Resilient Design
Resilience is the ability of a building to respond to and bounce back from a disaster.
Resilient design involves the use of passive systems, energy production and storage, and other strategies to help ensure a building can (literally) weather the storm. It is increasingly important as our climate changes but also can help buildings respond to other risks such as earthquakes and cyberattacks.
Resilient Design
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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IRA Tax Breaks May Reinforce Inequities, So We Need to Help
Feature Article
Four tax provisions could be used to include disadvantaged communities in the clean energy transition, but equity outcomes are unclear.
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Assessing Climate Hazards: The First Step in Resilient Design
Feature Article
The tools for conducting a multi-hazard exposure analysis are available if you know where to look.
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An Advocate’s Guide to Resilience Regulations
Feature Article
Resilience is finding its place in city zoning and building codes. Here are some ideas to bring to your local government.
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When Hurricane Harvey Hit, the Texas Medical Center Stood Ready
Feature Article
At the Texas Medical Center, hard-won lessons learned from Tropical Storm Allison kept Hurricane Harvey at bay.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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DC Power Supply Integrates AC and Renewables
Product Review
Nextek PhD provides AC-to-DC power at the building scale, integrates renewable energy, and can even save on first costs.
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SIREWALL: The Next Generation of Earthen Walls
Product Review
Made from local earth, rebar, and polyiso, SIREWALL rammed earth walls are beautiful, durable, and are stronger than concrete with less portland cement.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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The IRA’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program: Just the Basics
News Analysis
This program will administer grants and loans to owners or sponsors of HUD-assisted multifamily housing to improve its resilience and quality.
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Future Heat Waves Will Kill Power and AC—and People
News Analysis
Passive cooling strategies are surprisingly effective, even as heat waves become more extreme.
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Six Ways the COVID Pandemic Is Changing IAQ for Good
News Analysis
CDC has set a stringent new minimum for everyday ventilation, and ASHRAE has released standard 241, the first IAQ standard addressing infectious disease. Both moves challenge long-held assumptions about clean air.
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Affordable Housing Gets Billions for Resilience Retrofits
News Brief
HUD releases guidance for its Green Resilient and Retrofit Program, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which seeks to improve the efficiency and resilience of low-income housing.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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A Tribute to Robin Guenther, Green Healthcare Pioneer
Op-Ed
Robin Guenther advanced new standards for hospitals that were adopted by the larger green building community and integrated into leading rating systems.
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How to Help Ukraine Now … and in the Future
Op-Ed
What can the green building and resilience communities do to help the people of Ukraine?
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Bouncing Forward from Disasters
Op-Ed
Finding opportunities in the spate of recent devastating natural disasters.
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Pete’s Product Puzzle: VersaDry
Blog Post
Simple folded metal solves a common moisture problem
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Assessing Climate Hazards: The First Step in Resilient Design
Feature Article
The tools for conducting a multi-hazard exposure analysis are available if you know where to look.
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An Advocate’s Guide to Resilience Regulations
Feature Article
Resilience is finding its place in city zoning and building codes. Here are some ideas to bring to your local government.
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Assessing Climate Hazards: The First Step in Resilient Design
Spotlight Report
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An Advocate’s Guide to Resilience Regulations
Spotlight Report
For decades, designers have fought for sustainability to be incorporated into building codes and standards. Is it time to do the same for resilience?
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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Passive Survivability Standard Modified for Post-Pandemic Office Buildings
April Fools
The LEED Passive Survivability pilot credit just got a lot easier for office buildings in the post-pandemic era.
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Resilient Design Is a Big Load of Crap
April Fools
Why are you taking survival advice from a bunch of pencil jockeys? It’s time to start listening to the pros.
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Bewitching Designs Snag Coveted Resilience Awards
April Fools
Self-propulsion wins the night at this year’s Rizzies, but a controversy brews.
