RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—Desert Rock, one of the world’s most anticipated luxury hospitality experiences, is now open. Oppenheim Architecture conceived and designed the visionary project nestled within the ancient mountains of Saudi Arabia, working in close partnership with developer Red Sea Global. True to Oppenheim Architecture’s ethos of designing and building with the land, not on it, Desert Rock celebrates the integration of architecture with nature, setting a new benchmark for immersive design. Carved into the Hejaz Mountains, Desert Rock offers a deep connection to the natural environment, with accommodations that blend into the majestic terrain without obstructing it. Inspired by the Nabataean...

WEST HARTFORD, CONN.—Legrand’s latest product enhancement continues to fortify its EV Charger portfolio. Legrand continues to expand its suite of commercial EV charging solutions with their latest product upgrade: The Networked Level 2 EV Charger with One Year of AmpUp. The AmpUp software sets the commercial charger apart, providing yet another amenity for commercial facility managers, landlords, and business owners to offer to customers and guests. AmpUp simplifies the process of monitoring vehicle charging status, reserving EV charging stations, and accessing 24/7 customer support when needed. In tandem with recent launches like the Residential EV Charger Bracket and the Dual-Sided...

GLENVIEW, ILL.—ITW Food Equipment Group announced it will attend The NAFEM Show 2025, February 26 to 28, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Attendees are invited to visit booth 2326 to see the latest kitchen equipment innovations from the group’s premier brands, including Hobart, Baxter, Traulsen, Vulcan and IBEX. Each piece of equipment has been designed to help restaurant and foodservice professionals address labor challenges and downtime, improve productivity and performance, and lower the total cost of ownership. Solutions to support sustainability and food safety are also a priority among available technologies and equipment to be showcased. The...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A review by the SUN DAY Campaign of data recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirms that during the first three-quarters of 2024, solar remained the nation’s fastest growing source of electricity as the mix of all renewables increased their output by nearly 9 percent. In its latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through September 30, 2024), EIA says the combination of utility-scale and “estimated” small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar increased by 25.9 percent in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Utility-scale solar thermal and photovoltaic expanded by 30.1...

ASHLAND CITY, TENN.—A. O. Smith, a leader in water heating and water treatment, was recognized for excellence in the Chicago Athenaeum GOOD DESIGN Awards, which honors the yearly achievements of the best world manufacturers and industrial and graphic designers for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence. The Adapt Premium Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heater with X3 Scale Prevention Technology and the Voltex 120V Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) both won in the Building and Architectural awards category. The Chicago Athenaeum Museum received a record number of submissions for this year’s contest, with submissions from the world’s leading manufacturers...

NATIONAL REPORT—Ambitious climate and decarbonization efforts have heightened the demand for electrified and energy-efficient buildings. Regulatory frameworks are evolving from simple incentives to stringent compliance measures. Recently, states and cities have enacted building performance standards (BPS) that mandate energy performance and emissions reductions, as well as implementing benchmarking and transparency policies. As a result, real estate operators must meet these standards to mitigate financial risks associated with non-compliance, further motivating them to enhance performance. Simultaneously, utilities and third-party program administrators are tasked with meeting multi-year energy savings targets, concentrating on initiatives like peak demand reductions. This alignment of incentives fosters...

SWORDS, IRELAND—Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, announced that it has completed the acquisition of BrainBox AI, a pioneer in autonomous HVAC controls and generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) building technology. The acquisition was previously announced in a press release on December 18, 2024. BrainBox AI uses advanced deep learning algorithms to predict building energy needs and automate HVAC systems, thus reducing energy consumption by up to 25 percent and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 40 percent. The acquisition builds on the companies’ existing collaboration and combines BrainBox AI’s leading Artificial Intelligence technology with Trane Technologies’ advanced building management and digital capabilities...

LOS ANGELES—EVPassport, a global EV charging network, has been named to the Inc. 2024 Best in Business list in the Energy category. Inc.’s annual Best in Business Awards celebrate the exceptional achievements and contributions of companies that have made a profound impact on their industries and on society at large. “We are honored to be recognized on Inc.’s prestigious list as one of America's most dynamic businesses and for making a positive impact on the energy sector, businesses across industries, the environment, and society as a whole,” said Hooman Shahidi, CEO and co-founder of EVPassport. “EV adoption and mass electrification...

NATIONAL REPORT—Corporations hold a significant share of society, creating employment, growth, development, and more that helps a nation prosper. Due to its importance and impact, today corporations are responsible for using energy wisely and cutting costs while committing to sustainability. As these two factors become more critical, corporations are actively switching to solar power for a better cause. It’s a practical solution that allows companies to generate green electricity, reducing their environmental impact and cutting unnecessary energy costs. To adapt to this shift successfully, corporations can take effective ideas from the Maryland community solar development program to use solar...

JAMESTOWN, N.Y.—Hope’s Windows, Inc., a leading manufacturer of custom-designed, solid steel and bronze window and door systems, highlights its One55 series steel windows and doors. The One55 series provides the perfect fit for projects requiring replication of historic steel windows with arrow-shaped profiles. The series can also give new constructions an original flare with its unique profiles and narrow sightlines. Customers can enhance the series with bespoke customizations to improve the series’ resilience and efficiency. The One55 series is distinguished by its historic, arrow-shaped profiles that combine a refined, industrial aesthetic with narrow sightlines. The series features fully welded construction...