It may be the middle of summer, but you'd never know from looking around offices, where, on the hottest days of the year, it's not uncommon to see workers wrapped up in sweaters at their desks. As temperatures outside rise, most corporate office buildings become hermetically sealed, air-conditioned ice cubes, forcing workers everywhere to grab a Snuggie. In a study of government office buildings, for instance, 60% of workers complained of thermal stress--that theyre too hot or too cold in their workplace. Why cant we manage to keep offices at a comfortable temperature?

Several things could be causing your building to turn into a frigid tundra every summer, ranging from not enough thermostats to an oversized cooling system to miscalculations about how many people will be in a room (and what they'll be wearing) at any given time. Luckily, there are solutions that don't involve buying a personal space heater.

The more thermostats you have, the more you can control temperature variations throughout a building--someone sitting in direct sunlight has different air conditioning needs than a colleague sitting across the room on a shadier side of the building. But more control comes at a price. "Giving a thermostat to each office requires more wiring," says Georg Reichard, an associate professor of building construction at Virginia Tech. If you're looking to cut costs during the design phase of a new building, that's one of the first things to go. By skimping on the density of thermostats placed throughout the building, developers get a lower price tag, but occupants later pay the price in discomfort and inefficiency.

The HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system may not be designed for the right conditions, either. Electronics are a major source of heat in offices, and air conditioning systems are designed to offset this. In newer office buildings, switching to LED lighting (or LED computer monitors) can lead to cooler temps, because LEDs don't get as hot as other types of lighting, like CFLs. But most buildings don't account for the difference in their estimations of how much a room should be cooled. HVAC systems designed for offices with older lighting technology--regardless of the facility's latest upgrade--are compensating for extra heat that isn't actually being generated, so they end up being much colder than intended. The air coming out of the vent is 10 to 15 degrees colder than the room's target temperature

The speed of the fan pushing air into the room matters, too. "When the flow rate is increased, you perceive the air temperature as much lower," says Joon-Ho Choi, an assistant professor of building science at the University of Southern California. That's why even a bit of a breeze feels so refreshing. But if you're sitting by a vent that's constantly blowing air across your desk, you'll feel colder, even if the air isn't necessarily uncomfortably cold.

Usually, though, the air coming out of the vent is 10 to 15 degrees colder than the room's target temperature--since that flow of air warms up the farther it travels through the warm building. So someone sitting right next to an air conditioning vent might be shopping for a space heater while a few rows away, another employee is sweating.

Of course, personal preferences play a role. Various studies indicate that women may be less tolerant of cold temperatures than men, for one thing. Dress codes make a difference, too. Men who wear full suits to work need the office to be a bit chillier to stay comfortable than women who wear sleeveless dresses.

The industry mainstay as to what is a comfortable temperature may, in fact, be skewed toward the former demographic. ASHRAE Standard 55 is a widely used building code developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers to standardize temperatures of large buildings. Its mathematical model of comfort is calculated according to factors like air temperature, humidity, activity level, and clothing insulation. But often, building temperatures are set using men in suits as the standard occupants, leaving women--and anyone else who wears summer-appropriate attire--out in the cold.

Designers are figuring out ways to make buildings more comfortable in the summer, though. One method is simple: Let people open the windows. When you put people in an enclosed space with only artificial air, they tend to expect for it to feel perfectly comfortable. "When you introduce choice--allow for personalization and control--clients are willing to accept a greater range of temperatures," says Ryan Mullenix, a partner at global architecture firm NBBJ. The firm has used operable windows in several of its commercial projects, including in its Seattle headquarters. To discourage people from opening windows at inopportune times, like during a rainstorm, there's a light system installed in the wall. Based on humidity and air quality, the lights flash green to indicate it's a good time for fresh air, and yellow to indicate that the window should stay closed. Increasing office temperatures led workers to type more and make fewer errors.

For employees who don't have access to an open window, an app and software system called Comfy aims to make it easier to control the office climate. Once hooked up to a building's HVAC system, Comfy acts as kind of a personal thermostat, allowing people to request warmer or cooler air to their zone of the office via smartphone. A pilot program over several seasons at a corporate office in Milwaukee resulted in 23% less energy usage by the HVAC system, according to one of Comfy's designers.

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Why Your Office Is Freezing In The Summer

Dart Realty (Cayman) Ltd. says PwC Cayman Islands, a member firm of one of the world's largest professional services networks, will anchor 18 Forum Lane, an 85,000-square-foot office and retail building under construction in Camana Bay.

CAMANA BAY, Cayman IslandsDart Realty (Cayman) Ltd. says PwC Cayman Islands, a member firm of one of the world's largest professional services networks, will anchor 18 Forum Lane, an 85,000-square-foot office and retail building under construction in Camana Bay.

The building is slated to become the Caribbean's first mixed-use commercial property to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Executives from Dart Realty and PwC announced the news during a topping out ceremony for the building. Simultaneously, Dart Realty launched workatcamanabay.com, a website dedicated to the growing office portfolio at the landmark new urbanism community.

"With nearly 175 employees and over 40 years' experience in the Cayman Islands, PwC exemplifies the world class firms that have chosen Camana Bay as the place to locate and grow their business," said Jackie Doak, chief operating officer of Dart Realty. "It is a privilege to welcome such a prestigious financial services firm to the Camana Bay community."

Since Camana Bay opened its first buildings in 2007, corporate demand for office space within the Town Centre has exceeded expectations. The market has reacted with enthusiasm to the mixed-use development that integrates global business with a real sense of Caribbean community, and existing office space is nearly 95% leased. Dart Realty commenced construction of 18 Forum Lane as a speculative project and quickly attracted the attention of PwC, which committed to a 26,000-square-foot lease to be the anchor tenant. The building, which was designed by world leader in sustainable architecture Lake|Flato, is scheduled to open in early 2015.

"When we announced our plans to move to Camana Bay, staff morale immediately changed and everybody sensed the excitement around the office," said Peter Small, Partner at PwC Cayman Islands. "With all of the lawyers and accountants Camana Bay has a strong professional aspect, but it also factors in family with schools, restaurants and different options in a modern and upscale environment; it's a major town square. It's a good decision to be in Camana Bay."

With the addition of 18 Forum Lane, Camana Bay's office portfolio will exceed 385,000 square feet. It currently comprises 94 Solaris Avenue, 62 Forum Lane and 89 Nexus Way, as well as office suites encircling Camana Bay's lushly landscaped courtyards on Market Street. Buildings overlook artful gardens or the Camana Bay Harbour, some with sea-to-sea views from North Sound to Seven Mile Beach. At $50 per square foot for prime waterfront spaces, these offices command rates commensurate with leading markets and financial centers.

Camana Bay continues to advance its focus on long-term sustainability and raise the standards for commercial real estate in the region, offering both Cayman Islands companies and international firms office space on par with that found in world capitals.

"The pursuit of LEED Gold certification for 18 Forum Lane is representative of Ken Dart's vision for Camana Bay to be the most sustainable, livable community in the Caribbean," said Doak. "With every phase of the town's 50-year development plan, we strive to integrate the latest advances in energy efficiency with artful design while offering the best in Caribbean living, shopping, dining and entertainment a short walk away."

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Anchor Tenant Landed for Camana Bay Mixed-Use

The historic CBS broadcasting facility in Hollywood where George Burns and Gracie Allen once did shtick on the radio will soon be repopulated with entrepreneurs starting new creative businesses.

Developers of a $390-million residential, office and retail complex under construction on Sunset Boulevard called Columbia Square have agreed to rent the existing former CBS building on the site to NeueHouse, a New York operator of avant garde communal office space.

NeueHouse, as conceived by New York venture capitalists Joshua Abram and Alan Murray, intends to take the incubator-office concept a step further by designing an environment where strangers can work independently or come together serendipitously.

Abram and Murray, veteran tech entrepreneurs, envision creating a series of spaces and amenities that cater to individual entrepreneurs and teams of as many as 20 people in the creative arts such as film, design, publishing, the performing arts and technology.

"What we are doing is fairly radical," Abram said. "We are trying to truly reinvent how talented people in global creative industries work together."

The first NeueHouse opened last year in a century-old building across the street from the Park Avenue Armory in New York's Upper East Side. The industrial-chic interior was designed by architect David Rockwell, who is now working on a plan for the old CBS property.

Rockwell is kicking around design possibilities with noted Los Angeles architect Frank Gehry, the designer of Walt Disney Concert Hall, Abram said.

"David has been collaborating on some ideas with Gehry's office," Abram said.

The name NeueHouse is a joining of the German word for new and house and is pronounced "noy-house." Those who want to use the space become members, similar to joining a health club.

Among the charter members of the New York NeueHouse were English music producer Chris Blackwell of Island Records and Jefferson Hack, founder of the British fashion and culture magazine Dazed & Confused.

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Communal office space firm rents CBS building in Hollywood

Senate office building, target of GOP, moves ahead ST. PAUL Minnesota finance officials plan to sell $85.3 million in bonds next week to pay for construction of a Senate office building that has become a political flash point.

