Architecture Billings Index Turns Positive after Four Straight Monthly Declines

Washington, D.C. – On the heels of a period of weakness in design activity, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) took a sudden upturn in August. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the August ABI score was 51.4, following a very weak score of 45.1 in July. This score reflects an increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 56.9, up sharply from a reading of 53.7 the previous month.

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Source: AIA

Empire State Building's green transformation earns LEED Gold

The iconic Empire State Building, whose green retrofit and refurbishing have become almost as celebrated as the landmark itself, earned LEED Gold certification today. The recognition from the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and its green building verification arm, the Green Building Certification Institute, is the latest laurel for the 102-story skyscraper that was completed 80 years ago. The environmental upgrade of the building was the largest retrofit of its kind to date in the United States. It is expected to reduce energy use by more than $4.4m annually, cut carbon emissions by 105,000 metric tonnes over a 15-year period, and provide a payback in slightly more than three years.

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Source: businessgreen.com

Photo: NYC & Co.

Climate Policy Initiative Analysis Finds U.S. Building Energy Codes Work

SAN FRANCISCO - In the first U.S. study to measure the real impact of building energy codes on total household energy consumption, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) found that U.S. building energy codes have reduced household energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The study also found that states adopting these codes, which encouraged the use of highly efficient natural gas heaters and electric heat pumps, shifted their energy use away from oil and wood fuels towards lower-emissions natural gas.

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Source: PR Newswire
Photo: Climate Policy Initiative

LEED 2012: The USGBC Real-Time Reporting To Its Green Building Ratings

The latest version of the building-rating system, called LEED 2012 - which will launch in November and the go to USGBC members for a vote next summer - takes advantage of new technology and building practices that make real-time energy and water management commercially viable. Sharing this data so that other commercial real estate owners can compare their energy use is now going to be required. LEED 2012 will also require owners to recertify every five years. So if you invest in a LEED rating when you open, you'll have to prove over time that you're staying current with available energy-saving techniques.

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Source: Fast Company