Getting energy-efficient design into school construction can be tough, but the Gen7 modular-classroom building from American Modular Systems, Manteca, Calif., fits many of the latest energy-efficiency advances into one package, bringing the cutting edge of green technologies to modular school construction. Photo: American Modular Systems Gen7 modular classrooms are showcases of sustainable technologies. Introduced at the Green California Schools Summit 2009 in Pasadena, Calif., in December, Gen7 is being touted as a “grid-neutral” modular-classroom solution for California school districts. “Gen7 is a loaded model, with every possible option,” says Tony Sarich, vice president of operations for AMS. “It’s not the

The 2010 World Cup begins on June 10, when Mexico challenges South Africa in Soccer City Stadium in southwest Johannesburg, near the historic Soweto township. Thirty-two teams from around the world that have survived the qualifying rounds will contend for a share of the $17.6 million in prize money. However, even as the soccer stadiums project the image of a “new” South Africa, questions remain about the considerable infrastructure upgrades needed to raise the standard of living for millions of people. More importantly, the players will compete for bragging rights in the world’s most popular sport. Where the championship trophy

The hospital that served as the model for television’s long-running medical drama “ER” will soon get a new lease on life. Chicago’s 96-year-old Cook County Hospital, vacant since 2002, is about to receive a $108-million renovation that will turn the historic building into administrative offices for the local health-care sector. Photo: Cook County Renovation will turn century-old hospital into administrative offices for medical staff. The two-block-long building has been idle since 2002, when it was replaced by the new John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, located nearby on the same grounds. After the planned renovation, the old building will house administrative

What is not a movie studio but occupies 35 acres and, when completed, will look like a small city with five-story buildings, a subway station, and one- and two-story houses on a suburban-style street? Answer: the future 2.4-million-sq-ft New York City Police Academy. The $1.5-billion-plus project’s $656-million first phase is expected to start construction in a few months. Photo: Perkins+Will / Consulting Architect: Michael Fieldman Architects Thirty-five-acre New York City site has rotten soil, security restrictions, height limits. For the designer, the sprawling site is confined relative to an extensive overall program, which includes 20 buildings, and many constraints. “Lots

For many firms that focus on buildings, much of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s promise still hasn’t turned into contracts. Several federal agencies each have obligated less than half of their stimulus funding for building-related construction. Some projects for which contracts have been awarded haven’t seen a shovel move yet. Facing heavy workloads and looming legislative deadlines, agencies will be scrambling to get work out the door in coming months, including some huge projects. Some GSA projects tapping the stimulus are large, including the $435-million Coast Guard headquarters, rendered above, in Washington, D.C. Funding total includes $162 million from

A bell tower in St. Mark’s Square dating back to 12th-Century Venice is getting a new lease on life through a two-year project to stabilize the ill-fated monument standing on tricky soil. In January, workers began drilling cement-reinforced micro-piles to provide watertight enclosures around seven chambers so a girdle of titanium rods can be threaded through the ground around the tower’s faulty foundation block. Photo: Peter Reina / ENR The most prominent monument in St. Mark’s Square in Venice is a 20th-Century reconstruction Related Links: Stabilizing Venice Monument During most of this year, subcontractor Trevi SpA, Cesena, will drill about

There is at least one superlative associated with the world’s tallest structure that few know about: The 828-meter Burj Dubai, renamed Burj Khalifa on its opening day, Jan. 4, is likely the most monitored skyscraper in the world, from its foundation to the top of its pinnacle. Data collected from the building’s permanent sensors will be used to refine design and construction methods for future supertall towers, say sources. + Image Photo: Emaar Properties Taipei 101, by 320 meters Photo: Emaar Properties Burj Khalifa, formerly called the Burj Dubai, dwarfs the world’s next-tallest building The burj’s lead contractor, Samsung C&T

The developer of the world’s tallest building, which opened on Jan. 4 in Dubai after more than a year’s delay, has announced the height at 828 meters. The announcement ends years of speculation, fueled by developer Emaar Properties. Members of the design and construction team, including architect-engineer Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and lead contractor Samsung Corp., were contractually obligated to keep the height a secret. The 828-m height makes the building 320 m taller than the previous world’s tallest building, the 508-m Taipei 101. The difference is equivalent to an 80-story-plus tower. The Burj Khalifa, which is the Burj Dubai’s

On Dec. 16, MGM Mirage’s $8.5-billion, 18-million-sq-ft. CityCenter project debuted on the Las Vegas Strip. Perini Building Co., a unit of Sylmar, Calif.-based Tutor Perini Corp., was the general contractor, with Gensler, San Francisco, as executive architect. The seven-building, mixed-use development on 67 acres at one time employed one-third of southern Nevada’s building trades. The hotel, home and entertainment complex could resurrect or sink Las Vegas’ flagging tourism industry, possibly giving new life to stalled projects, say some observers. If unsuccessful, it could plunge MGM Mirage into financial trouble and slow southern Nevada’s economic recovery. Photo: MGM Mirage Inc.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) announced on Dec. 8 the roll-out of a pilot energy-labeling program for buildings. The Building Energy Quotient program, being tested on about 20 buildings in the private and public sectors, will provide for most building types both design and operational ratings, which will be posted on the structures. The goal is to provide building owners, operators, tenants and prospective buyers with a realistic picture of energy use, ASHRAE says. Initially, volunteer ASHRAE members will conduct the assessments, but the group plans to launch a program to certify assessors, according to