BuildingGreen Report

Forum topic

Looking for an example or case study for a building utilizing a radiant heating/cooling in climate zone 4a. General use type is office with some public assembly spaces, total of 85,000 sf.

As usual, everyone, especially mechanical engineer, is terrified by the thought of "condensation." So far, I read a DGWW case study, "Energy... Read more

Forum topic

Hi folks,

Wondering if this group has insights about the low-embodied carbon product "Vertua" from Cemex, which appears to be a proprietary concrete product launched in 2020.

Our client wants to use CarbonCure; but our likely concrete sub is saying Cemex (where they typically source their concrete) offers an alternative called... Read more

Forum topic

I'm so excited to share that the call for submissions is now open for 16cubits, a design festival and competition for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, to take place at Berkeley’s Urban Adamah in October 2024.

Please share with anyone you think might be interested! Our hope is to create a forum for builders, designers, and architects to... Read more

Forum topic

Our high performance consulting team is frustrated by project teams that regularly fall back on outdated rules of thumb in their system and equipment sizing. 

What challenges do you face in your work flow to limit oversizing and promote right-sizing?

By the way, Roger Chang, our literature search on the subject turned up an eleven... Read more

Forum topic

Not a green design question but a green firm design question... Finalizing the renewal of our Just certification, we're taking a fresh look at all our benefits & policies. We have already reviewed industry-wide survey data (AIA and PSMJ) but are interested in how the firms we admire (i.e., *you*) are approaching benefits in the transformed... Read more

Forum topic

Hello All,

ASHRAE and ICC released a draft standard for operational and embodied GHG evaluation.  It's on a fast track to be completed in time for the next code cycle.  This 30 day advisory draft includes dozens of questions looking for feedback from experts like all of you.  Please take a look and provide comments.  I've uploaded the... Read more

Forum topic

There is a ton of stuff being posted about this, so this is definitely an area where it's nice to have had someone going through it and selecting the best. Thanks for doing that, Jen!

- These tips from 350.org have a great focus on connecting people and using different techniques. Their sample retreat shows how some of it might look in... Read more

Forum topic

Hello all, 

Any Fitwel experts out there? I have a 30,000 sf boutique hotel + spa client who would like to certify under the Fitwel rating system but Fitwel folks are telling me that no scorecard is currently available to hotel clients (can't use mulit-tenant or resi, that a hotel scorecard is under development). Has anyone used Fitwel... Read more

Author

Jennifer is part of the Peer Networks team at BuildingGreen. Her Connections Catalyst role for the Sustainability Leaders networks includes events planning and bringing in new members.

Jennifer’s experience before BuildingGreen includes two years working with AmeriCorps Cape Cod on outdoor environmental projects; a year teaching... Read more

Quiz

Welcome to the quiz portion of How to Spot Greenwash--A BuildingGreen Webinar.

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


 

1. Understand the characteristics of quality standards and certifications to help screen out greenwash.
2. Recognize strengths and weaknesses of... Read more

Quiz

Welcome to the quiz portion of Downscaled Climate Data: Where to Get It and How to Use It.

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


1.  Define “downscaled climate data” and understand where to find it and how to apply it in modeling to achieve greater environmental sustainability and... Read more

Forum topic

Hi friends,

We recently tracked our water consumption on site during the structural demolition of some existing reinforced concrete buildings.  The new OSHA silica regulations required us to keep dust to virtually zero, so we had a bunch of mist cannons and water hoses pumping water around the clock.  We consumed ~855,000 gallons in a... Read more

Forum topic

Friends, 

Might anyone be aware of research studies on the beneficial mental health effects of green buildings that you could point me to?

Thanks in advance. 

Forum topic

Hi folks, I'm reading Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet (Xmas gift) and came across this quote over the weekend which resonated for me, and thought might for this group as well:

"We may feel immense pressure to save the planet in this lifetime, and we may be afraid that we can never do enough. The stark truth is that the planet doesn'... Read more

Peer Network Event

Product Guide

Typically made from petrochemicals, carpet and its adhesives can offgas and it is a challenge to recycle, increasing the chances of it being incinerated or disposed of in a landfill. And broadloom carpet can difficult to repair if damaged.

BuildingGreen approves modular carpet that demonstrate lower... Read more

Forum topic

Love the profile of Anica as the "featured member" on AIA's website--congratulations, Anica!

It's great to see the "just do it" attitude to achieving the 2030 goals: "We do not rely on clients to tell us to design a high-performance building; we are going to do it anyway, it's our job."

Forum topic

Hi,

I selected a new background photo for the home page (the previous one was the same as on LEEDuser.com). I found the photo here:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-shot-of-building-1029618/

I needed to find something low-contrast that wouldn't compete with the text. I initially tried some of the stock photos... Read more