Buildings Podcast

Two new initiatives from the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) are poised to help building owners, managers, and other building stakeholders specify lighting that will stand the test of time. Stuart Berjansky, DLC's technical director, joins the Buildings Podcast to walk us through these initiatives.

Simple fluorescent-to-LED upgrades can make life easier for facilities managers at colleges and universities—especially as more states ban the sale of fluorescent lamps.

Why should you invest in better indoor air quality or thermal comfort? Dr. Whitney Austin Gray, senior VP of research for the International WELL Building Institute, shares what building owners and facility managers need to know about investing in occupant wellness—plus takeaways from a new report.

LEED v5's new requirements have important implications for all stakeholders in the building process, including building owners and facilities managers. Here's what you need to know.

What is bridge financing and how can it help fund upgrades to your building? Bayport Funding CEO Marcia Kaufman joins the Buildings Podcast to walk us through your funding options.

The stakes are too high for a reactive approach to pest control in your building. Here's how integrated pest management (IPM) can make a difference in preventing pest issues and saving time, money, and headaches.

Emergencies aren't always headline-grabbing events—they could be a power outage, a leaking pipe, or a deer loose in your parking garage. Cushman & Wakefield's Matt Faupel offers tips and resources on emergency preparedness.

Heat waves are causing more than just high utility bills—they're stressing the grid and challenging the system our buildings depend on. Here's how automated demand response can help.

Hybrid work models have been around for a while, but they exploded in use when COVID-19 came on the scene—and some organizations are still struggling. Noah Reding, vice president and general manager of workplaces for Accruent, shares how data can help workplaces adjust to hybrid work.

Disability affects everyone. Buildings that are accessible to people with disabilities help everyone participate safely in public life. Learn how improving accessibility helps attract tenants and increase building value.

When LEED was introduced, it changed the way we think about sustainable buildings. The new version is pushing strategies that directly cut emissions. Here's what you need to know about LEED v5 and its emphasis on electrification.

There's always room for growth, whether your vacancy rates are high or low. But growth can't always come from rent increases. Explore these 5 ways to attract new tenants and get more use out of existing spaces.

What are the biggest technology trends impacting facilities today—and where is tech going in the next decade? Lessen's Carson Berish joins the Buildings Podcast to offer technology takeaways and practical ways to use AI in operations.

Does your waste disposal and diversion program need to improve? Better practices around waste, recycling, and composting can help you operate your facility more sustainably.

As the 2025 BOMA International Conference & Expo draws near, BUILDINGS sat down with incoming chair Luci Smith to discuss what leadership looks like, the best advice she's ever received in commercial real estate, and what's next for the industry.

Company culture isn't created by accident. Offices that embrace workplace character and create a cohesive experience will increase belonging, performance, and trust.

Struggling with acoustics issues? Pods may not be the right solution. Here's why—and what you can do about it, featuring tips from Modwall founder Dan Sullivan.

Will your fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems work when you need them to? These five NFPA standards are important for facility professionals to know.

What is an HVLS fan and where do you need one? Cory Peterson of LED Lighting Supply explains how high-volume, low-speed fans work and what you need to know about specifying them.

Lighting makes up a small fraction of the energy used by a data center, but it has an important impact on efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Optimize data center lighting with these seven tips.

What can emerging professionals in CRE expect from the field? BOMA International's March 2025 Emerging Professional of the Month, Kate Deady-Havekost, walks us through her property management challenges and successes.

Reduce workplace accidents, improve safety awareness, and comply with regulations by providing training to your staff. These five tips lay out the basics you need to know to keep workers safe.

Commercial real estate owners are experiencing a moment of truth with energy procurement. Energy rate hikes are in the double digits in some areas. Learn what's causing this—and what we can do about the problem.

Need to pick a roll-off dumpster for your next construction or renovation project? Make sure you're reserving the right one with these tips.

Some buildings already have smart lighting controls installed, but others are at the beginning of their control journey. Sean Grasby and Greg Hermanowycz of Wesco discuss action steps you can do today to get ready for smart controls—or get your money's worth out of the ones you already have.

How long has it been since your facilities were last inspected? If it's been a while, you might be due for a facility condition assessment to look at the conditions of all your building systems. Here's what to expect.

