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
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
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
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
Forum topic
If you want to know more about the MEP 2040 Challenge, our first quarterly forum will be held on March 18th, 2022 11 am to 1 pm Eastern, and will be discussing decarbonization in the MEP space. See link below for the agenda and registration.
https://network.carbonleadershipforum.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=206&reset=1
I... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
Product Guide
Conventional heating systems burn fossil fuels on the building site or use outrageous amounts of electricity.
BuildingGreen-Approved Heat Pumps
The best heat pumps solve both these problems and provide efficient cooling. BuildingGreen approves air-source heat pumps with minimum HSPF and SEER levels of 10 and 20, respectively.... Read more
Forum topic
You're invited to join your colleagues in an SCL Whole Group Web Meeting on Contractors’ Commitment May 28th, 2019 1:00 PM PST / 4:00 PM EST!!
Web meeting focused on an update with the contractors' commitment work. This is an SCL whole group call led by Kena David.
Join the meeting on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/972367514
... Read more
Forum topic
We have a project that is looking for plaster/stucco/textured wall products that are sustainable, or “more sustainable.”
I know these products exist, but I haven’t had to spec or work with any, so I’m reaching out.
The project is in MA, so I'm also soliciting recommendations for products and/or companies who are experienced using... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of The Sound of Sustainability: Acoustics in High-Performance Design!
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
Describe how increased acoustic performance benefits indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
Recount the negative impacts of poor acoustic... Read more
Portal
Based on current projects, pursuits, and ongoing thought leadership, the following are hot topics across the Stantec Buildings group.
Read on to stay up to date with evolving skills and expertise not only in your own BC but also... Read more
Forum topic
Hello everyone, Happy New Year!
I wanted to send a quick note that we have an awesome group registered for the Sustainable Design Leaders Winter Summit 2020 and we still have a few open seats! This is taking place Jan. 29th - 31st, 2020 at The Lodge, Gulf Shores, AL with an exciting Pre-Summit Workshop happening that Wednesday. If you... Read more


