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BuildingGreen is the most trusted voice in sustainable design and architecture.
This ad-free, member-supported resource is here to guide designers in using high-performance strategies, and in selecting sustainable and healthy products.
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Quiz
This webcast was pre-approved for 1 AIA LU|HSW and 1 GBCI LEED-specific CE hour.
Please complete the survey questions to confirm your attendance and receive your CEUs.
By providing your credential numbers in your profile, you will enable us to automatically report these CEUs to these organizations. Please check your profile to be... Read more
Forum topic
Has anyone here found an alternative to XPS for the void former?
A structural engineering contact was included in recent conversations about embodied carbon in insulation materials and brought to our attention that this is a common use for XPS that has nothing to do with its insulating properties. It is typically used where concrete is... Read more
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Hi everyone,
Since I know we have a lot of talented people in this group, I'd like to reach out to those of you based in Los Angeles and see if anyone is interested in talking at an upcoming Living Building Challenge collaborative event. The topic of the meeting is "Selecting Healthy Materials 101: From the perspectives of... Read more
Forum topic
Gurus -
I'm looking for (or to build) a set of US district energy projects for developer-led mixed-use/residential neighborhoods/districts. Does anyone have a resource for this or have started something similar?
I am not a member of IDEA but utilize their site quite often. Any other resources come to mind? I'd be happy to... Read more
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Has anyone had any success with achieving the LEED Building Envelope commissioning points with an alternative compliance path using the requirements of the PHIUS verifier? It seems like an unnecessary duplication to ask the client to pay for a BECx agent and a Passive House verifier. Or am I missing something? I can't find any LEED... Read more
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ASHRAE 209 in all its glory has been uploaded. This will impact our architectural process, for better or worse, so we should embrace it and learn from it. The revised AIA Energy Modeling Design Guide (due out next year) has been timed to correspond roughly to 209 coming out and will include references to it. The first few energy modeling '... Read more
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Hi SDL: sorry to send another missive so soon but I wanted all to be aware of a great new effort just announced today coming from Greg Kats and Vivian Loftness among others - The Smart Surfaces Coalition. This effort brings together resources and research around city-scale resilience. "The Coalition is committed to the rapid, cost-effective... Read more
Product Guide
Metal roofs can also provide high solar reflectance, minimizing a building’s contribution to the urban heat island effect.
BuildingGreen-approved
Materials and finishes recognized by Energy Star maintain solar reflectance levels after three years of use of 50% for low-slope and 15% for steep-slope. Some unpainted metals and many... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Better Window Decisions: Mastering the Performance and Cost Options.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the energy metrics that inform how windows affect energy loads
2. Describe ways to avoid air leakage and condensation... Read more
Forum topic
Hi, this is a somewhat niche/specific question - we are working on an all-electric school (middle and high school) that includes a chemistry lab. The lab was going to have portable sources for flame experiments, but there is concern that the portable sources would be unsafe for middle school students, so they are asking for a hard-pipe natural... Read more
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Hi everyone,
We’re so excited to announce that registration for the 2025 SCL Summit is now live! Register here and save your seat to join BuildingGreen, your SCL peers, and members of all three other networks for a first-of-its-kind summit this year.
In addition to the SCL Summit, you’ll have the option of joining us for the all-... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
Returning to work: for many, it’s unthinkable without some kind of reassurance that leadership and the facilities team have taken all possible precautions. Lots of organizations are weighing in on what we should pay attention to, but how do we know if it’s working?
The free Re-entry program from Arc is a tracking and measurement... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Green Gurus!
We have some exciting details for the next All Peer Networks webinar on Design Agency & Civic Engagement: Building Sustainable Communities.
REGISTER HERE - Hope to see you there!
Design Agency & Civic Engagement: Building Sustainable Communities
June 25th, 2020
3pm - 4pm ET (Noon - 1pm... Read more
Forum topic
Hi!
I'd love to hear what you all--especially the New Yorkers--think about the newly adopted gas ban. Is this the bill we were hoping to see? Any concerns or questions?
One question I have--maybe just reveals my ignorance--but it seems to leave the door open to steam hookups, which I guess are still an option through much of... Read more
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I'm sure many of you remember when Greenbuild 2020 was scheduled for the week of the presidential election and if was shifted back one day.
If anyone has small kids and have gone to book your Greenbuild 2022 travel, you've potentially noticed (as I have) that I'll have to travel on 10/31 and will miss all Halloween activities with my... Read more
Forum topic
Hi, curious if anyone in the group has considered using Fitwel in an existing (built) school project (K-12).
Would be interested in hearing your experiences and if this tool is a good fit for this type of project.
Forum topic
Hi Brilliant People:
I'm hoping you can help me with a quick research question. A local colleague is trying to make the case to replace an existing old slate roof with slate vs. "slate look" asphalt shingles on a local public historic building. The bids are 6X higher for slate over the alternative 25-30 year solutions. They understand... Read more