News Brief
Carol Venolia, Publisher/Editor
If “progressive construction” can be defined as pushing the tools and techniques of conventional builders in the direction of less environmental destruction, then Building With Nature’s material goes beyond progressive, into the forefront of visionary thinking about construction. This bimonthly newsletter, now... Read moreExplainer
News Analysis
EBN Advisory Board member Mike Nicklas led an international delegation of renewable energy experts in promoting sustainable energy at the Earth Summit last month. He and others were negotiating for inclusion of renewable energy and energy conservation measures into agreements being worked out for the United Nations... Read more
Product Review
To the best of our knowledge, this product is now being marketed under the name Rauhsaser by Better Wall System of Kenora, ON.
CoverAge is a tacky name for a great product that all remodelers should know about. It is a paintable, textured wallpaper that’s made entirely of recycled paper (at... Read moreNews Analysis
The City of Austin’s Green Builder Program was one of 12 award recipients in the United National Local Government Honours Programme at the Earth Summit in Rio, and the only winner from the United States. “The purpose of the Honours Programme is to recognize innovative local approaches to... Read more
Explainer
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
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
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
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
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
Reports, Courses, Study Guides, Live Webinars
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Forum topic
Hey group,
I'm part of the contractor team on a large commercial project pursuing LBC v3.1 Petal Certification, with one of those petals being materials. This requires the team to meet Imperative 10 Red List.
The ownership group has taken the responsibility of red list vetting as a task of their own. The construction team is to... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
We have a project in New Orleans that needs to meet the GSA Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements and submit EPDs. For our concrete, there is only one manufacturer that meets the requirements and is more than 50 miles away (according to EC3). Does anyone have tips on attempting to talk to local concrete manufacturers about... Read more
Forum topic
Overland Partners is looking for a Sustainable Design Analyst with 2+ years of experience working with teams to implement sustainability strategies and building performance simulation.
More details here: https://www.overlandpartners.com/careers/sustainable-design-analyst/ Please pass along if you know of someone who may be a good fit... Read more
Product Guide
Typically made from petrochemicals, carpet and its adhesives can offgas and it is a challenge to recycle, increasing the chances of it being incinerated or disposed of in a landfill. And broadloom carpet can difficult to repair if damaged.
BuildingGreen approves modular carpet that demonstrate lower... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Green Gurus,
Here's another Peer Networks Webinar for September, Prospects for Sustainable Buildings in Congress. We hope you will join us!
Reminder: This webinar is for Peer Networks members only.
I'm waiting to confirm with the presenters whether this will be recorded. Watch this space for updates!
Register... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Equity in Design and Construction: Seven Case Studies!
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:



