USGBC Releases Top 10 States for LEED, Recognizes Leaders Committed to More Sustainable + Resilient Buildings, Cities and Communities

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The U.S. Green Building Council announced the ranking of its annual Top 10 States for LEED, with Illinois once again topping the list and demonstrating leadership in green building. Illinois certified 3.16 square feet of building space per person under LEED in 2021. LEED is the world’s most widely used green building program and was created by USGBC as a leadership standard defining best practices for healthy, high-performing green buildings. “Amidst the challenges of 2021, governments, companies and other organizations committed to taking bold actions to protect the climate, their employees and their communities,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, … Read more

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‘Breathing’ Building in Shenzhen Prioritizes Tenant Comfort, Well-Being

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A 158-meter-tall, 33-story tower, located on the edge of a public park at the center of one of Shenzhen, China’s key business districts, is now open. The high-rise was commissioned by Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank, and responds to the region’s tropical climate through a series of biophilic and sustainable design solutions. The tower’s façade is defined by an external diagrid, which serves as both the building’s structure, as well as an important solar shading element. At its base, the diagrid widens to create framed openings and views to the surrounding park and South China Sea, a short walk from the … Read more

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XL Construction Completes ‘Mass Timber’ School Construction Project

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XL Construction, in collaboration with Aedis Architects and Daedalus Structural Engineering, has completed its first TimberQuest “mass timber” school construction project for Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, in Atherton, California. The project, which was built with a quick turnaround of 11 weeks during the summer of 2021, is approximately 4,000 square feet in size and contains four 1,000-square-foot classrooms, each with a restroom. Features include extensive natural lighting with exposed timber walls and ceilings. The Sacred Heart classrooms exceed California’s Building Energy Efficiency Standards Title 24 by between 35-60% and has solar and net-zero capabilities. The new classrooms now serve Sacred … Read more

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National Institute of Building Sciences Appoints Stephen T. Ayers Interim CEO

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The National Institute of Building Sciences board of directors announced that The Honorable Stephen T. Ayers, FAIA, NAC, CCM, LEED AP, the 11th Architect of the Capitol and president of The Ayers Group, LLC, has accepted the position of interim CEO of NIBS. Ayers’ appointment follows the departure of CEO Lakisha A. Woods, CAE. Ayers previously served as chair of the NIBS board from 2017 to 2018. He also served as chair of the Construction Management Association of America and the Construction Users Roundtable. On Feb. 24, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Ayers to serve as the 11th Architect of … Read more

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Central Business Tower High-Rise in Frankfurt Receives Green Light

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It’s launch time in Frankfurt, Germany’s financial district for the central business tower on Neue Mainzer Strasse. This paves the way for construction of a new high-rise designed by KSP Engel and to be built by general contractor Ed. Züblin AG. The 205-meter-high building consists of two parts that face each other, albeit at a slight angle, and are linked by a connecting seam. With striking setbacks for the protruding flanks, a slender, delicately segmented twin tower arises with a total of 52 floors above ground and five beneath. Depending on the vantage point, the building’s look changes dramatically. The … Read more

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