Championing the
Changemakers

Hi folks,

We’re working on the agenda for what’s shaping up to be a really awesome Summer Summit at a great new venue in Massachusetts. There is an awesome group already registered, and we’d like to fill the remaining slots soon so that we can develop the agenda with your input.

If you’ve been planning to register, please do it... Read more

Hi all,

We are in the process of pursuing the Integrative Process for Health Promotion pilot credit on a project. Has anyone been through the process? What did you learn? How did it change/inform your design? Would you do it again?

Thanks!

Michelle

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

Small Firm Sustainable Design Leaders –

I find it hard to believe calls for session proposals are already out for next year’s AIA Conference on Architecture.  I feel like I just got back!

At my firm, we try to have all principals and associates to submit a proposal each year.  I had a couple of take-aways from this year’s... Read more

The LBC v4.0 materials imperatives for Responsible Materials (Core) & Responsible Sourcing require a majority of wood materials (by cost) to be FSC. Sure. But what is - or isn't - considered wood? The Clarification page for the imperative's scope and a key definition poses a perplexing conundrum: 

"All wood included in the Materials... Read more

Hi All:  We are in the design phase for a 5,700 SF project in NH. The team is taking care to drive down embodied carbon where possible. It will be NZE.

A1-A3 emissions are coming in at 67.15 kgCO2e/sf, of which 11.97 kgCO2e/sf is a hot spot attributed to permeable paving and concrete pavers (a little skewed, since lot and patio sizes... Read more

Hey all,

At the retreat, many of you spoke to me about wanting to learn more about our Foundations Resilience event in Houston in November. As it happens, our website just went live and I thought that I would share it with the whole group. Registration (for those interested) will be up and running very soon, but this should give you a... Read more

Hi all,

All members of the WA Building Code Council received an email from Tim Attebery of the Washington State AGC and I'm trying to make sense of the role of the AGC and whether it is representing the consensus option of general contractors in Washington or not. The letter is very much against the energy code advancement, which... Read more

Exterior shade or screening devices are generally much more effective at reducing solar heat gain than their interior counterparts.

BuildingGreen-Approved Shading

BuildingGreen approves exterior window and glazing attachments that reduce solar heat gain and glare or redirect daylight, providing important energy benefits while... Read more

Hello Sustainable Construction Leaders!

I have an exciting announcement today, fall Peer Network events are now open for registration! You can see all the event details and register here!

Based on feedback we received from past events and the most recent surveys, we decided against doing one long week of events for this fall and... Read more

Are your firms discussing the health effects of silica dust on people working with engineered stone and the recent announcement of the upcoming ban in Australia, as of July 2024?

https://www.dezeen.com/2023/12/14/australia-bans-engineered-stone-silico...

According to the article, a recent report says that there is no safe level of... Read more

Team,

What are the M vs. E vs. P(FP) ratios of fee distribution you use in your company for a commercial office building?  How about a residential/hotel?

Best,

Luke Leung

Hi Green Gurus,

We have a lot going on this week, and I know it’s hard to keep track of everything, so I’m providing this quick update.

Conveniently, we have also just launched the new Peer Networks Hub on BuildingGreen.com, with a Calendar page where you can see all upcoming events (and a link to recordings of past events). You... 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

Hi All, 

Not sure if this is the right location for this (as I'm a new member) but we're Planning the upcoming Water Conservation Showcase in Northern CA. Some details below

The Water Conservation Showcase brings together water, energy, and green building professionals to amplify and discuss innovative water management solutions... Read more

Does anyone have an opinion of Autocase?    https://autocase.com/

I had not heard of this platform before.  Their website says that some firms in the group are customers / users.   Website does not do a great job of describing exactly what they do.  Is there value?

Thanks,

Allen