Construction Jobs Blog

Headlines have continued to decry this historic correction in the first quarter of 2009.  But despite the foreboding coverage, green building has proved sustainable in more than one sense.  Firms and consumers are embracing the trend and proving that the economic downturn will not discourage the practice.

In fact, quite the opposite appears to be happening.  According to Turner Construction’s 2008 Green Building Barometer, 75% of commercial real estate executives said that credit market conditions would not stop them from constructing green buildings.  Citing reduced energy costs, higher building values and lower overall operating costs, the respondents suggest that the current economic doldrums will not take the wind out of green building’s sail. 

Green building is holding up in other ways as well.  According to the 2008 Green Survey:  Existing Buildings, more than 80% of commercial building owners Continue Reading »

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The looming stimulus bill stands ready to pump billions of dollars into construction projects across the nation, posing both opportunities and challenges to architects and builders.  In this video, president and CEO of Design + Construction  Strategies, Barbara Heller, gives her take on President Obama’s choice to have a chief performance officer, the breadth of the stimulus, technology to make the government more efficient and the lessons she’s learned working on projects involving the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport.  Also learn how green building guidelines such as LEED may be good at certifying aspirations, but lacking when it comes to measuring the benefits realized.

Heller’s firm specializes in using technology to improve efficiency in the construction industry.  She was interviewed on E&ETV’s OnPoint.

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Over the past few years, we have witnessed a massive outpouring of creative and ambitious building projects in Dubai, effectively positing Dubai as a leader, perhaps the leader, in cutting-edge and sustainable building.  In August, Dubai-based designer Timelinks announced plans for a futuristic city that will be nearly self-sufficient in many regards.

Timelinks has managed to combine one of the most enduring ancient designs with groundbreaking technology, appropriately naming the pyramid-shaped project “Ziggurat” (the word for an ancient, pyramid-shaped temple).  Ziggurat will be a carbon-neutral city, powered by steam, wind, and solar energy.  Strategically placed within the pyramid will be public and private “green spaces” for agriculture.  There are even plans for facial recognition technology being used for security purposes.  One of the hallmarks of the project would be a Continue Reading »

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I was reading Forbes.com today and stumbled across a column that put a smile on my face.  While researching “the effects on the economy and job market from…greater green industry,” Michael Marks came to the same realization I did a short while ago:  “lo and behold, I found a topic that is nearly universally positive.”

With housing and financial turmoil, the increase in energy costs, and disasters dominating headlines for the past few months, it may be easy to overlook the progress of green industries and the promise they hold for America’s future.  And their promise is starting to be fulfilled:

– 2007 set solar energy records:  314 megawatts of new solar-generating capacity were constructed or installed in the U.S. last year, creating more than 6,000 new jobs and adding over $2 billion to the economy

– the number of jobs in “renewable energy or energy-efficient industries” is skyrocketing, with the American Solar Energy Society estimating it at about 8.5 million, and Marks predicting it could clear 40 million by 2030

The government is stepping in as well: Continue Reading »

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Earlier this month, two Los Angeles City Council committees passed green building ordinances that could eventually change the face of the city.  The LA Times reports that “under the ordinance, privately built projects over 50,000 square feet…must meet a ’standard of sustainability’ by incorporating a checklist of green practices into their building plans.”

Both commercial and residential developers are affected by the change, and a large number of developers and building trade groups endorse it.  The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) checklist has been put forward as the standard.  But not everyone is on board; Continue Reading »

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In 2006, Abu Dhabi determined to establish itself as the world leader in renewable and sustainable energy technologies with the launch of the Masdar initiative.  A key part of this initiative was, and is, the building of the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, car-free city.

Masdar City will run on nothing but renewable energy.  No cars will be allowed, yet “at the same time the city will offer the highest quality of life possible for its residents,” says Khaled Awad, director of the Masdar project’s property development unit of the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC).

Teams are scheduled to break ground on the project this month Continue Reading »

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Last week at the IBS, Jeffrey masters, a partner at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, and David Crump, Jr., director of legal research for the NAHB, hosted a seminar titled “Green Building Legal and Liability Issues.”  In it they discussed the various potential threats and dangers posed to builders of green homes.  Far from discouraging green builders, the seminar instead advised on how to build green while avoiding serious hazards.

First, the pair noted that the field of green building is still young, and that developments in the coming years will continue to change how we define and think about green homes.  This being the case, builders need to plan ahead, both in their plans and their contracts, to minimize risks and protect their businesses.

“The most important tip Masters and Crump handed out at the seminar was: Continue Reading »

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The New York Times reported today on the many obstacles communities are running into in their effort to ‘go green’.  “Constraints on budgets, legal restrictions by states, and people’s unwillingness to change sometimes put brakes on ambitious plans,” reports Felicity Barringer.

Both individuals and municipalities are realizing that going green does have its costs, and sometimes they are steep.  An individual in Austin, TX paid $600 for energy-efficient Christmas lights:  many times the expense of traditional incandescent bulbs.  Another individual from Arlington, VA shelled out nearly $18,000 for new windows, a refrigerator, and other appliances.  The energy-saving upgrades have saved him money on his electric bills, but he does not know if it will end up saving him the $18,000 he spent.

Cities are running into budget problems as well.  Cleveland, OH has been forced to put an ambitious, $200 million sustainability plan on the shelf.  Continue Reading »

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A little earlier this month, it was officially announced that the highly acclaimed GreenPlumber program is debuting in America.  After generating huge amounts of interest in the program and successfully reducing water consumption in Australia, GreenPlumber is opening its doors to American plumbers through training and accreditation programs run by the PHCC (Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of California) Education Foundation. 

Statistics indicate that water usage has increased at twice the rate of the population, and a significant number of states anticipate freshwater shortages in the next 10 years.  “GreenPlumbers is an accreditation program that trains plumbers in water conservation and climate care issues,” said Stephen Lehtonen, spokesperson for GreenPlumbersUSA.  “The program is designed to help save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” 

And the program has been successful, at least in Australia.  Continue Reading »

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In response to the rapidly growing green building trend, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) will unveil its new Certified Green Professional designation during Green Day at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando, Fl.  (Remember, ConstructionJobsBlog will have real-time updates and news posted all day, every day during the IBS — check out CJB on the 14th for live coverage of Green Day!)

NAHB President Brian Catalde said, “We know green is the future of building.  With the Certified Green Professional designation, we’re helping our qualified members demonstrate to their clients that the future is here.”

And demonstrating that you are up to par with green practices is something that is sure to help your resume in 2008.  With demand for green homes, products and services increasing exponentially, a tangible, ‘green’ certification on your resume makes you a more attractive candidate, no matter which part of the industry you specialize in.

Special pre-conference education sessions are available even now for those looking to get certified as soon as possible.  According to NAHB, the first class of Certified Green Professionals will receive their designations at the 10th annual NAHB National Green Building Conference, May 11-13, 2008 in New Orleans.

Get official NAHB Certified Green Professional information here.

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