Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide a comprehensive assessment of a product’s life cycle, allowing experts to evaluate its environmental impact from raw material extraction to disposal. The primary purpose of an Environmental Product Declaration is...
The International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Red List is a framework designed to identify and eliminate materials that are harmful to human health and the environment from the built environment. The ILFI Red List is a list of materials that are commonly used in...
“Design excellence” and “good design” are the cornerstones of any architectural pursuit. But what is good design, exactly, and how does one define excellence? Let’s take a look at what some of the top minds in the field have had to say on the...
Imagine a house that requires little or no energy. Most houses need a variety of energy sources to operate: for example, electricity to run the lights, hot water heater, stove, microwave, toasters, washer and dryer, television, phones, stereo, computers, hair drier...
Passive House is the world’s most stringent energy standard. It incorporates building science-based strategies to minimize the use of energy while maximizing comfort and quality of life. Built to these standards, a building can use 10% of the energy of one built to...
Buildings are responsible for more than 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. There has been a great deal of progress made over the last thirty years to reverse the construction sector’s negative impact on the environment, and create buildings that are...
In 2009, the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board commissioned the state’s Academy of Science and Engineering to investigate and report on ways of utilizing waste heat generated by the power plants in the state. Leonard Wyeth of Wyeth Architects was involved in the...
The Problem The term “picture framing” was coined to describe the way roof shingles appear to bulge in a a pattern of “frames” around panels when using insulated roofing panels. When sunlight washes across the roof, it is easy to see the...
In solving noise issues in buildings, it helps to take an objective, systematic engineering approach. Starting with a good understanding of sound, how it travels and how we hear it, we can then proceed to creatively applying a variety of solutions that adhere with...
Spray foam insulation is a spray applied foam, most commonly consisting of polyurethane. Its advantage to other types of insulation, such as rigid board or a fibrous insulation, is that handles both critical components of insulation: R-value and air leakage. R-value...
