We Remember September 11

New High-Rise Concepts Inspired by 9/11
Can examination of a terrorist attack make safer buildings overall?
Six years after the events of 9/11 unimaginably changed how everyone thinks about building safety, threats and solutions real and imagined have generated a number of new ways to think about tall-building performance. Not surprisingly, one of the first places these new changes have been manifested is right on Ground Zero—at Skidmore Owings and Merrill’s 7 World Trade Center (WTC), across the street from the former site of the original towers.

As Home Energy Costs Remain High, Residential Architects Report That Sustainable Design Motivates Homeowners
Affordability problems drag down first-time buyer market; home improvement activity remains strong
Energy conservation features top the list of homeowner priorities, notes AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker in his quarterly report on the now-struggling housing market. General interest in sustainable “green” features is on the rise. Features and products that promote accessibility around the home continue to capture homeowner interest. Home offices remain the most popular special function room. Overall, the market continues to deteriorate nationally; mostly in the Midwest, with some improvement in the Northeast. The steepest declines are with homes targeted for first-time buyers. Look for a firming in the custom/luxury market, with remodeling remaining relatively strong.