Championing the
Changemakers

Ben Hewitt works behind the scenes to build and maintain BuildingGreen.com and LEEDuser. He brings with him over two decades of experience in his field. As an efficient problem-solver, his goal is to make the websites more user-friendly for his coworkers and designers and project teams using BuildingGreen’s resources.

Ben has proficiency... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Finding Furniture Without Toxic Flame Retardants.

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


1. Explain why avoiding toxic flame retardants is important.
2. Explain how we were swindled into dosing our buildings and our bodies with flame... Read more

Hello SDL Folks,  with the 2023 Water Conservation Showcase (WCS) less than a month away we're really looking for help spreading the word.  We've got a great lineup (www.waterconservationshowcase.com) and would love any direct emails to your contact lists that you'd be willing to send!  Here is a link to the promotional partner toolkit with any... Read more

Hi all - many of you have been involved in our project to crowdsource the best building performance graphics and make them searchable and freely available. After redesigning the website for functionality and bi-monthly (instead of annual) competitions, we are launching our first of these Challenges: Daylight + Glare. Upload a graphic or three,... Read more

Hi! Please see this query from our Products Editor, Brent Ehrlich. Feel free to reply here on the forum with any leads or insights. AND, if you will to go "on the record" for this article, please contact Brent directly to set up a phone or email interview. (He's on a tight deadline with this.) Thank you!

I am looking for some feedback on... 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

Hey gang,

We're working on a project that's currently designed as mass timber. We're up against some cost control efforts (of course) and the CM/Client is asking about changing some of the building to steel or green steel. We set out with a goal on the project that within the core and shell, Module A GWP emissions will be net zero.... 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

Welcome to the quiz portion of "Spec This, Not That: Avoiding Toxic Chemicals in Commercial Building Projects"!

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


I think it now qualifies as a tradition! We've arranged a room where we can gather for an hour and check in during the Thursday afternoon reception time at Living Future. If you'll be there, come join us!

Thursday, May 2 at 5:30, Skykomish Room (#604, 6th floor)

We'll be mostly Sustainable Design Leaders, as that's by far our... Read more

I really appreciated our day on Tuesday--seems that we had a great inaugural Summit, and covered a lot of important ground. 

Here are the raw notes (flip-chart pages) from the day. Some of us came away with Action Items--see the list on the last page. 

Five-minute presentation decks and a more polished report to follow shortly. We... Read more

Hello,

Are you seeing any traction with LEED v4 O+M: Transit?

Cheers, Mona

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

Carpet cushion may emit VOCs or contain halogenated flame retardants that can slough off in dust.

BuildingGreen-Approved Carpet Cushions

BuildingGreen approves carpet backing made from natural materials as well as synthetic commercial products that meet the Carpet and Rug  Institute’s Green Label standards.

... Read more

Hello Sustainable Design Leaders,

I am thrilled to be joining such an esteemed collective of driven thinkers and doers. I look forward to meeting some new faces and reconnecting with some familiar ones in an effort to advance sustainable design in the built environment.

Thanks,

Jonce

Hi folks,

We often hear from you with a suggestion of someone who would be great for the network, and a question about how to refer them. We've now made that easy, with three steps laid out in an Outreach Toolkit that's posted in the left margin of the Member Directory.

So, if you're thinking of someone to invite or come across... Read more

I have to admit that I wasn't particularly paying attention to LEED during Greenbuild, but anyone recall the "big announcement by USGBC" that LEED v4.1 is coming?

Article can be found @ Green Building Law Update by Stuart Kaplow and the title is "LEED v4.1 Announced by USGBC at Greenbuild."

https://www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com/... Read more

Welcome to the quiz portion of Doing Daylighting Right.

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


1. Explain occupants' needs and habits when it comes to daylighting.
2. Recognize at least three recent mistakes in daylighting design and their respective alternatives going... Read more