News Analysis
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Friends,
We put a lot of effort into air tightness design, detailing, and construction administration, often including 6-sided mockup and parital or whole-building blower-door testing. For commercial buildings, these tests measure air leakage in cfm/sf at 1.57 psf (75pa).
I came across this research paper several years ago, but... Read more
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Hello Green Gurus,
I am starting some research on municipal incentives offered to developers seeking to achieve sustainability targets and am wondering what you may have come across in your work, including but not limited to achieving Passive House. In my limited research, here are few I have come across to get us started:
... Read moreForum topic
Hello Green Gurus,
We’re always trying to improve this online space, from adding an events calendar and 5-minute presentation recordings, to creating a filterable member directory. We have several other ideas in the works, and we’re looking for a group of Peer Network members to help us test them before they go live.
Requirements... Read more
Spotlight Report
Older buildings—especially those from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s—need our help. Many leave something to be desired in terms of aesthetics and comfort. But the truth is that they are part of the urban and suburban fabric now, and they aren’t going anywhere. As tempting as it might seem to tear them all down and replace them with high-performance... Read more
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Our all-volunteer Advisory Board helps BuildingGreen identify the most critical topics for our coverage, and directs our research as we investigate these topics and bring them to our readers. Their distinguished and varied service in the field of environmentally responsible building is an inspiration.
Steve Baczek, R.A., Reading, MA Bob... Read moreReports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
Returning to work: for many, it’s unthinkable without some kind of reassurance that leadership and the facilities team have taken all possible precautions. Lots of organizations are weighing in on what we should pay attention to, but how do we know if it’s working?
The free Re-entry program from Arc is a tracking and measurement... Read more
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Hi All,
I just became aware of the attached detail (if I uploaded it correctly) for a project in Portland, OR going out for permit at the end of this week. Has anyone located the radiant tubing at the bottom of concrete like this before? It doesn't sit right with me, though I cannot pinpoint exactly why. Our consultants and the... Read more
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Green Gurus -
I’m honored to be co-chairing, along with Caryn Brause FAIA, the ACSA/AIA Intersections Research conference at UMass Amherst October 2023. The theme, "Material Economies," was developed with an eye for inclusivity for academics and practitioners alike, addressing critical emerging issues around architectural material... Read more
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Hi folks,
Our next private webinar is coming right up:
Fusion of Design + Performance: How Payette Was Recognized As AIA Firm of the Year
Tuesday, February 12, 1:00 pm EST
Payette is the first AIA Firm Award recipient to have been nominated jointly by the Committee on Design and Committee on the Environment. Z Smith... Read more
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Hi All!
One of our project teams is looking for some references for solar panel installation around Silver Spring, MD / DC area. Does anyone have recommendations or references for commercial installers of solar panel systems? Feel free to email me directly!
Thanks,
Yarden
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Dear SDL'ers
After many months of soul searching about my role as a sustainability leader and how to have the most positive environmental impact, I have decided to take a leave from practice to pursue further studies this September. I will be undertaking a two year Master’s degree at the Institute for Resources, Environment and... Read more
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Here’s a nice NYTimes op ed on urban density that directly addresses the concern Gwen raised on out call today:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/24/upshot/coronavirus-urban-density-risks.html?referringSource=articleShare
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Hi Everyone!
Does anyone have a good resource for whole-building embodied carbon benchmarks broken down by building use and building category (structure, foundation, envelope, interior)?
I know of CLF’s 2017 Benchmark Study (great resource!) and the One-Click LCA study on European Buildings but are there any others? I know many... Read more
Product Guide
Wood was the first material used in window frame and sash construction, and it remains popular for homes with its warm feel and relatively high energy efficiency.
BuildingGreen-Approved Windows
Wood windows must achieve an NFRC-certified unit U-factor of 0.22 or lower. Manufacturers also must demonstrate that their highest-... Read more