BUILDINGS Podcast

Alternative sources of water, such as rainwater and HVAC condensate, have historically been treated as optional sustainability features—but they need to be considered core building systems, especially for buildings with high demand. Here’s why.

Electricity is getting more expensive, and we need more of it to power our devices and appliances. At the same time, many organizations are looking to decarbonize. Dan Diehl, CEO of Thrive Buildings, joins the Buildings Podcast to discuss how to balance these competing factors.

The communication gap between facilities and finance departments is real—and it has organizational consequences. This episode of the Buildings Podcast explores how FM and finance can work together for better results.

How resilient is your supply chain? Third-party vendors perform vital services for building owners and managers, but they can also introduce a level of cyber risk. Bridget Choi, SVP and Executive Director, Cyber for Gallagher, joins the Buildings Podcast to walk us through how to create a layered approach to risk management.

This ICYMI episode takes you inside the Light + Building 2026 show in Frankfurt, Germany, where we found exciting lighting innovations that are poised to impact building owners and facilities managers.

Anyone who manages a building knows about building systems and structural coverage—but do you have insurance that covers your building’s contents? Stefan Figley, president of 1-800-Packouts, explains what contents coverage actually covers and how to make sure you have what you need.

Micro markets—self-service food and beverage spaces—are not only a great perk for employees, they’re a smart operational decision. This episode of the Buildings Podcast unpacks why that is—and what you need to know about installing a micro market.

What does it mean to have a smart workplace in 2026—and how is agentic AI changing the way we work? Cisco’s Bob Cicero joins the Buildings Podcast to discuss how to create a workplace that can adapt to whatever tomorrow brings.

Accessibility issues show up again and again—often in the same trouble spots. This episode of the Buildings Podcast explores the most common ADA issues for commercial buildings and how you can avoid making your facility non-compliant.

Remote-controlled and fully autonomous mowers could help you reduce labor needs and keep your crew safer—but they’re not a fit for every area of every site. Colin Busse of RC Mowers joins the Buildings Podcast to explain the differences between mower types and where to use them.

“I get more work done outside the office.” Sound familiar? It might be because your building is preventing people from doing their best work. Here’s what you need to know about diagnosing these problems in your office space—and what to do about it.

Whether you’re motivated by sustainability, code compliance, leak detection, or another factor, monitoring water usage is key to understanding how your building operates. David Benaiges of Watts Water Technologies joins the Buildings Podcast to explain why water monitoring is crucial—and how digital tools make it easier.

Micro-units—apartments 441 square feet or smaller—are gaining popularity, but developers and building owners are finding that they also come with challenges, including providing amenities for residents. The most impactful amenity isn’t a gym—it’s on-site storage. Here’s why.

Large companies are ordering workers back to the office—but despite the mandates, average office attendance has barely increased. Learn why—and what facilities teams can do about it—in this episode of the Buildings Podcast featuring Osama Aduib of ISS.

Surge protection can make or break your facility’s electrical reliability—and voltage surges can come from unexpected places. This episode of the Buildings Podcast unpacks the five biggest misunderstandings and what you need to do to protect your operations.

Why are some people more excited to adopt AI tools than others—and how do you figure out where and how to implement AI tools at work? ABM’s Bob Clarke and Kayla Oliver join the Buildings Podcast to walk us through how to capitalize on the value of these tools.

Facilities management is changing fast, and 2026 is poised to become a year of big change. This episode breaks down the top takeaways from JLL’s 2025 Global State of Facilities Management Report that facility leaders need to know.

What are the commercial real estate market conditions like today—and what kind of outlook are we looking at for different sectors next year? Rich Traub, partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, joins the Buildings Podcast to offer reasons for optimism as we head into 2026.

This bonus episode of EC&M On Air, sponsored by Wesco, explores how the rapid growth of AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is reshaping the data center market and pushing development beyond traditional core locations. Host Ellen Parson is joined by Wesco subject matter expert David Speidelsbach to examine the forces driving unprecedented demand, the strain being placed on established data center hubs, and why emerging and tertiary markets are becoming the next frontier for development. The conversation dives into the benefits and challenges of building data centers in these new regions, including cost advantages, access to land and renewable energy, tax incentives, and the realities of labor, water, and infrastructure constraints. David also shares guidance for electrical contractors navigating these complex projects, highlighting the importance of early collaboration, strong partnerships, and supply chain coordination. Throughout the discussion, listeners gain practical insight into how contractors and suppliers can successfully support large-scale, mission-critical data center builds in an evolving market.

The demand for green leases is growing fast—and not just because it’s good PR. Cities across the country are tightening energy codes and requiring emissions tracking. Here’s how to stay on top of these requirements as a property professional.

Behind the scenes in your facility, poor power quality may be quietly degrading your equipment, inflating your energy costs, and creating future headaches for you—and you may not see it coming until there’s a breakdown or safety risk. Denis Kouroussis, electrical engineer and power system innovator, joins the Buildings Podcast to explore how dirty power affects systems—and what you can do about it.

We know what happens when indoor air quality is poor—but how can we overcome this challenge in existing buildings? Check out these five ideas for better IAQ performance.

Facility management is facing major challenges—and opportunities—as 2025 winds down. IFMA President and CEO Michael V. Geary, who took the reins at IFMA earlier this year, joins us to discuss his first year at the organization, plus tips on carving out FM career paths and predictions for the industry.

Are your tenants and their employees prepared for emergencies? Integrated systems, clear communication, and strong leadership will ensure the answer is yes.

Anyone who’s been involved in a construction or major renovation project recently knows that timelines aren’t particularly stable—but new ways of working can help improve the process, as well as increase efficiency and collaboration. Douglas Lacy, senior vice president for WSP, joins the Buildings Podcast to walk us through the new construction models.

Reevaluating your parking strategy could be the strategic growth lever your property needs. It’s a valuable amenity that can increase your cash flow if you leverage it correctly.

Building owners and developers frequently run into the same types of challenges on their projects—and better software choices can help ease that friction. Adam Stark, founder of Jet.Build, offers advice on how to centralize workflows and action steps for managing projects better.

Could a financial services branch be the tenant you’ve been waiting for? Discover the advantages of hosting on-site banks or credit unions and learn how they can set your property apart.

ASHRAE Guideline 36, covering high-performance HVAC, and Standard 55, governing thermal comfort in buildings, are transforming the way we operate buildings. Tyler Haak, VP of Sustainability and Service for Schneider Electric, discusses major requirements and what facility professionals can do today to fine-tune operations.

Missed out on IFMA’s World Workplace 2025—or just want to revisit what you learned? Check out the top five things we took away from the show!

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.