Durability Tops Architects Survey of Most Important Green Product Attributes

Architects say durability is the most important attribute for a “green” building product, according to a new industry survey commissioned by PPG Industries. It was followed by ENERGY STAR compliance, life-cycle assessment, no- or low-volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and the ability to source products regionally. More     More

Supertower Offers Glimmer of Hope in Polluted Chinese City

You can see the carbon emissions rising by the day over the skyline of Guangzhou, where armies of construction workers are busy throwing up skyscrapers that will soon surpass anything in New York in terms of height and energy consumption. It is the same story all over China where, despite the economic crisis, engineers are completing four more tower blocks every day – almost all fitted with air conditioning, heating, lighting and lifts that will run on coal-powered electricity. More

AFE Announces Relaunch of Facilities Engineering Journal

The Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) is pleased to announce the upcoming relaunch of its Facilities Engineering Journal beginning with the July/August issue. The May/June issue will not be published while the new design and fresh approach to editorial and content is being finalized. Published six times a year, the Journal features timely and relevant technical information geared toward readers who are in charge of designing, operating, maintaining and securing the facilities infrastructure and environment. The new design will be distributed both in print and electronically, allowing the Journal to reach a wider, more diverse audience of facilities professionals. Regular features include: • Case studies highlighting solutions to specific issues in the facilities environment; • Advice and best practices from technical experts; • Career and professional growth strategies; • Industry news, regulatory analysis and new products; and • AFE updates from the Chairman of the Board and CEO. Facilities Engineering Journal regularly features articles written by Certified Plant Engineers and other experts in the field. According to surveys of AFE members, the Journal is one of the top benefits of membership and has a consistently high pass along rate among building operations professionals. For more information on editorial, please contact Jim Camillo, BNP Media, at (630) 694-4011.or camilloj@bnpmedia.com. For advertising details, please contact Liz Obloy at (248) 244-6452 or obloye@bnpmedia.com. More

Century-old Skyscraper Getting $27 Million Makeover

The long-vacant Union Bank Tower on Main Street in downtown Winnipeg — Western Canada's first skyscraper — was given a new lease on life. The federal and provincial governments held a joint press conference to announced they are contributing $15 million towards the redevelopment of the building, located next to city hall at the corner of Main Street and William Avenue. More

AFE Webinars: Top-Notch Facilities Training

AFE's virtual classes provide a one-stop educational resource for the plant/facilities engineering, operations, and maintenance professional. Classes are taught by experienced representatives from the field. In addition, each course equates to 0.1 CEU or recertification credit for individuals currently holding AFE credentialing (CPE, CPMM or CPS). Plus – it's free for AFE Members! For information on upcoming classes, Click here.More

Sustainable Design Criteria Should Include Robust Risk Management: Report

Criteria for sustainable design and operation should consider any risk factors resulting from green building and heightened energy efficiency -- and incorporate risk management as an integral part of development, according to a recently released report compiled for insurer FM Global. More

Researchers Create "Green" Building Materials

The plank looks like a polished piece of plywood, and someday people may build coffee tables with it. But this wood was not grown in a forest — it was born from the greenhouse gasses seeping from landfills. The Stanford University researchers who produced this wood alternative are part of a movement to support greener buildings by developing construction materials that are created and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. More

Gordon Graff’s Skyfarm for Toronto

The UN predicts that we will need 60% more food over the next 30 years in order to meet the demands of the world’s ever-growing population, and one designer has found an interesting place to look for other alternatives for growing food as agriculturally viable land becomes more and more scarce. That is, up! Skyfarm is a vertical farm designed by Gordon Graff, a student in the Master of Architecture program at the University of Waterloo. The vertically set farm for Toronto is intent on meeting the needs of a tightly packed planet in the face of a limited food supply, while removing dependence on the food transportation via energy intensive and emission heavy methods. More