Design Strategies
Parent
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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Instructions on Rebuilding a Resilient Puerto Rico
Feature Short
A resilience manual for building disaster-resistant homes in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Florida Keys will be published in 2019.
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Elevated New Orleans Buildings Pass a Flood Test
Feature Short
A housing project that replaced one damaged by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans was designed high enough to withstand a recent flood.
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The Water We Drink: Softeners, Filters, and Other Treatment Options
Feature
Although our nation's tap water is among the best in the world, most Americans are concerned about its quality. This article explores the range of technologies to treat real and perceived water-quality problems.
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Passive Survivability: A New Design Criterion for Buildings
Feature
Buildings and their occupants are vulnerable to threats ranging from storms and rising sea levels to accidents and terrorism. In this feature article, EBN describes how to design and construct buildings to maintain livable conditions in the event of extended power outages or loss of heating fuel or water.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Post-Occupancy Evaluations: Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Explainer
POEs tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your buildings. Don't be afraid to ask.
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Buffering Humidity with Interior Finishes
Explainer
The relative humidity of indoor air often fluctuates. Interior finishes can help moderate those changes, improving comfort and IAQ as well as saving energy.
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The Surprising Connection Between Water Conservation and Deadly Infections
Explainer
Legionella and other pathogens can proliferate in pipes and low-flow fixtures, threatening the health of vulnerable people.
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The Problem with Red Lists
Explainer
Having a short list of toxic chemicals to avoid is convenient, but nasty “alternatives” can sneak in the back door. Hazard screenings help solve this problem.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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The World's Most Efficient Solar Thermal Collector?
Product Review
The Ritter XL solar thermal system combines the most efficient technology to generate hot water for commercial, multifamily, and district heating.
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Powerhouse: Building-Integrated PV for Asphalt-Shingle Roofs
Product Review
Dow's Powerhouse solar shingles integrate seamlessly into asphalt-shingle residential roofs.
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BioPCM: Finally, a Low-Cost, Practical Phase-Change Material
Product Review
A sea change for phase-change materials? BioPCM brings phase change into the 21st century with biobased mats.
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Soltecture Offers Option for Photovoltaic Facades
Product Review
Soltecture's Corium CIGS BIPV system allows thin-film panels to be integrated into building façades and can be used with Focus Material's BIPV mounting systems.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Solar Water Heating Required in New Homes in Hawaii
News Analysis
A new law in Hawaii requires solar water heaters for new houses, but several groups, including a solar energy organization, see problems with the legislation.
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Groups Set Mercury Limits for Flyash in Concrete
News Analysis
Fears about mercury content in coal flyash used as recycled content in concrete are leading to new rules in green building rating systems.
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Building-Integrated Wind Arrives at Logan International Airport
News Analysis
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California Sets Up Toxic Chemicals Registry
News Analysis
New legislation in California requires the government to identify and prioritize toxic substances needing further assessment, but critics argue that it will delay needed action.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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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.
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Bouncing Forward from Disasters
Op-Ed
Finding opportunities in the spate of recent devastating natural disasters.
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Why Net-Zero Energy Is a Goal We Can All Get Behind
Op-Ed
BuidingGreen’s recent report critiquing net-zero energy may be fighting the wrong battle. -
How to Help Ukraine Now … and in the Future
Op-Ed
What can the green building and resilience communities do to help the people of Ukraine?
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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On-demand Webinar- Rainwater Management and LEED: Strategies to Protect Ecosystems and Communities
Webcast
In this webinar, we will review the LEED v4 and v4.1 BD+C Rainwater Management credits and discuss how real project teams are approaching and implementing successful management strategies.
Just For Fun
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