Architecture
Demand for Design Services Decreases Considerably
Demand for design services from architecture firms softened considerably in October, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for October was 47.7, the first decline in billings since January 2021 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings). Inquiries into new projects…
AIA Firm Survey Examines Health, Profile and Evolving Structure of Architecture Firms
Since 2005 the share of design projects involving renovations, rehabilitations, additions, and historic preservation grew 14 percent, now accounting for 48 percent of billings at U.S. architecture firms, according to a new survey from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The 2022 AIA Firm Survey: The Business of Architecture, examines topics such as firm billings, staffing, and…
Equity in Architectural Education Guides Now Available
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) have published a supplementary edition of the Guides for Equitable Practice, focusing on schools and institutions. Equity in Architectural Education provides actions and prompts intended to inspire discussions about creating welcoming environments to attract and retain those currently underrepresented in academia and in…
Contracting
Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 0.3% in October
National nonresidential construction spending was down by 0.3% in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $898.4 billion for the month. Spending was down on a monthly basis in seven of the 16 nonresidential subcategories….
Construction Job Openings Decreased By 52,000 in October, Says ABC
The construction industry had 371,000 job openings in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 52,000 last…
The Winners of the 8th Annual Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards
The eighth annual ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards showcased dozens of innovative concrete projects from around the world. The “Overall Excellence” award was presented to Chau Chak Wing Museum, located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The winning concrete project also received first place in the mid-rise structures category at the ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards…
Energy
The Built Environment Blunder Causing Significant Carbon Emissions
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that, as of 2021, buildings consume 39.1% of U.S. energy and 75% of electricity,(1) which accounts for 16% of carbon emissions.(2) Creating a comfortable indoor environment by providing adequate light and temperature control uses most of this energy. Buildings that effectively insulate from moisture and wind while allowing fresh…
Duke Energy Awards $3.2 million to Innovative Education Programs
Duke Energy announcedit is awarding $3.2 million in grants to support 131 innovative K-12 education programs across the communities served by the company. “Bright futures begin in the classroom, and every child deserves a fair chance at academic success,” said Cari Boyce, president of the Duke Energy Foundation. “The grants we are making today are…
USGBC Launches LEED Zero Certification for Net-Zero Buildings
USGBC’s new certification program encourages net-zero operations for carbon emissions, water and energy use, and waste management. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched LEED Zero, a new program that will address net zero operations and resources in buildings. “Net zero is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward,” said Melissa Baker,…
Engineering
Coulter Jewell Thames, P.A. Combines with Thomas & Hutton to Serve Expanding Raleigh-Durham Market
Durham, North Carolina, October 20, 2022 — Thomas & Hutton (T&H), a Southeast-based professional consulting firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Durham’s Coulter Jewell Thames, P.A. (CJT) to the team. With offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, T&H’s addition of CJT increases its presence in the Raleigh-Durham region. The combination…
Latest Study Shows Civil Contractors Cautious in Expected Revenue and Profit Margin Changes
Dodge Construction Network’s latest Civil Quarterly study reveals notable percentage change in expectations from previous quarter The latest edition of The Civil Quarterly (TCQ) from Dodge Construction Network reveals that contractors continue to expect an increase in revenue and profit margins, but notably less since last quarter, potentially due to acute supply chain issues and potential economic downturn. The…
Davis & Floyd Showcases North Charleston Transit Center in Video
CARTA and the City of North Charleston, S.C. enlisted Davis & Floyd to provide program management, architecture, landscape architecture, surveying, and civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural engineering services for the North Charleston Transit Center. Located on the site of the former Amtrak train station, the facility is used by several agencies, including CARTA, Amtrak, and…
Equipment
Absolute Powerhouse: Next-Generation 2022 Toyota Tundra
With a plethora of adventure-ready, go-anywhere, been-anywhere vehicles cementing its foundation, the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra is born from a lineage of trucks and SUVs rooted in quality, durability and reliability. Its predecessors hit the million-mile mark on more than one occasion thanks to a team of engineers who built the truck above and beyond…
Caterpillar to Expand Hydrogen-Powered Solutions to Customers
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced it will begin offering Cat® generator sets capable of operating on 100% hydrogen, including fully renewable green hydrogen, on a designed-to-order basis in late 2021. More immediately, the company will launch commercially available power generation solutions that can be configured to operate on natural gas blended with up to 25% hydrogen. These…
The Manitowoc Company to Acquire H&E Equipment’s Crane Business
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW) (the “Company” or “Manitowoc”), a leading global manufacturer of cranes and lifting solutions, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the crane business of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (“H&E”) (NASDAQ: HEES), one of the largest rental equipment companies in the U.S. Under the terms…
Facilities
Eight Reasons Why You Need to Have Annual Plumbing Checks
Running a business can be a daunting feat. New problems will catch you off-guard and sometimes all you can really do is take the bull by the horns, and hope that everything will return to normal. Even a short business interruption can mean losing thousands of dollars! A business owner keeps an eye on the…
Five Electrical Safety Tips for Commercial Buildings
To some, a workplace may feel like a second home. It’s a place where employees form bonds and battle hardships together. Whether you’re a company CEO, a higher-up, or the owner of a commercial building, keeping your establishment a safe place for everyone will increase their productivity and give you peace of mind as well….
