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.
-
Saying Goodbye to the Office—and Hello to Housing
Feature
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?
-
We Must Decarbonize Existing Buildings by 2050—but How?
Feature
Curbing carbon emissions requires that we address our vast stock of existing buildings. Here’s how to make the case and get it done.
-
Build More or Build Green? Affordable Housing’s False Choice
Feature
The housing crisis is also a climate crisis and a social equity crisis. If we change our ways, we can address them all at once.
-
Design for Adaptation: Living in a Climate-Changing World
Feature
Even if we stopped emitting greenhouse gases tomorrow, rising global temperatures would still bring major changes to the climate system and our way of life. This article offers solutions for designing buildings that not only mitigate our impact on the global climate, but also adapt to the changes that are coming-and those that are already here.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
-
Cities Crack Down on Buildings via Performance Standards
News Analysis
Stringent performance standards for existing buildings are a new idea that’s shaking up the industry.
-
Three Green Actions to Take While Occupants Work from Home
News Analysis
Now is a perfect time for property owners and managers to pursue these major sustainability initiatives.
-
Will ESG Move the Green Building Needle?
News Analysis
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting is becoming a driver of sustainable building design and operations in the U.S.
-
Building Carbon Caps to Scale Up with New Coalition
News Analysis
Building performance standards like NYC’s carbon limits could spread across the U.S. as the Biden administration assists 33 jurisdictions that have joined a new coalition.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
