We are cautiously rekindling the age-old debate: how are we balancing modeling software for design /visualization and performance analysis during early phase of design.  

We are heavy SketchUp users for early design, and most of our staff have access to COVE tool for early performance analysis. Problem is, I’d rather use Revit to COVE... Read more

Was anyone else surprised to see ASHRAE 228-2023 using eGRID Subregions for both the Regional Electricity Source Energy Conversion Factor and Regional Electricity Greenhouse Gas Emission Factors? In the past I have used eGRID sub-regions but also State and local utility conversion factors depending on what energy or operational carbon story I... Read more

Hi friends! Despite thinking I had joined this forum on Day 1 - I hadn't! Just a quick hello and great to join you all. For anyone I don't yet know - my key focus through Sustainable Performance Institute is in helping companies institutionalize sustainability in their culture, systems and processes and helping them embark on a path of... Read more

I'm exploring the use of phase change material for a project. Specifically, looking at the BioPCM/ENRG Blanket product. I see on their website that ZGF used it at University of Washington. I'd love to hear any feedback from folks who have used it, and more specifically how your energy model and MEP engineer accounted for it. Thanks!! https://... Read more

Dear all,

A mechanical engineer on a healthcare project we are working on has asked for help in dividing the ventilation calculations between ASHRAE Standards 170 and 62.1; can anyone here help shed some light on it?

"This is the first time I am working on LEED for a hospital and I am not sure how the template wants me to show... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of The Building Envelope: Innovations in Planning, Materials and Budgets (recorded webcast)

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:


1. Explain how to make the building envelope of a rehab super-insulated and resilient.
2. Recall innovative... Read more

Join our free Coffee Talk with Alex Spilger to discuss the latest WELL AP v2 exam. Hear what's new in this latest version, what to look for, and what to remember.

Alex combed the WELL Building Standard reference materials and took the v2 exam in writing an extensive exam prep guide.  Hear about... Read more

Hey all,

At the retreat, many of you spoke to me about wanting to learn more about our Foundations Resilience event in Houston in November. As it happens, our website just went live and I thought that I would share it with the whole group. Registration (for those interested) will be up and running very soon, but this should give you a... Read more

Small Firm Sustainable Design Leaders –

I find it hard to believe calls for session proposals are already out for next year’s AIA Conference on Architecture.  I feel like I just got back!

At my firm, we try to have all principals and associates to submit a proposal each year.  I had a couple of take-aways from this year’s... Read more

Fellow Sages,

I was at an interesting lecture last night. Phil Bernstein (formerly of Autodesk, now at Yale) was speaking (in Lawrence, Kansas, at the U of Kansas) about AI and design/AEC ... you may know that he authored the 2022 book, Machine Learning, about AI and the AEC field. 

Phil has a very interesting posture about AI... Read more

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!

CEUs are available for reading our entire plumbing guide. Click here to learn more and take the quiz.

Excess heat generated by air conditioners, refrigerators, boilers, and water flowing through pipes typically goes unused.

BuildingGreen-Approved Water Heat Exchangers

BuildingGreen lists desuperheating technologies and... Read more

Hi All:

Several of us have been meeting on a weekly basis to discuss LMN's Path to Zero Carbon Series. Each week we have a new facilitator who leads the discussion of a single post. We've had great discussions and are creating "Call to Action" items for each post to amplify the message..."It's not about the glory, it's about the ripples... Read more

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

Hi folks,

A press release about this just showed up--most of what they're including in their "Clean Construction Declaration" involves reducing embodied carbon in materials, but they're also calling out construction equipment:

"Procure and, when possible, use only zero emission construction machinery from 2025 and require zero... Read more

I have a colleague (lawyer) who is trying to assemble a list of precedent projects that used penalties or incentives for achieving energy targets. The topic she is addressing is how contracts may be changed to address growing climate change concerns.

At the moment, the only concrete example she has is a project in Washington by the US... Read more