News Brief
At first glance,
An Environmental Handbook for Florida Contractors looks like it deals only with the environmental regulations that Florida contractors must contend with. And, indeed, the Handbook describes in detail the requirements for complying with regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. But the book goes much further,... 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
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
Forum topic
Hi everyone,
Thank you so much to the SDL members who attended the Summer 2023 Summit! We had an amazing time with you there. A big thanks as well to the attendees who shared 5-minute presentations during the summit.
Below are some of the slides for the presentations. Please note that we have permission from all of these... Read more
Forum topic
Hello SCL peeps,
Thank you to all the people who filled out our 2021 event survey. Your feedback did help us narrow down the options, but it was still inconclusive about whether there’s enough interest in doing an SCL-only Summit.
To stay on schedule with our planning (and to make sure the event will pencil out financially), we... Read more
Forum topic
Dear All,
Greetings. On this Earth Day, I hope you're enjoying our planet's gifts and also giving your gift with reckless abandon.
As I take a short break to plan what I want to do next, this coming Friday, April 26, will be my last day at HKS. Maybe I will get a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy tattoo like Paula.
I... Read more
Forum topic
Hi Sustainable MEP Leaders!
As we discussed at the Summit, we are going to have monthly calls to check in and advance our various initiatives. Let's go with the 2nd Tuesday of the Month.
Please join if you can--we have a lot to follow up on! (See the report I posted earlier this week for details.)
Thanks, and have a great... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Sustainable Community Design Leaders!
Let’s take a moment, introduce ourselves, and get to know each other and our work! Don’t forget to fill out your BG.com profile with your headshot and bio; this is how everyone across Green Gurus can see you in the Member Directory.
I’ll kick us off! I'm RoseAnn, I also go by Rose, Peer... Read more
Forum topic
Well done and rivhly deserved, brother. That makes you a Fellow Squared.
Forum topic
Team,
What are the M vs. E vs. P(FP) ratios of fee distribution you use in your company for a commercial office building? How about a residential/hotel?
Best,
Luke Leung
Forum topic
Short notice – apologies in advance.
Please review the new Guide following the instructions on the first page of the attached draft and using the attached spreadsheet. Comments will be accepted until February 16th at noon EST
Use the Excel spreadsheet to compile your comments if you have any, and return them to me by Feb 15th COB... Read more
Forum topic
I've been hearing recommendations for bipolar ionization, as a way to filter airborne virus particles in HVAC systems while avoiding the energy penalty of increased ventilation. However, I've also heard that ionizing equipment is dangerous because it produces ozone.
Does anyone have any insight into the effectiveness and/or cautions... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of Mouth, Meet Money: Case Studies of Outcome-Based Design!
Important: This quiz covers all related articles within this topic. Scroll to the bottom of the article page to find links to all the articles covered by this quiz.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be... Read more
Product Guide
Virgin materials can come with major environmental impacts from mining, petroleum extraction, or irresponsible logging practices.
BuildingGreen-Approved Site Furnishings
All approved products contain some post-consumer recycled content, with several boasting 90%–100% overall recycled material. Wood products are responsibly sourced... Read more

