Building Science
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Building Science
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Are Cool Roofs Green? The Answer’s Not Black and White
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Roofing choices are complicated by heating tradeoffs, climate effects, and condensation, but proponents say reflective roofs still make sense in most climates.
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Natural Ventilation: The Nine Biggest Obstacles and How Project Teams Are Beating Them
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Designers are reinventing the art and science of passive comfort control even where climate and culture favor mechanical systems.
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Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade
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Cladding materials should be chosen to minimize environmental impacts and help maximize a building’s energy performance.
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How to Succeed with the Living Building Challenge: 12 Teams Share Tips
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The bar is high—that’s obvious—but watch out for some surprising pitfalls. Here’s how dedicated teams have tackled Living Building challenges.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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The Embodied Energy of Tap Water
Explainer
A third of the annual energy bill paid by a municipality goes toward water treatment. Here’s why clean water uses so much energy.
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Capillary Breaks: How to Get Them Right the First Time
Explainer
Most people understand that they need drainage—but they forget to plan for the water that flows uphill, and disaster can result.
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Circadian Rhythm and the Role of Lighting
Explainer
LEDs with color tuning are now being sold, but do we really have the light formula for waking us up and putting us to sleep?
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VOC Testing: What It Can and Can’t Tell You
Explainer
“Section 01350” has come a long way since it acquired its curious nickname. Here’s what it can tell you about indoor air quality—and what it can’t.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Capturing Concrete Washout Pollutants
Product Review
Atlantic Concrete Washout uses portable, sealed containers and specially designed trucks to collect and dispose of waste products left over after washing down concrete equipment at construction sites.
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Invelope: A Breakthrough in Exterior Commercial Wall Assemblies?
Product Review
Invelope is a steel and foam panel that serves as a moisture and vapor barrier, drainage plane, and insulation while also providing a mounting system for brick veneer or terra-cotta cladding.
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Urine Separation: The Next Wave of Ecological Wastewater Treatment
Product Review
Urine-separating toilets offer better treatment options for both urine and feces, and they're coming to the U.S.
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Heat-Pump Water Heaters Ready for Prime Time
Product Review
Heat-pump water heaters offer significantly greater water heating efficiency than conventional electric water heaters. EBN takes a look at three new products, along with two existing products and one that is expected out soon.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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A Surge of Popularity for Efficient DC Power
News Analysis
Which is more efficient: alternating or direct current? Experts say DC is the future of power distribution-and they're ready to get started now.
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Open Offices Engender Collaborative, Transparent Workplaces
News Analysis
Open workspaces are increasingly popular, and thoughtful design can help ease the transition.
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GU24: New Pin-Base for CFLs, LEDs
News Analysis
GU24 fixture-lamp combinations ensure that high efficacy lighting systems don't revert to incandescents.
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Report: For Better Buildings, We Need Better Data
News Analysis
With CBECS fading, where can we turn for reliable building performance data?
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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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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