The Growing Need for Connected Construction Standards The construction industry operates on standards. MasterFormat organizes work results by trade and material. UniFormat groups building elements by function regardless of the materials used. OmniClass classifies everything from construction entities to spaces, products, and phases. For decades these standards existed in parallel, each serving its own audience […]
Modern construction projects are increasingly defined by the connected lighting systems that serve both illumination and data communication functions. Electrical contractors, general contractors, and consulting engineers for new construction and renovation projects now face a rapidly evolving landscape where luminaires are no longer simple light fixtures but become intelligent network nodes. Connected lighting technologies bring
Understanding Fluid-Applied Waterproofing Membranes and Their Chemistry Fluid-applied waterproofing membranes have become a cornerstone of modern building envelope protection, offering seamless, monolithic coverage that addresses the limitations of traditional sheet-based systems. Unlike prefabricated sheets that require precise cutting, overlapping, and seam sealing, fluid-applied systems are applied as a liquid that cures in place to form
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
The Pasadena Convention Center, a historic California venue dating back to 1931, recently completed a comprehensive restroom modernization featuring a full suite of touch-free plumbing products. This renovation demonstrates how commercial facilities can integrate sensor-activated fixtures to improve hygiene, reduce maintenance burdens, and enhance the user experience. For building professionals specifying similar upgrades, understanding the
Understanding Connected Lighting Systems in Modern Commercial Construction Light-emitting diode (LED) technology has become the standard source of illumination in both residential and commercial buildings. As LED adoption reached near-universal levels, a new paradigm has emerged: connected lighting systems (CLS). These systems integrate network interfaces, sensors, and distributed intelligence into luminaires, transforming them from simple
Fluid-applied waterproofing membranes represent one of the most versatile and reliable solutions in modern building envelope construction. Unlike traditional sheet membranes that require precise alignment, seaming, and lapping, liquid-applied systems form a seamless, monolithic barrier that conforms to complex geometries and irregular substrates. The global fluid-applied waterproofing market was projected to reach USD 37 to
The construction industry stands at a pivotal moment where sustainable building practices are moving from aspirational goals to proven, replicable models that building professionals can implement today. The recently opened Catalyst building in Spokane, Washington, demonstrates what is possible when industry leaders collaborate on net-zero carbon stadium construction and extend those principles to commercial office
The Case for Touch-Free Restroom Systems in Commercial Facilities Public restrooms in convention centers, sports venues, and conference facilities experience some of the highest traffic of any commercial building space. The Pasadena Convention Center, a 130,000-square-foot facility built around a historic 1932 civic auditorium, recently undertook a comprehensive restroom modernization program that replaced traditional fixtures
Weather-resistant barriers (WRBs) are critical to building envelope moisture management. Learn how to specify the correct building wrap for water holdout, drainage efficiency, and vapor permeance.