What do facility managers need to know about microgrids, and what can they start doing today to prepare? Kirk Edelman of SolMicroGrid joins us to discuss potential pitfalls and how microgrids increase resilience.

Cybercriminals may be lurking in your HVAC system or elevator controls, looking to exploit vulnerabilities in your building systems. Here's what you can do about it.

How does North America compare when it comes to building connectivity, mobile performance, and other productivity-enabling building features? John Meko of WiredScore discusses the findings of WiredScore's new report.

Dealing with a grub infestation? There are a few options out there. Learn what you can do about lawn grubs in this ICYMI episode of the Buildings Podcast.

Changes in BMS technology, including the edge-to-cloud concept, are changing the way we manage buildings. Eugene Mazo of Atrius, part of the Intelligent Spaces Group at Acuity Brands, joins us to discuss futureproofing buildings.

Buildings can be deadly to birds---but they don't have to be. We dispel five of the biggest myths about bird-friendly design in this ICYMI episode of the Buildings Podcast.

What can building owners and managers do today to protect their occupants and assets? Bill Sako of Telgian explains 2025's top security threats and action steps to put into place today.

What is Passive House and how can it increase building resilience? Trey Farmer of Austin-based Forge Craft discusses key standards and tips for certification. 

We all know continued training is important for all kinds of trades and professions, but it's hard to find the time—not to mention the funding. Dan Clapper, head of learner and business outcomes at Interplay Learning, joins the Buildings Podcast to discuss how to prioritize education in 2025.

Buildings generate a huge amount of data. What do we do with it all? Stefan Schwab, CEO of Enlighted, joins the Buildings Podcast to discuss how to tap into data streams more effectively.

The electrical grid is seeing more demand than ever before, thanks to the growth of industries like data storage and a boom in electrification and electric vehicle adoption. Karina Hershberg of PAE Engineers joins us to explore the changing industry landscape.

Facility management and the skilled trades can sometimes present obstacles for women, but they can also be lucrative careers. This episode of the Buildings Podcast offers tips for women looking to climb the ranks in facilities.

You don't have to wait until you have a major system failure to upgrade HVAC equipment. Bring decision-makers at your organization up to speed with this wide-ranging HVAC discussion.

Integrating new multifamily housing developments into an existing neighborhood takes care and thoughtful strategies. Rob Clocker, partner at Hacin, offers tips and real-world examples on this episode of the Buildings Podcast.

Cyber threats seem to multiply by the day, and the threat landscape looks different than it did a few years ago. Here's what you need to know about keeping your facility—and its occupants—safe.

Reducing your building's greenhouse gas emissions has to include your HVAC system—typically one of the biggest contributors. Here's what you need to know about sustainable HVAC solutions.

Wet insulation isn't just impacting your energy consumption—it can contribute to corrosion within the roof and even affect your warranty. These are your options if your insulation gets wet.

Electric vehicle adoption is growing, and with it, demand for charging infrastructure is also increasing. Learn what's keeping building owners from putting in EV chargers—and what to think about if you want to offer charging. 

The built environment has an undeniable social impact. How can we make sure our buildings contribute positively?

Adaptability and inclusivity are often a struggle for public spaces, especially those built years ago. Check out these accessibility strategies you can use today—and what it means to create a space that's inclusive for everyone.

Electrostatic discharge flooring (ESD)—also known as static control flooring—cuts down on static that can damage sensitive medical equipment. Here's what to know about buying it.

Manuel Moreno, president of PJMB Commercial, Inc., will soon take the reins as BOMA International's 2024-2025 chair. Hear his career advice for commercial real estate professionals, plus what you can expect from the 2024 BOMA International Conference & Expo.

Boston's Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance, or BERDO, requires building owners to report and reduce carbon emissions. Here's what building owners and managers need to know about it—even if they're not in Boston.

We all know daylighting is beneficial to building occupants, but it can also come with glare, hot spots and poor thermal performance. What can we do? Dr. Doug Milburn, founder and chairman of Advanced Glazings Ltd, explains how to create access to quality natural light while controlling solar heat gain.

How does the fan experience affect the way Ervin Architecture approaches venue design? Learn the keys to creating large venues like the Maine Savings Amphitheater.