Since its first public backing of the 2030 Challenge over three years ago, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has set an example for its members. A number of architectural firms have signed on to the challenge to eliminate fossil-fuel consumption in buildings by 2030, even though both those signing and some choosing not to have... Read more

Last week, we took a look at practical, easy-to-implement strategies for keeping our buildings cool during hot weather. This week, I'll describe a fascinating way to cool buildings using electricity at night to make ice. This isn't... Read more

Green insurance coverage is not a new concept, nor are the risks associated with green building considered extraordinary. Nevertheless, American International Group (AIG) is now offering two advanced insurance policies for property owners and managers of LEED-certified buildings via its Risk Management Green (AIGRMGreen) product line: Indoor... Read more

By 7group and Bill Reed, 2009, Wiley & Sons; 416 pages, $75

Seeking to “redesign the design process,” as they put it, the authors of this remarkable book share their unquenchable spirit of inquiry. At the core of the book is an expanded and updated presentation of their method of integrative design—“integrative”... Read more

Men should pee sitting down. Now before you call me a strident feminist, let me say that I'm backed up on this one by male colleagues and the reasons aren't what you think.

I'm not arguing for toilet equality here. I'm talking about urine-separating toilets, which are much easier to use for men and women when sitting down. The bowl of... Read more

If yesterday's forecast was correct, today may be the hottest day of the year for much of New England--with temperatures rising into the mid-90s. This may not draw much sympathy from friends in Austin, Texas where today's temperature may rise to 100 in this... Read more

In the wake of the pictures of that 13-story apartment building that fell over, here's video of a multistory factory building rolling over and coming to rest upside-down, largely intact.

(click image to enlarge)

Last week I wrote about "deep-energy retrofits"--strategies for dramatically reducing the energy consumption of an existing house. In northern climates, such retrofits often involve adding a layer of rigid insulation to the exterior of a house. If you're removing... Read more

Portfolio Manager, the interactive energy management tool operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will receive significant updates at the end of August 2009, which could affect energy performance ratings for various building types.

Updates include a new rating for houses of worship, a revised rating for warehouses, a... Read more

Climate and energy policy took a big step forward, according to many environmentalists, when the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) in June 2009. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it will wait until at least September for action.

Maine’s Governor John Baldacci signed bill LD 973, “An Act to Provide for the Safe Collection and Recycling of Mercury-Containing Lighting,” into law in June 2009. The bill, touted as the first of its kind in the nation, requires manufacturers to create programs for the collection and recycling of household compact and linear fluorescent lamps... Read more