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Throughout the world, residents, businesses, and local government leaders are rallyiing around community-specific sustainability efforts in order to secure a better future. Often referred to as “eco-communities," these villages and cities are addressing factors that impact environmental and economic vitality, such as job creation, public transportation, alternative energy programs, green spaces, community gathering spaces, environmental/recycling programs, and “walkability," which refers to the proximity of shopping, schools, entertainment, and dining to the residents of the community.

Here's how to create handmade gifts and trimmings for a sustainable and meaningful holiday season.

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.

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) has been hoping to build upon its 60 year plus history of creating industry standards and guidelines. In December 2008 it introduced GreenFormat, an online search tool that assists designers in finding green building products. GreenFormat ties in with CSI’s existing group of formats, all of which help organize and manage project information (UniFormat, MasterFormat, etc.). Information in GreenFormat is organized according to the already familiar MasterFormat divisions.

From green building to Building Information Modeling (BIM), new technologies are changing the construction game and changing it fast. What legal and contractual protections can be put in place as the workplace adopts these technologies?

There’s no question that, in the design and construction industries, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is what’s termed a “disruptive technology.” Since the 1980s, when PCs finally became affordable enough for architectural practices to begin to bring them to bear on design, computing power has become ubiquitous and increasingly influential on budgeting, programming, design, and construction.

A few years ago, our family moved into a home built in the 1980’s. The home has a nice exterior, other than the overgrown landscaping, and the interior plan is functional; however, the decor is original and is in need of updating. While my wife is a big fan of 80’s music, she can do without the decor from that era, and was determined on updating everything during our first month in the home.

Storms can leave your home severely damaged. Here's a checklist to ensure that you don't get ripped off while you're in the rebuilding process.

“A tradition has been broken in Indian architecture. Too much has intervened, and modernity, or what is considered to be modernity, has now to be swallowed as a whole. Year by year, India's stock of barely usable buildings grows. Old ideas about ventilation are out, modern air conditioners are in. They absolve the architect of the need to design for difficult climate, and leave him free to copy.” – V. S. Naipaul

Why we should reinvest in our public infrastructure, which is in steady decline.

Mounting concerns over the U.S. federal budget deficit as well as a slower economy may have led some legislators to reconsider their support of President Barack Obama’s campaign to develop high-speed rail (HSR) systems across the United States. The Republican-led House of Representatives has clearly expressed its concerns with allocating government funds for high-speed rail development. The High-Speed Rail Strategic Plan released in April 2009 would have provided $8 billion for HSR development but this plan is now being questioned, and all of its budget money could potentially be cut.

Don't be afraid to try your luck at an auction. Rachael Ranney, host of Buildipedia's {Re}habitat, shares some insider tips for making your first auction experience a successful one.

Let me start by admitting openly that I love, love, love auctions! The moment I score a great deal on that one-of-a-kind, beautiful piece is an unassailable thrill. Listening to a great auctioneer generate buzz and excitement about the wares he is selling will never cease to entertain me.

Gone are the days when cutting-edge sustainability practices yielded a significant competitive advantage for building product manufacturers. Today’s builders and homeowners not only expect to be able to choose from a wide assortment of environmentally friendly products, they also expect that the companies behind the products to engage in robust sustainability practices when it comes to company culture as well as operations and manufacturing processes. As a result, sustainability has become a cornerstone of doing business for manufacturers, rather than an afterthought.