Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC), the North American green roof and wall industry association, is pleased to announce that Washington DC has retaken the top spot from Toronto, for the greatest square footage of green roof installations in 2017. According to its Annual Green Roof Industry Survey, Newark, New York City, Seattle, Portland and Toronto followed Washington DC in 2017
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Landscape architecture firms are facing a subdued business outlook, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Business Quarterly survey for the second quarter of 2018. Based on the responses of 116 primary firm contacts, the survey indicates that billable hours remain a positive indicator of economic health. However, inquiries for new work and plans to hire declined.
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In June, the commercial component of the Momentum Index moved 1.1% higher, while the institutional component eked out a 0.3% gain. June’s advance marks the fifth straight monthly increase for the Momentum Index, which is now nearing a ten-year high, and suggests that the moderate strengthening of construction activity currently underway will continue through the end of 2018.
Read More“Our cities are evolving into places that are more diverse and more interesting than ever, with a mix of neighborhoods defined by distinct characteristics that are drawing different residents and workers for different reasons,” said ULI Terwilliger Center Founder and Chairman J. Ronald Terwilliger. “There are very few urban areas in which housing is not mixed in or very close to commercial uses. This has significant implications for development going forward – particularly affordable housing — in terms of building cities that are livable and attainable to people in a broad income range.”
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At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $783.6 billion, new construction starts in May advanced 15% from April, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The increase follows a 12% decline in April, and shows total construction activity reaching the highest level reported over the past eight months. The lift in May came from substantial gains for nonbuilding construction, up 39%; and nonresidential building, up 18%; as both sectors benefited from the start of several very large projects.
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Sustainable building appears to be an emerging area of opportunity, with nearly half (45 percent) of respondents reporting its ability to give them a competitive business advantage. To meet demands, more than half (56 percent) of contractors report registering or certifying their U.S. projects with the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC) or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) over the past three years. Four out of five contractors also cite that their customers request energy efficient materials for their U.S. projects, which shows demand for green materials is also strong.
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Architecture firm billings grew in May, marking the eighth consecutive month of solid growth, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Read MoreDucker performs market research in several industries, including building and construction. Limb noted that the most recent AAMA study showed what many suspected: The economy is currently strong and stable, including in the fenestration industry. Limb said to expect to see that continue for the next three years, at least.
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A white paper about water penetration in hurricane conditions recently was updated by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Southeast Region. The paper provides information to homeowners, distributors, builders and insurance adjusters regarding water penetration during severe wind-driven rain storms. The white paper originally was released in 2005, and this update is being released at the beginning of this year’s hurricane season
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Business conditions for the first quarter of 2018 reflected a mixed picture for landscape architecture firms, according to a new American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Business Quarterly survey. Leading indicators in the survey remained generally positive—inquiries for new work and plans to hire jumped. But billable hours dipped.
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