Hi everyone!
I've seen a lot of claims over the years of living walls or planted buffers that can mitigate *outdoor* air pollution and have always assumed there's no real scientific basis for that idea, unless we're talking an actual forest that's 10s of feet thick. Am I wrong? Are there examples of living walls that actually have been... Read more

Dear Esteemed colleagues: I was recently asked a good question in light of the impending (fingers crossed) passage of the reconciliation bill that will bring alot of funding to energy efficiency/decarbonization upgrades at the residential scale. The question is: What are the arguments/ scenarios about the importance for homeowners to contract... Read more

Good morning, All,

Just a bit of news this morning.  My family and I are moving back out west!  I am continuing in my current role with EwingCole, but will be doing so from Portland, Oregon.  Although North Carolina has a been a wonderful place for us for the past 13 years, it is time to be close to family in the northwest and southwest... Read more

If you work on projects in Massachusetts, you are probably working under the updated MA Stretch Energy Code. While this code is doing great things pushing for electrification and very efficient buildings, it can still be tricky to implement or adjust your processes to the calculations even for seasoned pros. AIA MA in conjunction with BE+ has... Read more

Hello Gurus,

I have a client (bldg owner) who has asked me to recommend a list of firms who have the internalized resilient design in their practice.

They are *not* asking for resiliency consultants right now, but for firms that they might hire for "regular" capital projects, but since resiliency is high on their priorities, they... Read more

Happy Friday all! 

Arizona's USGBC's Fall Summit is coming up on October 5th and we are looking for another GC to speak on our 'Waste Diversion in Arizona Construction' panel. 

Here is the link to the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usgbc-arizona-fall-summit-2023-tickets-6776...

It's going to be a great event starting... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of The Four Core Issues to Tackle for Resilient Design (And the Programs That Can Help).

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


1. Use site-specific hazard analysis to evaluate a project’s resiliency demands.
2. Use climate change data to... Read more

Greetings to all of the AEC SD Leaders (a.k.a. the Green Gurus)!

Over the last two months, the 32-member Build-Back-Better (BBB) letter working group has developed a robust list of first 100-days, built-environment-focused executive actions for the Biden administration to consider. Kara Kempski, the AIA’s Director of Federal Relations,... Read more

As with most office furniture, systems furniture can be made from unsustainable materials and use adhesives and finishes that emit formaldehyde or other hazardous compounds.

BuildingGreen-Approved Furniture

BuildingGreen approves furnishings that:

Hi everyone, on our SDL Regional Leaders call today we touched on how different offices are engaging with the Youth Climate Strike on Sept 20, and I offered to share a few resources that we've developed:  

1) Here is our public-facing official statement/endorsement: https://www.vmdo.com/architecture-blog/vmdo-youth-climate-strike/?fbclid... Read more

The position for my replacement has been posted. Please share within your networks. Thanks!

http://www.fxcollaborative.com/profile/9/careers/

Colleagues:

I "lurk" on the list serve of the American Physical Plant Administrators.  I wanted to share a posting from that forum:

Hi All,

Two questions here: wondering if any Universities in the Pacific Northwest have a thermal comfort standard they adhere to for new building design on campus? UBC is currently undertaking... Read more

Hello SCL,

Our diligent Contractor's Commitment working group (led by the great Amanda Atkinson) have reviewed a massive amount of feedback and will soon be releasing an updated version of the program (CC 2.0). We will need a majority of the SCL membership to vote YES to adopt the updated version for 2023. 

In advance of the vote... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of The Value of Variability.

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


1.  Understand why variability is important to the comfort and well-being of building occupants.

2.  Define “alliesthesia” and explain how it relates to the well-being of occupants... Read more

Hey Everyone!

My firm in collaboration with our architect partner organize the REBUILD conference in Cincinnati on October 5th, so I wanted to make a post for those interested to sign up.

At the 2022 REBUILD Conference, we want to Be Positive + and bring sustainability leaders together to celebrate advancement, advocate for... Read more

Hello all,

Does anyone know of any Rebate Program for either induction cooking equipment or kitchen electrification (new or existing)? Looking for any local or state or even federal programs (outside of California) that incentivize designing/building/retrofitting towards an all electric kitchen for any program type (institutional, single... Read more