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Jimmy Prokopeuff, like many Alaskans, needs to replace his outdated wood-frame home, which is ill suited to the rigors of Alaskan weather conditions. The Cascadia Green Building Council, in partnership with the Aleutian Housing Authority, plans to help.

The Living Aleutian Home Design Competition challenges architects and engineers to design a “creative, livable, affordable” three-bedroom, one-bath, single-family home. The home must be between 1,150 and 1,350 square feet and must have a construction budget of $400,000 or less. The challenge may sound simple enough to a seasoned architect or engineer, but there is a catch—the home must be environmentally sound and be able to withstand Alaska’s roughest conditions.

This final article in a three-part series on the University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Building provides an overview of the collaborative design process that led to the facility’s efficient mechanical and electrical infrastructure.

The University of Rochester’s Clinical and Translational Science Building was designed with one overarching vision: to create an environment that inherently fosters collaboration among the diverse departments of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. From the initial project briefing all the way through the construction phase, the extensive and diverse project team embraced the inherent concept of collaboration in its design approach, working cohesively to successfully unite the Clinical and Translational Science Building's residents – administrative staff, researchers, and clinicians – in a LEED Gold certified facility.

It used to be that I made big plans for a night on the town every New Year's Eve. I'd concoct elaborate arrangements to visit the hottest of hot spots with my most fun-loving pals and ring in the 12 o'clock hour, champagne glass raised to the disco-ball ceiling, with friends and friendly strangers amidst a shower of confetti. Between overserved revelers and understaffed bars, my grand ideas always seemed to turn into pumpkins somewhere before midnight.

It goes without saying that everyone is responsible for their own safety, but on a job site, project managers and job foremen have a responsibility to others to make sure that the work place is safe.  A great place to start is to let everyone know that safety issues are taken seriously and the primary goal is to prevent injuries and lost time.

After a three year renovation, the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library reopened in the Summer of 2009. The ambitious project created an architectural jewel on the campus of The Ohio State University. The results of the $109 million, 340,000 square foot renovation project include seating for 1,800 people, over 200 computers with wireless internet access, additional meeting and study rooms, an art gallery, and a new cafe. The library also now consolidates the University’s 250,000 volume rare book collection.

Jeff Wilson shares his views on how the ordinary DIYer can perform acts of patriotism while improving things around the house!

It’s not often that you pick up a hammer, get back to work on that DIY home improvement project, and consider it an act of patriotism, but that’s exactly what we should be doing – each and every one of us.

Need some ideas for gifts this season? The DIYer in your life will love any of these gifts, whether you choose a tool or select a book or music that he/she can enjoy during holiday "downtime.”

Things are beginning to get festive around the international headquarters of Buildipedia. Our managing editor has been wearing the Santa suit since Halloween, of course, but even the video crew is now sporting the green tights and pointy ears of Santa’s helpers. Indeed, representatives of all holiday traditions roam the corridors of the office, going about their important work with a spring in their steps and jolly tunes on their lips. Not to mention the visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.

Madrid’s Moratalaz district finds itself with a new Viveros de Empresas (or “Business Incubator") that not only gives art school graduates a start in their professional lives but also gives Moratalaz increased architectural presence. 

In recent years, the world of real estate has focused on sustainability, and rightfully so. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 40% of primary energy use in the United States, as well as 39% of its carbon dioxide emissions. These numbers have played a part in the industry’s drive toward green building. Owners are no longer content with traditional energy use and the negative impact that it has. Building owners have identified tangible returns to going green, including increased marketability, decreased operating costs, and the halo effect. These returns create an opportunity for carbon offset investments.

Knowledge and regular maintenance can enhance the function and increase the lifespan of your home cooling system, and it can also save you money.

Advancements in technology have revolutionized the way we do business, but we must not lose sight of the benefits of personal interaction. I find myself getting more and more email every day and having less time to actually talk to or even see the people I am working with. I am probably more guilty of this then many because I am what you might call a “satellite” project manager,  working remotely on out-of-town jobs.

If you had to run to the store a few blocks down to pick up a gallon of milk, would you throw on your walking shoes, or would you drive? Some will relish the opportunity to get a little fresh air and exercise. More often than not, however, the majority of us will drive. If parking cost a dollar at the grocery store, however, would you make the same decision? This is the phenomenon being explored by many urban planning experts these days, including Donald Shoup, author of The High Cost of Free Parking and staunch critic of the policies dictating those expansive asphalt plains covering urban areas throughout the United States. Shoup decries parking requirements for a variety of reasons, and his 681-page volume can hardly be summarized in this article. Some key points, however, are of great interest to anyone interested in the sustainability of our urban areas, our citizens, or the environment at large.