Solar is the New Normal

The excitement over Tesla Energy’s Powerwall and Powerblock is only the latest indication that solar is rapidly becoming the new normal for construction. Growing numbers of construction companies nationwide are including batteries and other equipment alongside the conventional utility panel … Continue reading

Planning for Greener Use of 4 Common Construction Materials

Whether you are building a LEED-platinum certified condominium downtown or a cozy eco-conscious vacation getaway in the country, it’s a good idea to plan the greenest materials usage possible when building your project. More and more clients demand green building … Continue reading

Skyscraper Design that Casts No Shadow

As urbanization intensifies and the liveable spaces in cities become smaller and smaller, the only option developers have is to build upwards. Each time a building rises higher, the ground below becomes more and more overcast, making for a light-deprived … Continue reading

Open-Source Solutions for Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing Construction

Affordable housing stands to gain tremendously from energy conservation and green building efforts, but acquiring the means to precisely measure the efficiency and eco-friendliness of public housing has been very cost-prohibitive. Until now. Andrew Berger of Triple Pundit reports that … Continue reading

Green Climate Control Options for New Homes

Although summer traditionally begins on June 21st, most Americans begin to feel the heat long before then. But ever-increasing energy costs and concerns over environmental pollution have left some reluctant to crank up the A/C, leaving their homes stifling and … Continue reading

Fannie Mae Embraces LEED for Multifamily Through Lower Interest Rates

On February 6, the United States Green Building Council announced that Fannie Mae will reward green-built multifamily projects with a lower interest rate. The USGBC’s LEED rating system is one of several recognized certifications, with ENERGY STAR® and Enterprise’s Green … Continue reading

Why We Need Transparency in Green Building Certifications

As sustainability becomes a major selling point for real estate buyers, the prevalence of LEED, the Green Globes, and other certification seals is skyrocketing. Because they issue seals of quality for sustainable architecture, non-governmental organization green building councils (GBCs) hold … Continue reading

Green Trends in New Homes

New homeowners want to live in healthier, greener, homes. According to Tara Campbell, founder and blogger for Power House Growers, “homeowners are starting to place health high on the priority list when looking at real estate investments. Families are looking … Continue reading

USGBC Extends LEED 2009 Through 2016

LEED v4 wasn’t designed for simplicity, and this has caused some challenges for builders and developers who want to work with LEED certification. To alleviate the difficulties posed in the transition from LEED 2009 to LEED v4, the United States … Continue reading