News Analysis
A study published in the June 5, 1992, issue of
Science by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona suggests that smoke emitted into the atmosphere from human activities may be having a significant effect in counteracting... Read more
News Brief
The American Institute of Architects convention in Boston this past June was the setting for a changing of the guard in the American architectural establishment. The Institute’s first woman president took the reins, the Committee on the Environment became its largest and fastest growing committee, and the first installments of the Environmental... Read more
Feature
Ozone depletion and global warming are two of our most serious environmental problems—and foam insulation materials containing CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) contribute significantly to both of these problems. The environmentally concerned builder or designer should make it a highest priority to avoid them. Even many of the non-CFC alternatives... Read more
Feature
Susan Maxman is the first AIA president to make sustainable design a priority.
Q.Where would you say architects as a group stand on environmental issues?
A.Architects tend to be reactive rather than proactive. It is important that we take the lead on these environmental issues. The architecture schools in particular tend to be conservative. They just aren’t... Read more
Feature
Carefully stake the building site and driveway, remove trees that are within the excavation area or too close, then erect a fence to keep heavy equipment off fragile soils and away from nearby trees.
Protecting trees and the local ecosystem when building on previously unbuilt land is a vitally important—yet often overlooked—part of environmentally responsible construction. Healthy trees and shrubs can reduce a home’s environmental impact and directly benefit homeowners in a number of ways:
•Enhancing comfort by shielding the house... Read more
Op-Ed
Introducing the first issue of our newsletter.
Buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment. In North America, buildings and the building industry account for about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, 35-40% of ozone depletion, 20-30% of municipal solid waste, vast quantities of natural resource consumption, and dramatic loss of open space each... Read more
Forum topic
So I was testing assigning a BIT Expert to a Best Practice and I am having trouble getting the profile image to appear.
When I upload a profile picture, it appears on the standard profile page from "My Account" but when I navigate to the BIT Best Practice 01, the image does not show and it takes me to another profile page that does... Read more
Forum topic
I suspect that some of you have already seen this or already signed it, but just in case, for your consideration:
Add your voice to the powerful chorus for climate policy and sign the LEAD statement.
More than 500 sustainability professionals have now signed, and the number is growing!
To learn more about this: please read... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
The site license permits the purchaser to share the PDF Study-Guide file within their company/organization and... Read more
Product Guide
Discarded tires are an environmental disaster, and finding a beneficial use for them is a high priority.
BuildingGreen-Approved Resilient FlooringBuildingGreen does not approve any flooring product that is made with tire-derived rubber, though some products may be appropriate for exterior use.
Environmental and Health Impacts of... Read moreSales page
THIS WEBINAR REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
A Free LEEDuser Coffee Talk occurred on Tuesday – September 19 – 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. Eastern (10:00–10:45 a.m. Pacific)Point: Green building is all about the environment—not social justice.
Counterpoint: The green building movement must ensure that the benefits... Read more
Forum topic
Hi, this is a somewhat niche/specific question - we are working on an all-electric school (middle and high school) that includes a chemistry lab. The lab was going to have portable sources for flame experiments, but there is concern that the portable sources would be unsafe for middle school students, so they are asking for a hard-pipe natural... Read more
Forum topic
Good morning SALs! Nicole's survey on restrooms inspired me to post a survey of my own.
I’ve been trying to stay useful lately. I've been posting new writing on the industry, much of it complimentary, over on Roberts’ Green Letter. (Yesterday I posted the mission statement, explained via brand-new-puppy pics.)
I have a 1-minute... Read more
Forum topic
You know all those times when you want to reply privately to someone, but don't have their email address handy? What a pain, right?
Not anymore! Now you can go to the "Group Members" tab on the BuildingGreen Communities forum page, and hover over anyone's name to see their email address.
Only members of the forum can see your... Read more
Forum topic
At our SAL call today, folks were talking about how there was just too much to read about DEI. This is the best short summary I have read about the problems of incorporating it into the organizations where we work. It's much easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk because it takes time and accountability.
Forum topic
Hey everyone,
This is a quick note to say I am retiring at the end of this month and will be taking a hiatus from the SDL group. I will no longer be practicing architecture, but I will remain active in efforts to preserve the wonders of this world for future generations.
To all my SDL sisters and brothers (I don't always sound... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all, it's time to schedule our next session. Who's in? Ping me at amt@vmdo.com if you want to be considered part of the working group, and fill out your availability on this Doodle poll.
If you just want to monitor what's going on, we'll post updates to the Working Group page.
The agenda for this call is to figure out what we... Read more
Forum topic
Hi All
I'm wondering if any of you know how to track the GWP for materials that do not have an EPD? I'm trying to do a carbon comparison on batteries but neither one has an EPD that I can find. Thanks for any guidance you may have.
Forum topic
Hello All! My firm is looking to hire a sustainability coordinator to help advance our sustainable initiatives at our firm. This will be a new position for our firm. Does anyone have a job description, roles/responsibilties, and task list that they would be willing to share with me? Or if you serve in this role at your firm, I'd love to chat... Read more

