According to a Booz Allen Hamilton study, U.S. green building projects will support or create almost 8 million jobs by 2013, after already having created 2.4 million between 2000 and 2008. This study is released amidst concerns that Republican gains in the November elections will lead to a significant cut in green spending.
By Phillip G. Bernstein, FAIA LEED漏 AP, Vice President at Autodesk
Times remain challenging for the U.S. building industry.聽 The economy weighs heavily on each of us, the supply chain is rapidly getting globalized (even if it feels like most of the work is in China) and every day brings some sort of new technological innovation.聽 And while Twitter and texting won鈥檛 change building much, more profound ideas like the web, building information modeling (BIM), and digitally-controlled fabrication and installation are already challenging existing approaches and models.聽
The newly released second edition of Federal Government Construction Contracts is 乌鸦传媒's primary guide for contractors competing for and performing such contracts. Given the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the adoption of new and challenging project delivery systems, and the numerous regulatory changes affecting contractors, their obligations and risks, a Second Edition was warranted.
The American Institute of Architects has reported that despite September gains, the Architecture Billings Index dropped below 50 in October, indicating a contraction in the demand for non-residential construction projects.
Some Contractors want to share the risk of Owner payment with their Subcontractors.聽 As such, they often look to include a 鈥減ay-if-paid鈥 clause in their contract with the Subcontractor.聽 Some 乌鸦传媒 members believe that a pay-if-paid clause equitably shares the risk of Owner non-payment, while other specialty members view such provisions as unreasonably withholding payment to Subcontractors.
乌鸦传媒 of America鈥檚 chief economist Ken Simonson reports on rising material costs and how they are going to affect contractors. Commodity prices have been on the rise for some time now, due in large part to increased demand and fear of a potential materials shortage in the near future.
The 乌鸦传媒 Lean Construction Forum hosted a webinar titled: 鈥淟ean Construction in Practice Through 鈥楻eal World鈥 Applications鈥 on November 30.聽 Eighty three people registered, and dozens more participated.
On December 6, 2010, 15 real estate and construction organizations, including 乌鸦传媒 of America, sent comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to obtain more data before proceeding with potential new regulations covering lead dust in public and commercial buildings.聽 The letter was submitted in conjunction with a hearing by EPA鈥檚 Science Advisory Board (SAB) into the scientific bases for new lead paint regulations.
The 乌鸦传媒 Lean Construction Forum hosted a webinar titled 鈥淟ean Construction in Practice Through 鈥楻eal World鈥 Applications鈥 on November 30.聽 Eighty three people registered, with dozens more participating.
The current economic recession will mean big shifts for the construction industry, including new rate structures, more meaningful partnerships, and bigger projects.