Explainer
News Brief
Carol Venolia, Publisher/Editor
If “progressive construction” can be defined as pushing the tools and techniques of conventional builders in the direction of less environmental destruction, then Building With Nature’s material goes beyond progressive, into the forefront of visionary thinking about construction. This bimonthly newsletter, now... Read moreFeature
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
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
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
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
I am looking for example specifications for low carbon concrete to have our structural engineer(s) review and incorporate. Does anyone have good examples or link(s) to good examples?
Thanks,
Mark
Product Guide
Interior luminaires often use inefficient, outdated technology such as compact fluorescent or halogen lamps, some of which contain mercury and have poor light quality and limited controls.
BuildingGreen-Approved Lighting
BuildingGreen lists lighting products using LEDs (light-emitting diodes) from manufacturers whose luminaires... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Green Gurus!
We are looking for fearless leader to lead Sustainability for our Technology Division. This would be the client-facing role at the forefront for our $2B+ annual portfolio with all the giants - Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Google, Rivian, etc. It is a remote role with occasional travel. The job description is attached.
... Read more
Forum topic
Hi! I’m working on two reports about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the building industry, and I’m looking for contributions from you or others in your firm. See below for what I’m looking for, and please reply directly to me at paula@buildinggreen.com.
NOTE: Ideally, I’m hoping people will want to provide names and firm names... Read more
Forum topic
Hi All,
We’re planning a conference here in Boston, October 23rd & 24th, focused on Designing for People. We’re rounding out our speaker lineup and I thought I’d reach out to you all for ideas. If you had an all-star list of people speaking on Health and Wellness in the Built Environment who would be on that list? Send me 3 names... Read more
Forum topic
If yes, take a look at Tour: TM10: Transit Oriented Development: Chicago Style
https://explore.greenbuildexpo.com/Attendee/Schedule/SessionDetails/256599
It is not full yet, so there is still time to sign up. Susan King, Sustainability Leader for HED will be showing one of her projects as part of the tour: Lake Street Studios. ... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
I had a position listed for a Sustainable Design Coordinator which we have down for the moment as we've taken on a fall intern instead. In the interim, however, I did have a couple of great candidates that I'd like to help find good matches. One of those candidates is Marissa Lantieri, see her resume and portolio attached.
... Read more


