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
News Analysis
A study published in the June 5, 1992, issue of
Science by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona suggests that smoke emitted into the atmosphere from human activities may be having a significant effect in counteracting... 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
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
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
Hi All - I have a 3 bdroom close walking distance to Greenbuild venue - but I don't need it.
Last call before I cancel it - if anyone wants it - I can transfer!
Just shoot me an email directly to bb@sustainable-performance.org
Thanks and see you there!
Forum topic
BuildingGreen is considering hosting a reception and SDL Show & Tell at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2019. If you are planning to attend the conference, please email me directly. Your participation will influence our decision. The newly forming Small Firm SDL peer network (firm w/less than 50 employees) will have their inaugural... 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
I invite you to submit a speaker proposal for Gulf Coast Green and plan to join us at the Houston Zoo on March 22, 2024. It's always an inspiring event!
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
After 17 successful years, Gulf Coast Green has proven to be the leading green building conference in the Gulf Coast region. In addition to a lineup of... Read more
Forum topic
Hi folks! I had a blast at the Show + Tell Tuesday night of Greenbuild. Thanks to Payette for hosting, and to Arrowstreet for joining Payette and BuildingGreen as sponsors. What a great way to get a "tasting-menu" Greenbuild experience!
I also caught a couple of great sessions on Friday morning. Polling others, it seems that the... Read more
Forum topic
Southface will need a procedure for adding and assigning SMEs to the BITuser site. Normally you could just create the user in BITuser and assign the role right there, but we have the added complication of Salesforce SSO, which means the sequence will have a few extra steps.
Here's the basic outline:
Create an account for the SME on... Read moreForum topic
Dear SD Leaders,
A friend is looking for a High Performance and Sustainability Leader to join their mid-size architecture company in New York.
If you know anyone that could be interested in this position could you please kindly send them my way?
Thank you
Marzia
Forum topic
Hi there Hive Mind! Hope everyone's doing well and staying cool in the heatwave all over.
An engineer on one of my projects reached out about contact switches for operable windows that are empowered to shut down the associated FCU in dormitory bedrooms when the window is open. This functionality allows the FCU to run at something like... Read more
News Analysis
Product Guide
CEUs are available for reading all the building-envelope product guides and primer. Click here to learn more and take the quiz.
Water and air that penetrate building assemblies can damage materials, cause energy loss, and lead to mold, mildew, or other problems. The products used to address these may contain materials that are... Read more
Forum topic
Hello! Long shot here, but I thought I would try.
Alex Wilson and I are working on an article about priorities for the next four years under the Biden-Harris administration. We'd like to feature some recent photos of climate demonstrations, protest signs calling for the Green New Deal, or other environment-focused illustrations of... Read more

