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Your questions answered: Acoustic design for occupant well-being, health and productivity
During the September 9 webcast, attendees were introduced to inspiring case studies demonstrating the successful integration of sound masking solutions in real–life projects.
BIM’s role in facility design and management
Building information modeling (BIM) has become a major factor in building a successful facility and company because it cuts down on wasted time and costs.
Humidity and building envelope failures
Specialized expertise is needed when designing and maintaining an enclosure for an indoor spa, pool or steam room to avoid the negative effects of condensation, such as mold growth, rotting wood, flaking paint or rust and damage to exterior building envelope elements
UIC surgical innovation training lab places in HCD remodel/renovation competition
This groundbreaking project was the Bronze winner in the annual competition. Earlier this year, the project also won the Award of Merit in the Healthcare Design Showcase.
Stanislaus County Library: Using meaningfulness as a catalyst for success
The Stanislaus County Library in Northern California was part of a project to revitalize the community, with Dewberry brought on as lead architect for the 5,000-square-foot design-build project.
WELL success stories
WELL building certification has many drivers
Building envelope assessments: From pre-design to construction
There are many aspects to a building envelope assessment and it’s crucial the consulting engineer takes them all into account.
Integration, interoperability in high-performance buildings
When information and operational technology collaborate with business leaders, facility managers gain secure access to the data they need to achieve their sustainability goals
Designing flexible material to protect buildings
University of Missouri researchers designed a flexible material that can help buildings withstand multiple waves of energy traveling through a solid material, including the ground motions found in earthquakes.
Best practices for infiltration and building pressurization
Observe the mechanics of infiltration and pressurization in a building, modeling methodologies and what can be done to better account for them in air handling system design
Video: Drones & Thermal Imaging for Building Envelope Review
This presentation touches on the drone usage and commissioning workflows as well as the organizational considerations for implementing drone technologies.
Working together toward a sustainable world
Engineers and companies need to think about and advocate the short- and long-term business benefits of sustainability in all forms as well as the humanitarian benefits it can provide.
Five Lean principles of design-build
To be able to apply Lean concepts on a project, it's imperative to have a holistic view of the five Lean principles and how they directly correlate to design-build best practices.
Stories from the field: Improving processes with ERP for the construction industry
ERP for the construction industry streamlines materials planning, work in progress inventory, and ordering, adding a real-time ability to forecast inventory and materials needs.
Arup Thoughts: Are developments really improving health?
To address the pressures of growing and aging urban populations, cities need to be made of high-quality places that contribute positively to physical and mental health.
Top 5 Consulting-Specifying Engineer Articles, January 2-January 8: all-air VAV systems, using a whole-system approach, designing modular data centers, more
Articles about all-air VAV systems, using a whole-system approach, designing modular data centers, life of a mechanical engineer, and NEC 2017 changes were Consulting-Specifying Engineer's five most clicked articles from last week, January 2-January 8. Were you out last week? You can catch up here.
Green building envelopes for lower city temperatures
It’s never been more important to design buildings to offset the urban heat island effect created by our cities.
Leveraging design to minimize risk
Learn how the application of best practice design principles can help mitigate the risks confronting biotechnology companies when navigating the uncertainty surrounding the demand profile of its product pipeline.
Process simulation and its benefits
Philip Lyman, PhD—director of process simulation at CRB—discusses how a process model, at the right detail level and properly validated, can be an invaluable tool to compare alternatives and justify cost for manufacturing and manufacturing-related processes.
Rethinking water at Hassalo on Eighth
The Lloyd District—a low-residential, high-commercial neighborhood anchored by one of the Portland’s largest malls—has long enticed developers looking for space where plots are available for purchase en masse.
Facing the challenges of mixed-use buildings: sustainable buildings/energy efficiency
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 for energy efficiency.
Arup Thoughts: How cities can benefit from becoming digital platforms
Governments across the world are excited by the possibilities offered by digital tools—and are trying to keep up with digital expectations driven by the best consumer brands in the world.
Arup Thoughts: Urban climate change resilience is vital
Rather than focusing on single threats, UCCR recognizes that climate change may result in a wide range of hazards, which are impossible to predict. It addresses risk as part of a wider agenda emphasizing the importance of inclusive governance and integrated planning.
Design and assessment of daylit spaces—the best way to use daylighting metrics
The end goal of daylighting is often better defined than the path to success. Correctly applying daylighting design in major retrofits and new buildings can be challenging.
Changing environment: Higher adoption of multi-criteria detectors and the future of fire detectors
The introduction of multi-criteria detectors has given purchasers increased flexibility and functionality in their fire-detection systems.
Top MEP considerations when designing for elevator systems
Designing multistory buildings requires architectural teams to carefully plan elevator systems that meet current safety standards as well as address the unique needs of the space. This whitepaper will discuss mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection considerations for designing a safe and efficient elevator system.
Designing healthier spaces
From the materials we choose to the way the space is configured, buildings can be more than functional. They can promote better health of inhabitants, too.
Lighting control basics: occupancy and vacancy sensors explained
Occupancy sensors have been around for decades and, when used correctly, can be a highly efficient means for saving energy, reducing light trespass, increasing security and lamp life, and decreasing fixture maintenance.
Noise and vibration control in building design
The acoustical environment in a building—good or bad—is the result of design. For optimal occupant comfort and facility functionality, attention to noise and vibration issues should be included early and throughout the building design and construction process.
Arup Thoughts: Consider ‘people factors’ early
Assets, such as buildings, don’t work in isolation; people use and operate them. So people need to be considered and engaged upfront in their design, and throughout the operations process.
