Championing the
Changemakers

Nice brief article on how to talk to clients about materials transparency. It was the right level of information to send out to the office at large. Kudos to Lona and Ralph for your contribution.

https://www.aia.org/articles/210821-how-to-talk-to-clients-about-materials-tran

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The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal... Read more

Hi all,

I have asked a few of you in this list, but thought I might expand the question to the wide group.

To ensure that your firm will be able to collect post-occupancy energy data from your completed projects, have any of you included language about sharing energy data during operations in an owner agreement/contract? We have... Read more

Hi: Is anyone individually or at a firm level offsetting their travel through Certified Emissions Reduction (CER) or Verified Emissions Reduction (VER) credits? I'm trying to research a valid approach to doing this and running into a few different options - some even with apps. I'd appreciate any wisdom from this great group.

Thanks.... Read more

Hey, everyone! Many of you on this forum have probably already RSVP'ed but I wanted to put a plug out there for the happy hour event on the evening of November 2nd at our office in San Francisco.

The event is co-hosted by Architecture 2030 and national and local AIA COTE. There will be food, drinks, great people, and a chance to preview... Read more

Reminder: For anyone interested in continuing to participate in the Climate Smart Wood Working Group, please note that we have joined the other CSWG and will have our first meeting next Wednesday.  Visit the Working Group page for the meeting invite and agenda.

Hi MEP Leaders,

Just a reminder that our monthly call is next Tuesday, July 11, at 2pm ET. Chris Colasanti will be presenting on impacts of different facade characteristics on overall energy performance! 

All Network members are welcome to join. Here is the agenda, and below is the Zoom info:

Join Zoom Meeting
https... Read more

Hi folks,

USGBC has commissioned this survey of the building industry about Federal tax incentives for building efficiency. They will be sharing results with congressional staff, so this might be a good opportunity to give them feedback from the field!

And it's just 10 minutes.

And, after you do the survey if you want to... Read more

Products recommended by BuildingGreen avoid potentially hazardous additives and binders and have high recycled content or offer superior energy performance.

Recommended cellulose insulations are derived from agricultural waste, offer superior moisture or air leakage performance, or impart lower indoor air quality concerns than other... Read more

Has anyone used the new 3M Smog-Eating Granules on a roof before? Malarkey and Soprema are offering this as an option for their roof shingles. Seems like a great technology for urban areas, but I'd be curious to see if anyone here has actually successfully specified and installed it.

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/roofing-granules-us/... Read more

Hi all,

We have a project in New Orleans that needs to meet the GSA Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) requirements and submit EPDs. For our concrete, there is only one manufacturer that meets the requirements and is more than 50 miles away (according to EC3). Does anyone have tips on attempting to talk to local concrete manufacturers about... Read more

Hi, I've been following the copper piping discussion and am wondering if copper piping has been a problem in greywater systems.    We've used Aquatherm to some extent in greywater treatment.

Hi Green Gurus,

A "fun" take-away from the sustainable MEP Leaders Summit (just ended today):

Inspired by Passive House, we are embarking on a campaign: "Low Load Buildings Are SEXY".

One idea we have is:  what if the AIA design awards set limits on metrics like heating loads to meet basic eligibility?

If you have... Read more

Can anyone recommend waste haulers and processing facilities that are LEED compliant for processing commingled waste in the DC / MD area?

I know this is the Sustainable Construction Leaders and not the LEED Construction Leaders, but with waste management being such a big part of what we do, I wanted to crowd source a request for help.... Read more

Hi All,

Our local COTE committee has the opportunity to meet with a local jurisdiction on meeting the targets set forth by their Climate Action Plan.  In preparation I'm looking for innovative building codes/ordinaces that address existing buildings.  I am already digging into Boston's Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance... Read more