News Analysis
It isn’t just environmental zealots who are up in arms about the U.S. Forest Service’s policies on managing the nation’s timber resources. The Association of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics has jumped into the fray—from the inside. Jeff DeBonis, the Association’s founder and executive director,... 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
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
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
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
Forum topic
So nice when nice happens to nice people. And smart ones too! Congrats to Sarah Gudeman, Blake Stanton, Stanton Stafford, Kathy Wardle, and everyone else in this year's class.
https://www.gbci.org/green-business-certification-inc-celebrates-2021-cl...
Forum topic
I suspect that some of you have already seen this or already signed it, but just in case, for your consideration:
Add your voice to the powerful chorus for climate policy and sign the LEAD statement.
More than 500 sustainability professionals have now signed, and the number is growing!
To learn more about this: please read... Read more
Forum topic
We are hiring! Please share with any potential talented and passionate candidates.
https://archinect.com/jobs/entry/150052970/sustainable-design-specialist
ps. And, yes we recently rebranded for our 40th anniversary for those who may be confused :)
Forum topic
Hi All,
I will be catching up on learning units over Thanksgiving weekend and I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing the challenge of credential maintenance of their CPHD? Ideally we would have a client go for Passive House accreditation on a project, but lacking that, how are folks maintaining their 20 credits per year? For... Read more
Product Guide
Little things make a big difference in MEP systems. Pumps, fans, ducts, and dampers are at the heart of performance.
BuildingGreen-Approved HVAC Accessories
We approve the best-in-class products in each category, including:
custom-packaged outdoor HVAC equipment dampers ducts and casings duct sealants electric heaters fans... Read moreForum topic
Hi everyone,
As you may know the ICC has changed the way the IECC will be written in the future and most of us think that will reduce the stringency of the future energy codes that are the biggest lever in the fight against climate change within the buildings sector.
So one of the best pathways forward is via ASHRAE, which has a... Read more
Forum topic
Hi All -
With the holidays coming up and budgeting for 2023 - do we have any information on when and where a mini summit will be? I heard rumors of Arizona? Hoping to come but need the info as soon as I can.
Forum topic
Hi, curious if anyone in the group has considered using Fitwel in an existing (built) school project (K-12).
Would be interested in hearing your experiences and if this tool is a good fit for this type of project.
Quiz
Sustainability leadership has requested that you take this quiz to help assess sustainability literacy across the firm. Your own results will be presented to you at the end of the quiz but will not be shared with anyone else. Only aggregated, anonymized results will be available to others.
Please don’t do research to inform your answers... Read more
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
Forum topic
World: There is no way we can shut down in order to lower emissions, slow climate change and protect the environment.
Mother Nature: Here's a virus. Practice.
Who is measuring the positive environmental impact our actions are having on the environment?
For example, there have been reductions in air pollution. If the... Read more
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