Explainer
Product 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 moreNews Brief
Energy Source™ Directory
Life has been a whole lot easier around the office since theEnergy Source Directory arrived. Assembled and published by Iris Communications, this is the most complete and most useful guide to specialized products and materials used in energy-efficient construction that we've seen. The 500-page directory is... 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
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
Forum topic
Good morning all,
I'm new to the forum and I am really happy to be here. For the last year or so, I have been working to advance high performance design at Flad, grappling with so many of the issues discussed in this forum. Especially in the context of recent times, it feels really wonderful to join a group of people dedicated to helping... Read more
Forum topic
Does anyone have experience with Oknoplast PAVA windows that they would be willing to share?
Forum topic
Hi all,
For your planning purposes for next year, here’s info on in-person events coming up in 2024:
As you may remember, our Summer 2024 SDL Summit will be July 15-17, 2024 at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island! Tickets will be $1800, which includes the cost of meals and lodging.
We are excited to announce we will also be... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Fellow Design Professionals: It would be great if you could participate in this important research on the status of professionals addressing extreme heat.
Thanks.
MAL
Planning for Extreme Heat Survey
Our research team from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University is studying how planning... Read more
Forum topic
I'm hoping that some of you know someone with strong energy modeling skills who is looking for a job! Moseley Architects is recruiting for a full time energy modeler (ideally either in our Richmond, VA or Raleigh NC office) to help us continue to press forward with understanding and reducing the energy impacts of our designs. The job... Read more
Forum topic
A colleague of mine from another firm is seeking a good sustainability consultant in North Carolina. I haven't done work in that part of the country so I'm wondering who you all would recommend.
Thanks,
Carolyn Day
Forum topic
Hi folks,
We've got another timely and engaging webinar lined up! Join Panama Bartholomy and Peter Rumsey for the latest on electrification policy and applications. (As always, if you can't make it at this time that's ok, we'll be recording it.)
Register here to get the link: https://www.buildinggreen.com/peer-networks/webinars... Read more
Forum topic
Anyone know of tools/methodologies for estimating embodied carbon and carbon sequestration potential of individual green infrastructure projects (e.g. bioswale along bikeway)? I've seen tools for the larger scale (e.g. land use change) as well as specific to trees (e.g. i-Tree), but these don't fully meet my needs.
Thanks!
Product Guide
Rotary Uninterruptible Power Units
Power interruptions and brief changes in voltage can damage electrical equipment, compromise computer data, shut down manufacturing, and endanger hospital patients. In the case of power outages, generators usually take over, but about 98% of all interruptions last less than ten seconds, and there is a... Read more
Forum topic
Hi SDLers: See the great opportunity to weigh in on the 5th National Climate Assessment at a series of workshops in early 2022.
Register here:
https://www.globalchange.gov/content/nca5-engagement-workshops?utm_sourc...
Hope all are staying well.
Mary Ann