The Department of Minnesota Management and Budget advertised the sale Tuesday and said it would be tentatively held on Aug. 5. State officials plan to begin construction of the four-story building near the Capitol within a few days of the sale.

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Around the state

It has been more than a decade since a new commercial office building was built in downtown Columbia, a drought some say contributed to a vapid atmosphere downtown.

David Costello knows the story, and the environment, all too well because his company, Costello Construction, was the last to build an office structure more than 12 years ago.

"It's starting to become more vibrant, but it was dead. It was dead for 10 years," said Costello, whose offices are located on the downtown lakefront. "I sit at my office and look out and won't see anybody for three or four hours at a time."

On Tuesday, Costello and his business partner, Kingdon Gould Jr., a 90-year-old developer and former U.S. ambassador, took a step toward reviving the area by breaking ground on Little Patuxent Square -- a nine-story, $75 million mixed-use commercial building to be built on a vacant lot between the lakefront and the Columbia Mall.

Costello said the project is a true mixed-use. It will house 160 condominium units and 160,000 square feet of office and retail. He said 120,000 square feet of the project has been pre-leased to a Maryland-based technology company, but did not disclose the name.

The project also will house 740 below-ground parking spaces. It is expected to be complete in July2016.

Development of the site has been a long time coming and has caused anxiety among residents. A former owner proposed building a 22-story building on the site, but eventually abandoned the plan, which was opposed, after encountering financial troubles during the recession.

The property sat idle until Costello bought it in 2012 and began working on the current project. He said the ground-breaking signifies a new beginning for downtown.

"It means more to me, frankly, as a member of the community than it does as a business person. And I mean that sincerely," Costello said. "I love the fact that it means more people. It means we are bringing people, bringing jobs, bringing commerce. As a guy who sits in a desk 100 yards away, I want to see people."

Gould said he like the idea of developing in Columbia and that he thought it was ideal for this kind of project.

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Columbia developer breaks ground on 9-story complex downtown

On the seven-acre parcel that is 150 Monument Road in Bala Cynwyd today, there is a six-story office building, surrounded by a veritable sea of parking lot pretty typical of the pattern of development in Lower Merion Townships prime commercial corridor over the past several decades.

That office-park environment would have a new look more in keeping with the townships vision for the area, however, under a redevelopment plan starting its way through the approval process.

Keystone Property Groups tentative sketch plan for a new six-story, 207-unit apartment building on a part of the property took its first step forward Monday night.

With a number of questions it wants to see answered at the next stage, the Lower Merion Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the sketch plan. Co-Chairman Alan Ritterband, who was present for the meeting, recused himself in the vote. His co-chairman, Charles Howland, was absent.

The plan moves forward for review by the Building and Planning Committee of the board of commissioners Wednesday night.

In addition to the new residential building the second apartment project to come forward since rezoning of the City Avenue district in 2012 the plan calls for renovation of the office buildings exterior and construction of a four-story, 272-space parking garage to partially replace surface parking.

A commercial space of about 4,000 square feet, intended for a restaurant tenant, will front the parking structure on Monument Road.

The apartment building will contain another 207 parking spaces for residents, part of a total on site of 673.

In a presentation to the commission, attorney Carl Primavera, representing Keystone Properties, said the company acquired the property from previous owner Mack-Cali as that company opted to sell some of its suburban office portfolio to enter into the residential market. An association with Mack-Cali will continue, as a subsidiary, Roseland Property, develops the new multi-family building.

The projects architect said the apartment mix will be 60-percent one-bedroom units, with the remainder two-bedroom and a small number three-bedroom. Asked what tenant market it will be geared to, Keystone Senior Vice President Richard Gottlieb said the apartments would be at the upper end of the price scale. Continued...

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Proposed Bala Cynwyd apartment project moves ahead

Neosho, MO (PRWEB) July 29, 2014

Farrell Construction was recently honored in April 2014 with the 2013 National Building of the Year award by Metallic Building Company for their design-build project for Crowder College's satellite office in Jane, Mo. Farrell Construction received the award at a recent Metallic National Sales Meeting in Carlsbad, Cali. Farrell Construction has claimed this award for the second year in a row.

The steel construction project on the Crowder College campus features the newest look of modern metal building design. The new building on the college campus features a 1:12 single slope roof, Double-Lok roof panels, a partial mezzanine and a high-side eave extension.

Cory Farrell,Vice President of Farrell Construction said, The building has a modern feel and look. Thats the direction we are going in now to showcase how metal buildings can be constructed with a very contemporary look.

