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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Integrated Design Meets the Real World
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Proponents of integrated design say that it results in higher-performing buildings at lower costs than the conventional design process. But real world obstacles can derail or limit integration. We offer tips from experts to keep things on track.
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Avoiding the Global Warming Impact of Insulation
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Insulation is key to reducing carbon emissions from buildings. But the blowing agent in extruded polystyrene and spray polyurethane foam offsets much of that benefit.
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The Problem with Net-Zero Buildings (and the Case for Net-Zero Neighborhoods)
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It can be tough to make an individual building into a zero energy building, while working at the community scale can offer up opportunities for energy efficiency and cost-effective renewable energy generation.
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Reducing Environmental Impacts of Cement and Concrete
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This article explores the environmental footprint of portland cement production and future emissions regulations and looks at the issues surrounding its most common replacement, fly ash.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Energy Performance: Learn the Lingo
Explainer
The AIA 2030 Commitment and many other programs require project teams to predict and report on energy use. Here are the key terms you’ll need to get the job done.
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Circular Economy: Better Design from Start to … Start
Explainer
“Circularity” is about more than just recycling. It means building and buying things only when necessary—and without wasting anything.
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Certified Communities: When Greening Neighborhoods One Building at a Time Isn’t Enough
Explainer
A comparison of community-scale certification programs.
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Weighing Embodied vs. Operational Carbon Tradeoffs
Explainer
There can be a seesaw dynamic between operational and embodied carbon. Under what circumstances is a tradeoff worth the price
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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Cascadia "Unconference" Sets the Leading Edge
News Analysis
Participatory, forward-thinking sessions characterized the Living Future Conference, which explored the leading edge of green building.
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USGBC Finds Research Underfunded
News Analysis
The U.S. Green Building Council's research committee argues that green building research is severely underfunded.
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Updated Guide Shows the Way to Cost-Effective Energy Optimization
News Analysis
The Core Performance Guide offers strategies for achieving 20%30% energy savings in buildings, updating a previous guide which led to energy optimization points in LEED.
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Report Says Green Still Doesn't Drive Building Cost
News Analysis
"Cost of Green Revisited" finds that how green goals are achieved has more of an impact on building cost than the eventual level of performance.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Building Materials and the Time Value of Carbon
Op-Ed
When you save matters. What you build matters. Here’s why we need to build well and rebuild better.
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On the Path to Net Zero
Op-Ed
At Leonard Farm, we’ve taken another big step in our quest for net-zero energy and net-zero carbon—but we’re not there yet!
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A Quarter Century of Changing the World
Op-Ed
Going on 25 years, we still don’t have all the answers. What gets us excited about the next 25? Working with you to ask the right questions.
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Building Products Matter Even More Than We Thought
Op-Ed
Operational energy use is critical, but materials might be an even bigger part of the solution to climate change and other pressing environmental issues.
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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