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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Integrated Project Delivery: A Platform for Efficient Construction
Feature Article
Integrated project delivery, or IPD, is a new contract mechanism for design and construction. Among its benefits for green building, it enshrines integrated design and building information modeling (BIM) into a legally supportive framework.
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Counting Carbon: Understanding Carbon Footprints of Buildings
Feature Article
Everyone seems to be talking about measuring carbon footprints and designing carbon-neutral buildings, but these terms mean different things to different people. Some focus just on operating energy, while others also look at transportation, materials, and other building-related emissions. As with so many things, the results depend on what you count and how you count it.
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Making Air Barriers that Work: Why and How to Tighten Up Buildings
Feature Article
Incorporating a continuous air barrier into a building's design and construction can save energy and improve the indoor environment, among other benefits. The right materials and assemblies can help accomplish that goal, but careful attention during design and close oversight during construction are essential.
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Is Nano a No-No? Nanotechnology Advances into Buildings
Feature Article
Nanotechnology takes advantage of the novel properties that particles can exhibit at a billionth of a meter in size. Those properties are being used in building materials, where they can improve thermal performance and the effectiveness of photovoltaics, among many possibilities. The field has little regulation, however, despite significant health and environmental concerns.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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‘Architects Declare’ Pairs Climate Commitments with Social Justice
News Brief
More than 150 U.S architecture firms have signed on to fight a triple threat: climate, biodiversity, and justice emergencies.
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Which Multifamily Buildings Should Be Electrified First?
News Brief
Significant challenges prevent the great majority of existing NYC multifamily buildings from being electrified, but these 480 buildings are prime candidates.
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Another Corona Side Effect: Reduced Peak Electricity Demand
News Analysis
Flattening the COVID curve is also flattening electricity load curves, which may be a lesson for the building industry.
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Old Insulation and HVAC Systems Are Still Depleting Ozone
News Brief
Older buildings are “CFC banks” because of phased-out refrigerants and blowing agents, according to MIT scientists.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Changing Practices
Op-Ed
A reader reports on changing his building practices with inspiration from Environmental Building News.
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Save the Icing for Last
Op-Ed
Before considering high-profile features such as wind turbines and photovoltaic arrays, we should focus on the basics of green building.
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Remembering Greg Franta
Op-Ed
Greg Franta, FAIA, not only inspired green builders, he made them laugh.
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Sustainable Design Leaders Explore Their Profession
Op-Ed
With BuildingGreen's help, a group of sustainable design directors met in Colorado Springs to discuss this growing profession.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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