FEATURED PRODUCTS

April 29, 2024

The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) reported a score of 43.6 for the month of March, indicating business conditions continue to soften for architecture firms. This marks the 14th consecutive month of declining billings at firms as inflation, supply chain issues and other economic challenges continue to affect business. All regions of the country reported a decline in billings, with business conditions looking the softest this month at firms in the Midwest and the South.

April 25, 2024

This one covers a lot of ground. Avi Mor, Founder and CEO of Morlights, a design firm in Chicago, speaks his mind on interoperability, protocols, dimming, CAT5, Dali, specifications, and… elevators. Using elevators as an analogy, Avi would like to see open protocols for controlling luminaires allowing designers to replace fixtures rather than ripping out the controls system.

April 23, 2024

Canadian engineering firm CIMA+ relocated its Ottawa regional office. Since the old space was spread over multiple floors, the company's primary goal was to unite the team in one unifying, dynamic environment. It also hoped to encourage employees to return to the office post-Covid while enticing potential new teammates. Local firm 4té inc. was hired to design the new 13,000 sq. ft. office space in Ottawa’s Gloucester neighborhood, and the result is professional yet inviting.

April 22, 2024

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today launched the third and final phase of its Lighting Prize (L-Prize®) competition, a DOE American-Made Challenge designed to spur groundbreaking innovation, local manufacturing, and the benefits of an inclusive, clean-energy economy for next-generation lighting in commercial buildings. Phase 3, called Manufacturing & Installation (M&I), will unfold over 16 months and reward production and installation of products that meet L-Prize technical requirements in real-world buildings.