The news is out that 151 North Franklin in Chicago, developed by The John Buck Company, became the first high-rise building in the United States to earn the WELL v1 Core & Shell Gold certification. But how did it happen?
 

Why don’t sprinkler systems work as intended? Human activity (or lack of it) often is behind a malfunctioning sprinkler system.
 

With the advent of the Internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence and robotics, the threat to cybersecurity has entered a new stage in which risks to privacy, integrity and availability are amplified.
 

With the demand for data centers growing in the Asia-Pacific region, it’s important for firms to get into the market quickly. But what challenges need to be overcome when speed-to-market is a factor?
 

Great news for buildings using ENERGY STAR to benchmark and earn recognition for energy performance: Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed its months-long review of its current ENERGY STAR scoring model for office spaces, which was implemented in August 2018 and which caused scores in office buildings to drop, particularly in cold climates.
 

During any worthwhile endeavor, roadblocks will arise. The same is true when creating smart buildings – but the roadblocks are always worth surmounting.
 

A troubling trend that’s beginning to emerge is cryptojacking campaigns that use Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as routers and cameras.
 

Water penetration and condensation can cripple a building – especially data centers.
 

Companies across the United States could save roughly $1 billion annually in energy costs by replacing 10-to-20-ton rooftop air conditioning units (RTU) with ones that meet the high performance RTU specification.
 

Data center capacity has been increasing at a fast rate around the world. But plenty of challenges exist that put into question the sustainability of the boom.
 

With the recent news about Hurricane Dorian’s path of destruction in the Bahamas and along the North Carolina coast, it’s a good time for denizens of the commercial real estate industry to remember the impact weather can have.
 

Over the past decade, data center infrastructures have evolved, welcoming hyperscalers and cloud companies. As this transition has accelerated in recent years alongside technology, are the ideas of building intelligently and efficiently keeping pace?
 

When will net zero energy (NZE) be a code requirement? How do the various NZE certifications differ? Can a large-scale commercial building achieve NZE?
 

ESD’s values are to respect everyone, work hard and play to win – and all three will be employed at this year's Canstruction Chicago event.
 

An outdated, centralized grid infrastructure hampers energy use in the United States.
 

ESD’s dedication to a efficiency was a driver of our first InnovationFest.
 

Improving Society Through the Built Environment is ESD’s mission, and a dedication to reducing consumption and utility costs in buildings fits perfectly into that calling.
 

Cooling towers can be the largest water consumers in commercial buildings, but they also represent one of the best sources for water conservation.
 

Utilities feed buildings. Understanding a building’s diet is the first step to controlling it.
 

When a fee for building envelope commissioning (BECx) is being reviewed by clients, oftentimes they scratch their heads, wondering: What exactly are the LEED v4 BECx requirements, why are they of value and can BECx be executed on a budget?
 

ESD has seen solid growth in its mission critical work – a fact noted by a national publication.
 

Steve Fink has joined ESD in the role of Practice Leader – Financial Services.
 

ESD is moving up in the world of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection engineering.
 

Earning accreditations involves a lot of hard work. In ESD’s Energy+Eco group, three team members have recently added to their expertise by procuring new ones.
 

For many years, ESD – an international leader in the engineering design of high-performance buildings, mission critical facilities and workplaces – has worked on projects in New York City. This month, we opened an office there to serve a growing number of clients on the East Coast.
 

Carlos Rivera, the longest-tenured employee in ESD history, is retiring after 49 years on the job on Wednesday, July 3.
 

Data centers have been increasingly important to Illinois, providing thousands of jobs and supplying crucial storage space for scores of companies. Chicago, in fact, ranks third in the country for data center capacity, according to the Chicago Tribune.
 

COHESION, an intelligent building software company, announced its launch in The John Buck Company’s 155 North Wacker skyscraper in downtown Chicago this week.
 

The ACE Chicago Mentor Program takes a hands-on approach to helping students learn about careers in architecture, construction, engineering and related professions.
 

It’s great when a for-profit firm and non-profit organization can collaborate and learn from each other.