M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal — Fall Preview — September 2024 — 23
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F all P review
By Dr. Aaron Fisher, PhD PMP, Ernest Maier, Inc. Concrete masonry’s role in resilient commercial real estate
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s climate extremes and environmental accountability co -
methods that can keep pace with the demand for resil - ience and sustainability. Last year alone, the U.S. saw 28 weather-related di - sasters that each exceeded $1 billion in damages, ac - cording to the National Oce - anic and Atmospheric Ad - ministration (NOAA). This is tragically becoming the norm. NOAA is predicting an 85% chance of an above- normal Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/ access/billions/events Beyond the human trag - edy, the ripple effects on the economy are severe. Insurance companies have paid out more in claims than they’ve received in premi - ums, leading to significant premium hikes, reduced coverage, or companies exit - ing certain states altogether. The Concrete Masonry Advantage As a Region 1 Commit - tee Leader of the Concrete
Masonry Checkoff (CMC), I’m acutely aware of the mis - conceptions around building with concrete masonry units (CMU). Often regarded sole - ly for its strength, concrete masonry offers far more. It is safe, energy-efficient, aesthetically versatile, and most importantly, resilient. For generations, concrete masonry has withstood the harshest environmen - tal conditions on Earth. This longevity minimizes maintenance and replace - ment costs, making it a cost-effective choice for long- term commercial projects. By absorbing, storing, and releasing heat, CMU helps regulate temperature, re - ducing energy consumption for heating and cooling. Ad - ditionally, concrete doesn’t rot, warp, rust, or combust, meaning fewer repairs and longer intervals between replacements. Another significant benefit is that concrete masonry con - struction can streamline the
building process by eliminat - ing the need for additional contractors to handle tasks like trim work, drywall in - stallation, and painting. This reduces both the time and cost of a project, which aligns with Monty Spencer’s point on the importance of meeting timelines and budgets in real estate development. When considering the in - creasing severity of climate events, developers must build with an eye on sustainability. Concrete masonry can ac - tively sequester carbon from the atmosphere throughout its life cycle, a process called carbonation. Block manu - facturers are also adopting greener processes, such as using cement alternatives and optimizing mix designs to lower embodied carbon. From an aesthetic stand - point, concrete masonry has evolved significantly. Mod - ern designs allow for an array of textures, tones, and Environmental Considerations
finishes, offering develop - ers the flexibility to create visually appealing buildings without sacrificing durabil - ity. Whether inside or out - side, concrete masonry can achieve intricate patterns and contemporary designs. A Call for Change We can no longer afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. Resilient construction methods, such as concrete masonry, pro - vide a solution to the growing challenges posed by climate extremes while delivering long- term value. Developers, inves - tors, and communities must prioritize smarter, sustainable building to remain profitable in the new world we’re living in. Tenant safety and bottom- line success are not mutually exclusive concepts. CMU con - struction can bring both to commercial real estate. Dr. Aaron Fisher, PhD PMP is VP of business devel - opment Ernest Maier, Inc. Region 1 Committee Lead- er of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC). MAREJ
alesce, the need for more resil - ient struc - tures has never been more appar - ent. More and more commercial
Dr. Aaron Fisher
real estate developers find themselves under the gun to rebuild at a feverish pace after disaster strikes. The critical question re - mains: when will we start con - structing buildings that can withstand extreme elements? As Monty Spencer, CEO of The Storage Acquisition Group, puts it, “In real es - tate, time is money, and successful projects are those that meet deadlines while delivering long-term value for both the developer and the community.” His words echo the growing call for du - rable and efficient building
Vibrant Design Unmatched Strength
Masonry offers unmatched design possibilities that keep you safe
MASONRY & RESTORATION employingbricklayers.org
Childrens Hospital of Michigan photo compliments of Glen Gerry
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