Hello fellow SD leaders,

This is a quick note to re-introduce myself to this group. I am a lapsed member from the original tribe of 2008 who has found my way back on a trail of bread crumbs left by Nadav (thanks Nadav!). I'm just glad to be back amongst my people, sharing and learning from you all, as we help each other to get where we... Read more

At Living Future last week a woman from Google asked about cost comparisons and I shared that the City of Santa Monica conducted a study analyzing the costs of a prototypical mixed-use project for a Living Building vs. LEED v4 Platinum vs. code compliant (Title 24, part 6). I thought this group might be interested as well so here is the link... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Better Steel, Lower Impacts!

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


Understand the process of how steel is made.

Recount how the U.S. steel industry has been improving its environmental footprint, while improving product performance.

... Read more

Hi MEP Leaders,

Just a reminder that our monthly call is next Tuesday, July 11, at 2pm ET. Chris Colasanti will be presenting on impacts of different facade characteristics on overall energy performance! 

All Network members are welcome to join. Here is the agenda, and below is the Zoom info:

Join Zoom Meeting
https... Read more

Facilitating Engagement and Collaboration in Virtual Meetings (or, Avoiding a Goat Rodeo with Many Awkward Silences*)

If you weren't already sitting in virtual meetings every day... We all are now. So how do we facilitate an online meeting in which everyone is focused, engaged, heard, collaborating and problem-solving in an efficient,... Read more

Pipe that delivers domestic water in North America is typically made from copper, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), all of which present environmental challenges. Bimodal polyethylene  (PE-RT) and polypropylene (PP) are potential alternatives with lower climate and health impacts.
... Read more

Hi all,

I'm curious how various firms are approaching their own office projects, re green building certifications. I'm especially interested in medium-large firms that have multiple offices, but policies and processes from small firms may still be instructive.

Do you have a firm-wide policy or is it a case-by-case thing? Has... Read more

Dear SD Leaders: I'm writing to make sure that you've seen a letter that has been circulating protesting the ‘pro-asbestos’ rule change the EPA is considering.  The letter is soliciting firm signatures/owners (as opposed to individuals).  I encourage you to sign and/or get your firm to sign ASAP. 

Please forward as well to any firm from... Read more

I really enjoyed last week's "Integrative Solutions Jam - Getting Better Materials Into Projects".  Thanks BuildingGreen for setting that up.  One of the great parts were the break out groups, where 4 of us could dig into various topics more deeply.

We got into a conversation about circularity and material re-use and Laura Soma with Gly... Read more

Hello Sustainable MEP Leaders!

BuildingGreen is already hard at work planning next year's MEP Summit. We are looking at venues in Denver, CO and dates in late May or early June.

In order to book a venue, we need to nail down dates soon. Please fill out this Doodle poll to let us know which of these would work for you. All of the... Read more

Hello Green Gurus,

Here is the information for our second Peer Networks Webinar this month, coming up next week: Better Products = Better Buildings (Low Carbon Specs). We hope you can join us!

Register HERE.

Better Products = Better Buildings (Low Carbon Specs)
Thursday, May 19, 2022
1 - 2pm ET (10 - 11am PT)... Read more

Hi everyone,

Just a reminder to please fill out the 2024 All-Networks Workshop Attendance Poll by the end of next Monday, December 18th. Thank you so much to those who have filled it out already! :) 

-Amanda

Hi All,

It's been a great week to get the message out about the importance of sustainability in our work, and this group brings such a rich and nuanced perspective to the table. I'm asking, if you published something for earth day this week for external consumption, could you share that here? I'm curious to see if there are common themes... Read more

A site license allows your entire organization to access and share the guide, and to keep a copy in your library.  

We’re excited to be releasing the 2020 edition of Spec This, Not That. 

... Read more

Hi! I hope that others who were at Islandwood found it as fulfilling as I did. (Janice and I spent the weekend exploring the island on bicycles--we're just getting on the ferry to Seattle now. It was a great little vacation!)

Let's use this thread to share notes and documents from the Summit. Please post your highlights here, or send... Read more

Friends,

We put a lot of effort into air tightness design, detailing, and construction administration, often including 6-sided mockup and parital or whole-building blower-door testing.  For commercial buildings, these tests measure air leakage in cfm/sf at 1.57 psf (75pa).  

I came across this research paper several years ago, but... Read more