New AAMA PVC Profile Standards: Key Requirements for Fenestration Material Performance

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) has updated its voluntary specification for rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) exterior profiles used in windows, doors, and skylights. The revised AAMA 303 document establishes minimum requirements for dimensional stability, impact resistance, heat resistance, weatherability, weight tolerance, heat buildup, and lead compound content. These updates reflect changes in manufacturing practices, […]

Studio Gang Beloit College Powerhouse: Adaptive Reuse Strategies for Converting Industrial Buildings into Student Recreation Facilities

Adaptive reuse projects offer some of the most compelling opportunities in modern construction, combining preservation with innovation to create spaces that serve entirely new purposes. The conversion of former industrial buildings into educational and community facilities presents unique challenges that demand creative engineering and architectural solutions. One of the most celebrated examples of this approach

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

Specifying Revolving Doors for Commercial Buildings: What Architects and Builders Must Know

Revolving doors have become an increasingly common feature in commercial building entrances, valued for their ability to control air infiltration, reduce HVAC loads, and provide an elegant entry experience. However, specifying the right revolving door requires careful consideration of traffic patterns, building codes, material choices, and operational requirements. This article provides a structured approach to

WeGrow School by Bjarke Ingels: How Architectural Design Transforms Learning Environments

When celebrated architect Bjarke Ingels set out to design WeGrow’s first school in New York City, the challenge was not simply to build classrooms. It was to rethink what a learning environment could be. Located within WeWork’s Chelsea headquarters, the 929-square-meter (10,000-square-foot) school for children aged three to nine breaks away from conventional educational layouts.

Historic Hangar Adaptive Reuse for Modern Office Space: Design and Construction Strategies from Google Spruce Goose Campus

Historic Hangar Adaptive Reuse for Modern Office Space: Design and Construction Strategies from Google’s Spruce Goose Campus The conversion of the historic Spruce Goose Hangar in Playa Vista, California, into Google’s latest office stands as one of the most ambitious adaptive reuse projects in recent commercial construction history. Originally built in 1943 by Howard Hughes

Designing Greener Parking Structures: How Mobility Changes Are Reshaping Modern Parking Garages

As urban populations grow and environmental concerns intensify, the once utilitarian parking garage is undergoing a profound transformation. No longer simply a concrete shell for storing vehicles, modern parking structures are becoming integrated components of sustainable building design, mobility hubs that serve multiple transportation modes, and assets that contribute meaningfully to a building’s overall environmental

How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Construction: What Builders and Specifiers Need to Know

How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Construction: What Builders and Specifiers Need to Know Artificial intelligence has moved beyond experimental applications and is now actively transforming how buildings are designed, specified, and constructed. From automated code compliance checking to generative design tools that explore thousands of structural options in minutes, AI is changing the professional workflow

Office Campus Design Creates Unexpected Experiences for Employee Engagement and Collaboration

Corporate office campuses are evolving beyond rows of cubicles and conference rooms. A new generation of workplace design prioritizes employee experience, social interaction, and connection with the natural environment. The recently completed Viasat campus in Carlsbad, California, designed by SCA Architecture (formerly Smith Consulting Architects), exemplifies this shift. Spanning 9 hectares (23 acres), the campus