An Engineer's Perspective: Shaping Resilient Systems Through Policy and Practice
2024 is a big year for the National Institute of Building Sciences.
NIBS officially was established in August 1974, by the U.S. Congress in the Housing and Community Development Act, Public Law 93-383. At that time, Congress recognized the need for an organization to serve as an authoritative source supporting government and private sector building science research, code/standards development, and innovative technology integration.
“We are planning to celebrate this important milestone throughout the year,” said Stephen T. Ayers, Interim President & CEO, in a press release. “This is our chance to honor the relationships we have formed, research we have developed, and stakeholders we continue to serve. Our work is far from over.”
Several special events are planned throughout the year, including the release of a 50th Anniversary Report, launch of new online resources reflecting NIBS achievements, and a Golden Anniversary celebration during Building Innovation 2024 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC in May.
NIBS: Our Beginnings to Today
In the late 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson launched a ‘War on Poverty’ that included the formation of the National Commission on Urban Problems to research U.S. housing and building development focusing on model codes, standards, zoning, and taxes. Two years later, the commission revealed a national labyrinth of building codes and standards lacking uniformity and modernization and identified the need for a national resource to provide solutions.
NIBS was established as that resource in 1974.
Some examples of NIBS contributions over the years include:
Today, NIBS focuses on four strategic areas addressing national building industry objectives: climate adaption, mitigation, and resiliency; transformational building sciences and technologies; industry development and diversification; and visibility and recognition.
Join us! Learn more about becoming a NIBS member or partner and supporting events and programs.