News Analysis
Product Guide
Wood was the first material used in window frame and sash construction, and it remains popular for homes with its warm feel and relatively high energy efficiency.
BuildingGreen-Approved Windows
Wood windows must achieve an NFRC-certified unit U-factor of 0.22 or lower. Manufacturers also must demonstrate that their highest-... Read more
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If you use the mindfulMATERIALS library to easily access material transparency documentation (if not, check it out!), please take 5-10 mins of your time to fill out this quick survey and help guide the future of the library.
The mindfulMATRIALS Collaborative is an industry-led initiative, visit www.mindfulmaterials.com to learn more. ... Read more
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Are there any built or in design, Net Zero ALL-ELECTRIC Life Sciences building(s) that you can name for me? I'm looking for precedents, as we consider designing one.
Thanks,
Harry
Basic page
Rise above the competition in sustainability, and meet your colleagues where they are.
Our affordable firm-wide pricing offers resources that your whole firm can take advantage of, with trusted, ad-free... Read more
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Hi all - many of you have been involved in our project to crowdsource the best building performance graphics and make them searchable and freely available. After redesigning the website for functionality and bi-monthly (instead of annual) competitions, we are launching our first of these Challenges: Daylight + Glare. Upload a graphic or three,... Read more
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Hey gang,
We're working on a project that's currently designed as mass timber. We're up against some cost control efforts (of course) and the CM/Client is asking about changing some of the building to steel or green steel. We set out with a goal on the project that within the core and shell, Module A GWP emissions will be net zero.... Read more
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Hi, Green Gurus!
We have a great opportunity available at SERA for someone to join our sustainability team as an Integrated Design and Certification Specialist. Details are posted to our website: https://www.seradesign.com/careers/
Could you please share with any good candidates that you think might be interested. And of course, I’... Read more
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Dear SD Leaders: The comment period closes January 31st on NCA Volume II Climate Change Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States.
It's important to have the design communities perspective on these critical issues. I hope you can take a look and submit your comments before the deadline.
Details here: https://www.... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of What Makes a Product Green?.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. List and describe at least three attributes that address each of the following categories: "efficient use of materials"; "responsible sourcing"; "energy and water... Read more
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Hello Everyone,
I'm looking for projects in Chicago that are exemplary in at least one of the following topics: Biophilia, Sustainability, Resilience, or Well-being. I know there is overlap in these topics but we're doing an internal design exercise and are looking at how these different ideas relate and are articulated in buildings. We'... Read more
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Hi SDLers! I hope early fall is finding you well.
There is a current opportunity to make a difference in the campaign to reduce use of toxic flame retardants.
Arlene Blum and the Green Science Policy Institute, whom many of you know, are currently organizing a campaign of support for the CA State Fire Marshal's proposal to allow... Read more
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I hope this post finds you all well. Some news to share. I have recently made a decision to leave Thornton Tomasetti with an eye toward finding another opportunity to use my 30+ years of green building experience, education, and advocacy to have an even larger impact on climate change. I am going to move slowly to ensure my next chapter is the... Read more
Product Guide
OSB subflooring typically contains formaldehyde, and wood may not be sustainably sourced.
BuildingGreen-Approved Subflooring
Products approved by BuildingGreen contain no added formaldehyde or are available with FSC-certified content.
Magnesium oxide panels, which are particularly insect and moisture resistant, are also... Read more
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Hello SCL- as we move closer towards the release of the Contractors Commitment we have realized that we need a donation of graphics/marketing help from one of our member firms.
We are looking for help with a BG SCL Contractors Commitment logo, landing page, document organization, and any graphics we might need to highlight the... Read more
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Dear SLD-ers,
We have a project team considering the use of copper cladding for a high profile project in Vancouver. The preference is to use pure copper that is pre-patinated and does not have additional coatings.
We are attending a CEU from the Copper Development Association to understand options and environmental impact, but we... Read more
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Hi Everyone - I'm posting this on behalf of Jeff Frost whom many of you know from his days as an SD Leader with SmithGroup and SERA and in his new role as head of Brightworks Sustainability's materials group. I am excited to be working with Jeff on this concept of multi-attribute product scoring. Cheers, Lona
Dear SDL’ers,
We’ve... Read more
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They say that Louisianans are often late to the party but enjoy catching up. The state, which had been stuck on ASHRAE 90.1-2007 (commercial) and IECC 2009 (residential) and has just adopted legislation jumping to IECC 2021 / IRC 2021, and commits to automatic upgrades with each 3-year code cycle. This means we join CA, OR, WA, MA, and VT--... Read more