Explainer
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 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
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
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
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
Hi folks,
I hope you're all doing well, despite the heat (thermal, political, social...ugh!).
We've had low turnout on the SAL monthly calls lately; it seems that these aren't a high priority for many of you. That's not necessarily a problem, if you're finding value in being in the network for other reasons, that's fine.
We... Read more
Forum topic
We have a client who just hired their first director of sustainability. That person is looking to connect with other people in similar roles within Healthcare / Hospital organizations. Does anyone have organizations they have worked with who have someone in this role (I know it is less common than other markets) or have a healthcare specific... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
Note: This webinar is complete and registration is closed.
Join us for a live sneak preview of our Top 10 Green Building Products for 2021. Our team has selected them from thousands on the market—this year with a focus on carbon and global warming. Products & Materials Specialist Brent Ehrlich will walk you through why we chose... Read more
Forum topic
This are opportunities for us to get involved as design and construction allies with the new administration and the US Department of Energy on more efficient building.
The first link below is for low-carbon projects that will provide the case studies and solutions that the industry can follow. The second is identifying barriers and... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of The Four Core Issues to Tackle for Resilient Design (And the Programs That Can Help).
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Use site-specific hazard analysis to evaluate a project’s resiliency demands.
2. Use climate change data to... 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
The AIA is NOT announcing the COTE Top Ten award winners this Wednesday. Both the firm and student juries were held last month and winners were chosen. But the AIA is focused on COVID-19 info only now, restricting other communications. That is why the COTE newsletter has disappeared from your mailboxes.
Maybe i am the only one who... Read more
Forum topic
I'm sure may are familiar with Aqua in Chicago, and Joe Lstiburek's article on thermal bridging. (https://buildingscience.com/documents/insights/bsi062-thermal-bridges-redux) We have similar problem with a project that is a residential highrise building, concrete structure. Here is my questions. Will energy simulation be able to pick up the... Read more
Forum topic
is anyone aware of some guidance about citation protocols for when a person/team/org uses an AI tool to generate some base components for a report (which is then heavily edited by humans)?
I'm inclined to disclose in detail which tools were used and how ... but would love to know if there are some industry protocols shaping up about this... Read more


