News Analysis
The recent ruling to allow logging on several thousand acres of old-growth forest in western Oregon was portrayed in the national media as a blow to environmentalists, but the action may not prove so damaging in the end. While the ruling permits logging on 13 of the 44 sites that were under consideration by the so-... 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
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
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
Forum topic
Hi All, we have about 40 people in our network of Sustainable Construction Leaders. These positions are not as numerous as they should be, and companies often have a difficult time applying a monetary value to what we bring to the table.
Participating in the salary survey can provide insights that help us all interpret our relative... Read more
Forum topic
Hey Green Gurus!
Exciting news—STO Building Group, the #3 green builder in the U.S., is hiring a Sustainability Analyst in Boston! We're looking for someone passionate about data, who thrives on purpose-driven work, and wants to join a team of experts who are just as passionate about sustainability as you are.
If you're a data... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
We've had a number of clients in the states surrounding Texas that have been hit with really high natural gas bills for February. Some as high as $2.00+/therm. Many are healthcare facilities. Has anyone seen any federal, state, or utility relief programs that are assisting customers with these bills?
Thanks,
Adam... Read more
Forum topic
I don't have any direct affiliation with this role other than a former colleague asked if I would share the job posting for Director of Sustainability at Corgan with my network - that's you! She provided a little more context - they are obviously looking for someone with sustainability experience but are open to an up-and-comer who would be... Read more
Forum topic
Hi MEP Leaders,
A reminder that our monthly call is next Tuesday, June 13, at 2:00pm ET, and all network members are welcome to join!
Here is the agenda and below is the Zoom link:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83598691786?pwd=MjI2S01yZUJRSG4zcXRBNWtPbE5RZz09
Meeting ID: 835 9869 1786
... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Energy Reporting: It's the Law.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1.List the benefits of energy performance benchmarking and disclosure.
2. Address the concerns associated with public disclosure.
3. Restate at least three U.S.... Read more
Product Guide
Ground- and water-source heat pumps move refrigerant or water through the ground or a body of water for use as a heat source (for indoor heating) or heat sink (for indoor cooling).
BuildingGreen-Approved Heat Pumps
BuildingGreen approves:
super-efficient commercial systems residential ground- and water-source heat pumps that... Read moreForum topic
Hello Sustainable Construction Leaders,
We’re happy to see the first round of registrations rolling in! If you haven’t yet, make sure to register here. And if you have any friends not currently in our Member Directory that you’d like to see at the Summit, encourage them to reach out to me (candace@buildinggreen.com). We’ll get them set... Read more
Forum topic
We broke up into 5 discussion groups by market sector:
Commercial office Education Healthcare & Labs Multifamily Civic/institutional/sportsHere are the proposed "guiding questions":
How do other firms define 'design thinking'? Do they have a standard process used across projects and, if so, how they have made that take hold... Read moreForum topic
If any of you did not get this via email directly from the AIA, here is the link to the AIA’s recent letter regarding HFCs…for firms to sign.
https://p2a.co/SlgBxFL
Looking for as many firms as possible to sign!
many thanks.
Mary Ann

