Design Strategies
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Design Strategies
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Net-Zero Energy Isn’t the Real Goal: 8 Reasons Why
Feature Article
Net-zero-energy buildings don’t always reduce carbon emissions. These are the tweaks we need to ensure they do.
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An Advocate’s Guide to Resilience Regulations
Feature Article
Resilience is finding its place in city zoning and building codes. Here are some ideas to bring to your local government.
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How to Access the Full Power of Biophilia
Feature Article
People wither physically and mentally without nature. Biophilic design is a remedy and a foundation for regenerative design all at the same time.
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Boost Happiness and Save Energy with Adaptive Thermal Comfort
Feature Article
Adaptive thermal comfort is an emerging practice designed to save energy while keeping occupants more satisfied.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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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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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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Designing for Daylighting
Explainer
In addition to making your space more pleasant visually, daylighting reduces the need for electric lighting.
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Neuroarchitecture: Thinking with Our Buildings
Explainer
Can the fields of cognitive science and neuroscience improve the built environment? Those studying neuroarchitecture think so.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Antimicrobials in Building Products: the COVID-19 Edition
Product Review
Cleaning with soap and water is still the best defense against COVID-19 virus and other pathogens. Antimicrobials are not the answer.
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Integrated PV Inverter and Electric Vehicle Charger
Product Review
SolarEdge’s photovoltaic inverter and electric vehicle charging station reduces the number of mechanical systems and simplifies installation.
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Do Living Walls Make for Cleaner Indoor Air?
Product Review
Nedlaw Living Wall Biofilters do more than most green walls to remove VOCs, but it’s unclear that they provide a true fresh air supply.
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Unmilled Timber Frames Go High Tech, Replacing Steel
Product Review
Keep the beauty of round logs, and get more strength from an engineered wood structure, promises Wisconsin-based company WholeTrees.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Be Prepared: The IRA Eliminates the Tech-Based ITC in Just Over a Year
News Analysis
Beginning in 2025, electricity-producing facilities will need to achieve zero emissions to claim the Investment Tax Credit, making the eligibility of several currently funded technologies uncertain.
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Can “Works with WELL” Make Product Selection Easier?
News Analysis
The International WELL Building Institute has launched a new program to help users find building products and systems that align with WELL feature requirements.
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Biophilic Design’s Financial Case Is Strong As Ever
News Brief
The pandemic popularized biophilic design, says a seminal resource, in part by emphasizing the importance of green outdoor spaces.
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Surgeons General Make Urgent Call for Healthy Building Policies
News Brief
In an open letter, public health leaders implore officials to design building policies for occupant health.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Leveraging Thermal Comfort to Achieve High Performance
Blog Post
Can buildings be both comfortable and energy efficient? The Kendeda Building shows how the two can go hand in hand.
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R-10 Vacuum-Insulated Glazing
Blog Post
The technological challenges for high performance, vacuum-insulated glazing may have finally been surpassed, but the results are still under wraps.
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Do Solar Panels Need to be Cleaned?
Blog Post
The accumulation of dust, pollen, and bird droppings affects the energy production of a PV array. This blog post looks into how important cleaning of solar panels really is.
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Bouncing Forward from Disasters
Op-Ed
Finding opportunities in the spate of recent devastating natural disasters.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Native Landscaping for Biodiversity
Feature Article
Removal of invasive plants and support of native plantings are critically important for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
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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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Boost Happiness and Save Energy with Adaptive Thermal Comfort
Feature Article
Adaptive thermal comfort is an emerging practice designed to save energy while keeping occupants more satisfied.
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The Urgency of Embodied Carbon and What You Can Do about It
Feature Article
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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New Standard Emphasizes American Well-Being
April Fools
The LOFE2 health standard comes from the creators of Green Globes.
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Award-Winning Homes Capture “Seamless Biophilia Experience”
April Fools
Seamless biophilia experience takes home Lille Arne prize.
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Resilient Design Is a Big Load of Crap
April Fools
Why are you taking survival advice from a bunch of pencil jockeys? It’s time to start listening to the pros.
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WELL Building Auditor Will Drink Your Milkshake
April Fools
The WELL standard for healthy spaces and lifestyles is backed by onsite auditing, but some occupants would prefer to slowly kill themselves in peace.