I would like to invite you to come see the progress of the Oakland EcoBlock on 4/21! Page is co-presenting at the ULI event and we have been pulling together the latest material. It would be great if you can join!

All,

For those who tuned into the Green Gurus presentation earlier this week, there was a question that came up during my presentation on NZE/NZC programs regarding whether ILFI allows the offsite renewable energy exception for LBC and Energy Petal projects (as opposed to NZE or NZC). I just double checked with them and it turns out they... Read more

Hi all,

We know preparations for Greenbuild are well underway for many of you. We also know that there will be many things competing for your time while you're there. Here's one more to consider! We don't have all the details solidified yet, but wanted you to know sooner rather than later for planning purposes.

We hope you’ll... Read more

Some of us SDLers saw a need to create an online repository for the best simulation graphics and created IBPSA Project Stasio over the last couple of years. Along side graphics is a list of simulation questions (in progress) that we as architects may not know we could ask. The graphics are linked to answer the questions so our simulation... Read more

Hey all,

I got plugged into this group about two weeks before GreenBuild and wasn't able to make it to the summit. I'm still catching up on all the work this group has been doing recently, but I know one of the big ticket items is the SCL Contractor Commitment. 

I've read through the commitment that was posted right before... Read more

We are looking into different building skin materials from including GFRC and FRP (amongst others) as alternatives to precast. I remember years ago (when I was at LAS) we had retrofitted a Federal Courthouse with FRP for blast resistance. I kind of remember that at the time it had some pretty high offgassing concerns. I haven't been able to... Read more

Hi all,

I'm curious if anyone has insight as to the "New Federal Building Performance Standards" that were announced in May of 2021 and then referenced again when E.O. 14057 came out. The memorandum for heads of agencies that was sent out with E.O. 14057 said that the CEQ would issue these standards, but I can't find a commitment to when... Read more

Our high performance consulting team is frustrated by project teams that regularly fall back on outdated rules of thumb in their system and equipment sizing. 

What challenges do you face in your work flow to limit oversizing and promote right-sizing?

By the way, Roger Chang, our literature search on the subject turned up an eleven... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Getting Flame Retardants Out of Foam Insulation.

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


1. Summarize why and how flame retardants are used in foam insulation.
2. Elucidate the case for taking the chemicals out of foam insulation.
3.... Read more

THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Buildings aren’t garbage. But you wouldn’t know it by examining the way the AEC industry works. 

We typically design buildings for a single, limited purpose. We build them partly out of plastics that can’t be readily recycled. We choose diverse materials... Read more

Hi all,

Thanks again to those who presented at the AIA Show & Tell! Here are the slides for some of the fascinating presentations we saw. Please do not share the slides outside of the networks unless they are marked “PUBLIC.”

There may be more to come; if you presented but did not yet provide permission for your slides to be... Read more

Hello everyone - 

I'm writing today to let you all know that as of this month, I am retiring from SERA, and that I'm going to be beginning a new journey as a consultant/volunteer!

I'm going to continue dedicating my time to policy and advocacy work (focused on decarbonizing the built environment) but now I'll be doing it as a free... Read more

Hi all,

I'm curious how various firms are approaching their own office projects, re green building certifications. I'm especially interested in medium-large firms that have multiple offices, but policies and processes from small firms may still be instructive.

Do you have a firm-wide policy or is it a case-by-case thing? Has... Read more

Board insulation has good thermal performance ranging from about R-4 to R-8 and is used as an integral part of a building envelope’s continuous insulation system.

Because board insulation is used on the building exterior, it is not always subject to the same material health and emissions requirements as batt insulation used inside the... Read more

Hi Everyone!

I am now in my last week in the Bay Area, and in my last three weeks at (my first 15 years at) SERA, as I will be leaving on my extended sabbatical at the end of April!

I will miss following this group's dialogue, and will especially miss attending the summits for the next couple of years! 

My colleagues Mark... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Essential Playbook to Managing LEED Construction.

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


1.  Understand the transition from LEED BD+C or ID+C v4 to LEED v4.1, especially in regard to material-related credits.

2. Discern how to properly... Read more