Existing Buildings
The embodied impacts of renovation are usually dramatically lower than the impacts of new construction.
Although many existing buildings leave something to be desired in terms of aesthetics and comfort, they are part of the urban and suburban fabric now, and they aren’t going anywhere. And reusing these buildings is an immense creative opportunity.
Existing Buildings
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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We Must Decarbonize Existing Buildings by 2050—but How?
Feature Article
Curbing carbon emissions requires that we address our vast stock of existing buildings. Here’s how to make the case and get it done.
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Saying Goodbye to the Office—and Hello to Housing
Feature Article
The way we use (and don’t use) our offices is irrevocably changing. But what are we going to do with all these vacant buildings?
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Existing Buildings Are Architecture’s Future
Feature Article
Take a plain old building and turn it into something remarkable, and you’ll also help save the planet.
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The Sound of Sustainability: Acoustics in High-Performance Design
Feature Article
Acoustic performance is often overlooked by human-centered design. A holistic approach shows how to navigate the complexities of “sustainable acoustics.”
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Retrofit or Build New? How Product Teams are Choosing
Infographic
Reasons to retrofit, reasons to tear down and build new, and how to decide.
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Checklist for Implementing an Occupant Engagement Campaign
Infographic
Use this checklist as a guide to implementing an occupant engagement campaign.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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High-Efficiency Commercial Window Inserts
Product Review
Alpen’s WinSert commercial window inserts significantly improve the thermal performance of aging window systems, without the cost or aesthetic concerns of full replacements.
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How Low-Flow Can You Go with Plumbing Fixtures?
Product Review
BuildingGreen-Approved toilets, urinals, showerheads, and faucets automatically meet CALGreen and LEED v4 water-efficiency standards.
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Replacing Fluorescent T8s with LEDs: Is It Time?
Product Review
CREE’s LED T8 sets a new benchmark for linear fluorescent replacements, but LEDs aren’t ready for all applications.
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Faade Retrofit Puts An Efficient New Face on Old Buildings
Product Review
Schüco's ERC 50 Modernization Façade is a modular retrofit system that improves the looks and thermal performance of a building with minimal occupant disruption.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Portfolio Program Targets the “Brown” Assets LEED Left Behind
News Analysis
USGBC’s Portfolio Accelerator aims to solve ESG’s biggest problem: net-zero commitments and other promises that lack realistic implementation plans. But the emerging program is nothing like LEED.
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Existing Building Performance Standards Urgently Needed
News Brief
The pressure is on in the U.S. to mandate existing building decarbonization. ACEEE has analyzed domestic and international laws for best practices to broaden the reach of this climate change mitigation tool.
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IRA’s 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: Just the Basics
News Analysis
This program provides a tax credit to homeowners for energy efficiency improvements in residential homes.
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The IRA’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program: Just the Basics
News Analysis
This program will administer grants and loans to owners or sponsors of HUD-assisted multifamily housing to improve its resilience and quality.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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We Must Decarbonize Existing Buildings by 2050—but How?
Feature Article
Curbing carbon emissions requires that we address our vast stock of existing buildings. Here’s how to make the case and get it done.
-
Saying Goodbye to the Office—and Hello to Housing
Feature Article
The way we use (and don’t use) our offices is irrevocably changing. But what are we going to do with all these vacant buildings?
-
Saying Goodbye to the Office—and Hello to Housing
Spotlight Report
During the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the average commercial office vacancy rate across the U.S. leapt from about 12% to 15%, according to CBRE.
