Design Process
Parent
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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Building for People: Integrating Social Justice into Green Design
Feature
Social justice is already a part of green building. Making it a conscious part of the decision-making process, however, requires a new paradigm.
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Will I Get Sued? Managing Risk in Green Building
Feature
Building industry professionals take on risks when they work on green buildings. But those risks aren't insurmountable, and can easily be handled with good communication and solid contracts.
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Cool Products From Greenbuild 2009: An Expo Floor Tour
Feature
Alex Wilson provides a tour of 37 innovative products from the U.S. Green Building Council's 2009 Greenbuild conference in Phoenix.
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Commercial Kitchens: Cooking Up Green Opportunities
Feature
Commercial kitchens run energy- and water-intensive equipment for long hours, sometimes even when not in use. While the challenges of saving water and energy in commercial kitchens are daunting, they're not insurmountable. Careful equipment selection and a commitment to conscientious kitchen practices can dramatically cut down on waste-and utility bills.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Reading Sustainability
Explainer
What are the books that all designers should read? This reading list on sustainable design, gathered from experts, is a mini-degree on green building.
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Biomimicry: Designing Conditions Conducive to Life
Explainer
Biomimicry offers a vitalizing framework for reconnecting designers to nature and driving innovation.
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Social Sustainability and Architecture
Explainer
Architects can increase social value through thoughtful design of the built environment.
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Carbon Offsets and How to Select Them
Explainer
With more owners looking to reverse the embodied carbon impact of their buildings, it’s important to know how to buy legitimate offsets.
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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Green Globes Announces Life-Cycle Assessment Tool for Rating Systems
News Analysis
A new software tool from the Green Building Initiative promises to help designers make smarter environmental choices based on life-cycle assessment.
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InterfaceFLOR Goes Carbon Neutral with All Commercial Carpet Tiles
News Analysis
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Lights Out for the Incandescent Lamp?
News Analysis
The inefficient incandescent lamp is in danger of being banned, with several initatives in the U.S. and abroad in the works.
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3M Guarantees Product Won't Be Banned
News Analysis
A unique warranty from 3M offers a refund on Novec 1230 Fire Protection Fluid if the product is banned for its ozone-depletion or global-warming potential.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Architectural Board Should Reinstate Sustainability Criteria
Op-Ed
Collaboration skills and sustainability concepts are being “elevated” by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)—but it’s really a demotion.
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Opinion: Seven Things Manufacturers Wish You Understood About EPDs
Op-Ed
Some manufacturers say creating EPDs has improved their products. But they also have important messages for the design community.
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The Big Materials Dream Needs to Include Climate Change and More
Op-Ed
We’re finally getting vital toxicity information about building products. But let’s remember that sustainability is about more than avoiding health hazards.
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The Green Building Movement Has Lost One of Its Unsung Heroes
Op-Ed
Kirsten Childs 1944 – 2016
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Wood's Latest Move: from Carbon Neutral to Climate Smart
Webcast
If we’re going to start using a lot more wood in buildings, we need to think hard about where that wood is going to come from and how it will be harvested.
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Let’s Get Real about Wood’s Carbon Footprint
Webcast
You’ve probably heard that wood products are carbon neutral. You might also have heard that timber harvesting causes immense carbon emissions. Which is it? Could it be both?
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Everyday ESG: Real People Share How It’s Done
Webcast
Four experts in ESG representing design, construction, and consulting firms will come together during this virtual roundtable to share their field notes and lessons learned.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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