Championing the
Changemakers

In the run-up to Earth Day 2023, we're trying something new at VMDO: Full, public transparency on everything we know about how our portfolio is performing (or how we anticipate it performing). Here's a link to all of the details on our sixth year of reporting to the 2030 Commitment and more: https://www.vmdo.com/radical-transparency-commitment-... Read more

You’ve probably heard that wood products are carbon neutral. You might also have heard that timber harvesting causes immense carbon emissions.

Which is it?

Could it be both?

At the start of 2021 there was one signatory to the contractors commitment (thanks Leopardo!).  Today, there are 12 companies participating, representing over $24 Billion in total revenue.

We don’t always give ourselves enough credit or take enough time to savor our accomplishments because there is always more to do.  But, this is a big... Read more

Conventional overhead air distribution systems rely on energy-intensive air mixing, but underfloor systems take advantage of natural convection and stratification.

BuildingGreen-Approved Access Flooring Products

We list access flooring products that are specially designed to facilitate effective, energy-efficient underfloor air... Read more

Apologize in advance if this has been posted before but we are trying to get manufacturers of stage curtains to give documentation that proves that the product does not have halogenated fire retardants. Manufacturers say they don't have them or concentrations are limited to 100ppm but they don't seem to have documentation to provide for it.... Read more

Hi All,

The National Architectural Accrediting Board is currently undergoing review and revision of its “Conditions for Accreditation and Procedures for Accreditation.”

I recently attended the 2019 Reynolds Symposium: Education by Design, hosted by the University of Oregon in Portland. At the Symposium, a group of 100... Read more

Hi all - passing on this request on behalf of Alan Scott. He is looking specifically for someone from the Gulf Coast region to round out the panel:

I am putting together a panel for a virtual session during Design Museum Week in April (Thursday, April 28). The description below outlines the conversation I am hoping to curate. I am... Read more

Hey Sages, Just lobbing this over the transome - not sure if anyone else cares :) but this would be a great group to dig in if anyone IS interested.

 For the past few years, I've been working on melding two completely separate worlds - our world (with typical project delivery) and the world of Agile (not just software development process... Read more

Hi all,

We recently learned that Mass Dept of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) along with a few other state agencies are looking to offer grants for wastewater heat recovery implemented into projects. This is a newer technology that puts a heat exchanger or heat pump in the wastewater system that then extracts the heat energy and... Read more

Amal June Polt

Hi All,

I wanted to share a program of superstars including many of you.  I look forward to electronically connecting and learning together.

Every Monday from June through August, the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) and the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Boston Hub will present Embodied Carbon 101, a 12-part program series in... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Building as an Organism: Understanding the Integrative Process Credit in LEED v4 Projects (recorded webcast)

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


1. Explain why integrative design is the key to cost-effective, high performance green buildings and LEED... Read more

How much will it cost to achieve LEED v4 certification?

“We’d love a green building, but can we afford it?”

“We’re required to be LEED Silver, but we’re not sure how to get there under the new rating system.”

“Sure, we’re interested in LEED, as long as it doesn’t cost extra.”

LEED v4 and cost uncertainty

With... Read more

It’s here! By popular demand we’re re-running the SDL Salary Survey that we last ran in 2015. 

This is for people who are currently in an SD Leader role at a firm. We’re sending this invitation out on both the Green Gurus and the SD Leaders forums, because some of you are still in transition and haven’t moved into the SD Leader forum yet... Read more

HI All,

Built Environment Plus, a green building member-based non-profit in Boston, is looking for a dynamic person to lead our expansive Education Program which includes courses taught by BuildingGreen and many others in this network. Check out the offerings here: Trainings Archive - Built Environment Plus

This is a critical and... Read more

Since the launch of the Contractor’s Commitment in late 2020, nineteen companies have become signatories and many others are using the guidelines as a roadmap for their firms.   Now that the pilot year of the Contractor’s Commitment is complete, it is important to consider if and how the guidelines should evolve to be the most impactful.  Over... Read more