The American Geophysical Union (AGU) announced that they will be undertaking a major renovation of their headquarters in Washington, DC, with the hope of bringing the building to net zero status. This net zero renovation project is set to begin construction in March 2017. The 62,000 square foot office building, located in the Dupont Circle […]
A new study by the Harvard school of public health and SUNY upstate medical university finds that workers in green certified building have higher cognitive function than their peers in non-certified buildings.
At the headquarters of the Seattle-based Bullitt Foundation, author Mary Adam Thomas documents the building of the Bullitt Center, a structure she regards as the world’s greenest building in her recently released book, “The Greenest Building: How The Bullitt Center Changes The Urban Landscape.” The Bullitt Center stands as an eye-catching model of environmental design. Using […]
When I joined a group of journalists to visit US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, not only was I impressed with what I saw, I had the pleasure of interviewing Brian Wolfe, HKS sustainable design manager and a key member of the architectural team for the stadium. Our interview began with my question on the destruction of the former Hubert […]
Scientific studies have demonstrated that monitoring CO2 for HVAC, rather than just for temperature or humidity, can significantly increase energy efficiency and save costs. Not only that, controlling CO2 emissions can enhance workplace productivity. Improving Workplace Alertness & Productivity Researchers have shown that CO2 levels above 1000ppm can negatively impact on concentration and increases lethargy […]
As interest in health and well-being in buildings grows, the industry has recognized the need for practical tools for systematic assessment, objective scoring and peer benchmarking of health and well-being. GRESB, the global standard for environmental, social and governance (ESG) assessment of real estate portfolios and infrastructure assets, today announced the launch of the GRESB Health and […]
The American Institute of Architects recently came out with its Top 10 list of upcoming Home Design Trends. Here is what we all have to look forward to in homes built in the next 10 years: Technological integration will become more prevalent, with dedicated support for personal devices, along with automated controls for temperature, security […]
GreenScreen is a framework for companies that manufacture building materials to evaluate the toxicity of the chemicals they use and to suggest alternatives.
Using the right materials is one step in ensuring good indoor air quality and a healthy home. It also takes a range of building science-based strategies—from proper ventilation and moisture control to radon mitigation and conscientious construction practices–to make sure a home is healthy. Thanks to Brandon Weiss and Evolutionary Home Builders for sharing this list […]
Spray foam insulation can help save up to 50% in energy costs, protect a building from moisture intrusion, and provide sound insulation. In addition, it provides two to three times more insulation that traditional fiberglass. However, according to Environmental Working Group, most common spray polyurethane foam insulation contains methylene diphenyl diisocyanate, or MDI, a synthetic chemical […]
Dunkin Donuts recently announced the launch of “DD Green,” a green building initiative that hopes to build over 100 new certified restaurants by the end of 2016. Could this eventually lead to healthy donuts? We sure hope not! “We are delighted to be able to launch the DD Green initiative, a green-building certification program that is […]
Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute recently announced that they will begin offering standalone certifications for building materials based on its Material Health criteria. Material Health is only one of several categories tested during Cradle to Cradle certification, and it addresses the presence of known harmful chemicals in a material. It is the first time […]
This post is part of the Green Materials Report series. GBE is providing information on various building materials and what makes them green. Each post focuses on one material. We will be looking at the ingredients in the material, how it is used, what makes it green, and any green product certifications that it has earned. We […]
This is the seventh post in a series on the LEED green building rating system. The first post provided an Introduction to LEED, the second looked at the Sustainable Sites credit category, the third at the Location and Transportation credits, the fourth at Water Efficiency, the fifth at the Energy and Atmosphere credits, and the sixth at Materials and Resources. Indoor […]
This post is part of the Green Materials Report series. GBE is providing information on various building materials and what makes them green. Each post focuses on one material. We will be looking at the ingredients in the material, how it is used, what makes it green, and any green product certifications that it has earned. We […]