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
Forum topic
Hi Sustainability leaders,
Realizing that many of us are now stuck and home and may be feeling isolated, we thought it would be fun to offer an open hang-out time for anyone in the Peer Networks. If you'd like to connect, share some thoughts, hear from others, or just get to know other Green Gurus, join us on Zoom this Thursday. If it... Read more
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
Concrete is one of the construction industry’s largest carbon emitters, responsible for about 5% to 8% of the world’s anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is also one of the most important building materials.
There are well-proven ways to reduce... Read more
Peer Network Event
Forum topic
Looking for 2-more flushometer style dual-flush flush valves to put in a public project spec alongside sloan uppercut and cannot seem to find any. Does anyone have any that they have used?
Thanks in advance!
Forum topic
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
Forum topic
Does anyone have a spreadsheet or chart that compares the new Fitwel v2.1 with Fitwel v2.0 ?
I can't seem to find such a thing on the Fitwel website.
I am trying to determine which version-route to take on our "Workplace" project.
Or do you have experience in this that you can relay?
Thanks.
Forum topic
Hello Green Gurus,
Want to make your virtual meetings wildly effective, connective, and fun? This fall we are delighted to partner with Julie Huffaker from Deeper Funner Change to bring you a series of 5 online workshops that will teach you skills to improve all your virtual meetings.
Julie brings more than 25 years of experience... Read more
Forum topic
I'm working with the AIA Minneapolis chapter on guidance for small firms related to how and when to energy model. A lot of small firms would like to sign the AIA 2030 Commitment (we had 100 in a room in 2022 in a session led by Nadav and Gwen Fuertes). But we have learned that a) they don't have a good way to energy model small commercial to... Read more
Forum topic
Love books? Want some inspiration? Join this Goodreads group with the following link...
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invite/873351-green-gurus-goodreads-grou... (this link will be active for 30 days so let me know if you get here late and need it again)
I set this up as "private" so I will need to approve you. Anyone will be... Read more
Forum topic
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
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Why High-Performance Assemblies and Why Now? (recorded webcast)
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand how water moves on and through buildings.
2. Describe the details of continuous air, water, and thermal barriers and... Read more
Forum topic
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
Portal
The current Stantec/BuildingGreen featured topic is Resilient Design. Read on to learn the essentials, and then dive deep to earn CEUS.
Also see the Material Health featured topic, and also a survey of topics trending in Stantec’s regions.... Read more
Forum topic
Good Morning, I have so enjoyed reading everyone’s personal introductions. I am happy to be a part of this group and look forward to working together to create transformation of an industry that is sometimes slow to move. My name is Patty Lloyd and I am the Sustainability Manager at Leopardo Companies, a Chicagoland area General Contractor... Read more
Forum topic
Greetings from the CARE Tool Team,
We are thrilled to update you on the successful soft launch of the CARE Tool last week at Greenbuild! The online beta was unveiled at a reception hosted by EHDD, AIA COTE, and Architecture 2030 to 300+ people, where attendees got the chance to learn about and explore the tool in a demo room. We... Read more