8 Reasons Why You Need to Have Annual Plumbing Checks
Running a business can be a daunting feat. New problems will catch you off-guard and sometimes all you can really do is take the bull by the horns, and hope that everything will return to normal. Even a short business interruption can mean losing thousands of dollars! A business owner keeps an eye on the…
Maintenance
Culvert Rehabilitation Project Features InfraSteel
The InfraSteel culvert rehabilitation solution is chosen by the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina for its Booker Creek Culvert at Elliot Road Rehabilitation Project. The InfraSteel slip-liner will preserve the existing failing bridge structure and avoid a road closure. According to InfraSteel executive Cullom Walker, “Elliot Road is busy and intersects heavily traveled US…
Products
Titan America Completes Full Conversion to Low Carbon Cement Production
Titan America LLC is proud to announce the full conversion of its cement plants to the production of Type IL portland-limestone cement, a low-carbon construction material. TITAN Cement Group has committed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C and deliver net zero concrete by 2050. Titan America is the first US based cement company to fully convert to…
Cree Buildings, Walbridge Partnership Brings Sustainable Timber-Hybrid system to U.S.
A milestone partnership will allow Walbridge to utilize Cree Buildings’ timber-hybrid system in projects throughout North America. Austria-based Cree Buildings, with a range of successful projects throughout Europe and Asia, is a system for timber-hybrid buildings that utilizes prefabricated components. Focusing on sustainable construction, the license agreement with Detroit-based constructor Walbridge will support major customers…
Concrete – the World’s Most Widely Used Material – Targets Carbon Neutral Future
Forty of the world’s leading cement and concrete companies today unveiled a joint industry ‘2050 Climate Ambition.’ The ambition statement demonstrates the commitment of the industry across the globe to drive down the CO2 footprint of the world’s most used man-made product, with an aspiration to deliver society with carbon neutral concrete by 2050. Launched by…
Suppliers
Ingevity to acquire leading pavement marking materials business, Ozark Materials
Ingevity Corporation (NYSE:NGVT) today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire privately-owned Ozark Materials, LLC and Ozark Logistics, LLC (“Ozark Materials”) in an all-cash transaction valued at $325 million. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, and Ingevity expects to close on the transaction by early Q4 2022. Ozark…
Markel Announces Investment in Metromont
Markel Corporation (NYSE: MKL) and Metromont LLC announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Markel to acquire a majority interest in Metromont. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021. Additional terms were not disclosed. Operating as a third-generation family business,…
LafargeHolcim to acquire Firestone Building Products from Bridgestone Americas
Supply Chain
Construction Partners, Inc. Completes North Carolina Acquisition
Construction Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROAD) (the “Company” or “Construction Partners”), a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways across five southeastern states, today announced that it has acquired R.P.C. Contracting, Inc., an asphalt and paving contractor based in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The transaction adds two hot-mix asphalt plants to the…
“Fireside Chat” with Patrice Gilmore, National Supplier Diversity Lead, DPR Construction
Patrice Gilmore, CCA, is the latest Triangle-area woman to be honored by Chix Dig It – Celebrating Women in Construction, a Raleigh-based non-profit dedicated to attracting the best and brightest women to the architectural, design and construction field – professional and craft. GroundBreak Carolinas is pleased to present this “Fireside Chat” with Patrice, part of the “Evolving Women in AEC”…
Sustainability
Lowe’s Sets Goal to Reach Net-Zero Emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050
Company’s net-zero roadmap focuses on reducing impact of its value chain, increasing product efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources Lowe’s today announced its goal to reach net-zero emissions across the company’s scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in accordance with guidelines from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body enabling…
Treasury’s Clean Energy Tax Credit Guidance Provides Almost No Clarity
Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement responding to guidance released today by the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service regarding tax credits for private clean energy projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act conditioned on compliance with prevailing wage and government-registered apprenticeship requirements. “While we are still thoroughly assessing the IRS’ guidance and FAQs, so…
U.S. Green Building Council Pushes for Greater Action and Accountability Following COP27
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is calling for greater action to address climate change following COP27. Even with the new COP27 agreements adopted last week, emission reductions, including those of the building and construction sector which accounts for 40% of energy-based carbon emissions, are not on track to reach net zero by 2050. USGBC…
More Operations
Lowe’s Sets Goal to Reach Net-Zero Emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050
Company’s net-zero roadmap focuses on reducing impact of its value chain, increasing product efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources Lowe’s today announced its goal to reach net-zero emissions across the company’s scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in accordance with guidelines from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body enabling…
Nonresidential Construction Spending Down 0.3% in October
National nonresidential construction spending was down by 0.3% in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $898.4 billion for the month. Spending was down on a monthly basis in seven of the 16 nonresidential subcategories….
Construction Job Openings Decreased By 52,000 in October, Says ABC
The construction industry had 371,000 job openings in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 52,000 last…
Treasury’s Clean Energy Tax Credit Guidance Provides Almost No Clarity
Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement responding to guidance released today by the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service regarding tax credits for private clean energy projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act conditioned on compliance with prevailing wage and government-registered apprenticeship requirements. “While we are still thoroughly assessing the IRS’ guidance and FAQs, so…
