Jina Luke, Author at Building and Construction

Mass Timber Material Specifications for the Catalyst Building: CLT and Glulam Performance in a Zero-Carbon Commercial Structure

The Catalyst building in Spokane, Washington, stands as a landmark achievement in mass timber construction and zero-carbon building design. At 159,000 square feet across five stories, this structure demonstrates how engineered wood products can serve as the primary structural material for large-scale commercial buildings while meeting rigorous sustainability targets. For building professionals specifying materials for […]

Closing the Gap: How to Choose the Right Expansion Joint System for Your Building

When designing or specifying a large commercial building, one of the most critical yet often overlooked components is the expansion joint system. These intentional gaps placed throughout floors, walls, ceilings, and roofs allow structures to accommodate thermal movement, wind sway, seismic activity, and settlement without suffering damage. Selecting the wrong system can lead to cracked

Timber Office Buildings: Structural Systems, Facade Strategies, and Energy Design for Sustainable Workplaces

Timber office buildings are redefining what it means to work in a space that is both functional and environmentally responsible. As more architects and developers look to reduce the carbon footprint of commercial construction, engineered wood products and mass timber systems have emerged as viable alternatives to steel and concrete. The recently completed Snøhetta-designed headquarters

Expanding Pathways into Architecture: How HBCU Programs and Industry Partnerships Are Diversifying the Profession

The architecture profession has long faced a persistent diversity gap, with African Americans representing only about 2 percent of licensed architects in the United States despite making up roughly 13 percent of the population. Recent initiatives at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Tuskegee University’s newly funded architecture program, are working to change this landscape.

How Modern Ceiling Systems Transform Commercial Bank Interiors

The Rise of High-Performance Ceilings in Commercial Banking Spaces The modern commercial bank interior has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. Gone are the days of compartmentalized teller rows and dull, drop-ceiling grids that prioritized function over form. Today’s financial institutions demand open, collaborative environments that enhance customer experience, improve employee productivity, and

Roof Canopy Design for Light-Sensitive Museums: Protecting Art Through Architectural Shading

Museum architecture faces a fundamental tension: the need to protect light-sensitive artworks from damaging ultraviolet and visible radiation while creating welcoming, naturally daylit spaces for visitors. The roof canopy has emerged as an elegant solution to this challenge, allowing architects to modulate sunlight before it reaches the building envelope. Projects such as the Menil Drawing

Co-Living Development and Adaptive Reuse: Converting Underutilized Properties into Community Housing

The co-living model is reshaping how developers and construction professionals think about urban housing. By converting underutilized multi-family, hotel, and office buildings into shared residential communities, projects like Starcity’s Venice Beach development demonstrate how adaptive reuse can add housing units without displacing current residents. For builders and specifiers, understanding the construction, design, and regulatory dimensions

Mainstay Roof Coating Applications: A Practical Guide for Building Owners and Specifiers

Roof coatings have become an integral part of modern building maintenance and construction, offering cost effective solutions for extending roof service life, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing sustainability. From silicone and acrylic to polyurethane formulations, these materials have evolved significantly over the past two decades, competing successfully against traditional asphalt coatings used for maintaining built-up

Architectural Wall Cladding for Transportation Infrastructure: Lessons from the Port of Miami Tunnel Project

The Role of Architectural Wall Cladding in Modern Infrastructure Architectural wall cladding has evolved far beyond simple aesthetics to become a critical component in infrastructure projects demanding durability, safety, and visual appeal. The Port of Miami Tunnel project demonstrates how a carefully engineered architectural wall cladding system can transform a utilitarian transportation structure into a

PVC Membrane Roofing for Amphitheaters: A Complete Guide to Tensile Fabric Structures

When architects and builders look for cost-effective roofing solutions that combine aesthetic appeal with structural performance, PVC membrane roofing has become a material of choice for large-span venues like amphitheaters and performance spaces. The recent installation of a 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheater topped with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane roofing system at Coney Island demonstrates how