BuildingGreen Report

News Brief

July 1, 1992

At first glance,

An Environmental Handbook for Florida Contractors looks like it deals only with the environmental regulations that Florida contractors must contend with. And, indeed, the Handbook describes in detail the requirements for complying with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. But the book goes much further,... Read more

Explainer

July 1, 1992
Curtain Trusses with Cellulose Insulation for a Timber Frame

Many timber-framers are aware of the problems with CFC-based foam insulation but continue to use urethane-core stress-skin panels because they haven’t found a better alternative. Well, here’s a technique adopted by a Massachusetts builder for low-budget timber frame homes. The... Read more

Product Review

July 1, 1992
Syndecrete Pre-cast Concrete Aggregate

The company's promotional material is the epitome of environmentally friendly packaging—like a Ben & Jerry's annual report. The article reprints sent were even bound in a jacket made from corrugated cardboard. So we were quite intrigued by the product. Syndecrete™ is a lightweight, pre-cast,... Read more

News Analysis

July 1, 1992
Disappointment at Rio

EBN Advisory Board member Mike Nicklas led an international delegation of renewable energy experts in promoting sustainable energy at the Earth Summit last month. He and others were negotiating for inclusion of renewable energy and energy conservation measures into agreements being worked out for the United Nations... Read more

News Brief

July 1, 1992

Energy Source™ Directory

Life has been a whole lot easier around the office since the

Energy Source Directory arrived. Assembled and published by Iris Communications, this is the most complete and most useful guide to specialized products and materials used in energy-efficient construction that we've seen. The 500-page directory is... Read more

News Analysis

July 1, 1992
Green Builder Program in Austin Recognized at Rio Summit

The City of Austin’s Green Builder Program was one of 12 award recipients in the United National Local Government Honours Programme at the Earth Summit in Rio, and the only winner from the United States. “The purpose of the Honours Programme is to recognize innovative local approaches to... Read more

Feature

July 1, 1992

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

Op-Ed

Introducing the first issue of our newsletter.

July 1, 1992
Welcome to Environmental Building News

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

Feature

Susan Maxman is the first AIA president to make sustainable design a priority. 

July 1, 1992
Interview with Susan Maxman, President, AIA 20 June 1992

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

News Brief

July 1, 1992

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

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.

July 1, 1992

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

Quiz

Welcome to the quiz portion of Why Schools Are Embracing Net-Zero Energy!

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:


Recount why schools are at the forefront of the net-zero energy building trend.

Describe the financial arguments that have led school boards to accept net-zero... Read more

Forum topic

Hello Sustainability Leaders!

Here's another fun announcement to help round out this year and get us excited for the next to begin: Join us in 2022 for First Friday Fikas!

What is a fika? Pronounced fee-ka, this is a Swedish custom of taking a break from work to have a coffee and a snack while catching up with friends. It’s a... Read more

Forum topic

Hi! Just saw this White House press release stating that federal suppliers will need to report on scope 1 & 2, and relevant scope 3 emissions and climate-related financial risks as well as set science-based emission reduction targets. The cutoff for disclosure requirements is $50m in federal contracts. Curious whether this affects any... Read more

Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars

THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Forum topic

All,

A bit of a short notice, but the Tally team is hosting a webinar tomorrow (1/16) from 1-1:30 EST on the Tally to EC3 integration. It's an incredibly powerful workflow for generating real reductions in embodied carbon and has us pretty excited. We expect a lively group of attendees and will be answering any questions from the... Read more

Basic page

Hurricane Tests Resilient Design—and Family Dynamics

A building project brings brothers back together, but a fast-moving storm challenges the project and the family.
Of storms & chins »

New Occupational Hazard Threatens Unshod Office Workers

Whistleblowers alert state health agencies to possible foot fungus scourge... Read more

Forum topic

Want to make sure those in Portland are aware of a couple of LF18 Ramp-Up Events happening on April 10th. 

Introduction to the Living Building Challenge (presented by Kathleen Smith)
https://living-future.org/events/introduction-to-the-living-building-challenge/

Incentivizing Living Buildings in Portland 
https://... Read more

Campus-wide Group