Coming Soon: Facilities That Also Happen to Be Farms
Vertical farms are emerging as a new class of commercial tenant, turning warehouses into year‑round food production sites. Area 2 Farms in Arlington, Virginia, has demonstrated profitability by offering a subscription‑based CSA that delivers locally grown greens and root vegetables. The operation relies on a soil‑rich compost mix and a rotating “Silo” lighting system that mimics day‑night cycles while easing building ventilation demands. With a franchising rollout already under way in Fairfax and plans for nationwide expansion, the model signals a shift toward indoor agriculture as a viable real‑estate asset.
Old Gym Flooring Repurposed for Safe, Durable Playground Surfacing in Los Angeles
Ecore, together with Equinox and SpectraTurf, repurposed 11,500 sq ft of used gym flooring into safe playground surfacing for 18 parks across Los Angeles County. The conversion, completed in just two weeks, was part of Ecore’s TRUcircularity program, which aims to keep rubber...
Tapping Into Facility Software for Energy Efficiency
Facility software has evolved from basic building automation and maintenance tracking to integrated, cloud‑based platforms that combine BAS, CMMS, and advanced analytics. These solutions provide real‑time dashboards, AI‑driven fault detection, and predictive maintenance, enabling managers to cut energy waste while...
How Data Centers Are Rethinking Power to Ease Grid Strain
Data centers are confronting growing grid constraints as AI workloads generate unpredictable, high‑peak power demand. Facility planners are shifting site selection toward locations with reliable, quickly deployable power and are integrating on‑site generation, battery storage, and renewable sources. Advanced optimization...
Phasing Progress: How Universities Can Tackle Infrastructure Challenges Amid Budget Uncertainty
Universities are wrestling with a growing deferred‑maintenance backlog as enrollment declines and state funding shrinks, leaving critical utility systems under‑funded. Many institutions issue purchase orders that never materialize, creating safety and reliability risks. Experts recommend a phased, data‑driven approach—prioritizing the...
Balancing Water Savings with Real-World Performance
Modern restroom fixtures are engineered to slash water use through lower flow rates, pressure‑compensating spray outlets, and metered run times while preserving hand‑washing performance. Manufacturers highlight interchangeable cartridge systems that let facilities retrofit existing fittings with metering or ceramic‑gear components,...
Rethinking Roofing: Why Service Life Matters More Than First Cost
The article argues that roofing decisions should prioritize service life over initial price, positioning roofs as strategic assets rather than commodities. It highlights how codes and designers often focus on single metrics like R‑value, neglecting durability, which leads to premature...
Deductions Through Bonus Depreciation and TPR – Maximize and Plan
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently restores 100% bonus depreciation for qualified production property (QPP) placed in service after Jan 19 2025, overturning the TCJA’s scheduled phase‑out that would have capped 2025 deductions at 40%. The legislation creates a new...
Fragmented Infrastructure Data Driving Trillions in Inefficiencies
A UMIP Inc. report titled “The $2 Trillion Infrastructure Identity Gap” warns that fragmented lifecycle data across buildings and infrastructure creates more than $2 trillion in annual global inefficiencies. In the United States, commercial properties alone may lose over $300 billion, while residential assets could...
Leading with Service: Anthony Maddox’s Journey in Facilities Management
Anthony Maddox, a veteran of more than two decades in facilities management, now leads a division that oversees over 200 buildings and a 3‑million‑square‑foot portfolio in Orlando. Starting as a part‑time maintenance technician, he leveraged a service‑first mindset to build a...
Floating Solar Helps a 74-Year-Old Vineyard Go Fully Renewable
Nelson Family Vineyards in Mendocino County has achieved 100% renewable power by adding a floating photovoltaic (FPV) system to its irrigation pond, complementing an existing rooftop array. The FPV installation is expected to produce roughly 200,000 kWh annually, covering the winery,...
Resilient Stadiums: A Touchdown for Safety and Revenue
Modern stadiums are being engineered for resilience and revenue by integrating structural flexibility, performance‑based design, and year‑round comfort. Engineers like Ryan Anderson and Bart Miller emphasize enclosed shells, advanced rigging points, and column‑free loading docks to support diverse events from...
Why Portable Cooling Isn’t a Plug-and-Play Fix
Portable cooling is often mischaracterized as a simple plug‑and‑play solution, leading facilities to deploy units without proper planning. Experts from JLL and Limbach stress that these systems require the same diligence as a temporary MEP project, including electrical load analysis,...
All-Electric, All New: Inside UCI Health’s Ground-Up Hospital
UCI Health opened its new Irvine campus in December 2025, a seven‑story, 350,000 sq ft, 177‑bed acute care hospital built from the ground up as an all‑electric facility. The hospital features 22 operating rooms on a massive "surgery megafloor," advanced imaging, labs,...
How Technology Is Reshaping Landscape Maintenance
Grounds managers at Texas A&M, Westminster, and Michigan State blend traditional diesel mowers with emerging tech such as hybrid, autonomous, and GPS‑tracked equipment. While diesel‑powered units remain the backbone for high‑use fields, hybrid models cut hydraulic risk and robotic mowers...