Net Zero Energy School Being Built in New York

A school being built in the Rossville section of Staten Island will generate its own energy. "It will be the first net-zero energy public school in the northeast United States, and one of the very few in the country," said Bruce Barrett, vice president for architecture and engineering at the School Construction Authority. Up to 2,000 solar photovoltaic panels will be installed on the roof of PS 62. When it’s sunny, the school will power itself and other buildings. The school will use the regular power grid when it is cloudy and at night. The building will have extra insulation and high-performance windows, to prevent heat or air conditioning from escaping. Every classroom in PS 62 will face either due north or south, so they can be lit by daylight without glare. Sensors will automatically turn the lights off when sunshine is streaming into classrooms. It is scheduled to open in September 2015.


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Source & Photo: NYC School Construction Authority

Architecture Billings Index Remains Positive for Third Straight Month

On the heels of consecutive months of strengthening business conditions, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) has now reached positive territory three months in a row. 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 January ABI score was 50.9, following a mark of 51.0* in December. This score reflects a slight increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 61.2, down just a notch from a reading of 61.5 the previous month.


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Source: AIA