Tried-and-True Strategies for Making Buildings Green to the Bone

In April's EBN, we take a look at green structural engineering, insulation in-fighting, and a revolutionary anticorrosion coating. Plus: embodied carbon in 500 words or less!

The roof of the Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington is an undulating gridshell of steel, aluminum, and glass. For the April 2011 feature, we spoke with Craig Schwitter, P.E., who helped design this roof, about how structural choices can decrease operational energy, integrate multiple building systems, and increase the chance of a long service life--but can also involve environmental tradeoffs. Photo: National Portrait Gallery

Want to design buildings that are green to the bone? Sustainability-focused designers have gotten used to teaming up with mechanical engineers early in the design process to ensure that the building form integrates with energy goals. But too often the structural engineer is still left on the sidelines until later in the process.

In the new issue of Environmental Building News, Nadav Malin and I take a long, deep look at a variety of tried-and-true structural strategies to reduce the life-cycle impact of a project--along with some exciting cutting-edge technologies still under development. This was a really fun article to research and write, and it features interviews with some of the leading structural engineers working in sustainable design today. (Unlike most of our other content, features are generally only available to EBN subscribers. If you have a friend who subscribes, ask him or her to send you a link using the "Email" button on the top right of the article; the URL will stay live for you to view for seven days.)

Also in this month's issue, Tristan Roberts explores an insurance breakthrough for integrated project delivery that should simplify collaboration. In other news, we look at the safety of smart meters, a cross-platform version of BEES software, revelations from major manufacturers about cleaning products, and composting toilets at the World Trade Center construction site. Product reviews include the revolutionary EonCoat anticorrosion coating, and new carpets from Interface and its sister company Bentley Prince Street that don't require PFC treatments.

Check out the issue online or look for it in your mailbox soon.