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
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
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
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
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
Spotlight Report
Building materials emit massive amounts of carbon long before the lights go on.
In this course, BuildingGreen takes an analytical look at the greenhouse gases that are emitted in the process of constructing our buildings in the first place—the embodied carbon. The report focuses on how architects and designers, working with other key... Read more
Forum topic
We are T-minus two days from the ILFI unconference and I am looking forward to seeing a bunch of you there. I have a vague memory about there being a meet up scheduled - can somebody remind me of where/when.
Also, can folks that are speaking post a reply about when their session is and what the topic is please.
Thanks in advance... Read more
Forum topic
If yes, take a look at Tour: TM10: Transit Oriented Development: Chicago Style
https://explore.greenbuildexpo.com/Attendee/Schedule/SessionDetails/256599
It is not full yet, so there is still time to sign up. Susan King, Sustainability Leader for HED will be showing one of her projects as part of the tour: Lake Street Studios. ... Read more
Forum topic
Our firm was asked by a government client in Canada to update their specifications for concrete to capture low embodied carbon as a performance metric. From the SDL group's knowledge of concrete procurement:
What are the chances of systematically obtaining cement specified with 10% lower carbon intensity? What's viable in the current... Read moreForum topic
Hi All- I will be starting bi-weekly mtg for the PFAS working group to align on our goals as consicous firms and finalize our message aka 'letter to manufacturers' for reducing PFAS in building materials. Please email me (pgupta-garg@wrnsstudio.com) to let me know if you are interested in being a part of the group. First mtg will be next week... Read more
Product Guide
Durability is the first priority for roofing membranes since interior repairs and replacement waste material, time, and money.
BuildingGreen-Approved Roofing Membranes
BuildingGreen approves:
best-in-class TPO membranes from companies that support enhanced heat testing and show proactive attention to performance EPDM products... Read moreForum topic
Hello Everyone,
LHB continues our search for a Regenerative Design Specialist to oversee our multi-discipline firm's goal to reach regenerative design. This is a leadership position with unique opportunities to influence architecture and engineering across many market sectors.
We understand it's been an exhausting year and that... Read more
Forum topic
Hi GGs,
We are looking to do a renovation of a very leaky old office space, and we want to get a good snapshot of air quality and effective envelope R values both before and after.
Does anyone have experience with:
1. installing heat flux sensors on windows and walls
2. deploying IAQ measurement devices that can log... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
This one-hour crash course will review the concepts and key facts within the WELL Building... Read more
Forum topic
BuildingGreen is considering hosting a reception and SDL Show & Tell at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2019. If you are planning to attend the conference, please email me directly. Your participation will influence our decision. The newly forming Small Firm SDL peer network (firm w/less than 50 employees) will have their inaugural... Read more
Forum topic
Hello all,
Thank you so much for your work on the Contractor Commitment. In preparation for the Summit, we've pulled all of the sections together into one cohesive document. We would like to invite everyone in the SCL network to review and comment on this latest draft so that we can compile comments before Wednesday and make the most of... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of "The Potential of Prefab: How Modular Construction Can Be Green"!
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
Forum topic
Hello Green Gurus,
Happy 2023! Our First Friday Fika* is today - Friday, January 6th at 11am ET (8am PT), we'll meet on Zoom for some lightly structured coffee-chat time. This includes both facilitated sharing and open conversation about the topics you're interested in at the moment. Any Peer Network member who wants to say hi and chat... Read more

