Architects working in dense historic urban districts face a unique set of challenges that test both technical skill and creative vision. When the Office of Charles F. Bloszies, FAIA, took on the 1115-square-meter addition and renovation for the Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco, the project demanded an approach that respected a medieval Gothic […]
Holcim US, AWS, HIIT Contracting, and Baker Concrete Construction are pioneering low-carbon concrete mixes that reduce CO2 emissions by 35 to 45 percent. Learn about mix design, performance characteristics, and specification strategies for sustainable building construction.
The building envelope serves as the primary interface between interior environments and external climatic conditions, making it one of the most critical systems in modern construction. A high-performance building envelope does far more than separate indoors from outdoors; it regulates thermal comfort, controls moisture migration, manages air infiltration, and significantly influences overall building energy consumption.
How SOM Became the Top Architecture Firm of 2022 According to CTBUH: Lessons in High-Rise Design Excellence When the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) names the number one architecture company of the year, the entire building industry pays attention. In December 2022, CTBUH awarded that distinction to Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM),
Understanding the Scope of Waterfront Civic Redevelopment Waterfront civic redevelopment projects rank among the most complex undertakings in modern construction. They combine public infrastructure, performance venues, parkland, and often flood mitigation into a single phased delivery. The $84 million Imagine Clearwater project in downtown Clearwater, Florida, exemplifies this challenge. When Skanska and Stantec reached the
New York City’s approach to senior housing development took a significant step forward with the completion of Tres Puentes, an award-winning senior housing project in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx. This development demonstrates how thoughtful architectural design can shape zoning policy while respecting the historical and industrial character of an urban neighborhood. The
The Gilkey International Middle School in Portland, Oregon, demonstrates how educational facilities can embrace environments that actively support student development and connection to the natural world. This 2,462-square-meter facility shows how treehouse school design concepts can be adapted for permanent educational construction through thoughtful architectural planning that nurtures academic growth and personal independence. Design Philosophy
Modern building design increasingly demands that glass facades deliver both visual transparency and rigorous acoustic performance. As urban density grows and music schools, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions locate in bustling city cores, architects must reconcile the conflicting goals of an open, light-filled envelope with the need to control sound transmission from busy streets.
The completion of the $666 million Interstate 35-E (I-35E) Southern Gateway project in Dallas, Texas, represents a landmark achievement in modern highway construction and major infrastructure redevelopment project delivery. Led by Fluor Corporation in joint venture with Balfour Beatty Infrastructure for the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), this 10-mile corridor reconstruction demonstrates how design-build project
Quality control and quality assurance form the backbone of successful construction projects. Without a robust quality management framework, even the most thoughtfully designed buildings can suffer from costly rework, material failures, and safety hazards. For building professionals, understanding how to implement systematic quality control measures is not optional, it is essential to delivering projects on
