USGBC closes LEED loophole permitting use of illegal wood

The U.S. Green Building Council's effort aims to eliminate the use of wood from illegal logging in LEED-certified buildings and to stymie those operations in general.

By Kim Slowey • April 7, 2016

Beyond net-zero: The rise of the Living Building Challenge

"People who are taken by the challenge want to see a built environment that is able to function like a living system," Amanda Sturgeon, executive director of the International Living Future institute, told Construction Dive.

By Kim Slowey • March 17, 2016

AIA's top nonresidential design trends: Sustainability, project efficiency, new technologies

A survey of leading architects found efficiency in both the construction process and the building's lifespan will dominate the industry over the next 10 years.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 12, 2016

Net-zero energy buildings: Is construction 'at the tipping point' of a new green building era?

"The built world produces about 40% of the waste that goes into landfills, so if we in the construction industry can’t change it, then who will?" said DPR Construction's Mike Humphrey.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 4, 2016

Real estate expert: Top green building trends this year

Steven Schleider predicted the sector will focus on LEED, green and cool roofs, sustainable materials, LED lighting and net-zero energy buildings.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 4, 2016

WGBC study: Green buildings may bolster customer experience, profits for retailers

The World Green Building Council report also provides retailers with a framework to determine how sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives affect their bottom lines.

By Kim Slowey • Feb. 2, 2016

USGBC: Top 10 states for LEED in 2015

Illinois earned the number one spot on the list for the third year in a row, with 161 LEED certifications of commercial and institutional buildings and 3.43 square feet of certified space per resident in 2015.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 27, 2016

Microsoft plans campus face-lift with new 4-acre green roof, office space expansion

The company said that once the project is approved by the city, work will begin in early 2017 and take three years to complete, with Skanska as the general contractor.

By Kim Slowey • Jan. 25, 2016

Striving to 'overcome inertia': Solar industry growth faces obstacles among builders, homeowners

Most industry experts agree that, currently, the biggest hindrance to wider adoption of solar energy is cost.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 22, 2015

Swedish research team explores wood-based 3-D printing

Project members of Would Wood said they hope to eventually produce large-scale wood structures and objects to contribute to the sustainable cities of the future.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 15, 2015

Detroit plans massive 'greening' effort to improve property values, city life

City officials hope the strategy will provide a successful future model for the 20-30 square miles of vacant land in Detroit.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 8, 2015

USGBC pledges to add 5B square feet of green buildings over next 5 years

The group joined other green councils at COP21 in a committment to support sustainability of buildings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 2 degrees.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 4, 2015

Skanska, Autodesk among more than 50 construction companies calling for action on climate change

Amid the COP21 International Climate talks in Paris this month, 54 industry firms signed on to the Building and Real Estate Climate Declaration.

By Kim Slowey • Dec. 3, 2015

Heard at Greenbuild 2015: Insights from James Cameron, Skanska, HUD and more

We rounded up some of the most notable quotes from events and interviews during the conference.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 23, 2015

Tesla gigafactory to reach net-zero energy level

Tesla made its roof solar-ready and did not include natural gas pipelines in the factory's construction.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 20, 2015

Profits: The emerging motive for builders and developers to embrace green building

Sustainable construction practices are more than just beneficial for the environment; they also make good business sense.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 20, 2015

Top 10 green building products for 2016

From office furniture to urinals, BuildingGreen offers its predictions of what green products will emerge on top of the growing market next year.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 19, 2015

Report: Dominion Energy construction projects to spur $10B in VA economic benefits

The company's investment program over the next six years aims to achieve goals set in the federal Clean Power Plan.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 19, 2015

Startups Ecovative Design, 10x Technology win Saint-Gobain NOVA Innovation Competition

The competition, held during Greenbuild in Washington, DC, resulted in $37,500 prizes for both winners.

By Emily Peiffer • Nov. 18, 2015

Dodge: Green building doubling every three years

The report highlights trends, including a rise in green building in emerging economies. About 70% of survey respondents cite lower operating costs as the greatest benefit. 

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 18, 2015

Pew Research: Swelling home sizes hinder progress made in energy efficiency

The average new single-family home completed last year was 2,657 square feet — 57% larger than 40 years ago.

By Kim Slowey • Nov. 10, 2015

Study: Buyers spend 3.5% more for homes with green features

An analyst said builders and sellers who "are not factoring in energy efficiency when selling a home are leaving money on the table."

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 29, 2015

NY startup Delos aims to elevate building wellness program to LEED heights

Is this new standard "bigger than anything in real estate since the invention of the roof"?

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 26, 2015

Chicago suburb considering bird-friendly building regulations

Between 100 million and a billion birds a year die after flying into glass structures.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 19, 2015

Can green roofs bloom into cost savings for building owners?

With plant-covered roofs garnering major attention for being featured on Facebook's new campus and a proposed Silicon Valley shopping mall, some advocates are trying to get construction decision-makers to give them more consideration.

By Kim Slowey • Oct. 15, 2015