Architecture Firm Billings Decline Sharply in June
from AIA
After three months of holding steady, the ongoing slowdown in business conditions at architecture firms accelerated again in June. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score fell to 37.7, its lowest point since February, indicating that the downturn may be more deeply entrenched than anticipated. Business conditions remained weak in all regions of the country in June. For the third month in a row, billings showed their largest drops at firms with an institutional specialization. Business conditions at residential firms have moderated since the all-time low score recorded last December, but continue to indicate a decline in billings. More

How Sustainable Design Influences Social Change
from InformeDesign
InformeDesign® has released a new issue of Implications that showcases three projects by students at the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, that seek to influence social change by improving design processes, reducing wasteful resource use, and eliminating harmful outputs. More

Motel 6 Has Designs on Your Business
from BusinessWeek
The budget lodging chain hired a designer of cruise ships and airline cabins to spruce up its look and lure in newly cash-conscious travelers. Designers were briefed to keep construction costs low and to create rooms that could appeal to the broad cross0section of society, from tourists to traveling executives. So far, the reaction has been enthusiastic. More

The Bathroom Reinvented
from Dwell
Ecologist Brent Bucknum, principal of Hyphae Design Lab in Oakland, California, shares the ABC's of re-routing a home's waste water (greywater) to sustainably irrigate gardens and other green spaces. He takes us from his live/work space in Oakland to several residential sites around Berkeley that feature greywater systems in various stages of completion. More

Is East Asia's Vertical Retail Model Wave of Future for U.S.?
from Contract Magazine
Vertical retailing—building retail destinations higher instead of wider—has long been a success in cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai, but the trend has yet to catch on in the United States. However, given the country's growing population and dwindling pool of developable land in major cities, the time may be just right for the nation's metropolises to jump on the bandwagon, or so believes Charles Chan, president of commercial real estate brokerage firm Harvest International. More

National Governor's Association Adopts AIA Policy of Carbon Neutrality by 2030
from HealthCare Design Magazine
As part of their comprehensive national Energy Conservation and Improved Energy Efficiency policy, the National Association of Governors (NGA) has adopted the promotion of carbon neutral new and renovated buildings by 2030 as outlined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This adoption by the nation’s governors follows the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimous adoption of AIA's carbon neutral building policy in 2006 and the National Association of Counties announcing their support for the policy in 2007. More

BuildingGreen Launches LEEDuser
from Kitchen & Bath Business
In response to the need for comprehensive help with the LEED rating systems, BuildingGreen has developed LEEDuser, a new online-based tool. LEEDuser was developed by BuildingGreen with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to assist users of LEED 2009. It serves projects using the five recently launched LEED 2009 rating systems (New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Commercial Interiors and Existing Buildings Operations & Maintenance). LEEDuser’s goal is to demystify LEED and facilitate certification while supporting projects in achieving the highest possible environmental goals. More

Weighing Visibility and Privacy in the Workplace
from Fast Company
At the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the prom dress served as an inspiration for creating office privacy: allow some visibility, but not too much. Although collaboration is a key to innovation, not all social exchanges are useful or creative. Finding a way to balance the need for visibility and privacy has led to some creative office designs. More

BMW's Stunning Energy-Efficient Production Plant
from Inhabitat
In 2003 BMW set out a design competition for a new building and distribution center located in Munich, Germany. The results were more than grand; not only is the new BMW Welt aesthetically pleasing with its sinuous curves and gleaming façade, but it was also consciously designed to save energy in its production of cars through efficient solar heating and natural ventilation systems. More