Commercial Interiors
Also known as “tenant improvement” or “TI” projects, commercial interiors present great opportunities for attending to health and sustainability impacts. They range in scope from a relatively light “refresh” of a space with updated finishes and furniture to a complete fit-out that includes localized mechanical systems.
Either way, TI projects entail most of the stuff that occupants are directly exposed to, so minimizing potential hazards in the products is paramount.
And because these projects have a notoriously short useful life, attention to the environmental footprint of products—and the ability to reuse or recycle them later—goes a long way.
Commercial Interiors
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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The Sound of Sustainability: Acoustics in High-Performance Design
Feature Article
Acoustic performance is often overlooked by human-centered design. A holistic approach shows how to navigate the complexities of “sustainable acoustics.”
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A Guide to Selecting Sustainable Textiles
Feature Article
Textiles’ good looks hide an ugly environmental legacy, but there are five straightforward ways to make responsible design choices.
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How to Succeed with the Living Building Challenge: 12 Teams Share Tips
Feature Article
The bar is high—that’s obvious—but watch out for some surprising pitfalls. Here’s how dedicated teams have tackled Living Building challenges.
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How to Get from VOC Certifications to Better Products
Feature Short
The FDA regulates flies in our soup, but no one regulates VOCs in our indoor air. Somehow that’s a designer’s job to figure out.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Sitting Is the New Smoking: Fad or Fact?
Primer
Active design is looking less like a luxury and more like a public health imperative.
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VOC Testing: What It Can and Can’t Tell You
Primer
“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.
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Circadian Rhythm and the Role of Lighting
Primer
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?
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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LVT: Like Vinyl Today? It’s Making a Comeback
Product Review
The popularity of luxury vinyl tile represents a resurgence for PVC, but there are alternatives that look as good or better.
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Three Ways to Find Sustainable Textiles, and Seven of the Best Brands
Product Review
A complex supply chain makes finding sustainable textiles for furnishings, draperies, panel fabrics, and other applications a challenge, but there are shortcuts.
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Greenest Greenbuild Products for the Indoor Environment and More
Product Review
We look at products that improve indoor environmental quality and check in on advances from previous Top 10 winners.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Case Study: Structure Tone Headquarters, New York, NY
News Analysis
Well-being at Work: The first WELL-certified project in New York City supports employee health and promotes collaboration.
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GreenScreen Launches Certification for Textile Chemicals
News Brief
The hazard assessment program jumps into the certification business to promote textile chemicals with reduced health hazards.
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Rental And Occupancy Levels Remain Higher For Green Office Buildings
News Brief
A new report verifies the greater value of environmental certification in the commercial real estate market
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Overcooled Offices Impair Thinking
News Brief
New research shows a warmer setpoint combined with personal fans saves energy while maintaining occupant comfort and performance levels in tropical climates.
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
-
The Sound of Sustainability: Acoustics in High-Performance Design
Feature Article
Acoustic performance is often overlooked by human-centered design. A holistic approach shows how to navigate the complexities of “sustainable acoustics.”
-
A Guide to Selecting Sustainable Textiles
Feature Article
Textiles’ good looks hide an ugly environmental legacy, but there are five straightforward ways to make responsible design choices.
-
How to Succeed with the Living Building Challenge: 12 Teams Share Tips
Feature Article
The bar is high—that’s obvious—but watch out for some surprising pitfalls. Here’s how dedicated teams have tackled Living Building challenges.
