Construction + Economy

Demand for lighting fixtures in the U.S. will increase 7.5% annually to $25.3 billion in 2016, recovering from the declines of the 2006-2011 period, according to Lighting Fixtures, a new industry study by The Freedonia Group. An expected rebound in building construction activity and improved outlook for motor vehicle production will be important drivers for [...]

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has announced that it will delay ballot on LEED 2012 until June 1, 2013 (or potentially earlier in 2013 if USGBC members and the market indicate readiness for ballot). Because of this date change, LEED 2012 is being renamed LEED v4. In addition to the ballot date change, other [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions slipped to 54.2 in May from 59.1 the previous month and has retreated by a cumulative 18.3 points since reaching a post-recession high in February. Despite its recent slide, the index continues to point to an economic environment conducive to industry growth, as it [...]

After five months of positive readings, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI), produced by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), has fallen into negative terrain. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The AIA reported the April ABI score [...]

After seeing ebbs and flows in each of the four prior quarters, NEMA’s Lighting Systems Index gained 5.2% on a quarter-to-quarter basis during 2012Q1. On a year-over-year basis, the index increased by 3.7%, indicating that aggregate lighting equipment demand has improved appreciably since the recovery began; however it remains well below the levels observed during [...]

The commercial sector continues to lead the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) which has remained in positive territory for the fifth consecutive month. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the March [...]

NEMA’s Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions retreated nearly 13 points in April to 59.1, following a sharp run-up earlier in the year to its highest levels since 2005. Despite the slide seen in the latest month, the index continues to point to an economic environment conducive to industry growth. The [...]

A new report released by the New Buildings Institute (NBI) and the Zero Energy Commercial Building Consortium (CBC) reveals that zero energy commercial buildings—highly efficient buildings that produce as much energy as they use through on-site renewable resources—are cropping up across the United States. The report, “Getting To Zero 2012 Status Update: A First Look [...]

This series of photos published by the Tribeca Trib, a publication covering southern Manhattan, shows a year of progress at the World Trade Center site.