"Farrell Construction was a great team to work with and gave shape to our beautiful building," said Pam Hudson, director of Crowder College. "Today, as I walk through this wonderful little campus in my mind I see the frame workthe bones set in place by Farrell Constructionthey created a simply amazing thing."

"Farrell Construction worked with us to ensure the goals of an on-time, on-budget, high-quality building were met. The overall project had a very tight schedule," said Jeff Gattis, Senior Project Manager with Nabholz Construction.

Of the thousands of projects per year, a mere two dozen are nominated for national awards. The nominated projects are then considered candidates for merit awards.

At Farrell Construction, building isnt just a profession; its the way of life. Family owned and operated since 1976, the team has decades of combined experience to help clients where it matters most. As the area leader in commercial steel building projects throughout the four-state region, Farrell is proud of the fact they have been helping businesses big and small with all of their construction needs for years. Whether its a commercial, manufacturing, warehousing, or agricultural project, Farrell Construction strives to offer the highest quality at the lowest possible price. Learn more at farrcon.com.

Metallic Building Company manufactures custom-engineered metal buildings of the highest caliber. The company serves its markets with a strong builder base and has more than 3.5 million square feet of manufacturing space strategically located throughout the U.S. and in Mexico. Metallics continued success can be attributed to a focus on customer service that results in lasting business relationships. With unparalleled expertise and financial strength, Metallic remains one of the most trusted and respected manufacturers of custom metal buildings in the industry. Established in 1946, Metallic is one of the five original founders of the MBMA. Metallic is a leading division of NCI Building Systems, one of the largest integrated manufacturers and marketers of custom-engineered metal buildings. For more information, visit metallic.com.

Located near Neosho, Mo., Crowder College is a two-year state community college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association. Approximately 5,800 students enrolled at Crowder College during the fall 2013 semester. For more information, visit crowder.edu.

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Farrell Construction Earns National Building of the Year Award

DGAP-News: alstria office REIT-AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous alstria office REIT-AG: alstria records substantial asset management success in Ditzingen/Stuttgart

28.07.2014 / 17:34

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Press release

alstria records substantial asset management success in Ditzingen/Stuttgart

- New 20-year lease with leading German DIY chain Hagebau

- Creating additional value from unused land

Hamburg, July 28, 2014 - alstria office REIT-AG (symbol: AOX, ISIN: DE000A0LD2U1), the leading German office REIT, announces that it has agreed to develop a 10,000 sqm building on its asset Siemensstrasse 31-33 in Ditzingen near Stuttgart, which will be leased by an operator of the leading German DYI chain Hagebau.

alstria and Hagebau, one of the leading do-it-yourself stores in Germany, have agreed on the construction and long-term lease of a building supply store in Ditzingen. The lease contract will have a maturity of 20 years and is planned to start early 2016. alstria will develop the new 10,000 sqm do-it-yourself store making use of available land in Siemensstrasse 31-33, Ditzingen. The transaction was brokered by Ellwanger & Geiger Team Industrie und Logistikimmobilien.

The lease to Hagebau is alstria's second success for the asset in Ditzingen this year. In June 2014 the Company signed an early lease extension and a partial lease-up of vacant office space with the main tenant for the existing office building in Siemensstrasse 31-33. The new lease contract has a maturity of five years and comprises around 10,200 sqm of office and ancillary space, bringing the occupancy rate of the asset to 100%.

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DGAP-News: alstria office REIT-AG: alstria records substantial asset management success in Ditzingen/Stuttgart

BUILDING PERMITS

Building construction permits over $10,000 in value that were approved in Boulder between Jul. 14, 2014 to Jul. 20, 2014. Listed below are: the case number; address; total project valuation; owner name; contractor (if applicable); and description.

PMT2014-00410 3701 Paseo Del Prado; $1,802,926.83; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; Building A: Construction of new two-story, seven-unit townhome building over crawlspace with seven attached single car garages. Total finished area of 8,550 square feet, total garage area of 1,701 square feet. Units to have two beds, two and a half baths. Includes MEP. See PMT2014-00508 for site work.

PMT2014-00415 3689 Paseo Del Prado; $772,682.93; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; Building E Wonderland Creek Townhomes: New, three-unit, two-story townhome over crawlspace. Each unit to have two and a half baths, second floor balconies, Units 1 and 3 to have three bedrooms, Unit 2 to have two bedrooms. Detached garages through separate permits.

PMT2014-00416 3685 Paseo Del Prado; $1,802,926.83; WCT LLC; Wyatt Construction Co. Inc.; Building B: Construction of new two-story, seven-unit townhome building over crawlspace with seven attached single-car garages. Total finished area of 8,550 square feet, total garage area of 1,701 square feet. Units to have two beds, two and a half baths. Includes MEP.

