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
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
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
Forum topic
I was asked to share this with my network...
"For colleagues working with LCA data, during design, construction, or facility management proces, please help us understand how EPDs are useful in your processes by completing the survey below:"
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ashrant-aryal-2354497a_qualtrics-survey-q...
Forum topic
Hello Sustainable Construction Leaders!
I have an exciting announcement today, fall Peer Network events are now open for registration! You can see all the event details and register here!
Based on feedback we received from past events and the most recent surveys, we decided against doing one long week of events for this fall and... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
This webinar occurred on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, 2pm EasternThe new “Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices" calls on firms to practice green building on the jobsite and beyond. But what has really been accomplished during the program's... Read more
Product Guide
Replacing windows is expensive and comes with high impacts, but simple films can improve performance.
BuildingGreen-Approved Films
BuildingGreen approves three types of window films:
surface-applied films that have earned NFRC ratings and have a minimum 10-year warranty seasonal flexible-film kits bird-safety filmsEnergy... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of the Wood, Forests, and Embodied Carbon Webinar!
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the complex relationship between forests and carbon, with an emphasis on how carbon releases from forestry affect the sustainability of buildings that... Read more
Forum topic
Hi! Over the last 10 years, the firm where I work in Boston has predominately designed housing & senior living projects in the the Boston Metro region, with the occassional project in NH, CT, RI, and NY. We have built projects as far south at DC, but never designed anything to my knowledge in California in our 55 years of operation. A... Read more
Forum topic
I am looking for a Mechanical Engineering firm in New York state who works in mid-sized commercial (ideally hospitality or multifamily experience) and who has experience with geothermal GSHP systems.
Forum topic
Looking for a recommendation for architectural renderings who would be interested in doing some work for a Direct Air Capture project. A friend is working on a project with Deep Sky and I'd love to make a connection to someone(s) affiliated with the network, if possible.
Forum topic
My company is looking for ways to introduce and train employees on jobsite recycling and composting. There is definitely a culture shift that needs to change in order for it to happen, but we are looking for any success stories to help us on our journey.
1) Has anyone been successful in setting up recycling/composting programs for... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Sustainability Leaders,
(Note: this post was edited to correct Jen's affiliation and to add Rob Winstead.) Please join me and the BuildingGreen team in congratulating the Peer Network members of the USGBC 2023 Class of LEED Fellows!
Geoffrey Brock, IPS-Integrated Project Services, SCL
Heather DeGrella, Opsis... Read more
Forum topic
How much does every designer need to know? How to support that basic literacy?
Guiding Questions:
Does requiring LEED-AP cover it? How do others create a shared literacy across the firm? How deeply to ask the designers to delve into technical subjects? (Or should they be paired with someone…) How do we shift the designers’ mindset... Read moreForum topic
All,
Beck is making great strides in our AIA 2030 Commitment and we are looking for an experienced energy modeler to join our team, please reach out if you know of anyone that is looking and has energy modeling experience. the job is posted on our website: https://beckgroup.applicantpro.com/jobs/1011136.html
Forum topic
Hello! i had in my notes that the group interested in jobsite wellness was going to schedule a call mid-January. I don't remember who was leading the effort. does anyone have a list of who is on what committee?
thanks!
Forum topic
Team,
See this paper regarding outside air vs. filtration.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132313002515
MERV-13 is a good way to get most benefits without a huge cost.
Best,
Luke Leung
Forum topic
Dear SDLers,
I wanted to share that Canadian Architectural Professionals declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency and Committed to Urgent and Sustained Action. The declaration was launched last Friday as part of a week of events surrounding the UN Climate Action Summit in New York. Like others around the world, the week of global... Read more

