National Institute of Building Sciences

Meet WBDG 3.0 and its powerful new AI chat
The National Institute of Building Sciences has launched WBDG http://3.0, bringing a smarter, faster way to access critical building guidance.

The new AI chat transforms how users interact with WBDG by:
- Instantly guiding you to the right resources
- Simplifying navigation across complex content
- Delivering faster answers to your questions
- Creating a more intuitive, personalized user experience

No more digging. To use the AI chat, click the icon in the bottom right of the screen.

Beyond AI, WBDG http://3.0 introduces a modern, scalable platform with improved search, streamlined navigation, and integrated tools for learning and innovation across the built environment.

Explore it now: https://hubs.ly/Q04l1Kyj0

Try the AI chat and see the difference

The 13th U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering will take place July 13–17, 2026, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

Organized by the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, 13NCEE will bring together researchers, engineers, earthquake scientists, policy professionals, and practitioners to share new knowledge and technical innovations focused on reducing the damaging effects of earthquakes and tsunamis.

The conference will feature a comprehensive program designed to support collaboration across disciplines and advance earthquake resilience in communities across the U.S. and around the world.

Register here: https://13ncee.eeri.org/registration/

Calling all facility management and operations pros — NIBS wants you at the table.

The Facility Management and Operations Council is looking for industry leaders who are passionate about creating better, smarter, more maintainable buildings.
FMOC brings together public and private sector professionals to help advance best practices, elevate the voice of facilities teams, and improve how buildings are operated, maintained, and managed throughout their lifecycle.

The council is also diving into some of the biggest topics shaping the future of FM, including Total Cost of Ownership, ISO 41000 standards, construction handover, AI in facility management, digital twins, space management, and asset management.

If these are the conversations you want to be part of — FMOC is the place to be.

Apply today: https://hubs.ly/Q04kCwsv0

Launching June 5: A Smarter Way to Access UFC Content

We’re excited to introduce a powerful new evolution of the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG), designed to transform how users access, review, and apply Unified Facility Criteria (UFC) content.

From Static to Searchable
We’re moving beyond isolated PDFs to a centralized, searchable document library, making it faster and easier to find the information you need.

Standardized & Transparent Processes
A unified digital content platform will host tri-service core UFCs, enabling a more efficient criteria review process.

Built for Data-Driven Decisions
By connecting today’s innovations with future opportunities, this system supports more informed, data-driven outcomes.

What Users Can Expect:
- A modern, digitized UFC content library within WBDG
- In-line comparison tools to clearly see updates and changes for each UFC version
- Ability to copy text directly or share UFC digital content links with colleagues
- Stay Tuned for:
* Smart bookmarking with tagged content, all accessible from a central dashboard
* Digitized Non-core and Facility Specific UFC digital content library additions

https://hubs.ly/Q04kh1sy0

Introducing WBDG 3.0

For more than 20 years, the Whole Building Design Guide has been a trusted resource for the building community, connecting federal agencies, industry practitioners, and the broader built environment to federal facility criteria, authoritative guidance, and workforce development opportunities.

Today, we're excited to announce the next step in that evolution: WBDG 3.0.

This modernized platform delivers:
• Improved stability and long-term resilience
• Enhanced search and navigation
• A more intuitive user experience
• Modernized access to Federal Facility Criteria
• Integrated education and training (LMS)
• AI-powered chat to streamline navigation

Together, these enhancements create a more connected ecosystem supporting the full lifecycle of learning, guidance, and standards adoption.

Have questions about the transition? Visit our FAQ page for details or reach out at [email protected].

Thank you for being part of the WBDG community and helping us build the next generation of the platform!

NIBS will be in attendance at the 2026 High Performance Buildings Week In-Person Briefing next week.

This year’s briefing, “Unleashing AI Dominance: Data Center Performance, Flexibility, and Resilience,” will explore how the rapid growth of data centers is reshaping the building energy landscape and driving important conversations around efficiency, demand-response, resilience, infrastructure limitations, and high-performance design.

As the built environment continues to adapt to rising energy demands and evolving technology needs, NIBS looks forward to being part of the conversation.

Big news from the Whole Building Design Guide (WBDG)

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Learning Management System (LMS) on June 1. This milestone is part of our broader effort to modernize the WBDG platform, making it more accessible, secure, and easier to use for our community.

What to expect:
• June 1: On-demand video courses available at launch
• Shortly after: Additional module-based courses added
• Through September 1: Continued access to the previous LMS for in-progress or legacy courses

Please note: any courses not completed in the legacy system by September 1 will need to be restarted in the new LMS.

Thank you for being part of the WBDG community and helping us build the next generation of the platform.

Construction Dive recently highlighted key conversations from Building Innovation 2026 around the growing role of digital permitting, AI, and connected data systems in improving construction timelines, inspections, and project delivery.

From faster permit reviews to visual AI tools that support remote inspections, the article underscores a major theme from BI2026: technology is no longer just a future-facing concept for the built environment. It is already helping communities, agencies, and project teams rethink how buildings are reviewed, approved, and delivered.

Read the full article: https://hubs.ly/Q04jbpNs0

George Guszcza, D.Eng, will be speaking at the U.S. Housing & Community Development Conference & Expo on June 1 for “Moving Beyond Project-by-Project Reviews: A Systems-Based Approach to Housing Delivery.”

The session will focus on how the housing industry can move from one-off, project-by-project reviews toward a more scalable systems-based approach to delivery — one that supports faster approvals, more consistent outcomes, and greater adoption of construction innovation.

George will join a panel of industry leaders to discuss how modular construction, advanced BIM, supply chain innovation, and digital project management are helping change how affordable housing gets built at scale.

Attend the session:
June 1 | 4:10 PM | Dallas Ballroom BC

Today, we remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

On Memorial Day, we pause with gratitude for their sacrifice and reflect on the freedoms made possible through their courage.