Recent Updates

Although an overall world population increase of 2.3 billion is projected by 2050 relative to 2011, urban growth is estimated at 2.6 billion, as urban complexes, in addition to absorbing all of the world’s additional inhabitants, are expected to draw… Read More

A new supplement to Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) offers a faster way to compare environmental impact information. Read full article.

An in-depth study of 22 green federal buildings across the U.S. showed that on average, the representative buildings chosen from GSA’s regularly outperformed the national averages of building performance data.

As standards in specific categories of building products are developed, green design programs typically point to those standards as the benchmarks in various credit areas. Most government agencies, when looking to establish guidelines for greening their facilities, will first look… Read More

Building owners should perform roof system maintenance to optimize roof system life.

“LEED Certified buildings have an injury rate 9% higher than traditional construction projects, finds a study by the University of Colorado.”  

“More roof insulation generally is a good thing but there is a point of diminishing returns. Rooftop Solar systems generally are good things provided they meet mind and fire requirements and are installed to protect the roof systems integrity. And… Read More

An outline of SHRAE Standard 90.1, ASHRAE Standard 189.1, International Energy Conservation CODE (IECC), International Green Construction Code (IGCC), and National Green Building Standard (NGBS).  

“As reported during the recent meeting of BOMA’s Building Codes and Voluntary Standards Committee, the economic impact of adopting the latest editions of model codes and standards is receiving heightened scrutiny by state and local governments, as well as agencies… Read More

These results suggest that increasing the albedo of roofs is an effective way of reducing the urban heat island. The degree to which the heat island decreases depends on the importance of roofs relative to the rest of the urban… Read More