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
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
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
Product Guide
Old windows can be leaky and uncomfortable, but window replacements are expensive and resource-intensive.
BuildingGreen-Approved Interior Window Panels
BuildingGreen approves interior window panels with robust warranties that are designed to achieve improved thermal performance with both reduced... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of LEDs: The Future is Here.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Restate the energy efficiency and long service life of LEDs.
2. Describe basic LED components and how, when assembled, they perform differently than traditional light... Read more
Forum topic
I understand the AIA 2030 team is hoping for as many firms (and projects) to submit some form of LCA data in the new DDx website this week, in order to learn how the industry is tracking embodied carbon. We have four projects that dabbled with Tally last year, which we'd like to report this week.
Has anyone run into a hurdle where you... Read more
Forum topic
Hello Green Gurus,
I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself as I am new to the group. My name is Tim Pranaitis and I am the co-chair of the newly-reformed sustainability committee at Steffian Bradley Architects in Boston, MA. As a newer member of my firm, I have been tasked to re-start and grow our sustainability committee which... 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 Sustainable Design Leaders!
Here are the details for an upcoming SDL Peer Network web call, this webinar will be a call to share research and resources around mass timber. Hope to see you there!
REGISTER HERE!
Embodied Carbon and Mass Timber – a shared learning conversation
March 31st, 2020
3pm - 4pm ET (... Read more
Forum topic
Hi all,
I just wanted to post a quick message to introduce myself to the group. My name is Jeff Geisinger, and I'm an architect with Utile in Boston. We're a 50-ish person firm with a pretty broad project base, including affordable multifamily housing, institutional buildings, commercial interiors, and urban planning/public realm work... Read more
Forum topic
I'm working on convincing my firm to hire a director of sustainability. I'm gaining some traction with the discussion thanks to the fantastic feedback and input from the summer summit "Role of the Sustainable Design Leader" breakout session. Thanks everyone! Does anyone have job descriptions for sustainable design leaders that they'd be willing... Read more
Forum topic
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
Forum topic
Hello Friends!
BuildingEase's newest module is live! Its power will be in YOUR use of it! Reduce sending C&D to landfill NOW!
(the first item coming next week, new but unused Kingspan panels in Ohio!)
The BE-Xchange is a free space supporting circularity by giving everyone a place to:
- post materials left over on... Read more
Forum topic
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
Forum topic
Hi Everyone- as a follow up to the 5 minute presentation I did during the recent Virtual Summit-Palooza, I am pleased to announce that the Sustainability Action Plan Guidance Document created by the AIA 2030 Working Group is finished and released. Please share!
http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/... Read more
