Hello fellow sustainable design leaders! I am about to kick off an intensive effort here at EHDD to refine our internal standards for materials. We will be considering both GWP as well as the health of materials (avoiding harmful chemicals). In addition to setting the standards, I will be working to develop a process to vet materials before... Read more

The Water Sub-Group met today. This group is working on three items: 

1. Project Water Plan Template

2. Project Water Tracking Form Template

3. Research and Resources Document

The Meeting minutes are attached. The next meeting is 5/19/20 @ 2:30 PM CST, via webex and teleconference.  Please contact me if you would... Read more

Hello Green Gurus,

A close colleague of ours, Frances Yang of Arup, is distributing a survey developed in partnership with the Healthy Building Network (HBN).

The survey asks for which product categories you need more health information. Answers will help inform which product categories HBN next incorporates into its HomeFree and... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Three Imperatives to Create the Future of Green Building.

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


1. Explain why it's relevant to teach cross-disciplinary skills in the green building industry.
2. Detail the reasons for encouraging... Read more

Hi there, 

We know some of you have been vetting the Contractor's Commitment within your company and are eager to sign up. Good news--enrollment is now live on the website! Download the form by clicking 'Sign the Commitment' on the right sidebar and return it to me with your logo. Any bets on who will sign up first?

https://www.... Read more

Hello, fellow SDLs, 

I wanted to share an opportunity for you - or those in your network - to join a passionate team of architects and designers based in Anchorage, Alaska. I'm told that you'd be asked to join the full team in Anchorage a few times a year for team building events but otherwise you can WFW (work from wherever!).

I... Read more

Love the profile of Anica as the "featured member" on AIA's website--congratulations, Anica!

It's great to see the "just do it" attitude to achieving the 2030 goals: "We do not rely on clients to tell us to design a high-performance building; we are going to do it anyway, it's our job."

Conventional heating systems burn fossil fuels on the building site or use outrageous amounts of electricity.

BuildingGreen-Approved Heat Pumps

The best heat pumps solve both these problems and provide efficient cooling. BuildingGreen approves air-source heat pumps with minimum HSPF and SEER levels of 10 and 20, respectively.... Read more

Friends,

Through AIA work I have been working with Kim Shinn from TLC Engineering. Kim is involved on the ASHRAE 209 development and has been advocating that the AIA, ASHRAE and USGBC align around this standard. Personally I think this is a good idea as I expect that this standard could easily make it's way into regulations and contracts... Read more

Hi all,

As you know, the Carbon Leadership Forum has been busy in recent years growing the tent of discipline-based commitments for reducing embodied carbon. SE 2050 and MEP 2040 provide the platform and commitment for structural and MEP respectively, and there is now interest brewing for an additional commitment in support of civil... Read more

Hi SDLs,

Do you have design experience or a unique perspective on trying to include ungendered multiuser restrooms in AEC projects? We want to hear from you.

To prepare for a co-creative workshop as a part of the Environmental Design Research Association's 53rd Annual Conference, "Health in All Places," B. Sanborn, Nicole DeNamur... Read more

Hi folks, 

For those who have already been involved, this is a friendly reminder that our next Sustainable MEP Leaders call is Monday the 29th at 11 a.m. Eastern Time. Here is the Zoom link to join, and here is the agenda for the call.

We have also had a couple of new people join the network – welcome to Cindy Cogil and Sergio... Read more

Does anyone know of reports/studies of financial benefits from the developer perspective on Passive House multifamily projects? Specifically looking for market rate (not affordable) housing examples where there is a direct market advantage (higher rents) for PH buildings. 

Reminder: For anyone interested in continuing to participate in the Climate Smart Wood Working Group, please note that we have joined the other CSWG and will have our first meeting next Wednesday.  Visit the Working Group page for the meeting invite and agenda.