Archive for November, 2009
Measuring Environmental Performance of Green Buildings
Selecting building products based on minimum life cycle economic impacts is relatively straightforward. Products have been bought and sold in the marketplace, which has established their first cost, and sound analytical procedures to quantify life cycle cost have been developed and employed for over 20 years.
Roofing & Siding: Common Defect Allegations
Roofing is a frequent defect allegation.
DETAIL Project of the Month — November 2009
This small, introverted summer house is set in a village on Kyushu, the southernmost of the main islands of Japan. With its unrendered concrete-block walls and restrained details, the building reflects the simplicity and quietness of the location. The internal spaces are enclosed within an outer skin punctuated by simple openings.
Farm Income Collapse Will Weaken Construction Recovery in the Plains States
After soaring in 2007 and again in 2008, farm income has plunged in 2009 with little improvement expected in the next few years. A 30% drop in 2009 farm income is projected by the US Agriculture Department.
Construction Starts Down 3% in October After Seasonal Adjustment
October construction starts increased 6% from September, but the monthly change was a 3% drop after adjusting for the usual seasonal pickup. This is consistent with the Reed Construction Data forecast that starts will slip very slowly lower into the winter and that construction spending will dip slightly more, says Reed Construction Data chief economist Jim Haughey.
