For building professionals accustomed to watching carbon emissions climb with every new project, the idea of a building that actually removes carbon from the atmosphere has felt like science fiction. That fiction may soon become code-ready reality. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has spent the past year refining the Urban Sequoia NOW concept, a carbon-absorbing […]
Aluminum-framed interior wall systems have become a defining feature of modern commercial architecture, offering architects and designers a versatile solution that balances visual transparency with spatial division. These systems allow natural light to penetrate deep into building interiors while providing the acoustic separation and privacy that tenants demand. Whether specifying for corporate offices, healthcare facilities,
Understanding Stucco Casing Beads and Their Role in Building Envelope Performance Portland cement-based plaster, commonly known as stucco, remains one of the most durable and widely specified exterior cladding systems for both residential and commercial buildings. However, the long-term performance of a stucco wall assembly depends heavily on how its edges are detailed and constructed.
Understanding Shotcrete as a Structural and Architectural Material Shotcrete, also known as sprayed concrete, has evolved from a niche repair technique into a primary construction method for complex architectural forms. Unlike conventional cast-in-place concrete that requires extensive formwork, shotcrete is pneumatically projected onto surfaces at high velocity, compacting the material in place and allowing builders
The University of Washington’s Founders Hall at the Foster School of Business demonstrates how mass timber material specifications can achieve long-term carbon storage while delivering high-performance academic spaces. This six-story, 84,800-square-foot building uses cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors with glulam post-and-beam construction to store over 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide for the lifetime of the structure.
Rubberized asphalt flashings have become a standard solution for moisture protection in masonry wall construction since their widespread adoption in the 1980s. These self-adhering membrane flashings offer excellent flexibility, strong adhesion to a variety of substrates, and reliable resistance to moisture penetration at critical junctions such as shelf angles, window lintels, and base of wall
Over 100,000 projects worldwide rely on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems to verify their sustainability goals. Yet a recurring failure in these projects is the incomplete specification of aluminum-framed fenestration systems such as entrances, storefronts, curtain walls, and window walls. When project specifications fail to connect
Stainless steel is one of the most widely specified materials in modern building construction, prized for its corrosion resistance, aesthetic appeal, and structural performance. However, the common assumption that stainless steel will never corrode or stain is a costly misconception. The phrase “stain-less” does not mean “stain-zero,” and specifying the wrong alloy for a given
Net Zero Asphalt Pavements: How Industry Partnerships Are Driving Carbon Neutral Road Construction The road construction industry is entering a transformative era as asphalt producers and paving contractors pursue ambitious carbon reduction targets. The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) has been leading this charge through The Road Forward, a sector wide initiative targeting net zero
Embodied carbon reduction has become one of the defining challenges of modern building construction. As the building sector accounts for nearly 40 percent of global energy-related carbon emissions, architects and engineers are increasingly turning to bio-based structural materials to lower the environmental footprint of new construction. A landmark example of this approach is San Mateo
