5.23.08 | Houston, TX | An International Facility Management Association's survey confirms that companies are offering employees more amenities, adding to the usual break rooms with internet cafes, outdoor recreation areas and health facilities. The report, Benchmarks V: Annual Facility Costs shows that, while employee office space has shrunk, that a variety of amenities is on the rise. Headquarter and educational facilities are the most likely to offer the majority of employee amenities. www.ifma.org/tools/research/benchmarks_v.cfm

5.16.08 | West Olive, MI | Michael A. Dunlap & Associates released the results of the 16th edition of its quarterly MADA / OFI Trends Survey, a tool designed to measure the current business activity of the office furniture industry and its suppliers. The survey was completed during the month of April 2008. Using an index of 1-100, 100 being the best and 1 being the worst, the April Survey showed an Overall Survey Index of 49.21. The  Overall index has continued to fall since hitting 58.49 in July 2007. The majority of respondents cite the economy, the credit crisis, healthcare costs, transportation costs and especially energy costs, as the “largest threats to individual company’s growth. The “largest threats to the industry” are identified as imports from low cost countries, such as China, and a deep concern for the economic situation, the low value of the U.S. Dollar, and the costs of oil and energy. 

5.15.08 | Minneapolis, MN | InformeDesign released two new research summaries. The first, titled "Role of Ventilation in Airborne Transmission of Infectious Agents in the Built Environment a Multidisciplinary Systematic Review", examines ventilation and the spread of disease. The second study, titled "Technology Selection in Airport Passenger and Baggage Systems", examined how technology options and airport terminal design optimize passenger and baggage movement. 

5.14.08 | Evanston, IL | The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern  will offer anew undergraduate concentration in architectural engineering and design,beginning in fall 2008. Students who complete the program will be prepared to join theconstruction industry after graduation or pursue graduate studies inarchitecture or construction management.Laurence Booth, design principal of Booth Hansen Associates will lead the new program. More information isavailable at http://www.civil.northwestern.edu/architecture.