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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Whole-Building Life-Cycle Assessment: Taking the Measure of a Green Building
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Why we will never understand the true impact of our buildings—and how we should try to anyway
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Raze or Retrofit? Six Extraordinary Answers to an Everyday Question
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Saving a building is usually an environmental win, but thoughtful renovation isn’t easy. And there comes a time to tear things down.
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Design Strategies for Occupant Engagement—and Why They Boost Performance
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Researchers reveal simple ways to empower occupants to reduce energy, water, and waste. It all starts with good design.
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The Death and Rebirth of DC Power
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Direct current is replacing AC in microgrids and other setups that maximize the efficiency of lighting, HVAC, and onsite renewables.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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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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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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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.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Deep Retrofits Next Market for Struggling Architects
News Analysis
AIA lends business advice to architects facing a down economy: start selling deep energy retrofits.
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Making the Case for More and Bigger Deep Retrofits
News Analysis
An RMI report details how to calculate the full value of investments in deep energy retrofits and make the case for bigger projects.
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2014 AIA Top Ten Green Winners Highlight Adaptive Reuse
News Analysis
Federal government projects take three of the top honors for 2014 in the AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) awards, which combine sustainability with design excellence.
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New EcoDistricts Protocol Aims for Green Building at Scale
News Analysis
Want to get your neighborhood from here to there—where “there” is more social justice, environmental health, and economic growth? You’ll need directions.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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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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