Living Walls provide several LEED points. They are: Sustainable Sites Credit 7.1: Landscape Design that Reduces Urban Heat Islands, Non-Roof (1 pt). Exterior green walls reduce the solar reflectance of a structure, thus reducing the urban heat island effect. Water Efficiency Credits 1.1, 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping (1 to 2 pts). Buildings can incorporate a stormwater collection […]
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A little while ago we visited a green pavilion with “sustainable” oak floors. We were intrigued by the concept of sustainable oak since oak trees are protected by law and the meaning of sustainable is often skewed by marketers. After some research we found that there are more than 50 certification systems worldwide, the two
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The Green Roof Professional (GRP) certification system was developed by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, a not-for-profit industry association working to promote and develop the market for the green roofs throughout North America. In addition to providing a professional accreditation program, the organization facilitates the exchange of information, supports research, and promotes the establishment of
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Green building and eco-sensitive design is currently at the forefront of our modern ethos. What this means for the green builders, contractors and architects of NY, and the world, is a period of dramatic change and challenge is ahead if not already begun. A change in the way we think about new buildings and construction,
The Living Building Challenge- Winner of the 2012 Buckminster-Fuller Challenge Read More »
Last week a judge dismissed Henry Giffords law suit against USGBC. Gifford had pointed out that energy audits of LEED buildings showed no greater energy savings than normal buildings of the same class, and in fact LEED buildings showed WORSE energy savings in many cases. Green Source Magazine speaks about it here. USGBC countered his
LEED Wins Law Suit Despite Bad Energy Efficiency Read More »
What is manufacturer’s’ obsession with telling me how many LEED points I can earn by buying their product?! From the advertisements you’d think every house being built is going for LEED. But the manufacturers know they aren’t. They are betting on people saying, “Heck, if it good for LEEDS then it’s good for my little
LEED Marketing Mania Read More »
Everyone and their mother is getting LEED certified. Remember the story about Rockefeller overhearing his shoe shine boy talking about stocks? This prompted Rockefeller to conclude that the market had reached a bubble and was about to collapse. He took all his money out of the market just before it crashed. Now I’m seeing the
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Here is a useful Q & A on LEED for homes. Presented by O’Brien & Company. How does the “no additional lumber” address cases of historic/cultural design, in particular on an infill project in a historic neighborhood or a gut rehab of a historic building.? This credit has been revised to a 10% cap on
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