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 moreProduct Review
To the best of our knowledge, this product is now being marketed under the name Rauhsaser by Better Wall System of Kenora, ON.
CoverAge is a tacky name for a great product that all remodelers should know about. It is a paintable, textured wallpaper that’s made entirely of recycled paper (at... Read moreExplainer
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
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
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
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
Forum topic
I really enjoyed last week's "Integrative Solutions Jam - Getting Better Materials Into Projects". Thanks BuildingGreen for setting that up. One of the great parts were the break out groups, where 4 of us could dig into various topics more deeply.
We got into a conversation about circularity and material re-use and Laura Soma with Gly... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all - I wanted to see if anyone will be in the Chicago area for the upcoming ASHRAE conference (21-23rd) and is interested in an informal meet-up? Or if you aren't going but are already in the Chicago area? Let me know and I'll see if we can organize meet-up!
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of How to Spot Greenwash--A BuildingGreen Webinar.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the characteristics of quality standards and certifications to help screen out greenwash.
2. Recognize strengths and weaknesses of... Read more
Forum topic
Hello All,
ASHRAE and ICC released a draft standard for operational and embodied GHG evaluation. It's on a fast track to be completed in time for the next code cycle. This 30 day advisory draft includes dozens of questions looking for feedback from experts like all of you. Please take a look and provide comments. I've uploaded the... Read more
Forum topic
Hi folks,
We've arranged a room where we can gather for an hour and check in during the Thursday afternoon reception time at Living Future. If you'll be there, come join us!
Thursday, May 2 at 5:30, Skykomish Room (#604, 6th floor)
The group will be mostly Sustainable Design Leaders, as that's by far our largest group, but... Read more
Forum topic
Anyone has experience with WELL pilot for restaurant? I have new client, restaurateur who's running farm to table concept restaurants in DC, VA, MD area, looking to fit out one of our core & shell.. Also, any other recognized programs or certifications specific to restaurants, I would appreciate any information and resources. Their spaces... Read more
Forum topic
We're thrilled to announce that, for the first time, the 2025 Summits for each Peer Network will be hosted within one week and in a single location. You’ll get the deep peer-to-peer time you love from a Summit AND some glorious cross-disciplinary time to experience the power of the Green Commons. It’s all happening at the Kimpton Cottonwood, a... Read more
Forum topic
Hi GG: Just wanted to make sure you know about a free webinar that Buildings & Cities and Carbon Leadership Forum are putting on:
Zero Carbon: Can Built Environment Education Deliver?
Monday 8 February 2021, 9 – 10 am PST
Details and registration through this site:
https://carbonleadershipforum.org/zero-carbon-... Read more
Forum topic
Sujatha Das of Haskell has put together a survey to help define the role of a Construction Company Sustainability Manager--I thought this is something many here might be willing to help with, and benefit from!
Sujatha will share the results of the survey with those that participate assuming they provide the optional contact information... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all and Happy New Year: I'm writing to make sure that you're aware of the USGBC's call for members for a new LEED Resilience Working Group. See below. The deadline is coming right up - Please pass this along to others you may think of in the topic areas they identify below.
Thanks
Mary Ann
I wanted to let you know... Read more



