Site Assessment & Design
Whether or not a design team has a say in siting a project, carefully assessing the site should be on every project’s to-do list. A site assessment early in design can reduce costs, allay potential risks, support the health and well-being of occupants and native habitat, and promote other unique site features.
And site design goes hand in hand with building design, as the building interacts with the site when it comes to daylight, rainwater management, views and biophilia, and other building features.
Site Assessment & Design
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Resilient, Sustainable Water Management: A Holistic Approach
Feature Article
Water is our planet’s lifeblood. But climate change has redefined how we view water, with drought amplifying water scarcity and changing our relationship with the landscape and the built environment.
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Native Landscaping for Biodiversity
Feature Article
Removal of invasive plants and support of native plantings are critically important for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
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Work Globally, Design Locally
Feature Article
In today’s global economy, American architects work on six continents—but that doesn’t mean they should all have identical glass towers.
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Pest Prevention: Steps Designers Can Take
Feature Article
Integrated pest management (IPM) design strategies can reduce structural damage and unsanitary conditions, and improve our community’s health.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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How Environmental Site Assessments Work
Primer
Existing buildings and previously developed sites are great, but they often need environmental cleanup. An ESA is the first step.
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Putting a “LID” on Harmful Stormwater Runoff
Primer
Low-impact development (LID) minimizes pavement and maximizes rainwater infiltration, filtering out pollution and preventing erosion.
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Sharing the Skyline with Birds
Primer
Buildings are major killers of birds, but thoughtful design can help.
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Combined Sewer Overflow
Primer
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur in municipalities with older wastewater systems that carry both sanitary wastewater and stormwater; eliminating CSOs involves investment in wastewater infrastructure and reducing stormwater flows.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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BuildingGreen Announces Top 10 Products for 2017
Product Review
Our innovative Top 10 product selections reduce stormwater and wastewater, improve efficiency and IAQ, and contain fewer hazardous materials.
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Treated Wood for Ground Contact, Minus the Toxic Pesticides
Product Review
Accoya, now code-approved for fungus and termite resistance, relies on acetylation as a benign alternative to conventional pressure-treated wood.
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Win the Turf Wars with Rubber-Free Artificial Fields
Product Review
You don’t have to choose between recycled tires and natural grass for athletic surfaces. There’s a spectrum of good options in between.
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A New Place to Store Rainwater: The Fence
Product Review
Created by a 14-year-old student for a science fair, Water Fence provides an innovative solution for storing large volumes of water.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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“Tree Equity” Fund Brings Green to Urban Streetscapes
News Brief
Access to green, tree-lined space is unequal. A new $10 million fund has been created to help low-income neighborhoods tap into federal funding.
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Experts Say Stop Counting Trunks and Look to the Canopy
News Brief
Half of urban trees don’t live past 10 years; we need them to reach at least 50. -
Fighting for Environmental Justice with “Smart” Surfaces
News Analysis
Asphalt and concrete are at the root of many sustainability issues and associated inequities. The Smart Surfaces Coalition is looking to change that. -
“Smart Surfaces” Could Save Cities Billions
News Brief
Heat islands, stormwater, and energy bills can all be curbed by smart surfaces.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Water Tables and Basements
Blog Post
How to use geological, soil, and historical maps to keep your basement dry
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Integrate Food Production and Green Building
Op-Ed
Adding local food production to the goals of green building makes sense for the environment and human health.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Resilient, Sustainable Water Management: A Holistic Approach
Feature Article
Water is our planet’s lifeblood. But climate change has redefined how we view water, with drought amplifying water scarcity and changing our relationship with the landscape and the built environment.
-
Native Landscaping for Biodiversity
Feature Article
Removal of invasive plants and support of native plantings are critically important for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
-
Pest Prevention: Steps Designers Can Take
Feature Article
Integrated pest management (IPM) design strategies can reduce structural damage and unsanitary conditions, and improve our community’s health.
-
Resilient, Sustainable Water Management: A Holistic Approach
Spotlight Report
This report covers innovative ways of managing our water, including avoiding water use altogether, reducing the amount necessary for a given use, and reusing water.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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Trump Presidential Library to Feature Golf, Gambling
April Fools
The Trump Presidential Library will break with staid traditions and offer some unusual amenities.