Construction spending slumped 0.7% from $798 billion in December to $792 billion in January, the lowest seasonally adjusted annual rate since July 2000, the Associated General Contractors of America noted this week in an analysis of new Census Bureau data. Association officials noted that nearly every private nonresidential category plunged, offsetting pickups in some residential and public nonresidential segments. They added that since January 2010, construction spending has declined by 5.9%. “These discouraging figures show that millions of construction workers and their firms are still suffering from the economic downturn, despite a year and a half of growth in the
The U.S. Dept. of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently completed a yearlong of gasoline hybrid electric (gHEV) trucks compared with conventional diesel vehicles that showed the trucks produced substantially reduced tailpipe emissions during all drive cycles tested in the laboratory when compared to conventional diesel vehicles. On a drive cycle representing routes with frequent stops and accelerations, the gHEV trucks exhibited a 20% improvement in fuel economy while drive cycles representing routes with fewer stops and accelerations demonstrated similar fuel economy to the diesels. NREL’s Fleet Test and Evaluation Team collected and analyzed fuel economy, maintenance and other vehicle
More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments. Utilizing a prototype-based approach, the program enables large-scale organizational builders and operators to deliver a consistent end product, earning LEED certification faster and at a lower cost than would be possible with individual building reviews. The certification program was designed to meet industry needs for
The U.S. Green Building Council recently released its 2010 list of top 10 states for LEED-certified commercial and institutional green buildings per capita, based on the U.S. 2010 Census Bureau information. Colorado made the list, coming in at No. 10. The District of Columbia leads the nation, with 25 sq ft of LEED-certified space per person in 2010, with Nevada being the leading state, at 10.92 sq ft per person in 2010. Other top states include New Mexico, New Hampshire and Oregon with more than 6 and 4 sq ft of LEED-certified space per person, respectively. “Using per capita versus
The prices contractors must pay for many essential construction materials continued to increase in January, even as the amount they charge for completed projects remains flat, according to an analysis of January producer price index figures recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the price trends are cutting into already tight bottom lines for contractors, undermining chances for an industry-wide recovery in 2011. “The last thing contractors need after two years of depression-like conditions is to pay more to make less,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “With margins continuing to shrink, few
The value of new construction starts retreated 6% in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $423.4 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Cos. The decline came as the result of a pullback for nonresidential building after a strong December, combined with a loss of momentum for residential building. At the same time, the nonbuilding construction sector showed further growth in January on top of its elevated December pace, aided by several large public works projects. On an unadjusted basis, total construction starts in January were reported at $28.4 billion, down 4% from the same
JOHANSEN BROWN Lance Brown, EIT, LEED AP BD+C, mechanical engineer of Spectrum Engineers, Salt Lake City, has earned his LEED AP certification. Brown’s experience includes complex health-care projects in government, office, higher education and other areas. He joined Spectrum as an intern in April 2008. Peter Johansen, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, principal electrical engineer, Spectrum Engineers, Salt Lake City, has also earned his LEED AP. He focuses on K-12 education and complex health-care projects. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from San Jose State. SWERDFEGER Keith Swerdfeger , chairman of the
SnapShot February 28, 2011 Architect Pierre Langue, Axis Architects, Salt Lake City Architect Pierre Langue, Axis Architects, Salt Lake City, designed this strikingly modern residence, located high in Salt Lake City’s East Bench neighborhood. Living spaces are oriented around expansive western views, with large overhanging shades shielding the residence from the sun while providing a distinctive exterior. The sections of the house follow the slope of the terrain, helping to integrate it with the environment. Photographer: Paul Richer/Richer Images LLC Submitted By: Pierre Langue, principal, Axis Architects, Salt Lake City
On The Scene February 28, 2011 Our editors are everywhere�at all the industry events that matter most. When They're not speaking on panels, they're busy taking notes�and snapping photos�so they can inform their readers about what was said and who was there. U.S. General Services Administration�s Federal Center Redevelopment Lisa Wild, a project manager with the U.S. General Services Administration�s Federal Center Redevelopment team, told guests at a Society for Marketing Professional Services luncheon in Denver in mid- January about key elements of the center�s plan to green its operations and create mixed-use opportunities. Those include transit-oriented development near the