News Brief
Carol Venolia, Publisher/Editor
If “progressive construction” can be defined as pushing the tools and techniques of conventional builders in the direction of less environmental destruction, then Building With Nature’s material goes beyond progressive, into the forefront of visionary thinking about construction. This bimonthly newsletter, now... Read moreExplainer
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
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
Susan Maxman is the first AIA president to make sustainable design a priority.
Q.Where would you say architects as a group stand on environmental issues?
A.Architects tend to be reactive rather than proactive. It is important that we take the lead on these environmental issues. The architecture schools in particular tend to be conservative. They just aren’t... Read more
Op-Ed
Introducing the first issue of our newsletter.
Buildings have a tremendous impact on the environment. In North America, buildings and the building industry account for about 30% of carbon dioxide emissions, 35-40% of ozone depletion, 20-30% of municipal solid waste, vast quantities of natural resource consumption, and dramatic loss of open space each... 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
Peer Network Event
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
Looking for the Top 10 on the 10th! webinar? Click here.
IRA NUTS & BOLTS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
Live webinar occurred on November 29, 2023.The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers us a once-in-a-generation chance to equitably decarbonize the built... Read more
Forum topic
Green Gurus,
First of all, it was great to see so many of you joining our last month BSA COTE webinar! I hope you enjoyed it.
Coming up next Wednesday at 2pm EDT (11am PDT, 12pm MDT, 1pm CDT), we'll have the inspiring Ashley Rao from Leers Weinzapfel leading the presentation titled INTEGRATED SUSTAINABILITY AT THE JOHN W. OLVER... Read more
Forum topic
As many of you may already be aware, Greenbuild 2020 is scheduled for the week of the Presidential Election, Nov. 3rd, 2020.
The partners organizing Greenbuild 2020 are USGSBC and Informa Exhibitions. If you have concerns regarding Greenbuild happening during that week, you may want to consider reaching out to whoever you have contact... Read more
Forum topic
Hi everyone,
The Summer 2024 SDL Summit on-site lodging (including shared and private rooms) is now full. However, we are excited to announce that we’ve introduced a limited number of commuter tickets for the Summit. If you missed registration for tickets with on-site lodging, you can still attend the Summit by arranging your own lodging... Read more
Forum topic
Hi everyone!
If you will be attending Greenbuild 2023 or live in the DC area, please join us for a Show & Tell!
When: Tuesday September 26, 6:30-9pm ET
Where: Perkins Eastman, 1 Thomas Cir NW #200, Washington, DC, 20005
Please sign up here to present/attend. Beverages and refreshments will be served. We look... Read more
Product Guide
Good HVAC instrumentation and control systems improve occupant comfort, save energy, and help prolong the lifespan of the equipment.
BuildingGreen-approved
Products approved by BuildingGreen include occupancy sensors, programmable thermostats, digital controllers, wireless systems, and other equipment that help monitor and control... Read more
Forum topic
I am putting together my conference/training budgets for 2023 and I am hoping to add a BuidlingGreen SDL in-person summit to my list. Are there any plans for in-person summits in 2023? I seem to remember Nadav speculating about Puerto Rico as a location for a Winter summit. Wishful thinking?
Forum topic
Have any of you come across aqueous ozone product for hand sanitation? https://www.3oescientific.com/
This company is selling to hospitals/schools. May indeed be awesome, but so many "totally safe" products are proven not to be. Curious if this group has seen it or have looked at it's claims.
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Resilient Design: 7 Lessons from Early Adopters
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Recount the ten resilient design principles.
2. Recount each of the seven fundamental messages embraced by the model practitioners.
3. Describe... Read more

