Codes & Certifications
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Codes & Certifications
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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EPDs Will Change How We Build—But Slowly (Executive Summary)
Feature Short
Are EPDs actually going to have an impact on sustainable design and construction practices? Eventually. Just don’t get caught up in the hype.
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Getting the EPD Credit in LEED v4: Atlanta Stadium
Feature Short
Innovations go far deeper than a stunning, biomimetic roof. The Atlanta Falcons’ new stadium aims to bring green building to the masses.
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The DNA of EPDs: The Making of Product Category Rules
Feature Short
PCRs are the instruction manuals behind EPDs. They’re supposed to provide foolproof rules for conducting LCAs, but they can also be the system’s fatal flaw.
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LEED v4 and EPDs: How’s That Market Disruption Working Out for You?
Feature Short
More EPDs are appearing as a result of LEED v4, even as problems with data quality get worked out on the fly.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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HPD Quick-Start Guide: 5 Easy Steps
Infographic
How to get solid information from a Health Product Declaration (HPD), in just five steps.
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What's Your Hazard Avoidance Profile?
Infographic
How early or late are you when it comes to jumping on the bandwagon to avoid toxic chemicals in buildings? Find yourself on the hazard avoidance curve.
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The Living Building Challenge Loves Me... It Loves Me Not
Infographic
Each Living Building Challenge (LBC) petal can elevate teams to new heights—or at times be the cause of unrequited love.
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What These Forestry Labels Really Mean
Infographic
You’ve seen FSC and SFI labels on wood products. Most often, you’ve seen no label at all. Here’s a green guide to each one.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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BuildingGreen’s Guide to Products for LEED Projects
Product Guide
The products in the collections listed here contribute to the requirements of key LEED credits.
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Full Line of Residential LED Lighting Arrives
Product Review
In June 2006, Permlight Products, Inc., and Progress Lighting announced the introduction of a complete line of LED residential lighting products. To be sold as the HI-EF line, the licensing of Permlight's Enbryten Down line promises high-efficacy luminaires that meet strict California energy standards.
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Passive House Windows and Doors Continue to Wow
Product Review
Exciting new doors and windows featuring cork, composites, and low U-factors have come to U.S. markets.
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ECOS Challenges Paint Industry to Disclose Ingredients
Product Review
ECOS Paints ignored “trade secret” complaints made by other manufacturers and now makes the first paints designated Red List Free for the Living Building Challenge.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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AIA Targets 50% Energy Reduction in Buildings
News Analysis
The American Institute of Architects board of directors has set a goal of halving the amount of fossil fuels needed to construct and operate buildings by 2010-and achieving a 70% reduction by 2015!
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California Builders Pay for Degrading Air Quality
News Analysis
California's Central Valley, contender for the nation's worst air quality, will require builders to reduce the smog and particulate matter their projects cause, or pay into offsite air-quality improvement programs.
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California Adopts Massive Solar Energy Program
News Analysis
The California Public Utilities Commission has approved the largest solar energy program in the history of the U.S.
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USGBC Forms Research Committee
News Analysis
The U.S. Green Building Council's new Research Committee will strengthen the organization's role as a driver of research on the built environment.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Why It's Imperative That We Raise Energy Taxes
Op-Ed
BuildingGreen President Alex Wilson argues for a $5 per gallon fossil fuel tax.
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BuildingGreen to Assist McGraw-Hill with New Magazine
Op-Ed
BuildingGreen is pleased to announce an agreement with McGraw-Hill Construction through which we will provide editorial guidance and articles for an upcoming magazine called GreenSource.
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Why the USGBC Should Change LEED's Position on Wood
Op-Ed
Alex Wilson, who wrote a white paper for the USGBC recommending changes to the LEED Rating System relative to wood and biobased credits, explains why the changes make sense from an environmental standpoint.
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Concerns About Broadening LEED's Wood Credit
Op-Ed
Bill Edgerton, AIA, writes about his concerns that broadening LEED's wood credit would weaken LEED and erode USGBC's credibility.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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LEED 101: A Syllabus Supplement for Green Building Coursework
Syllabus Supplement
This syllabus supplement provides professors and students with content on LEED from BuildingGreen, LEEDuser, and other relevant resources.
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LEED and WELL Product Labels: A Guide and Analysis
Feature Article
LEED and WELL encourage a lot of different programs for green products. Learn the essentials—plus what’s behind the labels.
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Leveraging LEED Design Strategies for WELL
Webcast
Leveraging LEED Design Strategies for WELL on-demand webcast
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The BuildingGreen Guide to Building Product Certifications and Ecolabels
Special Report
This BuildingGreen publication provides a no-nonsense guide to the world of green building product certifications to help designers, purchasers, manufacturers, and others in the industry to focus on what is significant and relevant so that market forces can work and the industry can focus on bigger issues.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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GSA Adopts LEED, Green Globes, Living Building Challenge, and Weimaraner
April Fools
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WELL Building Auditor Will Drink Your Milkshake
April Fools
The WELL standard for healthy spaces and lifestyles is backed by onsite auditing, but some occupants would prefer to slowly kill themselves in peace.
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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.
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USGBC Embraces Legal Marijuana
April Fools
LEED v4.20 introduces a wide range of cannabis-oriented prerequisites.
