First federal blueprint to decarbonize U.S. buildings sector released 0 dbarista Mon, 04/08/2024 - 13:33 Codes and Standards The Biden Administration recently released “Decarbonizing the U.S. Economy by 2050: A National Blueprint for the Buildings Sector,” a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050. Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor The plan outlines pathways to reduce emissions 90% in buildings sector by 2050. Codes and Standards Regulations Standards Green Green Specifications Sustainability Sustainable Development Sust ..read more

LEED v5 released for public comment 0 dbarista Mon, 04/08/2024 - 13:33 Green The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has opened the first public comment period for the first draft of LEED v5. The new version of the LEED green building rating system will drive deep decarbonization, quality of life improvements, and ecological conservation and restoration, USGBC says.  Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor New iteration promotes deep decarbonization, quality of life improvement, ecological conservation, and restoration. Contractors Designers Designers / Specifiers / Landscape Architects ..read more

Boston’s plans to hold back rising seawater stall amid real estate slowdown 0 dbarista Mon, 04/08/2024 - 13:33 Codes and Standards Boston has placed significant aspects of its plan to protect the city from rising sea levels on the actions of private developers. Amid a post-Covid commercial development slump, though, efforts to build protective infrastructure have stalled. Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor Dependence on private developers halts projects that include berms, sea walls. Contractors Designers Designers / Specifiers / Landscape Architects Engineers Facility Managers Architec ..read more

3 sustainable design decisions to make early 0 qpurcell Mon, 04/08/2024 - 09:26 Sustainability In her experience as an architect, Megan Valentine AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, WELL AP, Fitwel, Director of Sustainability, KTGY has found three impactful sustainable design decisions: site selection, massing and orientation, and proper window-to-wall ratios. Megan Valentine AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, WELL AP, Fitwel, Director of Sustainability MFPRO+ Blog Affordable Housing Architects Daylighting Energy-Efficient Design Energy Efficient Roofing Sustainable Design and Construction Sustainability isn't jus ..read more

Skanska Elevates Commitment to Sustainability 0 dbarista Thu, 04/04/2024 - 12:53 Sustainability Skanska, a global leader in sustainable building, has restructured its Sustainability Team to better serve client and company goals. Co-led by Steve Clem and Myrrh Caplan, who together bring decades of experience, the team will allow Skanska to continue to set the bar for the industry. Skanska Restructured Team Brings Decades of Experience, Sets the Bar for Industry Contractors Sustainability Skanska, a global leader in sustainable building, has restructured its Sustainability Team to bett ..read more

Sustainable mixed-use districts: Crafting urban communities 0 qpurcell Thu, 04/04/2024 - 11:44 Mixed-Use As a part of the revitalization of a Seattle neighborhood, Graphite Design Group designed a sustainable mixed-use community that exemplifies resource conversation, transportation synergies, and long-term flexibility. High-rise Construction Mixed-Use Apartments Office Buildings Retail Centers Shopping Centers Designers Sustainability Urban Planning As an integral part of the revitalization of Seattle’s Denny regrade neighborhood, Graphite projects combine to provide a model of a sustai ..read more

Demystifying carbon offsets vs direct reductions 0 qpurcell Fri, 03/29/2024 - 11:18 Sustainability Chris Forney, Principal, Brightworks Sustainability, and Rob Atkinson, Senior Project Manager, IA Interior Architects, share the misconceptions about carbon offsets and identify opportunities for realizing a carbon-neutral building portfolio. Rob Atkinson and Chris Forney Office Buildings Headquarters Architects Regulations Energy Efficiency Sustainable Development Sustainable Design and Construction Many companies are striving to achieve climate neutrality, which involves bring ..read more

World’s first TRUE-certified building project completed in California 0 dbarista Thu, 03/21/2024 - 14:45 Sustainability GENESIS Marina, an expansive laboratory and office campus in Brisbane, Calif., is the world’s first Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE)-certified construction endeavor. The certification recognizes projects that achieve outstanding levels of resource efficiency through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices. Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor The new laboratory and office campus construction achieved a 98% waste diversion rate. Laboratories Office Buildin ..read more

New urban stormwater policies treat rainwater as a resource 0 dbarista Mon, 03/18/2024 - 10:14 Codes and Standards U.S. cities are revamping how they handle stormwater to reduce flooding and capture rainfall and recharge aquifers. New policies reflect a change in mindset from treating stormwater as a nuisance to be quickly diverted away to capturing it as a resource. Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor Replacing pavement with green spaces reduces runoff, recharges aquifers Contractors Designers Designers / Specifiers / Landscape Architects Engineers Facility Managers Architects Codes and ..read more

Trends to watch shaping the future of ESG 0 qpurcell Wed, 03/13/2024 - 09:46 Sustainability Gensler’s Climate Action & Sustainability Services Leaders Anthony Brower, Juliette Morgan, and Kirsten Ritchie discuss trends shaping the future of environmental, social, and governance (ESG). Mixed-Use Office Buildings Designers Architects Building Owners Codes Adaptive Reuse Biophilic Design Energy-Efficient Design Green Renovation Insulation Reconstruction & Renovation Sustainable Development Sustainable Design and Construction The Changing Built Environment We sat down ..read more