Hello and Happy New Year!

I joined the SAL Peer Network a few months back and I’m really excited to be part of this group, although a bit delayed in my introduction. I’m an architect working as a consultant and managing the Sustainability Department at Entegrity (an energy and sustainability consulting firm) located in Arkansas. I’ve... Read more

Does anyone know of a good summary of state and local energy code adoption for new building and ordinances for existing buildings? I know of this energycodes.gov site, but it feels somewhat misleading when you dig into it. For example, in CO, it suggests there is no min code, but there is, and it doesn’t show the extent to which local govs are... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Choosing Insulation: High-Performance Foundation & Basement Assemblies – Unit 2.

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


1. Explain the insulating performance and durability of different insulation materials.
2. Provide examples of... Read more

Hi! I'm writing a short news piece on WELL v2 and looking for someone very familiar with the existing and v2 standards to interview about the changes. If you meet that description and would like to go on the record with your thoughts, please reply to me directly at paula@buildinggreen.com. Thanks!

Hi, this is a somewhat niche/specific question - we are working on an all-electric school (middle and high school) that includes a chemistry lab. The lab was going to have portable sources for flame experiments, but there is concern that the portable sources would be unsafe for middle school students, so they are asking for a hard-pipe natural... Read more

It's time for our next Peer Networks webinar! Ariane wowed us with her five minutes on future climate data at the Show-and-Tell at HKS in Chicago last November. Now we'll get the deep dive.

Wednesday, May 29, 2:00 pm EDT

Register here: https://www.buildinggreen.com/peer-networks/webinars

Remember--this live webinar is for... Read more

Hi All,

I will be catching up on learning units over Thanksgiving weekend and I am wondering if anyone else is experiencing the challenge of credential maintenance of their CPHD? Ideally we would have a client go for Passive House accreditation on a project, but lacking that, how are folks maintaining their 20 credits per year? For... Read more

Good morning SALs! Nicole's survey on restrooms inspired me to post a survey of my own.

I’ve been trying to stay useful lately. I've been posting new writing on the industry, much of it complimentary, over on Roberts’ Green Letter. (Yesterday I posted the mission statement, explained via brand-new-puppy pics.)

I have a 1-minute... Read more

Opal Mao Mannella-Durante

Hi all!

A couple years ago now there was an incredible thread here about circadian lighting design and WELL. There was a lot of dipping toes in the water with intent to gather lessons learned and report back.

What have been the high points and low points of circadian lighting design so far? What seems cost-effective and worth... Read more

Hi friends,

As you might have seen from my op ed last week on BuildingGreen.com, I’m convinced that just voting is not enough; we all need to do all we can to improve our chances of success in this election. My wife Janice and I have been writing get-out-the-vote letters using Vote Forward as our platform. I thought it might be fun, and... Read more

Hello,

We are having a discussion / a bit of a debate in our office about the merits and sustainability of different roofing materials. Our current standard is to use a PVC membrane, which we all know is highly toxic. TPO is an obvious alternative that is less toxic, but it has some performance concerns and can often lead to leaking (not... Read more

With the current push for improved window performance to meet energy codes and Passive House, room side low-e coatings can significantly improve window U-values. However, back in 2018 Payette did this excellent study that showed that while room side low-e coatings improved window U-value and increased the interior radiant temperature, the... Read more

Keeping these meeting invites here on the SDL pages as we hope to continue to offer participation to SDL members.  The invite follows:

Welcome to the Climate Smart Wood Group monthly peer network meeting. For agenda item suggestions and other meeting organization items please contact Patrick Donnelly at pdonnelly@integrusarch.com or... Read more

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone out in the network has experience with the following:

>Low carbon concete mixes for polished concrete slabs: we're hearing concerns from our concrete supplier that using a low carbon mix design for a polished concrete slab will cause pitting. What experience do others have?

>Low carbon concrete... Read more

Hi All

I'm wondering if any of you know how to track the GWP for materials that do not have an EPD?  I'm trying to do a carbon comparison on batteries but neither one has an EPD that I can find.  Thanks for any guidance you may have. 

The Sustainable Community Design Leaders Peer Network brings together planners, architects, landscape architects, and allied leaders who are committed to leveraging the... Read more