Browsing: Infrastructure

Sustainable construction is no longer a trend—it’s an urgent global priority. The 2025 Sustainable Construction Barometer, published by Saint-Gobain’s Sustainable Construction Observatory, highlights progress and critical gaps in the sector, calling for immediate action across the construction value chain. Surveying stakeholders across 27 countries—including professionals, students, associations, elected officials, government representatives, and the public—the Barometer reveals rising awareness, with 67% familiar with sustainable construction and 69% considering it a priority. Yet regional disparities remain, such as 34% of the US public still unaware of its importance. Respondents emphasize the need for leadership from private actors, particularly architects and engineering firms…

Mass timber continues to capture the imagination of architects and engineers for its low-carbon potential and aesthetic versatility, yet its widespread adoption remains slow. A new report, Mass Timber Tipping Point, by Architecture 2030 and Pilot Projects Collaborative, explores why progress has stalled—and what can accelerate the shift toward sustainable construction. Drawing from an extensive survey and listening tour across the US and Canada, involving twelve diverse architecture and engineering firms, the study highlights 25 key challenges impeding adoption. These fall into six interrelated themes: Experience, Cost, Confidence, Sourcing, Policy, and Carbon. Among them, lack of experience and high upfront…

Johns Hopkins University has inaugurated the Bloomberg Student Center in Baltimore, Maryland — a 150,000-square-foot, mass timber facility designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). As the university’s first building dedicated solely to student life, it serves as a vibrant hub for community, creativity, and collaboration on the Homewood campus. Developed with Rockwell Group (interiors), Shepley Bulfinch (executive architect), and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (landscape design), the center comprises 29 interlocking timber volumes beneath cantilevered roofs hosting nearly 1,000 solar panels. These panels are expected to generate half of the building’s power, supporting its target of LEED Platinum certification. Conceived as…

In a striking fusion of resilience and design, AECOM and Thomas Phifer and Partners have reimagined Robert F. Wagner Park in Lower Manhattan. Originally completed in 1996, the 3.5-acre waterfront park has now been transformed to withstand the escalating threat of rising sea levels and extreme weather events. As part of the Battery Park City Resiliency Program, AECOM implemented advanced flood mitigation and stormwater management systems, while Thomas Phifer and Partners designed the Wagner Park Pavilion, a striking concrete structure marked by arched vaults and a vivid red hue. Perched above two sloped terraces, the fully electrified, combustion-free pavilion houses…

Two decades ago, HOK published The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design, at a time when green architecture was still emerging. Today, sustainability is no longer an afterthought—it is embedded in every facet of HOK’s design philosophy and practice. The firm’s approach to resilient, high-performance buildings not only supports clients’ business goals but also promotes the health and well-being of occupants. Each project is meticulously tracked for projected energy performance, aligning with HOK’s commitment to achieve a carbon-neutral design portfolio by 2030. This commitment to measurable impact has earned HOK 10 AIA COTE Awards for Sustainable Design Excellence and the distinction…

In the heart of Melbourne, Arden Station stands as a living example of how architecture can actively contribute to environmental health. Its façade, created with Active Surfaces® by Iris Ceramica Group, transforms sunlight and humidity into powerful tools for air purification. Using innovative ceramic slabs developed in collaboration with the University of Milan, the building continuously neutralizes pollutants, bacteria, and odours—no electricity or maintenance required. The façade doubles as a work of public art inspired by artist Abdul Abdullah’s reinterpretation of J.S. Calder’s 1860 painting “View from Royal Park across West Melbourne Swamp.” Depicting two giant aluminium hands reaching toward…

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has released a new position paper titled “Developing a Strategy for Climate Resilient Buildings”, outlining key strategies for policymakers and industry leaders to strengthen the resilience of buildings and communities against climate-related shocks. Understanding the Urgency With nearly 3.6 billion people already vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and projections suggesting that 1.2 billion could lose their homes by 2050, the need for resilient built environments has never been greater. Each year, more than 30 million people are displaced by extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and wildfires, underscoring the global scale…

The Hamilton Grange National Memorial in Harlem Heights now invites visitors to experience the historic residence of Alexander Hamilton through an immersive virtual tour. Built in 1802, the Grange was Hamilton’s country estate, envisioned as a peaceful retreat from public life and politics. Preserving the Legacy of a Founding Father Located on what was once thirty acres of rural farmland, the Grange became a symbol of Hamilton’s later years—his dedication to family, architecture, and the ideals of the young American republic. The virtual tour recreates this legacy in detail, allowing visitors to explore each room of the restored home, from…

If seeing is believing, then Virtual Reality (VR) is transforming how clients and architects connect through design. Peter Twohy, Founding Principal at Baltimore-based 2e-architects, calls it a renaissance—one that improves collaboration, balances power dynamics among contractors, developers, and architects, and minimizes costly change orders. Redefining Architectural Collaboration Twohy’s firm integrates Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Archicad with Twinmotion to create immersive, real-time VR models for every project. These virtual environments allow clients to experience their future homes in near-life conditions—examining every detail from morning sunlight in the kitchen to evening views from the dining room. A New Dimension in Client…

For architects and designers, 3D architectural rendering is more than a visual aid—it’s a bridge between imagination and reality. From client presentations to project approvals, high-quality 3D visualizations communicate design intent with clarity and impact. Our team highlights 16 standout projects across the USA to inspire architects and clients alike. Pedestrian Bridge – New Orleans, Louisiana A large-scale reconstruction project in New Orleans called for an aerial 3D rendering of a pedestrian bridge. The design integrates an open-air market and public recreation spaces. The visualization captures the bridge in context, emphasizing both scale and seamless integration with the surroundings. Restaurant…