Explainer
News Brief
At first glance,
An Environmental Handbook for Florida Contractors looks like it deals only with the environmental regulations that Florida contractors must contend with. And, indeed, the Handbook describes in detail the requirements for complying with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. But the book goes much further,... 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
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
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
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
Forum topic
Hi All - I wanted to share out the All For Reuse initiative below by two peers in the sustainable materials management network. I know some SDL have already done much research on this from quite a few angles, and those with LBC experience probably even moreso in practice.
Frances Yang (Arup) and Andrew Ellsworth (Doors Unhinged) have... Read more
Product Guide
Virgin materials can come with major environmental impacts from mining, petroleum extraction, or irresponsible logging practices.
BuildingGreen-Approved Site Furnishings
All approved products contain some post-consumer recycled content, with several boasting 90%–100% overall recycled material. Wood products are responsibly sourced... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Building Re-Entry with Arc
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain the similarities and differences between LEED v4.1 O+M performance metrics and the Arc Re-Entry program.
2. Understand how Arc Re-Entry contributes to an iterative re-... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Sustainable Construction Leaders,
Mark your calendars! The next quarterly SCL call will be Wednesday, July 28th, 3pm ET (noon PT) and will focus on ESG.
Check in with three contractors at varying levels of development in their ESG programs. Julia Gisewite from Turner Construction, Jennifer Taranto from STO Building Group,... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all-
DiMella Shaffer is seeking a Sustainability Practice Leader! For the last 2.5 years, I have been setting the structure in place, making change, and providing thought-leadership as the first Sustainability Practice Leader (director level leadership) at DiMella Shaffer in Boston. It has been a fantastic firm to work for and this... Read more
Forum topic
The AIA just announced the 2019 Young Architect Award Winners and our own Julie Hiromoto is one of the recipients. Just wanted to say "CONGRATS JULIE!" Well done!
https://www.aia.org/resources/6099220-2019-aia-awards---young-architects?utm_source=RealMagnet&utm_medium=email&utm_term=30134332--a3911d92-2589-4799-aed4-... Read more
Forum topic
HI All,
Built Environment Plus, a green building member-based non-profit in Boston, is looking for a dynamic person to lead our expansive Education Program which includes courses taught by BuildingGreen and many others in this network. Check out the offerings here: Trainings Archive - Built Environment Plus
This is a critical and... Read more
Forum topic
Hi everyone, we had a great first all-network call with the SCL members who joined us last month! We’re looking forward to the next all-SCL call on January 8, 2024 at 1pm ET.
In the meantime, we’d love for you to fill out this survey to help us best tailor the all-SCL calls to the needs of the network. Please fill out the survey by... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Everyone!
Here is your friendly reminder for the last call to submit your Salary Survey! Here is a PDF to collect your thoughts first if that is helpful.
*This survey will be closed end of day Friday Feb. 15th.*
Important Note: There is a link to a Google Form at the end of the survey to let us know you have completed... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Peer Network members,
I have some bittersweet news: I’ve accepted another job and will be leaving BuildingGreen. I’m excited to be the new Community Outreach Manager at Brattleboro VT’s Retreat Farm and to support their mission of connecting people to the land and to each other. I’ve learned so much from being part of this... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Energy Modeling for Early Design Decisions (recorded webcast)
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Explain how energy codes and standards are pushing commercial projects beyond what they can do without modeling.
2. Describe the key... Read more

