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
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
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
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
I'm happy to announce the Call for Presenters for this year's Gulf Coast Green, taking place in Houston May 17th. Our theme is Crossroads: Inclusive Exchange. We are especially seeking presentations that focus on how design can engage the community and foster social bonds and social justice. I’m sure many of you have work that is relevant,... Read more
Forum topic
Columbia already offers access to free EV charging for our field employees. Of the few projects that have have opted in so far, we've had to custom design and intall EV charging setups. It's good that we're doing this, but it won't scale quickly enough and cost effectively. I think a practical next step is working with trailer companies so... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all. Not to poach from your awesome firms, but FXCollaborative is hiring a Sustainable Design Specialist. Here is the job posting:
Sustainable Design Specialist - FXCollaborative, Brooklyn, NY, US
Please send any great candidates my way!
Thanks,
Dan
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of LEED vs. Green Globes: A Definitive Analysis
Note: If you are taking this quiz as a member of LEEDuser, please take the quiz here.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Highlight the most significant differences between LEED and Green... Read more
Forum topic
Does anyone have an experience on recycling/reusing architectural glazing? We have a sizable glazing replacement project, and I am realizing how difficult it is to find a way to prevent the glazing from going into the landfill. So far, I have reached out to Terrazzo (aggregate) manufacturers, Glass Recycling Coalition, Architectural Glass... Read more
Forum topic
I wanted to alert you to this opportunity to help develop a new ASHRAE Standard. They are especially looking for people who have not served with ASHRAE previously (aka the usual suspects)
ASHRAE Standard 242P, Standard Method for Calculation of Building Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1 Purpose: This standard provides a... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Deep Dive into the Integrative Process with Marcus Sheffer (recorded webinar)
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
Forum topic
Apologize in advance if this has been posted before but we are trying to get manufacturers of stage curtains to give documentation that proves that the product does not have halogenated fire retardants. Manufacturers say they don't have them or concentrations are limited to 100ppm but they don't seem to have documentation to provide for it.... Read more
Forum topic
Hi All,
Wanted to let you all know about an ADSDL inspired event we are having on Thursday in Boston. We’re having close to 40 presenters giving 5 minute presentations (sound familiar?) on the latest and greatest strategies getting us to net positive energy buildings.
Please forward this on to folks in your Boston offices. ... Read more
Forum topic
Ali Flynn and Alejandra Arce Gomez are planning a breakout meeting for the Waste Managment Group for all interested.
Please fill out the doodle poll below so that we can find a good time:
https://doodle.com/poll/qxd4zxrw9xzrxwc6
Ali and Alejandra have drafted an updated version of the Commitment for Waste (attached) after... Read more
Author
Boyd is part of the marketing team at BuildingGreen, where he supports analytics and social media engagement.
Boyd’s experience before joining BuildingGreen includes a decade in the paddlesports industry guiding whitewater trips as well as 5 years working in beer and wine manufacturing with a focus on customer interaction as well as... Read more
Forum topic
With an urgent climate justice mission, AIA has the call open for volunteers to help shape our industry's action. COTE, the Codes + Standard Committee (one of the most important committees anywhere!), Board Committees (including the Committee on CLimate Action and Design Excellence - CCADE) and the Strategic Council have openings. Consider how... Read more
Forum topic
Dear SDL: I'm writing to urge you to promote project submittals in your firm and region to the 2018 AIA COTE Top Ten (TT) Award. The submittal deadline is 5PM EST January 17, 2018 - coming right up! The TT awards are one of the most recognized design awards for the general public and receive wide circulation through mainstream media. AIA... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Sustainable Advising Leaders!
We have another call coming up next Tuesday, March 17th at 1pm Eastern Time. Here is an agenda, Zoom call information is below.
We'll dive into getting to know each other better and also talk about the best path forward for this group.
Hope you can join us!
Jen
Join Zoom... Read more
