3 min read
Complications of Sustainability Requirements
What could possibly go wrong?
Sustainable Design
2 min read
Sustainable Design - What's the Strategy?
A program at the Philadelphia AIA Design on the Delaware annual conference last week, discussed the legal aspects of green building. The panelists...
3 min read
Can Goals Be Requirements?
I just completed review of a new document that the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) will be publishing soon: The CSI Sustainable Design...
3 min read
Solar Arrays and Net Zero Buildings
I attended a presentation on an office building designed to meet the Living Building Challenge. One of the design concepts was to achieve net zero...
What's Wrong with This Picture?
Have you ever seen a built detail, scratched your head, and wondered: "What were they thinking?" There are 4 steps that can be taken to help prevent...
Chemical Masonry Cleaning
How can you make sure you get that "like new" look for the completed masonry? Detergent washing is only removing the surface dirt - not the right...
1 min read
Please. Energy is Not Renewable
Can we please stop calling solar, wind, and other LEED and government promoted energy sources "renewable?"
1 min read
BUILDING PRODUCTS MADE FROM MUSHROOMS!?
What would you think of a product that was made from agricultural byproducts and mushrooms that had similar characteristics of expanded polystyrene...
Naturally Decay Resistant Wood
Wood's natural decay resistance is dependent on species selection and the part of the tree that is used. Tropical rainforest species are not required...
1 min read
Brick - Solid or Hollow - Why Choose?
Brick selection is usually based on aesthetic factors, first, such as size, color, and texture. These aesthetic factors can dramatically affect the...