Product Review
Builders concerned about out-gassing of formaldehyde from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) have long used Medex in cabinets. This exterior-grade product, originally developed for highway signs, is considerably more expensive than conventional MDF or particleboard, however. Now Medite II fills the need for a... 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
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
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
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
Forum topic
HGA is collaborating with the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership (MCAP) to research how the AE industry is currently using climate projection data, and what they need in order to grow their use of data. MCAP is currently producing a set of dynamical downscaled climate projections for the state of Minnesota and unlike other... Read more
Product Guide
Wood was the first material used in window frame and sash construction, and it remains popular for homes with its warm feel and relatively high energy efficiency.
BuildingGreen-Approved Windows
Wood windows must achieve an NFRC-certified unit U-factor of 0.22 or lower. Manufacturers also must demonstrate that their highest-... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
I have asked a few of you in this list, but thought I might expand the question to the wide group.
To ensure that your firm will be able to collect post-occupancy energy data from your completed projects, have any of you included language about sharing energy data during operations in an owner agreement/contract? We have... Read more
Forum topic
Peeps, in case you haven't gotten the email blasts--the AIA wants YOU! Now is the time to throw your hat into the ring for volunteering on the following committees/groups:
2030 Working Group (with Keith Hempel! and Ashley Mulhall!) A&D Materials Pledge Working Group (build on the amazing work Lona Rerick and others have been doing for... Read moreForum topic
Hope I'm posting this in the right place. I have a client who's interested in estimating the embodied carbon of multiple buildings (primarily apartment buildings) they own and operate. Not sure if I'll have access to drawings or area takeoffs of materials for their buildings. How would you approach this? Would appreciate input on resources... Read more
Basic page
Rise above the competition in sustainability, and meet your colleagues where they are.
Our affordable firm-wide pricing offers resources that your whole firm can take advantage of, with trusted, ad-free... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Solar Thermal Hot Water, Heating, and Cooling.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain active and passive; direct and indirect; and low-, medium-, and high-temperature solar thermal systems.
2. Distinguish between the three most... Read more
Forum topic
I would like to invite you to come see the progress of the Oakland EcoBlock on 4/21! Page is co-presenting at the ULI event and we have been pulling together the latest material. It would be great if you can join!
Posted yesterday on the OEB web page https://ecoblock.berkeley.edu/news/ Sign up here: https://sf.uli.org/events/detail/... Read moreForum topic
Some of us SDLers saw a need to create an online repository for the best simulation graphics and created IBPSA Project Stasio over the last couple of years. Along side graphics is a list of simulation questions (in progress) that we as architects may not know we could ask. The graphics are linked to answer the questions so our simulation... Read more
Forum topic
Can anyone recommend waste haulers and processing facilities that are LEED compliant for processing commingled waste in the DC / MD area?
I know this is the Sustainable Construction Leaders and not the LEED Construction Leaders, but with waste management being such a big part of what we do, I wanted to crowd source a request for help.... Read more
Forum topic
Team,
As you all probably saw, Boston is discussing using both CEI (carbon emission intensity) and EUI as basic scope of work. Maybe the more surprising thing is China announced a new building code next year to include carbon emission analysis as a basic scope of work for all buildings. New buildings in 2022, among other things,... Read more
Forum topic
Hello SCL members,
A gaping hole has been left since Patty Lloyd stepped down from our SCL steering committee. Don't worry, she is still in the network and tirelessly championing SCL. But this means we are opening up nominations for at least one leadership spot. If you are interested, please email me directly (candace@buildinggreen.com)... Read more

