Championing the
Changemakers

The construction sector’s take-make-waste approach to materials needs an overhaul. Materials and construction account for an estimated 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually. At the other end of the life cycle, demolition in the United States annually generates 90% of some 600 million tons of construction-sector debris. Getting trashed... Read more

Please share your thoughts in preparation for our monthly call this Thursday (call info below). 

Given these items that are changing at AIA, are any of them motivating changes within your firm? If so, how? If not, why?

1. Awards criteria now includes COTE Measures of Design Excellence

2. Code of Ethics now includes rule on... Read more

Nothing exciting like embodied carbon or EPDs... but I'm interested in some real talk on the actual performance of low-flow fixtures.  

We continue to encounter pushback on water-saving fixtures for concerns of ongoing performance. I'd love to have a dialog in this group because I find it hard to believe these challenges can't be... Read more

Hi MEP Leaders,

Just a reminder that our monthly meeting is next Tuesday, May 9th, at 2:00pm ET. All SMEPL network members are invited to join!

You can view the agenda here, and the Zoom info is below.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83598691786?pwd=MjI2S01yZUJRSG4zcXRBNWtPbE5RZz09

Meeting ID: 835... Read more

Hi,

Has anyone used a sustainable product that complies with the EQc Low-Emitting Materials requirement that is a general construction adhesive similar to Liquid Nails? I've checked the Mindful Materials website and can't find anything. I found Red Devil General Prupose Construction Adhesive on UL Spot, but have never used it before. Any... Read more

The prepublication version of the AGC playbook is online now. I just stumbled on this this morning but thought it would be great to get eyes on this early and start a discussion here on any of the included guidance. Happy Reading, excited to follow the discussion!

AGC Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction... Read more

Has anyone worked on a WELL project? I have heard that you can expect about 1.5 to twice the effort of LEED coordination but wasn't sure how accurate that was. Any suggestions for determining the possible time commitment of WELL coordination?

Thanks in advance!

Hello, 

Does anyone have experience with USGBC's Green Training Pilot Credit, and/or use of an innovation credit for subcontractor training? I was going to propose training to our subs on becoming an EnviroStars Businesses (WA Green Business Program) and also tie in the Sustainable Contractor's Commitment/project goals.

Since... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Video: Eight Steps to Success with LEED-EBOM.

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


1. Describe the first steps project teams should take when considering LEED-Existing Buildings: O+M.
2. Understand the steps and timeline ofthe LEED-... Read more

Hello Green Gurus,

I am starting some research on municipal incentives offered to developers seeking to achieve sustainability targets and am wondering what you may have come across in your work, including but not limited to achieving Passive House. In my limited research, here are few I have come across to get us started:

Hi SDL: I'm working on a presentation and would love to highlight a completed and/or unbuilt project that seriously incorporates climate change projections in the design. Any scale would be great. It's becoming abundantly clear that we need to be doing this for any building that will be around for even a few decades. In fact, the insurance... Read more

We just wrapped up an awesome Winter Summit at Gulf State Park in Alabama. I'll be posting flip chart pages and notes here--we can use this forum to continue the conversations. 

Apologies for the flurry of emails, but it seems best to start separate threads for each topic. If you'd rather limit the flow, you can switch to daily digest... Read more

Hello Sustainability Leaders,

I am writing with some news from the Peer Networks team. 

I recently accepted a job with a local college I have long admired in their advancement office. Therefore, my last day at BuildingGreen will be Fri. Feb. 11th. 

Working with you all these past four and a half years has been such an... Read more

This is the body field.

Does anyone have a good recommendation for getting started with energy modeling with future weather files? We use a combination of Sefaira and Climate Studio, but open to suggestions. Even just links on how to approach this for making good recommendations to clients. Thanks in advance.

We are working on a large, commercial, LEED project in the Wash DC area, and the Construction Management firm needs LEED administrative/documentation assistance on their end of the process.  The construction is underway but the CM lacks the staff. 

Can anyone suggest a LEED consultant in the DC area that can work for the CM -- managing... Read more

I'm looking for precedents of retail centers (think outdoor centers with multiple buildings or converted indoor malls) that have incorporated any of these strategies. Also, any research studies on the health, social, and other benefits of incorporating these strategies. 

a. Preserve/restore natural ecology, green infrastructure... Read more

Hi all and Happy New Year: I'm writing  to make sure that you're aware of the USGBC's call for members for a new LEED Resilience Working Group.  See below.  The deadline is coming right up -  Please pass this along to others you may think of in the topic areas they identify below.

Thanks

Mary Ann

I wanted to let you know... Read more