News Analysis
It isn’t just environmental zealots who are up in arms about the U.S. Forest Service’s policies on managing the nation’s timber resources. The Association of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics has jumped into the fray—from the inside. Jeff DeBonis, the Association’s founder and executive director,... Read more
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
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
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
Hi everyone, it was so great to meet some of you at the winter summit and finally connect names with faces!
We have a project that is targeting CalGreen Tier 2 and LEEDv4 Platinum. Thought I'd reach out to see if anyone on this forum has found comparison guides between the two? Looking for something similar to this CalGreen 2013 tier... Read more
Forum topic
Hi folks,
I hope you're all doing well, despite the heat (thermal, political, social...ugh!).
We've had low turnout on the SAL monthly calls lately; it seems that these aren't a high priority for many of you. That's not necessarily a problem, if you're finding value in being in the network for other reasons, that's fine.
We... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all
I would like to warmly invite all of you to our Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies 25th anniversary events. I think the events are very pertinent to what this group is about and are all free. If you are in the LA area please come! The 11th includes an outdoor reception at the center after the presentations. It’s also an... Read more
Forum topic
Hi All,
I’m pulling together a Healthy Building Summit in Boston on August 14th. Check it out here. http://usgbcma.org/hbs18/
Nadav is moderating! It would be great to have some of you great leaders in attendance. We still have sponsorship opportunities. Let me know if you are interested.
-Meredith
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
Forum topic
Hello Everyone,
LHB continues our search for a Regenerative Design Specialist to oversee our multi-discipline firm's goal to reach regenerative design. This is a leadership position with unique opportunities to influence architecture and engineering across many market sectors.
We understand it's been an exhausting year and that... Read more
Forum topic
Per our discussion on today's SMEP call, it would be interesting to have a more in-depth discussion on Indoor Air Quality. Questions I have personally...
What experiences are people seeing on the design side - IAQP vs VRP? How can we advocate more for IAQ performance testing in existing buildings? (e.g. LEED and WELL) What types of tests... Read moreForum topic
Hello Green Gurus, here's a reminder that this webinar is happening one week from today!
Register here.
Sustainable Community Design Leaders: Who we are, What we do
Tuesday, February 16th, 2021
3 - 4pm ET (12 - 1pm PT)
Description: Join this live webinar to learn about the brand-new Sustainable Community Design... Read more

