Hi folks,

I hope you've seen the plug to sign onto the letter that's generated a flurry of messages on Green Gurus--I also emailed it out directly to everyone. We've got lots of architects on board, and a handful of engineers, but I think we just have one contractor so far (Thanks Theresa!)--it would be really awesome to have more.

Does anyone have a Passive House detailing resource recommendation? Something that is applicable to wood over podium and/or metal framing construction? I have the book below but looking for something more applicable.

Passive House Details: Solutions for High-Performance Design 1st Edition

by Donald B. Corner (Author), Jan C.... Read more

Congratulations to Mara Baum (HOK) and Alison Kwok (U of Oregon), FAIA! 

AIA announcement

Welcome to the quiz portion of Waste Water, Want Water.

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


1. Help clients make sound, holistic decisions about wastewater that take into account site, municipal infrastructure, energy goals, occupant needs, and maintenance considerations.... Read more

Has anyone here been involved (taken or taught sessions) in the Healthy Materials Lab Online Certificate program for Healthier Materials? 

https://healthymaterialslab.org/learning-hub/e-learning-online-certifica...

I'm thinking about having some of our staff take this course, especially those that don't have a background in... Read more

Last summer I shared a request here for folks to take a survey we had open that aimed to understand how architects and engineers are (or aren't) using climate projections to inform design. This white paper, written in collaboration with HGA and the University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, reports on the results of that research. ... Read more

Though BuildingGreen has long supported the use of electric hand dryers as a more environmentally friendly hand drying option, the majority of evidence appears to support paper towels as a preferred method of controlling the spread of potential pathogens. 

And even the most efficient hand dryers contribute significant CO2 to the... Read more

Hi Green Gurus,

We're off to a great start with First Friday Fikas* this year. We've had good turnout and lots of fun. This new tradition continues this Friday at 11:00 am Eastern Time (8:00 am Pacific). We have more fun planned, with prompts to help us get to know each other.

If you registered previously you can use that same... Read more

Testing web-to-lead to existing contact in Salesforce.

Hello, All,

Does anyone have experience with cove.tool (https://covetool.com/)?  Perhaps for those projects that may not get fully modeled, or as a tool to help set baselines?  It came across our radar recently, and I'm wondering if the subscription might be worth a try.

Thanks! 

Maria

I’m a volunteer member of the ASHRAE 209 ("Energy Simulation Aided Design for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings”) Committee.  Are you familiar with ASHRAE 209? It was first published in 2018, and it outlines a process for incorporating energy modeling into the design process. 

From the forward: 

 ASHRAE Standard 209... Read more

Green gurus!

We're getting some interest from clients abroad on two specific materials which we don't have experience with here in the U.S.:

1) Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

and/or 

2) CarbonCure concrete

Anyone willing to share lessons learned on these material either here in the forum or offline? Or point me... Read more

There are a few spots left for the 2018 Summer Architecture + Design Sustainable Design Leaders Summit that is being held August 1-3 at the Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY (Easy train ride from NYC). If you have not already received an invitation, and you play a sustainability leader role - either formal or informal - in a mid-sized (>40... Read more

Hi All! This is a question for NYC and surrounding area (but if its the right fit, could extend beyond)! 

Can anyone recommend a designer for healthy and sustainable furniture for an affordable housing development?  The spaces that need funiture are: a community facility, common spaces, and residential units (for formerly homeless). ... Read more

Our firm held off from signing the AIA Materials Pledge because it was perceived as a feel-good commitment to promise to have good intentions, with no tracking.  I was pleased to learn yesterday that reporting for signatories of the AIA Materials Pledge would "open" today (July 18) and close August 31, and would include mandatory reporting on... Read more