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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Counting Carbon: Understanding Carbon Footprints of Buildings
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Everyone seems to be talking about measuring carbon footprints and designing carbon-neutral buildings, but these terms mean different things to different people. Some focus just on operating energy, while others also look at transportation, materials, and other building-related emissions. As with so many things, the results depend on what you count and how you count it.
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Bringing Nature Indoors: The Myths and Realities of Plants in Buildings
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Some proponents of indoor plants promise that they will clean the air and promote occupant health and productivity. But will they? Scientific backing for these claims is still being developed, but some of the results are promising.
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The Folly of Building-Integrated Wind
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Wind turbines on buildings could produce electricity where it's needed and catch high winds above ground level. However, wind turbulence, safety, cost, and poor performance all make building-integrated wind a limited strategy.
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The Living Building Challenge: Can It Really Change the World?
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The Living Building Challenge, with its stringent, all-or-nothing requirements, is out to change the way we build. But is it actually achievable?
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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How RECs Work—and Why You Might Not Own Your Clean Energy
Explainer
Even if you buy into a solar farm or host an array, someone else can claim the benefits. Here’s how to get what you expect.
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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.
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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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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.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Aerogel Coating May Reduce Thermal Bridging
Product Review
Thermal breaks can be pricey and may affect structural integrity. Aerolon is a non-structural alternative designed to have similar benefits.
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Gunlocke Seat Back Goes Red-List Free Using Mushrooms
Product Review
The first furniture manufacturer incorporates Myco Board because the mushroom-based product is a sturdier alternative to plywood.
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At David Edward, Material Transparency Is a Given
Product Review
Tracking materials is standard practice at David Edward, giving the company an edge in a market where transparency is a priority.
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Greenest Greenbuild Products for the Indoor Environment and More
Product Review
We look at products that improve indoor environmental quality and check in on advances from previous Top 10 winners.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Preliminary Study Supports LEED Productivity Benefits
News Analysis
Workers moving from existing buildings to new LEED-certified buildings were surveyed for before-and-after health and productivity changes.
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A Surge of Popularity for Efficient DC Power
News Analysis
Which is more efficient: alternating or direct current? Experts say DC is the future of power distribution-and they're ready to get started now.
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Want a Net-Zero Home? Be a Net-Zero Family
News Analysis
A superinsulated house with PV is a great start, but whether you achieve net-zero depends on how you live in it.
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Open Offices Engender Collaborative, Transparent Workplaces
News Analysis
Open workspaces are increasingly popular, and thoughtful design can help ease the transition.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Net Zero Energy Is Achievable: Here’s How
Blog Post
The concept of the net zero energy (NZE) is a mature one, with established technology providing a clear path, especially for low- and mid-rise buildings.
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We Spend 90% of Our Time Indoors. Says Who?
Blog Post
Where the oft-quoted statistic comes from, and what the underlying study says about health in buildings
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Pete’s Product Puzzle: VersaDry
Blog Post
Simple folded metal solves a common moisture problem
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Zero-Energy Buildings for All
Blog Post
There is increasing movement for buildings to reach net-zero energy, but they can't do it alone. Here's how to fix the system.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
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