The Big Picture
It’s easy to get caught up in the details—earning one more LEED point or getting that documentation you need for recycled content.
But it’s a lot easier to achieve all the project goals if the owner and the whole project team are in agreement about why you’re putting in all this work in the first place. Stuff like:
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slowing down climate change
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dealing with global water shortages
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avoiding depletion of nonrenewable resources
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preventing public health problems associated with manufacturing
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righting social wrongs
Here we set the scene, providing context that can help get—and keep—everyone on the same page about project goals.
The Big Picture
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Sustainable Design Literacy: A Foundation for Transformed Practice
Feature Article
How well does the average designer know sustainable design? And how are the best firms supporting increased knowledge—and action?
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Embracing the Economy as a Design Challenge
Feature Article
How architects, community developers, and others are experimenting with new models to support progressive design.
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20 Ways to Advance Sustainability in the Next Four Years
Feature Article
In this age of political revolution and environmental urgency, it’s time to step back and take a look at priorities, challenges, and opportunities
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Pest Prevention: Steps Designers Can Take
Feature Article
Integrated pest management (IPM) design strategies can reduce structural damage and unsanitary conditions, and improve our community’s health.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Sustainability: Too Much or Not Enough?
Primer
The drive toward sustainable design is a long one. Are we there yet?
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Ecosystem Services
Primer
Functions performed by intact ecosystems provide essential support for human life, but how do we quantify their value?
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The Water-Energy Connection
Primer
The production of electricity is highly water intense, just as the transport, heating, and cooling of water is energy intense. So saving energy saves water and saving water saves energy.
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The Precautionary Principle
Primer
The precautionary principle employs "guilty until proven innocent" methodology, and suggests that we should avoid using questionable chemicals and materials until we know they're safe.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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iCrete Mixes Stronger Concrete With Less Cement
Product Review
iCrete is an approach to concrete mix design that uses a proprietary algorithm, informed by detailed analysis of available aggregates, to optimize particle packing and use only as much cement as necessary.
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Bella-Dura Contract Fabric Touts Its Green Credentials
Product Review
Bella-Dura indoor/outdoor fabric offers contract-quality performance in a competitively priced product. The company claims that Bella-Dura solution-dyed polypropylene fibers are colorfast and require less energy and water to produce than nylon or polyester.
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Lime Stucco from American Clay Enterprises
Product Review
American Clay Enterprises, known for its popular natural earth plaster, has introduced a setting lime stucco to the national market.
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Hands-Free Parking
Product Review
The AutoMotion Parking System creates an automated parking garage, offering advantages including indoor environmental quality benefits.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Leveraging the Pandemic to Reduce Carbon—for Good
News Brief
Lord Aeck Sargent tracked its 2020 carbon footprint. The results were astounding and could be lasting.
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ROI and High Performance: How to Talk the Talk
News Brief
AIA has released talking points for architects to help clients and others understand the return on investment of green building.
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The Federal Plan to Decarbonize Buildings and Increase Equity
News Brief
The U.S. General Services Administration has established two task groups in response to the president’s demands on climate and environmental justice.
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From AIA, How to Develop Your Sustainability Action Plan
News Brief
AIA’s “Creating a Sustainability Action Plan That Works” helps firms develop a living roadmap for continuous improvement on the 2030 Commitment and more.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Carbon Emissions Are Up, But We Can Get Back on Track
Op-Ed
Carbon emissions rose in a year of natural disasters. Here’s what we can do about it.
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What I Learned on the Way to Enhancing AIA’s Code of Ethics
Op-Ed
Getting stronger sustainability language into the AIA Code of Ethics wasn’t easy.
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Embodied Carbon on a Roll
Blog Post
The carbon that’s emitted when we produce materials and construct our buildings is finally getting the attention it deserves.
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Zero-Energy Buildings for All
Blog Post
There is increasing movement for buildings to reach net-zero energy, but they can't do it alone. Here's how to fix the system.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Passive House on Campus: Eight Exemplary Projects
Spotlight Report
Over the years, the original Passive House Institute (PHI) certification system has branched out considerably to offer different requirements for different building types, such as offices, hospitals, schools—even swimming pools.
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The Urgency of Embodied Carbon and What You Can Do About It
Spotlight Report
Building materials emit massive amounts of carbon long before the lights go on. Here’s how thoughtful design can reduce global warming impact.
