Diversion vs. Source Reduction: Rethinking Construction and Demolition Waste
By Erica Weeks, LEED Fellow Construction and Demolition Waste in the Built Environment Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is a necessary evil of an ever-changing built environment. Buildings outlive their useful lifespan and are demolished for new ones to take their place (I’ll discuss adaptive reuse of existing buildings at another time).Delivering custom buildings requires […]
BAS Makes Smarter Buildings, but It Can’t Read Minds
Long considered the “brain” of a building that functions as designed, Building Automation Systems (BAS) actually require the involvement of multiple brains to reach peak effectiveness. Since even the most sophisticated BAS system can’t read minds, there is a compelling need for clear and thoughtful communication to connect the brains of building owners and operators with system designers and installers.
AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence and Keys for Early Integration
The AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence is not a green building rating system or checklist of prescriptive sustainability measures. It is a comprehensive framework of thought-provoking and insightful principles that every project should consider. Historically, the AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence is rooted in the AIA’s COTE (Committee on the Environment) Top 10 annual awards […]
Creating a Resiliency Culture in Commercial Building Projects: A Runner’s Perspective
By Mark Zoller, Paladin, Inc As a commissioning provider and design engineer with a background in competitive running, I’ve come to appreciate the parallels between building resilient systems and training for a successful race. Just as a runner must prepare for the challenges of a tough course, building owners and operators must cultivate a culture […]
