Category: Green building

- Image Departments - Editor's Focus 5/17/2012 * * Print * Save to MyCDR ____________________ * Kristin Smith Change is not always easy. The new version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which has undergone several comment periods and revisions since it was first introduced in the fall of 2011 is certainly no exception. LEED, while not mandatory, has certainly set the direction of

NEW YORK, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The construction industry is concerned about skilled worker shortages, according to a new SmartMarket Report from McGraw-Hill Construction entitled "Construction Industry Workforce Shortages: Role of Certification, Training and Green Jobs in Filling the Gaps." It is the first study to focus exclusively on design and construction professionals and trade workers. Skilled workers have left the industry as a result of the economic downturn, an aging

Sustainability is a big issue in the construction sector. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, 39 percent of the country's CO2 emissions come from buildings, which also account for 40 percent of energy consumption, 13 percent of water consumption and 15 percent of GDP. Such impressive figures spell opportunity for the sustainable building sector. The council manages the internationally recognized LEED certification issued to buildings that meet certain environmental benchmarks, includin

If you want to build a really green house, how much time should you spend looking for products that carry a green certification? Not a lot, advised builders and architects known for their "greenness." Though some green attributes, such as recycled content, were very important and might lead them to consider a particular product, these experts said the presence or absence of a green certification rarely influenced their selections. For these hardheaded professionals, durability, a good t

Energy efficiency efforts become commonplace in new construction and remodeling projects, while remodelers place high value on waste management and sustainable materials. WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 2, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), today released its latest SmartMarket Report: New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming the Residential Market at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) National Green Building Conference and

Product Review Insulation is a crucial element of all green building projects, including those that are attempting certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system. What is Insulation? Insulation is a product that blocks heat transfer, and in some cases, sound transfer. The R-value is used to measure the insulation's resistance to heat flow. Therefore, the higher t

The idea that a building could make people ill has been in the public consciousness since 1976 when Legionella pneumophila first reared its ugly bacterial head at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. While that was an unusual and isolated case, the idea of a buildings indoor air causing illness has never gone away. During the eighties and nineties we embraced energy efficiencies with such vigor that in some cases our buildings became airtight breeding grounds for germs and toxins and b

/PRNewswire/ -- McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), today released its latest SmartMarket Report: New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming the Residential Market at the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) National Green Building Conference and Expo. The report includes McGraw-Hill Construction's estimate that the green homes share of the construction market was 17% in 2011, equating to , and expected to rise 29%-38%  by 2016, potentially a $87–11

Some companies implementing LEED-certified environmental practices reported greater financial performance than their non-LEED-certified counterparts, according to a new study by the University of Norte Dame.

State and local policies recognized for advancing green building in the state.

There's a lot of talk right now about values-driven design and what it can do to make the world a better place. Most of those conversations center on the green building trend; architects are leading the eco-revolution, creating smart homes and advanced public spaces that are energy-efficient and Earth-friendly. But conscientious design doesn't have to be high-tech like that. In fact, many of the most worthy projects are positively pre-tech, recycling old materials and ideas into something fresh.

Architects, engineers and general contractors for years have touted their devotion to an integrated process. But as the greenest fringes labor to push projects toward sustainability further and faster, one man is calling for an end to the buzz surrounding integrated design. Scott Lewis, founder and CEO of Portland-based firm Brightworks, said it’s time for green building leaders to stop resting on the laurels of integrated design and to focus on a method guided completely by sustainability goals

Jason Hartke Vice President, National Policy U.S. Green Building Council Note: this blog was originally published on The Guardian When you think of Houston you might think of 10-gallon cowboy hats, Nasa and a terrific barbecue. But you might not necessarily think about green building and sustainability initiatives. Houston has been employing several very impressive sustainability strategies to achieve the city's self-proclaimed goal of being the greenest city in the country. It was another great stop on our Road to Rio+20 series of events that focuses on exploring the role of cities and buildings in the green ...

/PRNewswire/ -- Architects around the country are incorporating genuine clay brick throughout the house for sustainable design that also helps save on energy costs. In addition to helping meet the highest green building criteria, brick exteriors boost sustainability and performance over their main competitors. Free of volatile organic compounds and often incorporating recycled content, locally sourced brick reduces the use of fossil fuels. At least two brick plants are located within 500 miles o

View this feature in our beautifully-rendered April issue of Construction Digital, now live The building sector is on the front lines of the sustainability movement – meaning that innovations within the industry stand to make a substantial impact on climate change and the environment. This month, we’re taking a look at developments in building materials that promise to make green building a smarter, more efficient and effective vehicle for a shift in the global paradigm of sustainability. Phase