The pandemic has tested the productivity, efficiency, and infrastructure systems to support customer-experience continuity across industries and has opened the door for employees and thought leaders to accelerate AI and ML initiatives, update infrastructure to support a distributed workforce and seek ways to bring their teams together.
 

The world of data centers has evolved rapidly over the years. As more companies house servers off-site, picking the right spot for servers has become more important.
 

Encompassing 500,000 square feet, the repositioning of Willis Tower is one of the most challenging mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) projects of its kind in the United States.
 

COVID-19 is having a massive impact on the construction industry. At this stage, projects can be difficult to complete due to the economic slowdown. Many have even stopped. 
 

Many companies in the wholesale data center industry have restructured their design and procurement processes by introducing competitive bidding to meet shareholder demand.
 

During these times of uncertainty and social distancing, it can be difficult to proceed with important commissioning (Cx) activities, specifically site visits and functional testing as they require travel and interaction in groups. In most states, construction is considered an essential service, but most projects are still proceeding with caution.
 

Long-held assumptions about the best ways to set up corporate office space have been upended amid the coronavirus pandemic.
 

Heads up, energy consumers: If you buy retail electricity or natural gas, “this is one of the best times in history to make that purchase,” says Luke McAuliffe, President of Transparent Energy.
 

The tragic killing of George Floyd once again brings to the forefront the unacceptable treatment of black Americans in our society.
 

As businesses prepare for the workforce’s return to office, employers continue to look for measures that will help build confidence in the workplace and contribute to the wellness of their staff, visitors and guests.
 

As employees return to their corporate offices, they want to know if the air they breathe will infect them with the coronavirus.
 

COVID-19 is a watershed moment for office design. It is a perfect time to rethink assumptions and discuss what the future might look like.
 

Tall buildings are large energy consumers, including both embodied energy and operational energy. How can this energy consumption be kept at a minimum – or even reach net zero?
 

Although some are still trying to understand how the pandemic will reshape the workplace, many professionals do see the value in touchless technologies and are already implementing these technologies in their buildings.
 

With little time to get their properties prepared for tenants coming back to work, building managers need solutions quickly.
 

Building managers and engineers are under intense pressure to get their properties prepared for anxious tenants coming back to work. And ESD is here to help them.
 

In 2019, 151 North Franklin became the nation’s first WELL-certified Core & Shell v1 Gold high-rise.
 

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 challenge, data center executives are tasked with enormous challenges and opportunities.
 

Documents are crucial to the building process.
 

What will change in the world of commercial real estate as we return to work in the built environment?
 

Given the pandemic, it’s the right time to deploy a state-of-the-art indoor air quality (IAQ) program.
 

The health, safety and welfare of our community is paramount to ESD.
 

CREW Chicago is dedicated to advancing the success of women in commercial real estate. And its newest member is excited to help CREW achieve its mission.
 

Chicago passed an energy benchmarking ordinance in 2013 that requires all commercial and residential buildings over 50,000 square feet to report their whole building energy consumption through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to the city on an annual basis.
 

It’s always great when team members volunteer to help an industry group.
 

The technology industry is booming in Chicago. And cohesion – spun out of ESD in 2018 as an independent technology firm – has been recognized as an important part of that burgeoning upswing.
 

Imagine building a hockey rink in a 1970s shopping mall. Or, conversely, building retail shops inside an aging hockey rink.
 

At a women’s networking event, ESD’s Julie DeNardis Lardenoit met another woman from United who also worked at Willis Tower. Together, they decided to create Women of Willis, a network supporting women at Willis Tower and to create a community within the building.
 

Serious college students love to keep learning even during a vacation – and ESD is always happy to serve as a guide to buoy their knowledge.
 

When an alma mater wants you to be significantly involved in the school long after you’ve graduated, that’s an honor.