Design Process
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Design Process
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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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.
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Mouth, Meet Money: Case Studies of Outcome-Based Design
Feature Article
Performance-based incentives are a growing (and positive) trend. They’re not as risky as they sound, but there are some steps you should be taking to prepare.
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How To Run a Great Workshop: 37 Tips and Ideas
Feature Article
Whether you call it a charrette, a workshop, or simply a meeting, these suggestions from experts will make your next event more fun and productive.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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How "Smart" Vapor Retarders Work
Explainer
Vapor retarders are supposed to keep our buildings dry, but they sometimes keep them wet instead. Enter the "smart" vapor retarder.
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The Water-Energy Connection
Explainer
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
Explainer
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.
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Synthetic Gypsum
Explainer
Synthetic gypsum, used in drywall, is chemically the same as virgin gypsum but is created from a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. Are designer and contractor concerns about heavy metal contamination justified?
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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Land Use Is Step One for Decarbonizing Transportation
News Brief
Four federal agencies have released a first-of-its-kind, holistic strategy for the decarbonization of the U.S. transportation sector.
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$100 Million Available from EPA for Environmental Justice Work
News Brief
Justice40 funding, coming through EPA, includes building and community improvements as eligible project types.
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Does Your Firm Have the Carbon Data the Feds Are Asking For?
News Analysis
Under the proposed Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience rule, federal contractors would have to disclose their carbon footprints, set emission targets, and more.
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“Tree Equity” Fund Brings Green to Urban Streetscapes
News Brief
Access to green, tree-lined space is unequal. A new $10 million fund has been created to help low-income neighborhoods tap into federal funding.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Opting Out of Paris Accord Fortifies Global Warming Battle
Op-Ed
By making the administration’s position clear, Trump’s decision unleashed a wave of actions to stabilize the climate.
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Net-Zero-Energy Schools in a Post-Paris Accord U.S.
Op-Ed
The challenge might seem greater, but focusing on schools is crucial as climate change advocacy moves to local leadership.
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Our Economy is Broken (and We Can Fix It)
Op-Ed
Green building practitioners must take on the challenge of our broken economy, in our work and in our lives.
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Do You Understand Sustainable Design? Nine Quick Ways to Find Out
Blog Post
We asked architects how they evaluate someone’s sustainability literacy in a single question.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Net-Zero Energy Isn’t the Real Goal: 8 Reasons Why
Spotlight Report
In this report, we list eight ways that NZE projects miss the mark on climate goals, including how they affect the electricity grid, transportation, embodied carbon, and resilience, and how we can course-correct to achieve our goals.
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Equity in Design and Construction: Seven Case Studies
Spotlight Report
Cities are endemically segregated by income and race. Many building projects seek to enhance the profits of developers, often at the expense of the surrounding community.
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Re-forming the Building Industry: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Spotlight Report
People from marginalized communities are shockingly underrepresented in the U.S. building industry. It’s past time to change that.
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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.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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