|
Multinational professional services provider Ernst & Young LLP has launched its third annual EY Future Workplace Index, which tracks C-suite and executive sentiment and behavioral data around the workplace of the future. The Index found the number of respondents reporting a remote workplace model has plummeted from 34% in 2022 to 1% in 2023. Now 80% of respondents say employees are in the office three or more days a week. This data confirms that the office isn’t dead; it just looks different. So what should executives do to maximize the value of the hybrid office?
"It's clear that hybrid work is no longer in a test-and-see period; it’s here to stay," pointed out Mark Grinis, EY Americas Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction leader. "As at least two to three days a week in office is the norm, leaders need to “earn the commute” and enable greater opportunities for productivity, collaboration and creativity than employees experienced working remotely. With this, there is now an increased spotlight on workplace investments — from AI integration to expanded office footprint and virtual collaboration resources."
Read more . . .
| | |
|
Marmoleum Solid contributes to the well-being of individuals by bringing nature inside, creating healthy spaces to work, learn, heal and play. The Solid collection is minimalistic, pure, and timeless, providing a long-lasting foundation that never goes out of style and mixes well with other interior finishes. Made from natural, renewable and recycled materials, Marmoleum is unique, as carbon dioxide emissions are absorbed by its raw materials. The combined photosynthesis of all plants used in Marmoleum achieves CO2 uptake that is greater than the CO2 emissions resulting from production and transportation.
Marmoleum relieves the environment of carbon dioxide, and it is climate-positive from cradle-to-gate, without offsetting. Marmoleum’s natural ingredients provide it with inherent anti-microbial and anti-static properties that won’t diminish over time, contributing to a healthier indoor environment. Marmoleum Solid’s Topshield Pro finish provides the best in durability with lasting wear performance and improved stain-resistance, including those from hand disinfectants.
| |
|
BOMA International and BOMI are announcing the full integration of management and staff teams. With 48 full-time employees representing a $15 million enterprise, this newly refined organizational structure serves as the foundation for streamlining systems and technologies while elevating its member and customer experiences.
Founded in 1907, the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is a federation of U.S. local associations and global affiliates. It represents the owners, managers, service providers and other property professionals of all commercial building types, including office, industrial, medical, corporate and mixed-use.
BOMI, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institute of BOMA, provides critical education to professionals with property, facility and building systems management responsibilities. BOMI delivers courses, certificate programs, and industry-standard designations — RPA, FMA, SMA, SMT and BOMI-HP — with a proven record of increasing job performance and company efficiency, along with PPA and the FPA designations for trusted providers of products and services.
Read more . . .
| |
|
|
Facility managers are always seeking training, because new tech, building operations and maintenance techniques are always emerging. For FM leadership and the staff they manage, it’s important to keep abreast of developments through education and visiting with suppliers. Training, networking and product knowledge have a solid home at NFMT 2024, the National Facilities Management & Technology show in Baltimore, March 12-14, themed “We Are FM.”
As the first FM show every year, The McMorrow Reports & FMLink always attend, eager to see what’s concerning industry professionals and exploring sessions that are relevant for our readers. Our education picks include:
NFMT offers educations sessions in the following tracks: Asset Management; Energy & Sustainability; Future Trends; Health & Safety; M&O; Security; and Technology.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Global architecture and design firm Gensler has released its annual Design Forecast report, which presents strategic advice, research, and projects from across Gensler’s 33 practice areas to help the firm’s clients and industry partners navigate the most pressing issues we face today, through leveraging the power of design.
Design Forecast 2024 reveals key trends that are shaping the building industry, including AI’s immense potential to accelerate ideas and innovations in design, and how we can transform our cities to better suit the needs of its inhabitants and be nimbler to change, as well as the non-negotiable necessity of sustainable building practices, the allure of the 20-minute city, and more. The firm has identified “Eight Trends Shaping Design in 2024” that highlight the most important signals and key opportunities in the building industry today:
- Conversions resurrect stranded assets
- Sustainable design becomes a non-negotiable
- The future of the workplace as a compelling destination
- Mixed-use lifestyle districts bring cities back to life
- Designers harness AI to accelerate ideas and innovation
- Focus shifts to ageless communities and design for a lifetime
- 20-minute cities become archetypes of equity and accessibility
Read more . . .
| |
|
How many acres of floorspace do facility managers have to cover, literally? And where can FMs, their interior designers and architects find all the tile and stone trends and solutions in one place? Coverings, of course, Coverings, April 22-25 in Atlanta.
Workplaces are evolving and office spaces are being revitalized after a long pause. Along with the varied spaces is the demand for a variety of flooring solutions mixing carpet tiles and broadloom with hard-surface luxury tiles and stones. Some decisions have been made about returning to the office, and companies are preparing new interiors to meet the needs of the hybrid workplace. Campus life is also changing, and more hard surface is coming into student teaching spaces, computer labs and dormitories.
Coverings is the leading event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America for more than 32 year with hundreds of global companies, product innovations, insights and industry connections to experience.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Versteel announces the launch of its revamped website featuring a fresh and intuitive design, coupled with a new tagline, “Our Niche is You.” The redesigned experience is a testament to Versteel’s commitment to a people-centric approach, emphasizing the importance of individualized attention while providing high-quality, American-made furniture solutions.
The website design is clean and timeless, placing a strong emphasis on the user experience while embodying Versteel’s values. The integration of an easily readable modern typeface with a bold, handwritten script injects character into the design, highlighting an emphasis on individuality. Interactive elements, responsive design and accessibility breathe life into the content, storytelling and company as a whole.
Versteel invites the profession to discover firsthand why it declares, “Our Niche is You.”
Read more . . .
| |
|
NextUp teams are creating compelling events to attend in-person at local chapters or virtually, while the Headquarters Learning Team has several virtual opportunities for advancing all women in business. Facility managers and related professionals, architects and interior designers are welcome to join when NextUp offers education and engagement sessions every month across the U.S. In 2024, more than 175 regional networking and leadership development events are planned.
The NextUp network delivers inclusive programs and experiences that advance women at every stage of their career, accelerate workplace equity and drive business growth. Even as gains are made with women in leadership, new challenges emerge, and the NextUp mission goes on. When women are learning and leading, they are not leaving. NextUp seeks a world where women have equal opportunities at work and to build their lives and careers exactly the way they want them.
National virtual events are followed by a selection of local meet-ups.
NextUp Membership is open to individuals or members of a partner organization. When you join NextUp through The McMorrow Reports/FMLink, you are entitled to 20 percent off an individual membership when you enter the code NextUp24McMorrow at checkout.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, the company that pioneered fire-rated glazing in North America, recently announced the successful fire-test series of what it calls the industry’s most advanced product since the invention of fire-resistive glass. During multiple rounds of extensive testing, CONTRAFLAM One has proven its ability to meet and even exceed the exceptional performance of Vetrotech’s original CONTRAFLAM product line, while offering enhanced qualities and sustainability features, says the company.
CONTRAFLAM One passed the initial test series required for UL, ASTM, CAN/ULC and NFPA standards for certification. These critical fire tests ensure life-safety products can withstand the heat and force of a fire, thus providing safe passages of exit for occupants and protecting the building itself from the spread of destructive flame and smoke. Based on these tests, certification from a nationally recognized laboratory will follow.
Read more . . .
| |
|
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a leading global authority on green building and the developer of the LEED green building program, has released its annual list of Top 10 States for LEED. For the first time ever, New York ranked number one based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year, leading the country in green building.
New York totaled 201 newly LEED-certified projects in 2023 that encompassed more than 93 million square feet, equating to nearly 4.6 LEED-certified square feet per resident. Following behind was Illinois (3.213 SF per capita), Massachusetts (3.210 SF/cap), Washington (3.01 SF/cap), and Georgia (2.56 SF/cap). Though not officially on the list because of its status as a federal district, the District of Columbia continued to lead nationally with more than 43 certified square feet per capita.
In 2023, USGBC introduced a draft of its LEED v5 for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating system for existing buildings. LEED v5 is the newest version of LEED and marks a transformative milestone in the built environment’s alignment with a low-carbon future and addresses critical imperatives such as equity, health, ecosystems and resilience.
Read more . . .
| |
|
Matter Real Estate Group recently announced that UnCommons, the company’s 40-acre campus in southwest Las Vegas, has been awarded Nevada’s first WELL Certifications by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). The highly coveted certifications, which have been designated to UnCommons’ first two office buildings, recognize Matter’s commitment to the premier building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and wellness through the buildings where we live, work and play.
"The emergence of Covid-19 established a new priority for safety within the buildings we inhabit and the air we breathe," noted Jim Stuart, partner of Matter Real Estate Group. "We hadn’t yet started construction, so we had the opportunity to reexamine workplace safety with respect to health and wellness at UnCommons. In doing so, we believe we have unlocked the formula for employee safety that will shape the future of workplace design."
The $850-million, 40-acre project, designed to fulfill the modern workforce’s desire for a workplace that enhances their lives through rich amenities, open space and connectivity, offers next generation of office, residential and lifestyle space built for an ever-changing world.
Read more . . .
| |
|
This week's Featured Book from FMLink's Books section is from the NFPA Codes category.This collection of peer-reviewed books has been curated by the editorial team at FMLink to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the NFPA Codes topic.
NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, covers comprehensive electrical safety–related work practices and maintenance of electrical systems considered critical to safety. The NFPA 70E, Handbook for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, can assist workers in understanding what they need to do to help protect themselves and others on the job. Owners and facility managers can use the handbook to help ensure compliance with NFPA 70E and reduce the potential for electrical-related accidents, liability and loss.
This and other NFPA Codes titles are now available for purchase on FMLink.
| | | | |
