November Construction Slides 11%

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $417.6 billion, new construction starts in November dropped 11% from October’s elevated pace, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

October Construction Jumps 12%

The value of new construction starts advanced 12% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $469.8 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Stalled Construction Projects and Financing Report

The construction industry is one of the most volatile sectors in the U.S. economy, and as such benefits greatly from economic expansions and suffers greatly in economic downturns. The most recent economic cycle has been particularly devastating for the construction industry. Since the end of 2008, construction spending in the U.S. has declined by more than a quarter, or by almost $300 billion, with the loss in this sector alone accounting for a 2% decline in the size of the U.S. economy.

September Construction Slips 1%

New construction starts in September receded 1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $419.5 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

August Construction Climbs 8%

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $424.7 billion, new construction starts in August advanced 8%, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Big Jump for Architectural Billings Index

At last, some good economic news: The AIA announced today that the Architectural Billings Index leapt to 51.4 in August, up considerably from July’s 45.1 (a score above 50 denotes a billings increase). The inquiries score also rose, to 56.9, following 53.7 the month prior.

Jefferson County Sends Refinancing Plan to Alabama Legislature

Alabama’s legislature will go into special session in November to enact laws for Jefferson County – its largest and home of Birmingham – to refinance $3.14 billion in sewer debt that threatened the nation’s largest municipal bankruptcy.

Harvard First University to Boast 50 LEED Certifications

Graced with four centuries’ worth of historic buildings, the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts may seem an unlikely place to look for cutting-edge sustainable design. In addition to its historic charm, though, Harvard has the highest number of LEED-certified buildings of any college or university—53 and counting, according to a recent announcement from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Obama Signs Highway-Transit, FAA Extensions

The path wasn't smooth, but Congress has approved a measure extending federal highway, transit and aviation programs--and the taxes that finance them. President Obama signed the measure on Sept. 16.

A Grand Opening for Renzo Piano's Controversial Expansion at Ronchamp Chapel

Journalists, officials, and curious locals gathered last week at Le Corbusier’s chapel of Notre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, France, to celebrate the opening of a quiet new visitors’ center and convent designed by Renzo Piano—a project that incited fierce debate when it was first announced in 2008.

Construction Keeps Up Its Push for 3% Withholding Repeal

The engineering and construction industry is continuing to urge Congress to repeal government agencies' 3% contract withholding mandate, now set to take effect Jan. 1, 2013.

Climate Change Could Double Need for Flood Insurance

A long-delayed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report warns that rising sea levels and extreme weather caused by climate change may cause a 40–45 percent increase within the next 90 years of U.S. land area vulnerable to flooding.

Santiago Calatrava Pulls Out of Denver Airport Expansion Project

Last summer, Denver International Airport officials announced, with great fanfare, the selection of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to design a $650 million expansion, including a 500-room hotel, public plaza, and commuter-rail station.

Solar Powered Cooling System Helped Qatar Land 2022 World Cup

DOHA, Qatar--Qatar has embarked on a campaign to silence critics who claim the tiny desert nation is too hot to host the 2022 World Cup, relying on an expensive effort that supporters say could one day expand the reach of football's premier event into other arid regions.

July Construction Retreats 10%

The value of new construction starts dropped 10% in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $394.7 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

June Construction Jumps 15%

New construction starts in June climbed 15% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $436.8 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

May Construction Slides 6%

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $376.1 billion, new construction starts in May dropped 6% from the previous month, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

April Construction Unchanged From Prior Month

New construction starts in April were reported at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $400.2 billion, basically the same amount as March, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

March Construction Stays Even With Prior Month

New construction starts in March came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $404.9 billion, essentially the same pace as February, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

February Construction Slips 4%

At a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $404.9 billion, new construction starts in February fell 4% from the previous month, it was reported by McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.