Better Buildings Initiative reaches $1.9B in total energy, cost savings

Organizations that have signed on to the U.S. Department of Energy program are on track to reduce their energy consumption by 20% by 2020.

By Mary Tyler March • May 24, 2017

Mass timber 101: Understanding the emerging building type

Tall wood building is gaining traction in the U.S., and a possible code update could soon take it to new heights, says Perkins+Will's Building Technology Lab director.

By Hallie Busta • May 24, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Search for housing affordability drives growth in the suburbs

Developers are meeting millennials in the middle by offering communities in outlying areas with amenities and other services in a walkable distance.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 23, 2017

Officials approve $670M master-planned community in Seattle suburb

The project will feature a lake peninsula as well as 1,500 homes, a hotel, retail space and an 850,000-square-foot lifestyle center.

By Kim Slowey • May 22, 2017

8 city mobile apps driving citizen engagement

Many major cities have leveraged smartphones to communicate about everything from pets to potholes.

By Jackie Snow • May 18, 2017

A push for prefab: Why offsite construction methods are moving to the mainstream

A recent announcement from Marriott International is helping to legitimize the small but growing segment of the industry.

By Kim Slowey • May 18, 2017

A place to call home: How better design can aid the mission of supportive housing

The architects behind Washington, DC's La Casa discuss how they used design and programming to help build a supportive living space for the formerly homeless.

By Mary Tyler March • May 18, 2017

ACEEE: 32 cities improve energy efficiency score; Boston tops list

Boston, New York and Seattle topped the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's biannual scorecard that ranks 51 U.S. cities on energy-saving efforts.

By Kristin Musulin , Jackie Snow • May 16, 2017

Are energy-efficient building technologies reaching their stride?

Thirty or so years from now, building technologies may look as basic and antiquated as a Commodore 64 PC does when compared to smartphones.

By Tom Machinchick • May 16, 2017

This housing development in Buffalo, NY has its eye on millennials

The project will use affordable rents, access to public transportation, electric vehicle charging and a wellness center to draw younger residents to the Rust Belt city.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 16, 2017

Tesla, Green Mountain Power roll out $15/month BTM battery program

Customers of Green Mountain Power can have backup power for their entire home at a relatively low price, thanks to Tesla's software and battery improvements.

By Robert Walton • May 16, 2017

Amazon's new Seattle office building to include space for a local homeless shelter

The online retail giant is expected to break ground on the six-story building later this year, and the shelter, Mary's Place, will utilize 47,000 square feet.

By Kim Slowey • May 11, 2017

10 tips for proactive facility fire planning (even if you don't think you need them)

One takeaway from a WasteExpo panel: The most well-run facilities are not immune to fires — and operators are not helping themselves by pretending otherwise.

By Cole Rosengren • May 11, 2017

How architects and builders can combat sea level rise through design

Architects and engineers are taking the lead to come up with creative methods to tackle the looming threat facing waterfront properties.

By Kim Slowey • May 11, 2017

Storage developer Sunverge pairs up with PetersenDean for energy storage offering

PetersenDean will pair Sunverge's energy management platform with its rooftop solar arrays to help customers curtail bills and provide backup power. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • May 11, 2017

Tesla announces it will open pre-orders for solar roof shingles today

The news comes a little later than expected as the electric car maker continues its foray into residential rooftop solar.

By Hallie Busta • May 10, 2017

How DC's MLK Library is being upgraded for the present with a nod to the past

Martinez+Johnson principal Tom Johnson explains how the project team will honor the original Mies van der Rohe design while making room for new tech and spaces.

By Mary Tyler March • May 10, 2017

Rare patch of for-sale land could bring more housing to Seattle

Though it’s uncertain who will buy the 17.8-acre parcel and what they will do with it, the land could hold up to 90 single-family homes — a boon to the city's tight market.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 10, 2017

Atlanta makes room for tiny houses with zoning change

Citing housing affordability concerns, City Council members voted to update zoning rules to allow for accessory dwelling units on lots already zoned for duplexes.

By Mary Tyler March • May 10, 2017

NYC issues preliminary climate resiliency design guidelines

The guide aims to help city agencies, architects and engineers minimize the effects of climate change as they plan their construction projects. 

By Kim Slowey • May 9, 2017

New NOAA tool shows which US counties are at risk for future flooding

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Explorer can help builders decide where and how to build based on climate-change risks.

By Mary Tyler March • May 9, 2017

US mayors launch task force to shape Trump's infrastructure plans

The group, led by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, will attempt to help align the administration's future proposal with the cities' priorities.

By Kim Slowey • May 9, 2017

California's storage incentive program opens to strong battery demand

Tesla and AMS lead in allocations for large-scale storage in the first round of SGIP allocations. 

By Peter Maloney • May 5, 2017

Brookfield Residential adds Apple HomeKit to smart tech lineup

The builder's move follows its rollout of Amazon Alexa to some homes in Northern Virginia last year as consumer demand for voice control grows.

By Katy Tomasulo • May 5, 2017

Columbus, OH leads Midwestern US cities in solar power payoff

Homes furnished with solar installations sold for more than those without in these 10 markets, according to Redfin. 

By Mary Tyler March • May 4, 2017