News Brief
Carol Venolia, Publisher/Editor
If “progressive construction” can be defined as pushing the tools and techniques of conventional builders in the direction of less environmental destruction, then Building With Nature’s material goes beyond progressive, into the forefront of visionary thinking about construction. This bimonthly newsletter, now... Read moreProduct 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 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
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
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
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
Forum topic
Imagine folks have seen this, but thought it was worth bringing up: this study which shows the great need to build new renewable infrastructure to support electrification.
I've been in a few discussions with folks where we've discussed how electrification is objectively a good goal, but are we passing carbon from one source to another?... Read more
Quiz
Welcome to the quiz portion of The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation!
Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:
Forum topic
Hello Green Gurus!
The open Peer Networking Meetups that began when Covid-19 struck and we were all suddenly working from home have proven their value. In consultation with those who were on the last few calls we’ve decided to make them a permanent, monthly event.
Feel free to join us if you’re interested in connecting with folks... Read more
Forum topic
Are your firms discussing the health effects of silica dust on people working with engineered stone and the recent announcement of the upcoming ban in Australia, as of July 2024?
https://www.dezeen.com/2023/12/14/australia-bans-engineered-stone-silico...
According to the article, a recent report says that there is no safe level of... Read more
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Forum topic
Hello everyone. I am seeking some guidance on crafting an arguement for why my firm should support a change to the Washington State Energy Code which would mandate electric heat pumps for commercial builidngs. AIA WA is working on the state commercial energy code update under consideration this spring. We have been invited to sign on to an... Read more
Forum topic
Hi - Posting on behalf of Pete Munoz at Biohabitats
Biohabitats is hiring a proposal coordinator in Portland. Please spread the word. Thanks!
PROPOSAL COORDINATOR
Cascadia Bioregion Portland, Oregon is the preferred location, but will consider Denver, Colorado or Santa Fe, New Mexico
Years of Experience: 5+ years... Read more
Product Guide
Choose a photovoltaic (PV) system to fit your energy needs, budget, and the space you have for installing the modules.
BuildingGreen-Approved PV
BuildingGreen approves PV modules that have high warranted minimum power ratings and high PTC (PVUsa test conditions).
Building-integrated PV (BIPV) products approved by... Read more
Forum topic
Team,
Many of you saw the BlackRock letter.
https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/investor-relations/larry-fink-ceo-letter
Should we hold our consultants and suppliers accountable for climate change?
Best,
LL
Forum topic
Hello SDL Network,
I am working with members of the Seattle AIA COTE in planning an event that we are tentatively calling "Pathways to Decarbonization" or maybe "Decarbonization Success Stories". The idea is for the COTE to identify entitities (school districts, local governments, higher-ed institutions, corporations, etc.) that have... Read more

