Hi everyone,

Remember the thread on here from last fall that “broke the internet?” We have some progress to share and a chance for members to re-engage. A core team has been meeting to compare project process diagrams and challenges. They will share examples from their firms, along with learnings and best practices, on Wednesday, March 6... Read more

Dear SD Leaders: I'm writing to let you know about a great opportunity in campus-wide sustainability and design leadership. Washington University in St. Louis (my alma mater) is seeking a new University Architect and Assistant Vice Chancellor. WashU has a very strong legacy of sustainability leadership which has recently been reinforced with... Read more

Hi, and welcome to the Sustainable MEP Leaders Peer Network! 

This online forum is one of the ways we can stay connected and support each other as we collaborate to help MEP design achieve its highest potential as an element of sustainable and regenerative buildings. Please introduce yourself with a little about where you work, what you'... Read more

I am looking for a healthy and safe mold preventative product to use on wood construction to prevent mold growth as this full wood building (truss, framing, exterior sheathing) will be exposed to moisture via the elements until the roof gets put on in earlywinter.

Please share your feedback, thus far we have found what looks like a lot... Read more

After reviewing BP language today with internal staff, we realized we'll need to add a glossary to explain industry jargon and technical terms that might not be widely used. I'd like to consolidate those terms onto one web page, a glossary. This probably should be on the list with the best practices, and it will need its own page. Thanks!

WELL & Fitwel and beyond.

Guiding Questions:

Hello all,

We are looking at ways we can use our specs to reduce toxicity in projects and one step towards that goal may be to require RoHS compliant lighting, switches, alarms, meters, etc., as required by the Small Electrical Components exception in the Living Building Challenge. Based on LBC projects I have been involved with, it... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Saying Goodbye to the Office—and Hello to Housing!

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:


Hi All,

After this long winter, who is up for some fierce creativity and friendly competition in your own offices or between your companies?  What do you think of a location agnostic, virtual, Sustainability Scavenger Hunt from Earth Day to Mother's (earth) Day?

We've done the hard work for you. Join in on the fun and save your... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Resilient Design: 7 Lessons from Early Adopters

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:


1. Recount the ten resilient design principles.
2. Recount each of the seven fundamental messages embraced by the model practitioners.
3. Describe... Read more

Hi everyone,

Will you be attending the Living Future 2023 conference, or do you live near the DC area?

If so, you’re invited to join us for an informal meetup!

When: Wednesday May 3, 2023, 7:30-9pm ET

Where: SmithGroup, 1700 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 100, Washington DC

If you plan on coming, please be sure to... Read more

At the recent All Networks Workshop in Seattle, I listened with interest to some conversation about including sustainability goals, KPI's, critical materials lists, and other related topics on a G-sheet in the drawing set.  This is something I had not previously considered, but would like to learn more about. 

If you work for a design... Read more

Hi folks,

As you've no doubt heard from us by now (several times), in lieu of Summer Summits this year we're offering a combination of events this fall. Our series kicked off last week with a great Regional Mini-Summit in Boston. Regional events like this were in our plans before COVID blew everything up, so this one was a long-time... Read more

This is deep nerdy stuff, so don't say you haven't been warned.  ASHRAE has opened the first public review to its net zero standard (228).  Here's the blurb:

Standard Method for Evaluating Zero Net Energy and Zero Net Carbon Building Performance ASHRAE Standard 228-202x sets requirements for evaluating whether a building or group of... Read more

Hans “Grumpy” Grimm

Hey everyone, 

With the coming In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation | California Air Resources Board we have been doing some research on availability of R-99 fuel prior to the January 1 start date. One thing we aren't finding in the research is an estimate of cost impacts. Has anyone started rolling out R-99 on their sites yet... Read more

Hi:

I encourage you to review and sign this letter. 

Notes from BDC follow:

Really appreciate the outpouring of support we've received so far on this letter! Various groups let us know that they would like additional time to review, so we've decided to extend the deadline from June 23 to Thursday, July 14 at 2pm.

As... Read more

THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Should housing be affordable? Or should it be sustainably designed, built, and operated?

When you put it like that, the question sounds absurd.

But the idea—usually unspoken—that sustainability wastes precious time and resources is painfully common in the... Read more