Championing the
Changemakers

I was recently asked about potentially specifying concrete with wood nanoparticles and concrete with biochar as a way to further lower the embodied carbon and to increase concrete strength.  These approaches are something I know nothing about, and wondering if anyone in this group has any experience and/or observations that might be relevant to... Read more

Products & Materials Specialist Brent Ehrlich excels at deep, unbiased, and nuanced technical research on the health and environmental impacts of green building products and materials. Some areas of focus include:

product and material constituents, including their risks

product certifications

third-party product... Read more

Anyone using the USG EcoSmart drywall? I'm writing a short product review and am looking for some quick feedback. I'm particularly curious about reduced greenhouse gas emissions and overall cost. Thanks! Brent

Welcome to the quiz portion of Better Window Decisions: Mastering the Performance and Cost Options.

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


1. Understand the energy metrics that inform how windows affect energy loads
2. Describe ways to avoid air leakage and condensation... Read more

Hi folks,

I hope you're all doing well, despite the heat (thermal, political, social...ugh!).

We've had low turnout on the SAL monthly calls lately; it seems that these aren't a high priority for many of you. That's not necessarily a problem, if you're finding value in being in the network for other reasons, that's fine.

We... Read more

Hello Green Gurus!

Here are the details for the next Peer Networks Webinar (happening next week!): Don't forget to REGISTER HERE!

Define and Contract for Building Performance Simulation Services Using ASHRAE Standard 209
Thursday, February 13, 3pm EST (12pm PST)

ASHRAE Standard 209-2018 “Energy Simulation Aided Design... Read more

We're expanding the capacity of our team, with two positions, a general project sustainability specialist as well as a more targeted position focused on the healthcare sector.

Healthcare Sustainability Specialist

Sustainability Specialist

In both cases, we're looking for smart, experienced people who understand the power... Read more

Hello Sustainable Community Design Leaders,

The SDL Winter Summit (Jan 23-25, Tempe AZ) has a few spots still open, so we are excited to invite SCDL members to join! This is an opportunity to plug into the conversations happening in the Sustainable Design Leaders group, plus a possible chance to carve out some in-person SCDL time.

Something we seem to be seeing a lot in our market recently are projects split into multiple packages - footing / foundation, C&S, and then later a TI package of CD's... mostly in an effort to speed up permitting and construction schedules. (Oftentimes with a contractor on board for a design / build approach). 

My question to the... Read more

Show & Tell Break-out Session: Post Occupancy Evaluations and Occupant Behavior

Presentations: 

I've been hearing recommendations for bipolar ionization, as a way to filter airborne virus particles in HVAC systems while avoiding the energy penalty of increased ventilation. However, I've also heard that ionizing equipment is dangerous because it produces ozone.

Does anyone have any insight into the effectiveness and/or cautions... Read more

* This gets complicated -- how much should happen on the dashboard and how much should happen in the actual Discussion forum?

Hold off on discussions for Phase 1. What should be here instead for... Read more

Dear Gurus,

At Greenbuild this year I'll be discussing how statistics can lie (in the context of green building claims).  I'm collecting examples of this to prepare.  If any of you know of examples, please send them to me! 

Here are a few of the fun ways statistics might lie that I would be looking for: biased or too-small sample... Read more

Hello Green Gurus,

Here is the information for this month's Peer Networks Webinar, Making the Case for Equity with Data: a Free Tool for Project Teams. We hope you will join us!

Register HERE.

Making the Case for Equity with Data: a Free Tool for Project Teams
Tuesday, July 27th, 2021
1pm - 2pm ET (10am - 11am... Read more

Well done and rivhly deserved, brother.  That makes you a Fellow Squared.

The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal Insulation provides detailed guidance on insulation products and practices, including recommendations on what insulation to use and what to avoid. It's a treasure trove of information for architects and designers, builders, and anyone who is actively considering the impact of insulation on the quality of your... Read more

I'm wondering if people are seeing any increase in WELL or Fitwel certification interest? Or any other 3rd party systems aimed at health and wellness? WELL seems like a higher bar and now WELL v2 offers more flexibility. Is interest and adoption of 3rd party health and wellness certs growing? 

Churn and renovations can disrupt occupants, release or introduce indoor pollutants, and increase the embodied footprint of a building.

BuildingGreen-Approved Partitions

Movable partition systems allow spaces to be easily reconfigured, reducing costs and environmental impact. BuildingGreen approves partitions and panels that have... Read more