Looking for a recommendation for architectural renderings who would be interested in doing some work for a Direct Air Capture project. A friend is working on a project with Deep Sky and I'd love to make a connection to someone(s) affiliated with the network, if possible.

We are looking into organics collection service in our corporate office in NYC. Is anyone else in this group composting at their corporate offices? I'm hoping to build a business case, so I'd like to highlight other firms in this group who are actively managing this process.

Hi all - 

I have heard a good deal about SBTI in the last while and am wondering about this group’s firms’ engagement with them. We reported one year through CDP, and it was not very useful. It focused entirely on Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are over 1000x times less than our semi-controllable Scope 3 (buildings’ embodied carbon and... Read more

We are putting together a free guide for firms who have not yet started to figure out what their internal standards are for healthy, low carbon materials/products. 

As part of this effort, we are looking to gather from all of you who already have standards - examples and precedent.

Also we are collecting standards from clients/... Read more

If you have a moment and are working in the IAQ arena, please consider filling out this survey, and you could also win an AirGradient ONE monitor. (Check my review video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpqYOWLzv7o) 

https://forms.gle/ytLcq2dvtGrD2UZY7

I also have access to the results and will happily share the data whenever... Read more

The AIA conference is coming up soon as well.  It is scheduled for June 19-23 in NYC. I have heard about a lot of great sessions and I am thinking it would be helpful if we could collect info here.  Please respond to this message with info about your session and I will compile all of this into a handy reference document.  I will start with my... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Toxic Chemicals in Buildings: How to Find and Avoid the Worst Offenders (recorded webcast).

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:


1. Explain how key health hazards and opportunities for healthier choices vary by product category.
2. List... Read more

Hi Everyone!

Here is your friendly reminder for the last call to submit your Salary Survey! Here is a PDF to collect your thoughts first if that is helpful.

*This survey will be closed end of day Friday Feb. 15th.*

Important Note: There is a link to a Google Form at the end of the survey to let us know you have completed... Read more

Just in time for Saturday Night!!

Get out the popcorn and put away Netflix!
For those who were unfortunate enough to miss this LIVE - you still get to watch the awesome talents of our community! 

You sadly miss out on the camaraderie, connection and wonderfullness of hanging out with everyone (not recorded!) but you do get... Read more

Exterior paints, stains, and primers—particularly alkyds—can have very high volatile organic compound (VOC) levels and can contain numerous chemicals of concern.

BuildingGreen-Approved Coatings

BuildingGreen lists exterior coatings that meet the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) VOC requirements of 50 grams... Read more

I think they look great - thanks to BuildingGreen for setting this up!  A few comments/questions:

Team,

See this paper regarding outside air vs. filtration.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132313002515

MERV-13 is a good way to get most benefits without a huge cost.

Best,
Luke Leung

As with most office furniture, systems furniture can be made from unsustainable materials and use adhesives and finishes that emit formaldehyde or other hazardous compounds.

BuildingGreen-Approved Furniture

BuildingGreen approves furnishings that:

Hi All, this is primarily directed at our Sustainable MEP folks, but please anyone with insight feel free to weigh in.

I am increasingly seeing designs and specifications asking for Passive House levels of airtightness as verified by blower door testing, but with traditional ventilation system designs. 

To me, Passive House US has... Read more

Has anyone completed an LCA for an engineering structures lab, particularly one that has a strong wall and strong floor? 

Hi all,

Just a reminder that the last day to RSVP for the Living Future 2023 Peer Networks Meetup is tomrorow, April 26th! There are still some spaces left, with 34 people currently signed up. Please RSVP here if you'll be attending.

When: Wednesday May 3, 2023, 7:30-9pm ET

Where: SmithGroup, 1700 New York Avenue, NW, Suite... Read more

This article just came up in my news feed. I thought you’d all like to read it. I will point out that C&D-specific MRFs have told me that they are really good at single-stream C & D waste, as long as the drywall is pulled out.  Any drywall in a single-stream C & D dumpster ends up in the landfill. Drywall just breaks apart and gets... Read more

Hi all,

After almost eleven years in this group, today is my last day at Perkins Eastman as I move on to a new step in my career at JLL (wish me luck!). This group has been invaluable to me both professionally and personally, and I have loved connecting with so many of you over the years, over the course of so many events! I hope to make... Read more