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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
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
Forum topic
Hello All,
Checking in on experience with Armstrong's Tectum E-N with NEOPOR Graphite polysytrene GPS rigid foam insulation core in roof panels for exposed structure?
BASF says that NEOPOR uses up to 30% less material than other rigid foam; it is greenguard gold cerified.
Interesting that the NEOPOR increases in R-value as... Read more
Forum topic
This is sort of dragging up an ancient topic, but curious how your firms are currently addressing accreditation (LEED AP, WELL AP, LFA, etc.). There was a time when we were all talking about this, and a number of firms instituted requirements, but it has been a long time, and I'm curious how it's looking now in 2024. Thanks!
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Hi All,
USGBC MA is doing a study on the cost of net zero energy buildings in MA. I’m wondering if you all have any data to share on plug loads in ZNE projects. I’m looking for single family res, 2-4 unit residential, +/- 60 unit residential, 10-12 story office, and k-12. The engineers have presented initial results and their... Read more
Forum topic
Hello friends, Posting this to help out a friend that you all know!
(please reply directly to Kira at her email below) Tx
Dear Gurus,
I am curating/hosting a panel at CarbonPositive RESET:
DESIGNED FOR CLIMATE: A New Construction Showcase
North & South America: September 8, 2020 | 4:45-5:25pm (PST)
... Read moreForum topic
Hello Green Gurus,
Here is the information for this month's first Peer Networks Webinar, Previewing the WELL Equity Rating: a roadmap for advancing DEI. So sorry for the short notice - we had a pileup of tech issues and time off. We hope you can still join us!
Register HERE.
Previewing the WELL Equity Rating: a roadmap for... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
A site license allows your entire organization to access and share the guide, and to keep a copy in your library.
Avoiding Toxic Chemicals in Commercial Building ProjectsWe’re excited to be releasing the 2020 edition of Spec This, Not That.
... Read more
Forum topic
Know any awesome sustainability leaders within GC or CM firms? They can be at mid-sized or large construction companies—any firm in the ENR top 400 qualifies for sure, others might need some vetting. The key is people who have sustainability as the focus of how they spend their time--either formally by title or otherwise.
We want to... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Cool Products from the Latest Greenbuild Expo.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Describe innovative products for HVAC and the building envelope.
2. Describe innovative products for saving water and managing stormwater.
3.... Read more
Forum topic
Hi! Quinn Evans is looking for a great candidate for a new position that focuses on design performance analysis. We're looking for someone with 5+ years experience in the AE industry and knowledge of performance tools and software that inform design decisions related to energy, carbon, and daylight. The position can be based in any of our... Read more
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Does anyone have any research studies they could share on the effect of construction/renovation noise and activity on employee productivity? I'm trying to make a case for the measurable negative impacts of having ongoing renovation construction activity in an office environment. Thanks!
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Like everyone we’re struggling with the tight labor market. We’re not looking to poach. What we have found previously are individuals that have a passion for high-performance buildings but aren’t working on them in their current role for one reason or another.
Openings include:
Project Manager 3-5 years’ experience on... Read more
Forum topic
We have started a folder on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in this forum. When you upload a file to share (which you can ONLY do in the web browser, not directly through email), you get an option to choose a folder. If you have an EDI-related document to share, choose "Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion" as your folder. I'm saving the first... Read more
Forum topic
What is your favorite, tangible example of an EUI?
I find it easy for individuals to undervalue the power of a single EUI and curious what useful parallel the creative folks in this forum have used to illiterate its compounding value?
Cheers!
DiAnn
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I'm sure we'll learn more soon, but several people have asked on various platforms about how Betsy del Monte is doing (she lives in Asheville, NC, which was hard hit by Hurricane Helene).
I had a brief text exchange with her on Saturday 28 September, and I feel sure that she would be OK with my sharing it with you all:
We’re... Read more
