Building and Construction

Construction Material Costs Rise 7.4 Percent: How Tariffs and Supply Chain Pressures Are Reshaping Material Specification

The cost of construction products has climbed 7.4 percent over the past year, driven by double-digit increases in commonly used materials, persistent skilled labor shortages, and the ripple effects of tariff policies. According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) analysis of federal Labor Department data, contractors are paying significantly more for materials and […]

Philadelphia Airport Terminal F: Architectural Glass and LEED Gold in Airport Expansion Design

The $161-million Terminal F expansion and renovation at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) stands as a significant example of how architectural glass can transform a transportation hub. Completed in 2018, the project added a 34,000-square-foot baggage claim building, a reconfigured security screening checkpoint, a secure-side passenger corridor, and an expanded central hub. Designed by The Sheward

Central Park Tower: What Makes the Worlds Tallest Residential Building a Landmark in Super-Tall Construction

Engineering the Skyline: Structural Innovations Behind Central Park Tower Rising 472 meters (1,550 feet) above Manhattan, Central Park Tower stands as the tallest residential building in the world. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG) and developed by Extell Development Company, the tower represents a milestone in super-tall residential construction. The building’s structural

Insulated Metal Panels for Florida Commercial Buildings: Thermal Performance and Specification Strategies

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) have become a go-to solution for commercial building envelopes, particularly in climates that demand high thermal performance. In Florida, where cooling loads dominate energy consumption and building codes require increasingly stringent insulation values, IMPs offer a combination of thermal efficiency, structural durability, and installation speed that traditional built-up systems struggle to

Glass Assemblies in Educational Architecture: Curtain Wall and Glazing Strategies for School Buildings

“” Modern educational facilities increasingly prioritize natural light and visual connection between learning spaces and the outdoors. Glass assemblies, including curtain walls, storefront systems, and high-performance glazing, have become essential components in school building design. A Texas high school project featured in Construction Specifier illustrates how thoughtful specification of glass systems can transform an educational

Converting Vacant Big-Box Stores Into Transitional Housing: Adaptive Reuse Strategies for Construction Professionals

The Case for Converting Big-Box Retail Into Transitional Housing The closure of large-format retail stores across the United States has left communities with vast vacant structures that pose economic and urban planning challenges. Department store chains including Macy’s, JC Penney, and Sears have closed hundreds of locations, creating a surplus of empty anchor spaces in

Essential Guide to Multiplex Theater Construction: Building Systems, Acoustics, and Project Delivery

Constructing a modern multiplex theater demands a sophisticated blend of structural engineering, acoustic design, and specialized building systems that go far beyond typical commercial construction. The recent completion of a new 13-screen, 1,208-square-meter (83,000-square-foot) cinema in Lynbrook, New York, demonstrates how project teams coordinate demolition, excavation, structural steel, concrete, roofing, elevator and escalator installation, curtain

Stadium Renovation Under Tight Timelines: Construction Strategies from Liberty University’s $32 Million Project

Large-scale renovation projects in the sports sector test every dimension of construction expertise — accelerated scheduling, structural adaptation, material selection, and crowd-flow planning. The recent stadium expansion and renovation project at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, stands as a compelling case study in delivering complex construction work under severe time constraints. Completed in less than

Loadbearing Masonry Wall Failures: Lessons from a Historic Building Structural Assessment

Loadbearing masonry walls have been a foundational element of building construction for centuries, offering durability, fire resistance, and thermal mass that few modern systems can match. However, the structural behavior of these walls depends on continuous load paths and proper support conditions — factors that are easily compromised during renovations. When loadbearing masonry walls are

Railing Manufacturers Expand Product Offering Through Strategic Partnership in North America

Greco Aluminum Railings and Q-railing form a strategic alliance to expand stainless steel and structural glass railing product offerings in North America, providing specifiers with an expanded portfolio of engineered railing systems.