News Analysis
EBN Advisory Board member Mike Nicklas led an international delegation of renewable energy experts in promoting sustainable energy at the Earth Summit last month. He and others were negotiating for inclusion of renewable energy and energy conservation measures into agreements being worked out for the United Nations... Read more
News Analysis
The City of Austin’s Green Builder Program was one of 12 award recipients in the United National Local Government Honours Programme at the Earth Summit in Rio, and the only winner from the United States. “The purpose of the Honours Programme is to recognize innovative local approaches to... Read more
Product Review
Builders concerned about out-gassing of formaldehyde from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) have long used Medex in cabinets. This exterior-grade product, originally developed for highway signs, is considerably more expensive than conventional MDF or particleboard, however. Now Medite II fills the need for a... 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
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
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
Forum topic
Hello fellow SD leaders,
This is a quick note to re-introduce myself to this group. I am a lapsed member from the original tribe of 2008 who has found my way back on a trail of bread crumbs left by Nadav (thanks Nadav!). I'm just glad to be back amongst my people, sharing and learning from you all, as we help each other to get where we... Read more
Forum topic
https://www.architects.org/awards/sustainable-design-0
All,
My BSA Co-chair, Steven Burke, and I want to make you all aware of the BSA Sustainable Design Awards coming up soon. Please see the above link for qualifications and registration information. This is an award which is attempting to work towards the same stringency, rigor... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Everyone -
I just received this note from Don Horn at the GSA (Deputy Director, Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings):
"Here's another installment of our work to reduce emissions through GSA's actions. GSA issued a press release this morning announcing our new standards for low carbon concrete and environmentally... Read more
Forum topic
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
Forum topic
Do you know something about power purchas agreements, on or off-site? I understand that they are legal in Washington and Oregon, where most of my projects are, but I haven't come across anyone who has used one on a project. If you have some experience or expertise, it would be great to hear from you.
Forum topic
Plans are coming together for this Summit! Here's what we know (at least tentatively) so far:
Location:
Chicago, SmithGroup office
Timing:
July 9-10, 2019
1:00 p.m. start time on 9th, 3:00 p.m. end on 10th
Working sessions during day and evening of 9th Get together in evening for dinner and show+tell... Read moreForum topic
Hi all,
I'm trying to figure out how to use this CLF MEP calculator tool that is downloadable from the CLF website. Please see screenshot attached - does anybody know what they are asking for as an input?
"Custom quantities input: The user can enter custom quantities on this tab and produce numerical results. For data input fill '... Read more
Basic page
We apologize, but the heating fuel cost calculator is no longer on the BuildingGreen website.
Take a look at Efficiency Maine's heating fuel cost calculator instead.
Forum topic
Live webinar tomorrow (link available after for viewing any time)
Tomorrow at 3pm EST will be the first in the series - mid-sized firms who successfully met the 2030 targets in 2019.
Lessons learned and sharing stories.
https://2030secretsofsuccess.eventbrite.com

