Author
Products & Materials Specialist Brent Ehrlich excels at deep, unbiased, and nuanced technical research on the health and environmental impacts of green building products and materials. Some areas of focus include:
product and material constituents, including their risks
product certifications
third-party product... Read more
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I am brushing up on current tools for local government greenhouse gas inventories and was wondering if any of you have used the EPA's Local Government Greenhouse Gas Inventory tool? Download the Local Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool | US EPA
Some of my immediate questions include:
Is the EPA tool straightforward to use?
Are... Read more
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HGA is looking to fill several positions, including: a senior leader for resilience services and research, senior and junior simulation experts, senior and junior sustainability leaders. Please pass this along to anyone interested in working in a collaborative, passionate, and seriously fun team setting. Locations all over the country too.... Read more
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The ASHRAE Conference staff is looking for more architecture sustainability leadership for planning their Integrated Design & Construction Conference (i'm sure they'd take contractors too!). The staff do almost all of the logistics themselves but they want thought leadership from across the industry to guide the focus, content.
See... Read more
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Hi everyone, it was so great to meet some of you at the winter summit and finally connect names with faces!
We have a project that is targeting CalGreen Tier 2 and LEEDv4 Platinum. Thought I'd reach out to see if anyone on this forum has found comparison guides between the two? Looking for something similar to this CalGreen 2013 tier... Read more
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So our last webinar effort flamed out with the overloaded internet, but we've regrouped and have the session scheduled for this Thursday 4/2 at 1:10. We pre-recorded the webinar to make sure everything goes smoothly and I have to say that Mike is delivering some pretty fantastic content. It doesn't engage LCA tools, rather focusing on core... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Climate Analysis for Architects (recorded webcast).
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Access climate data.
2. Choose appropriate design energy simulation tools.
3. Know when and how to run analyses with projected weather data... Read more
Forum topic
Morning SDL,
Working on a midwest lab and trying to make the case for electrification in a slower greening grid with a reluctant MEP team. Here are a few sources I have checked for case studies:
NBI Getting to Zero Database, doesn't have a Lab Category but does have cold weather examples Labs 21, has low EUI and good data but no... Read moreForum topic
Hi all - I am in need of specification language for wood sourced from tribally owned and managed forests. Does anybody have examples they would be willing to share? I would be so greateful! thank you
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Seeking Pros/Cons, Feedback/Commentary about signing the US Architects Declare Commitment.
https://us.architectsdeclare.com/
Reviewing against the "shoulds" and "shalls" of the 2020 AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct ... and other commitments that are out there ... any feedback welcome.
Tips for how your workflow... Read more
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Hi All ... I'm seeking suggestions for an ecologically minded landscape/site/civil consultant. Ideally with strong knowledge about Florida ecosystems. Thanks much for any sharing.
Rand Ekman
rekman@hksinc.com
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Wondering if we can have a dialog on HVAC load calculation software... we are currently still using Trane Trace 700, but with the future migration to Trace 3D+ coming are looking into other options. Never used HAP but I haven't heard great things, and we dabbled in IES VE for a while, but went back to Trace since at that time there was no... Read more
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Lauren Shumaker (Turner Construction) and I are starting a group to focus on improving the submittal process, currently focused specifically on healthy & sustainable materials and the use of the mindful Materials library. The purpose of this working group would be to align project management and LEED project software (ex: Procore, CMiC,... Read more
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Has anyone heard of floating solar technology? I can't think of an application other than covering power plant retention or agricultural waste lagoons. Covering up the sun on a natural body of water and adding electrical wiring seems like a bad idea. I am curious though if others have heard of this technology and have other (unbiased) ideas... 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
Hi All,
I’m pulling together a Healthy Building Summit in Boston on August 14th. Check it out here. http://usgbcma.org/hbs18/
Nadav is moderating! It would be great to have some of you great leaders in attendance. We still have sponsorship opportunities. Let me know if you are interested.
-Meredith
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of LEED and WELL Product Labels: A Guide and Analysis!
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
Recognize product-related programs for LEED v4 BD+C, LEED v4.1 BD+C, WELL v1, and WELL v2 that contribute to the sustainability of projects and the health and... Read more