Environmental product declarations

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...
UNDERSTANDING The ILFI RED LIST

UNDERSTANDING The ILFI RED LIST

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...
Commodity, Firmness and Delight: What is Good Design?

Commodity, Firmness and Delight: What is Good Design?

“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...
Houses That Require Little or No Energy

Houses That Require Little or No Energy

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 explained

Passive house explained

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...
List of Current Energy and Green Rating Systems

List of Current Energy and Green Rating Systems

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...
Acoustics & Noise Control in Design Space

Acoustics & Noise Control in Design Space

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

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...