National Institute of Building Sciences

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.

NIBS was proud to be part of the SAME JETC 2026 Conference, connecting with leaders across the AEC, defense, engineering, and infrastructure communities.

Ken Alexander, Shirley Albritton, Jay Kline, and Sara Barrett represented NIBS at this year’s event, with Jay and Sara also sharing their expertise as featured speakers.

Thank you to SAME and everyone who connected with our team throughout the conference. We’re always glad to be part of conversations that help advance the built environment.

This week, leaders from across housing, disaster response, insurance, and construction came together in Tysons Corner for a dynamic roundtable on Delivering Resilient Housing Solutions After Disasters.

With disasters becoming more frequent and severe, rebuilding isn’t just about restoring what was lost; it’s about creating homes and systems that are stronger, safer, and better prepared for the future.

- Accelerate access to safe, cost-effective housing after disasters
- Reduce barriers that slow families’ return home
- Scale resilient, industrialized housing solutions
- Turn disaster recovery into a catalyst for long-term housing innovation

With disasters becoming more frequent and severe, rebuilding isn’t just about restoring what was lost, it’s about creating homes and systems that are stronger, safer, and better prepared for the future.

Thank you to all who contributed insights, expertise, and energy to this important conversation. The path forward is clearer when we work together.

The closing keynote delivered a bold message about the future of national resilience and the need to shift from reacting to disasters to investing in anticipation of them. Drawing on experience across FEMA, insurance, and public policy, Dr. Daniel Kaniewski challenged the audience to rethink how resilience is funded, measured, and rewarded.

From resilience incentives to smarter alignment of public and private investment, the keynote made one thing clear: communities that invest before disaster strikes are better positioned to recover faster and stronger. A powerful call to action to turn policy, incentives, and leadership into real-world resilience.

Industrialized construction took center stage in this session, spotlighting how off site and factory based approaches are reshaping the way buildings are designed, manufactured, and delivered. The conversation cut straight to the impact, faster timelines, higher quality, improved resilience, and real solutions to labor and cost challenges.

Moderated by Kyle Barry of NIBS, leaders from Autodesk, Låda Build, and James Hardie shared real world examples and candid insights on what it takes to scale industrialized construction, from digital integration and supply chains to policy, procurement, and workforce readiness.