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
Explainer
News Analysis
The recent ruling to allow logging on several thousand acres of old-growth forest in western Oregon was portrayed in the national media as a blow to environmentalists, but the action may not prove so damaging in the end. While the ruling permits logging on 13 of the 44 sites that were under consideration by the so-... Read more
Product Review
The company's promotional material is the epitome of environmentally friendly packaging—like a Ben & Jerry's annual report. The article reprints sent were even bound in a jacket made from corrugated cardboard. So we were quite intrigued by the product. Syndecrete™ is a lightweight, pre-cast,... Read more
News Analysis
A study published in the June 5, 1992, issue of
Science by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Arizona suggests that smoke emitted into the atmosphere from human activities may be having a significant effect in counteracting... Read more
News Brief
Energy Source™ Directory
Life has been a whole lot easier around the office since theEnergy Source Directory arrived. Assembled and published by Iris Communications, this is the most complete and most useful guide to specialized products and materials used in energy-efficient construction that we've seen. The 500-page directory is... 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
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
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
Product Guide
CEUs are available for reading our entire plumbing guide. Click here to learn more and take the quiz.
Graywater can be treated and used for irrigation or toilet flushing, reducing significant burdens on municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment systems.
BuildingGreen-Approved Graywater Products
BuildingGreen... Read more
Forum topic
There seems to be a slight glitch in that it was posting Seonhee's picture (love Snoopy!) for the post that Duane sent in - is that correctable?
**Just noticed that you can click on the "Edit" tab on the post and correct (e.g. mis-spelled names (Sorry, Seonhee!).**
Forum topic
Gather with the Changemakers in Sustainable Design
You are invited to join BuildingGreen and your peers for the Summit that has always delivered on driving our movement forward. Over three days of collaboration, workshops, learning, sharing, networking, and socializing, we’ll explore what Sustainability Leadership looks like in 2023 and... Read more
Forum topic
Hey, all. Confirming the forum index on the front side of the pay wall will be searchable. Thanks.
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of The Beneficial Intersections of Energy, Resilience, and Health.
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
1. Determine and communicate the financial benefits of energy efficiency, climate resilience, and occupant health and wellness.
2. Understand how... Read more
Forum topic
reposting Arathi Gowda -
https://communityhub.aia.org/blogs/arathi-p-gowda-aia/2024/12/17/cote-ad...
The Advocacy team (part of the AIA COTE leadership group) would like to amplify actions the USGBC has gathered to defend the IRA. As you may know, the IRA is a bipartisan bill with 63,000 infrastructure projects starting nationwide... Read more
Forum topic
Save the Date: If you'll be in DC for AIA's Conference on Architecture or just happen to live nearby, hold 6:00–8:30 pm on Wednesday, June 5 for this event.
6:00–7:00 Reception 7:00–8:30 Show & TellWe have partners! This event will be hosted by ZGF Architects (on their lovely rooftop patio) in collaboration with US Architects... Read more
Forum topic
Do you know something about power purchas agreements, on or off-site? I understand that they are legal in Washington and Oregon, where most of my projects are, but I haven't come across anyone who has used one on a project. If you have some experience or expertise, it would be great to hear from you.
Sales page
Smart Glass: A Live Panel Discussion—Thursday, May 26, 2:00 pm Eastern
Electrochromic glazing holds the promise of less glare and better energy efficiency with fewer moving parts. The reality is much more complicated and includes information you won’t... Read more


