M|O Perspectives
Check back here for our thoughts on the latest developments in our industry.
Challenges and misconceptions in creative office spaces
Oct 27, 2016
Once upon a time creative office spaces were raw, unfinished, open floorplans in old, sometimes historic, buildings. Startup companies liked the flexible layouts and inexpensive rent. Over the years, the popularity of creative offices has grown and evolved into a design concept all its own—one that...
50 shades of green: understanding next-generation sustainability systems
Sep 23, 2016
Green building continues to be the wave of the future. In fact, when the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo hits Los Angeles next month, it's estimated to bring up to 25,000 environmentally focused minds together to discuss everything from the most recent LEED rating systems, one of the...
Building owners feeling aftershock of L.A. quake retrofit
Sep 08, 2016
Last year's seismic retrofit ordinance is putting 15,000 older Los Angeles buildings under serious pressure. Owners and operators of Los Angeles structures built before 1978 are left quaking about meeting minimum standards, opting for a retrofit or considering teardowns. Owners of buildings found to...
The value of a CASp review
Aug 03, 2016
Accessibility regulations can seem like a complicated maelstrom of overlapping and conflicting requirements. The confusion over codes makes easy prey for "drive-by" lawsuits, which often target small businesses that may not have the knowledge of what's required and will therefore opt to...
Latest landscape trends reflect limited resources and modern lifestyles
May 25, 2016
Like all design, landscaping is adapting to substantial shifts in sustainability as well as the new way people work in and around the built environment. One of the biggest national trend we are seeing is in native landscaping. This type of landscape design allows for climate-matched planting...
Another Marx|Okubo project in the news - Santa Monica's Pen Factory
May 18, 2016
Marx|Okubo provided property condition assessment services on this development to assist our client in determining the proper scope for the renovated structures. This project shows how reusing existing buildings in creative ways can be attractive and sustainable, both from an environmental as well...
Technology enhancing the way we deliver construction services
Apr 28, 2016
In our experience, every building comes with issues. The key to navigating construction challenges successfully is to have the knowledge base necessary to identify those issues, communicate them effectively and efficiently, and champion prudent solutions. Luckily, constant improvement in the...
Going net zero: What about the envelope?
Mar 10, 2016
Setting new precedents in green energy, California made significant revisions to energy requirements as part of the state’s 2014 building code. The revisions also proposed an extensive mandate for new commercial buildings to be “zero net energy” by 2030. While we assume the rest of the country will...
Does your roof warranty have you covered?
Feb 12, 2016
Warranty issues on roofing are a common problem in the world of property investment and building construction. Unknowns stem from the fact that there is a wide range of roof manufacturers, all of which have their own warranties for differing systems. Adding to the confusion are various coverage...
What you need to know now about EBM
Jan 03, 2016
The trouble with exterior building maintenance requirements (EBM) is they’re not widely known. Buildings are not typically reviewed for compliance with state and federal safety codes, and enforcement is by complaint only. We don’t acknowledge this to alarm real estate builders, owners and investors,...