We Don’t Have a Wildfire Problem. We Have a Building Problem.
Photos show a home in Napa under construction (above) and a completed fire-resistant home (below), both built with RSG’s resilient panel building system. Smarter materials and fire-conscious design offer a path to long-term resilience When the Tubbs Fire tore through Northern California in 2017, it left behind a grim picture: more than 5,600 structures gone, entire neighborhoods in Santa Rosa reduced to rubble. And yet, amid the scorched earth, a small handful of homes still stood—...
Progressive Design-Build Delivers a High-Risk, High-Reward Bioenergy Facility
Stantec used Oculus 3D augmented-reality headsets to convey design and operation details to owners and facility managers. The $271 million Piscataway Bioenergy Facility in Prince George’s County, Md., (part of the Washington, D.C., metro area) is one of the most technically sophisticated sewage facilities ever completed in the United States. It’s only the seventh facility in the United States to implement thermal hydrolysis, a two-stage process that treats sludge with high-pressure boiling...
Aging Infrastructure and Climate Risks: The Urgent Need for More Modern Monitoring and Assessments
Satellite-based assessment of the Edenville Dam (conducted post-catastrophe) identified deformation clusters at the eventual breach area that were showing diverging movement up to 14 months before the failure. Deformation clusters exhibiting movement across the dam are typical signs of a dam’s weakening structural integrity. More frequent and severe weather events tied to changes in global climate patterns are testing the limits of aging infrastructure. Dam and tailings stora...
Unlocking Curbside Potential: A Guide for Engineers on Modern Curb Management
As cities grow denser and demand for curbside space rises, the need for efficient, data-driven curbside management has become critical. For engineers working across infrastructure—from transportation and water to land development—this shift opens doors to innovative, integrated solutions. By visualizing, analyzing and monetizing curbside assets, we can alleviate urban congestion and foster a more sustainable urban environment, benefiting residents and local businesses. In my role as participa...
Ocean Pavilion at Seattle Aquarium Showcases Design and Human Experience
Following removal of the Alaska Way Viaduct, Seattle’s Waterfront has been reimagined as a vibrant promenade stretching across the city. At the water’s edge, the Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion offers a glimpse of aquatic life at the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean while adding an architectural gem to the harborside cityscape. (Lara Swimmer/Est) Emerging from the unification of place, purpose and point of view, the best of the built environment amazes in many ways. Consideri...
Expanding Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: A blend of modular and traditional construction leads to an ambitious renovation
The long-awaited expansion of Concourse D at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is a combination of modular and traditional construction. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, renowned as the world’s busiest airport, embarked on a transformative journey in 2024 with the long-awaited expansion of Concourse D. The ambitious $1.4 billion project represents a pivotal moment in aviation infrastructure, combining innovative construction methods with strategic planning...
Twists, Turns and Turbines: How Complete 540 (R-2828) Is Keeping Raleigh Rolling
A turbine-style interchange connects I-40, Toll N.C. 540 and I-42. (SkySite Images) “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” – Jane Jacobs (author, The Death and Life of Great American Cities) When the new 18-mile, six-lane Toll N.C. 540 extension in Raleigh, N.C., opened on Sept. 25, 2024, motorists instantly experienced something rarely felt when traveling along this roadway during p...
Building Bridges and Reefs: Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge’s Environmental Legacy in the Potomac River
The old Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge stood as both a testament to the past and a source of frustration for commuters. Since the late 2000s, the bridge earned notoriety for experiencing substantial traffic congestion, made worse by its design and the surge in traffic from southern Maryland—particularly during holidays and weekends. With narrow lanes, a steep incline and a reduced speed limit, vehicles crossing the bridge faced challenges, slowing down and merging in a way that often led to backu...
Innovative Steel Solutions Help Revitalize Gund Hall
Steel was used to strengthen and modernize Gund Hall’s existing structure, allowing for necessary upgrades without compromising the integrity of the original 1972 design. Since its completion in 1972, Gund Hall has stood as an architectural landmark on Harvard’s Cambridge, Mass., campus, embodying the bold vision of its designer, alumnus John Andrews. As home of the university’s Graduate School of Design (GSD), the iconic Brutalist building’s distinctive form—defined by...
Will Tall Building Boon Continue? Mixed Uses, Infrastructure Hold Keys
The Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is the second-tallest building in the world at 679 meters. (Credit: Fender Katsalidis Architects) This article appeared originally on ASCE’s Civil Engineering Source. Tall building projects have expanded over the past several decades to include more disciplines and surrounding infrastructure, a trend experts say must continue in order to meet the growing demands of population growth, climate resilience, and sustainability on cities. An...
Video: New Roundabout Under Construction at McIver and Old Florence Roads in Darlington County
Promenade at The Point
June Issue 2026
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