Design firms have to be aware of the changing climate and variable weather patterns when providing services for new capital assets. Such awareness is especially vital when designing facilities in coastal areas. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) annually publishes information on “high-tide flooding.” That refers to tides that reach anywhere from 1.75 to 2 feet... Continue Reading →
Although most design firms are privately owned, they, too, are dramatically impacted by the demand for businesses to address and disclose environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns. Firms face increasing pressure not only from environmentalists and human rights activists, but also from elected officials, regulators, and even their lenders. ESG disclosure is becoming necessary because... Continue Reading →
As the US emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased demand for construction materials—a demand that will surge if Congress ever passes infrastructure revitalization investment legislation. Limited product inventory and ongoing supply change disruptions only compound the issue of swelling demand as this leads to increased construction costs and longer lead times for obtaining materials. In... Continue Reading →
Once again, economic factors have been pushing up the price of construction materials. In some cases, the increase means the costs of materials are soaring, and that means that construction contractors and subcontractors who submit a fixed-price bid are subject to the impact of escalating costs due to material shortages, snarled supply chains, continued tariffs... Continue Reading →
Websites are an integral part of the business of providing professional services. Often, architecture firms exhibit graphic creativity and challenge site visitors to spend time exploring and learning from the site. Engineering firms typically display accomplishments, document client satisfaction, and promote client interaction through their website's interface. However, websites can create problems for businesses ranging... Continue Reading →
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and their 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, the country’s total infrastructure needs over the next 10 years is nearly $6 trillion. After acknowledging various sources of committed funding, ASCE measures the gap to meet those needs as $2.59 trillion. To indicate the payback that infrastructure... Continue Reading →
In the US, putting a capital asset into place has traditionally been a disjointed and inefficient activity. Pressure from clients has forced both design firms and construction contractors to recognize that the process has to work more efficiently. Project teams shifting focus to project success rather than project disputes has resulted in a blurring of the... Continue Reading →
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), which passed both houses of Congress on December 21st and was signed into law on December 27th, includes support for energy efficient design. The 179D energy efficient commercial buildings federal tax deduction (179D), which had been scheduled to expire at the end of 2020, was made permanent. Since 2006,... Continue Reading →
Cushman & Wakefield, the Chicago-based global commercial real estate services firm, has published a series of resources to help offices adapt to the constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and look to the future in planning and operating office space. In September, we published a blog post on the company’s “Recovery Readiness Guide,” which provided... Continue Reading →
The FDA’s approval of COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use will result in employers considering the adoption of mandatory vaccination policies for their employees. Firms operating remotely may attempt to require employees to return to an office location by relying on a mandatory vaccination policy. However, the FDA’s position is that federal law prohibits mandatory use... Continue Reading →
