of concern.
Web Threads – 2001-11-01
A monthly compendium of facts and figures
