Downturn Dooms Showcase Skyscrapers
from BusinessWeek
 They were certainly heady years. In cities like Shanghai, Moscow and Dubai, the urban landscape was re-invented at breakneck speed. Revolving construction cranes dominated skylines and economic growth was measured in the number of stories a building had. It was a high-stakes gamble involving money, steel and glass. In the new urbanism, nothing could happen quickly enough, nor could anything be praised loudly enough. Numerous entities had their fingers in the pie of each major deal, from banks to investors to brokers. There were no limits to the business savvy and the flows of capital involved. More
Small Businesses Cut Costs by Renegotiation
from The Wall Street Journal
Small companies are finding that almost everything is renegotiable these days. The economic downturn is prompting business owners—by necessity or by opportunity—to re-examine contracts with suppliers, vendors or landlords and come up with creative deals. And in many cases, they are saving a substantial sum of money.
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New Trends in Europe Using Glass in Architectural Design
from Construction & Maintance News
Italy's foremost private media company has recently carried out an important face-lift to its headquarters, setting a new example of architectural innovation and becoming a communication emblem. The dominating element of the design is its impressive ventilated curved façade with a "double-skin" in laminated safety glass and DuPont SentryGlas interlayer. The outcome is a work of art for the most important media company in Italy that features a striking visual impact and also acts as enduring protection for the building. More
Singapore Unfurls a Sail-Shaped Green Skyscraper
from Inhabitat
A luminous sail-shaped skyscraper is nearing completion in Singapore, proving that there’s always room to grow despite the constraints of urban density. Designed by NBBJ Architects, The Sail @ Marina Bay consists of two smoothly sculpted skyscrapers inspired by the sun, wind and water. Due for completion later this year, the project is expected to earn Singapore’s Gold Standard of Sustainability badge. More
Three valuable FM events for the price of ONE!
Take a break from the winter chill and join your peers in sunny San Diego for IFMA’s FM-3D Conference, which combines three high-level learning and networking events into one comprehensive package. This February 23-25, the most dynamic speakers in the industry will deliver all new content relevant to the issues and concerns you face as a facility professional, including the economy, sustainability and leading in the "new" global workplace. Develop strategies to navigate the economic crisis, and acquire valuable CEUs.
Best Practices Forum | Monday, Feb. 23, 2009
Sustainability Summit | Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009
Management Summit | Wednesday, Feb. 25 2009
Register Today!
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Product Showcase: LogiSon Acoustic Network
 More than 70 percent of employees say they would be more productive if their workplace was quieter. The LogiSon Acoustic Network increases speech privacy and reduces disruptions by introducing a masking sound that makes conversations and noises more difficult, or impossible, to hear. It’s a cost-effective method of improving overall acoustic comfort. More info
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Mobile Evolution Helping to Redefine ‘Workplace’
from Network World
This year, for the first time ever, more people in the world will have a mobile phone than a land line. Mobile devices outnumber personal computers by three to one, credit cards by two to one and TVs by two to one. IBM's Institute for Business Value predicted the number of mobile Internet users will grow 191 percent from 2006 to 2011, to reach a billion. Against this backdrop, work is becoming less and less defined as a place that you go, and is more defined by what you do. There has been a rapid shift in workplace dynamics recently, with knowledge workers outside the traditional office boundaries much more frequently. Given the increase in the number of remote workers and the growing trend for individuals to work on-the-go, there is a resulting need to be connected and to interact with business-critical information wherever you are—whether it's visiting customers, tele-working or accessing information in the manufacturing plant about customer orders or product performance. More
National Studies Show Green Building as Key Part of America’s Economic Future
from Sustainable Facility
Even as the dire financial news continues to dominate year-end headlines, a cascade of newly released studies and reports points to green building as one of the growing bright spots for the U.S. economy, the U.S. Green Building Council reports. In fact, as economic experts call for a recovery plan focused on green jobs and infrastructure, as consumers look to live in more economically sustainable homes, as businesses strive to cut operating costs, and as our national security needs depend on an end to reliance on foreign energy sources, green buildings’ ability to deliver solutions to these pressing challenges promises to change the way we view the building industry. More
 MANAGE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND REDUCE COSTS, NOW EnerGXpert, an IFMA CSP, has been helping over 500 organizations such as Coors, Pepsi Center and Children’s Hospital’s for over 7 years. Learn how you can manage your energy consumption and identify cost savings opportunities through our simple web based tools. TO RECEIVE A FREE SAMPLE INTERACTIVE REPORT or for a product demo, e-mail gene@energxpert.com or call (800)303-9890 x710. Visit our Web site at www.energxpert.com
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Growth in Energy Use Could Drop 22 Percent by 2030 Under Right Conditions: Report
from Greener Buildings
With the help from efficiency programs, energy users in the U.S. could reduce the growth rate of consumption by 22 percent in the next 20 years—a reduction equivalent to 14 times the electricity used annually in New York City, according to a new report. The report released by the Electric Power Research Institute said the estimated reduction is a realistic expection provided that "key barriers" are addressed. More
Flexible Work Hours Often Snubbed
from Science Alert
Most organizations' flexible work policies sit idly in policy documents, employees too uncomfortable to implement them because they might be frowned upon by employers or co-workers for deviating from the workplace "culture." But, says Professor Lisa Bradley, head of QUT's School of Management, who has extensively researched the use of flexible work practices in the construction industry, bosses who don't make it "okay" in the workplace culture to call upon flexible work policies could be missing out. More
'One Million Jobs in Wind Power' by 2010
from Guardian.co.uk
One million people will be employed in the world wind-power industry by the end of the decade, despite the impact of the financial crisis, it was recently forecast. Amid predictions that the world would need to install one new turbine every 25 minutes to reach global renewables targets, energy experts at a green summit in Abu Dhabi said the sector had maintained a near 30 percent annual growth rate in 2008 and was heading for further success. More
 Bradley’s NEW AerixTM hand dryers are the only adjustable speed hand dryer in the USA. Turn the speed up for fast drying at the sports center, school or water park. Turn down for quiet operation at the library or museum. Aerix hand dryers suit all applications. Call 800.BRADLEY for information or visit – www.bradleycorp.com/aerix
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Austin Adopts 'Zero-Waste' Plan
from Greener Building
Austin, Texas seeks to go "zero waste or darn near" it according to drafters of the proposal adopted by the city. The city has committed to reducing per capita solid waste sent to landfills and incinerators by 20 percent by 2012 and diverting 90 percent by 2040.
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