PMT2014-00417 3657 Paseo Del Prado; $1,802,926.83; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc; Building C: Construction of new 2-story 7 unit townhome building over crawlspace with 7 attached single car garages. Total finished area of 8,550 square feet, total garage area of 1,701 square feet. Units to have 2 beds, 2.5 baths. Includes MEP.

PMT2014-00418 3683 Paseo Del Prado; $772,682.93; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; Building F Wonderland Creek Townhomes: New, three-unit, two-story townhome over crawlspace. Each unit to have two and a half baths, second floor balconies, two bedrooms. Detached garages through separate permits.

PMT2014-00419 3665 Paseo Del Prado; $772,682.93; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; Building G Wonderland Creek Townhomes: New, three-unit, two-story townhome over crawlspace. Each unit to have two and a half baths, second floor balconies, two bedrooms. Detached garages through separate permits.

PMT2014-00420 3641 Paseo Del Prado; $2,060,487.80; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; Building D: Construction of new two-story, eight-unit townhome building the end unit is to be a type A accessible unit over crawlspace with seven attached single-car garages and one carport. Total finished area of 9,437 square feet, total garage area of 1,701 square feet, and total carport area of 315 square feet. Units to have two beds, two and a half baths. Includes MEP.

PMT2014-00421 3653 Paseo Del Prado; $772,682.93; WCT LLC; Dohn Construction Inc.; Building H Wonderland Creek Townhomes: New, three-unit, two-story townhome over crawlspace. Each unit to have two and a half baths, second floor balconies, two bedrooms. Detached garages through separate permits.

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Boulder building permits: July 28, 2014

Downtown Davenport is becoming one of the hottest Quad-City addresses as developers race to snap up some of the area's solid, but tired, office and warehouse buildings to reinvent themas loft housing.

In the past year alone, dozens of new apartments have been carved out of iconic buildings including The Renwick, Wells Fargo bank building, Peterson Paper and, only weeks ago, the former Democrat newspaper office building.

According to Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, these and other projects that have opened in recent years represent nearly $31 million in new investment in the downtown core. Plus, nearly another 300 units part of an expected $113 million in new investment planned over the next two years are on the drawing board or under construction.

"We're creeping up on 1,000 (total) units downtown," he said, adding that the downtown will crack the number when some of those projects under construction are completed. Just a few include Union Arcade, which will add 68 units; The Lofts at Pershing Hills, 60 units; Halligan Coffee Building, 45 units; Market Lofts, 37 units; and Alexander Co.'s latest warehouse lofts at 500 Iowa St., 33 units.

Carter credits Alexander Cos. for launching the warehouse district's revival with Crescent Lofts, but he never forgets to applaud developers such as Jim Thomson who were creating downtown apartments before it was the thing to do. Thomson's early projects included The Davenport and The Berg. He now is part of a partnership renovating the United Cigar Building. "He was the first," Carter added.

But other developers alsoare leaving their mark, including Amrit and Amy Gill, whose Restoration St. Louis and Front Door Iowa companies have renovatedproperties such as Hotel Blackhawk, Forrest Block, Renwick and sometime in December, Market Lofts on Pershing Avenue. The Gills also are behind a planned $60 million City Square projectthat will transform a half-city block that houses the former Parker and Putnam buildings along 2nd Street.

Amy Gill said the volume of available downtown inventory has helped fuel some of the resurgence. "I don't think it will keep going forever. But I do think it's indicative of the fact there is great stock of buildings down there and they are all pretty interesting and cool. To find them vacant and in relatively good shape, that is relatively unusual."

But Carter said the number of available properties prime for redevelopment is dwindling. "There are only a couple in the core of downtown left before we start focusing on the west side from Ripley to Brown streets." Since the warehouse lofts, the hotel's historic renovation and projects such as Forrest Block, he said "it's been a mad dash to build these as fast as we can."

Since last summer, two projects to open their doors are The Renwick and the Democrat Lofts. Located on opposite corners of 4th and Brady streets, the two are finding tenants from all walks of life whoare eager to become downtown dwellers.

The Democrat Lofts a $6 million historic renovation by Bettendorf developers Tim Baldwin and Pat Sherman has only seven units still available for lease, said Danielle Boulton, area manager for Bluffstone, which manages the lofts. In fact, over a two-day period last week, she had five new leases signed. ''It's been fast-paced, but they sell themselves. We're very modern with a historic twist.''

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Loft projects race to finish line in downtown Davenport