Explainer
Product Review
The company's promotional material is the epitome of environmentally friendly packaging—like a Ben & Jerry's annual report. The article reprints sent were even bound in a jacket made from corrugated cardboard. So we were quite intrigued by the product. Syndecrete™ is a lightweight, pre-cast,... 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
SDL Show & Tell in Chicago, Tuesday, November 13 from 7-9:30 PM (CST)
HKS | 125 S Clark Street | Chicago, IL 60603
What better way to kick off your time at Greenbuild than with snap previews of the best sessions? The Sustainable Design Leaders Show & Tell is back, brought to you by BuildingGreen and HKS! This event is by... Read more
Forum topic
Hi friends,
As you might have seen from my op ed last week on BuildingGreen.com, I’m convinced that just voting is not enough; we all need to do all we can to improve our chances of success in this election. My wife Janice and I have been writing get-out-the-vote letters using Vote Forward as our platform. I thought it might be fun, and... Read more
Spotlight Report
Older buildings—especially those from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s—need our help. Many leave something to be desired in terms of aesthetics and comfort. But the truth is that they are part of the urban and suburban fabric now, and they aren’t going anywhere. As tempting as it might seem to tear them all down and replace them with high-performance... Read more
Forum topic
Happy 2021 Green Gurus,
BuildingGreen has some New Years news to share with you all!
Announcing an addition to the Peer Networks family, we are excited to be launching the Sustainable Community Design Leaders (SCDL) Peer Network!
The SCLD peers are planners, architects, landscape architects, and other professionals at... Read more
Product Guide
Interior doors may be a source of indoor emissions, and wood can be unsustainably sourced.
BuildingGreen-Approved Doors
BuildingGreen approves interior doors made from FSC-certified wood or reclaimed wood as well as composite doors with environmental features like:
rapidly renewable materials... Read moreForum topic
Hi everyone,
Happy new year!
The FIRST First Friday Fika* of 2024 is happening this Friday, January 5th from 11am to 12pm ET, hosted by Candace Pearson.
Here is the registration link for the Fikas, or if you've registered previously, you can use the same link for this week.
We look forward to seeing you Friday!
... Read moreQuiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Is Wood Construction Green? A Look at the Issues.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Determine what distinguishes wood products sourced from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests, and why these products improve the environmental impact of... Read more
Forum topic
Hi All
I'm wondering if any of you know how to track the GWP for materials that do not have an EPD? I'm trying to do a carbon comparison on batteries but neither one has an EPD that I can find. Thanks for any guidance you may have.
Peer Network Event
Forum topic
Hello everyone!
The Sustainable Design Leaders Summit will be kicking off with a Pre-Summit workshop in Seattle July 31st, 9am - 3pm. If you are interested in joining your peers for this workshop, please see the registration link below. Also, if you know someone in the Seattle area that would be good to have in the workshop and might be... Read more
Forum topic
Has anyone used Insight for Revit to document the LEED Daylight Credit If so, would you recommend it?
Thanks,
_Ilana
Author
Amanda is BuildingGreen's Peer Networks Manager, working behind the scenes to support the Peer Networks team and members. They are passionate about sustainable design and love helping people find tangible ways to help the planet.
Prior to joining BuildingGreen in 2023, Amanda was a campaigns coordinator at a food justice... Read more

