Championing the
Changemakers

Avoiding Toxic Chemicals in Commercial Building Projects

We’re excited to issue our special report, Spec This, Not That.

In updating the report in 2020, we engaged a respected toxicology and regulatory-compliance firm to review and assist in our revision of the entire publication. This edition reflects the latest science in... Read more

Dear Colleagues: A climate scientist family member who I respect deeply shared this youtube with me. I thought it was worth sharing with all of my GreenGuru friends. Let's keep on keeping on!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxgMdjyw8uw

cheers

Mary Ann

Passing on the request from USGBC Regional director:

" Ben Evans who leads our federal advocacy efforts is submitting a Greenbuild Session focused on the opportunities and challenges of the IRA. He is looking for practitioners who can speak to working to utilize IRA/IIJA programs and incentives. He seeks a real estate company/developer,... Read more

Shamus Gumshoe

Hi Sustainability leaders,

Realizing that many of us are now stuck and home and may be feeling isolated, we thought it would be fun to offer an open hang-out time for anyone in the Peer Networks. If you'd like to connect, share some thoughts, hear from others, or just get to know other Green Gurus, join us on Zoom this Thursday. If it... Read more

Hi folks,

Our regular SMEPLeaders call is next Tuesday, Sept 12 at 2:00 eastern (if you don't have this on your calendar, let us know and we'll resend the invite).

We've had a GREAT run of meetings that kicked off with someone sharing on a topic they're excited about or challenged by. The conversations that follow that kind of... Read more

Nadav Malin is a passionate facilitator, leading workshops and retreats to help organizations of all types find alignment, inspiration, and leadership in pursuit of their goals. He convenes peer networks of architecture firm Sustainable Design Leaders, Sustainable Construction Leaders, and others. He facilitates gatherings and consults to USGBC... Read more

The AIA has just (finally!) amended the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct to include new "Obligations to the Public" and  "Obligations to the Environment", that requires architects to advise their clients of their obligations to the environment, obligates architects to promote sustainable design and development, and to implement energy... Read more

Hi, and welcome to the Sustainable MEP Leaders Peer Network! 

This online forum is one of the ways we can stay connected and support each other as we collaborate to help MEP design achieve its highest potential as an element of sustainable and regenerative buildings. Please introduce yourself with a little about where you work, what you'... Read more

As you might well remember, one of the Working Groups that came out of the SummitPalooza earlier this year was for MEP Embodied Carbon & Refrigerants.  That Working Group began working with the Carbon Leadership Forum and is now excited to announce the rollout of the MEP 2040 Challenge: “All systems engineers shall advocate for and achieve... Read more

Hi everyone,

During the "Integrating Social Sustainability" session at the Winter Summit, an idea was hatched to form a working group dedicated to understanding how equity services can benefit a client's pro forma. Our first step (of course) is to identify the range of services captured under "equity services" and we'd love to speak with... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Dream Materials: What Do You Really Want to Build With?

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


1. Differentiate the tools that encourage accountable design.
2. Identify materials that are hazardous and list certifications that optimize for... Read more

Wall and corner guards increase durability, but these products are typically made of PVC.

BuildingGreen-Approved Guards

BuildingGreen approves products that avoid the use of PVC and are made with recycled content, FSC-certified wood, other biobased materials, or less-problematic plastics. 

Health and Environmental... Read more

Hi All,

The SMEPL's Embodied Carbon committee has been hard at work developing a letter that calls for MEP equipment vendors to increase material transparency in their products.  As a way of contacting the most widely-used vendors first, we're asking each of you to enter your "Top 3" specified vendors for each of the products listed in... Read more

We're now mid-way through Summer Summit season! One of the “good problem to have” challenges we’ve had at recent SDL Summits has been too many great five-minute presentations. It’s hard to find time for them all. This year, since we’ll be online anyway, we can get a jump on that by starting the five-minute presentations early in addition to... Read more

If you’ll be attending AIA24 (or if you live in the D.C. area), join us for the BuildingGreen Show & Tell on June 5th from 6:00-8:30pm at ZGF! This will be a free joint reception with members of US Architects Declare, and it’s open to all Peer Network members. Light refreshments and beverages will be served.

Here is the link to... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Re-forming the Building Industry: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion!

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


1. Define equity, diversity, and inclusion, and explain their relevance to the building industry as well as how they contribute to occupant and... Read more