Arup Thoughts: Design buildings for the future
Cities across the globe are facing increasing demand on the resources they need to function.
A comprehensive look at the intelligent building
Technology is changing what’s possible for buildings. With the advent of smart building technology, heating, cooling, electrical, lighting, fire/life safety, and other systems need monitoring and intercommunication for optimized efficiency and operation.
Fire/life safety: Detection, notification, and suppression
Both active and passive fire protection systems are specified to ensure the safety and well-being of building occupants in case of a fire. As in most industries, the safety of people comes first and property protection is secondary.
VRF system design software
LATS CAD 2 seamlessly integrates with AutoCAD to allow engineers to lay out and validate LG variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems directly into their CAD drawings.
Adjustable LED downlight
A companion to the Portfolio LED square recessed downlighting line, the 4.5-in., square-aperture, adjustable downlight is designed for slope-ceiling applications or as an adjustable accent in traditional ceilings.
Surface, wall LED luminaire
The Metalux SWLED Surface and Wall LED luminaire is a versatile, high-performing, and energy-efficient lighting solution for a broad range of commercial and industrial applications.
Life safety LEDs
The Tempo Pro series of life safety LEDs embodies the evolution of LEDs with smaller footprints and more performance.
Addressable aspirating smoke detector
The VESDA-E VEA series of detectors combine VESDA reliability and early warning smoke detection with pinpoint addressability and a variety of annunciation options that truly surpass traditional spot detectors.
Fire protection fittings
PEX Press fitting is an innovative and versatile installation mounting bracket that can be used with all sprinkler pendent styles and every sprinkler configuration.
Aspirating smoke detectors
FAAST XS aspirating smoke detectors enable users to better serve the needs of small data centers, environmentally challenging spaces like manufacturing or process plants.
Fighting cancer, DLC and health sciences education: early trends in healthcare 2016
The future of health and healthcare delivery is happening at lighting pace. Just more than a month into the New Year, there are numerous new efforts and developments spanning cancer care, medical research, health education that are both inspiring and exciting.
Meet Mike Cavanaugh, CannonDesign’s new sustainability leader
Last week, CannonDesign announced Mike Cavanaugh as its new firmwide sustainability leader. As part of that introduction, Mike took time to answer some key questions about his new role, sustainable design and key industry initiatives.
Arup Thoughts: Do we still need the airport terminal?
Global demand for air travel is increasing substantially and is expected to continue. The aviation industry has responded by streamlining processes where they can, but also committing to building more and bigger terminals.
Arup Thoughts: Are more sustainability standards needed?
Sustainability became a key built environment aspiration in the mid-90s and the market quickly developed volunteer-led standards, including BREEAM and LEED.
Arup Thoughts: Social resilience builds truly smart cities
Across the world urban planners are adopting 'Smart City' initiatives, introducing digital technology into urban life to build efficiencies, support increased productivity and bolster the resilience of vital infrastructure, like energy or transport.
Arup Thoughts: Industry engagement is essential
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has recently published proposed changes to Section J of the National Construction Code, which gives minimum requirements for energy efficiency in the design and construction of new buildings.
How design can address generational issues in today’s healthcare workplaces
Jocelyn Stroupe shares a few thoughts on some of the issues healthcare providers face when it comes to creating a workplace designed for a multi-generational workforce.
Dynamic and adaptive building envelopes
While designing the appropriate HVAC system is essential for new and existing buildings, there are several other aspects that play into the building’s energy efficiency. Designing the building envelope correctly is key to an efficient HVAC system.
Commissioning commercial buildings: Sustainability, energy efficiency
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 energy-efficient buildings.
Commissioning commercial buildings
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.
Engineering on an international scale: Sustainability
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. Sustainability, high-performance buildings, and energy efficiency are always considered.
Severe duty aluminum louver
AFL-501 severe duty aluminum louver protects exterior wall penetrations on FEMA 361 or 320 compliant storm shelters or safe rooms.
Inaugural Cx Energy conference a success
The Cx Energy Conference and Exposition included the launch of the Energy Management Association, technical sessions, and professional networking.
Integrating lighting design, building envelope
In this Q&A, the importance of total building integration—including lighting design—is discussed. Engineers must consider not only the lighting, but also building envelope, lighting controls, and daylighting.
CannonDesign: LEED Platinum interiors at the University of Chicago
The university's Harper Court is an example of mixed-use, sustainable development.
Integrating a high-performance building
This case study shows how design teams can integrate building envelope with HVAC, lighting, and shading.
Great progress at UCSD Jacobs Medical Center
The US San Diego Jacobs Medical Center is continuing to make progress as the building begins to take shape.
Tips and tricks for commissioning, balancing buildings: Fire and life safety
Building commissioning is one of the most important (and complex) types of projects an engineer can be tasked with. Fire and life safety systems—including smoke detection—are discussed.
FOS case study: Strategically planning a university’s future
Cannon Design Facility Optimization Solutions (FOS) assisted with a series of assessments for Knox College in Toronto.
Integration: Net-zero energy design
ASHRAE has a goal: net-zero energy for all new buildings by 2030. What do engineers need to know to achieve this goal on their projects?
NEBB building enclosure testing seminar
NEBB's seminar on Building Enclosure Testing (BET) will be held Sept. 9 to 11 at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Washington, D.C.
NEBB conference presentations available
The 2013 NEBB Conference presentations are available to download from NEBB's website.
Building envelope: Testing and commissioning best practices
Due to the increased interest in high-performance buildings, more attention is being paid to how envelope assemblies affect interior comfort and energy performance.
Commissioning best practices for building performance
Follow these best practices to ensure a building meets the performance standards required by the owner and design engineer.