Land is a limited resource, but demand for construction keeps rising. That situation, paired with the push for greater sustainability, presents a challenge – but the answer may lie in buildings that already exist. With adaptive reuse, construction firms can create new spaces without building an entirely new structure.

Over 1,100 firms have joined the AIA 2030 Commitment to date. According to AIA's latest annual report AIA, 417 firms submitted data on 20,652 projects, accounting for a 50 percent decrease in predicted energy use intensity.

Governments and legislative bodies are targeting net zero carbon emissions in building operation and construction. For architects, targeting net zero carbon means that analyzing projects’ environmental footprints is more important now than ever.

National experts in multifamily design and development bring cutting-edge sustainability and wellness to affordable rental housing, continuing long-term collaboration to create affordable and inclusive communities.

Building Enclosure was recently joined by Tish Tablan, Program Director for Solar for All Schools with clean energy non-profit Generation180. Tish sat down with us to talk about the recent “Brighter Future” report that analyzes the progress of the solar movement and shares the success stories of schools that are leading the way.

The annual Global Climate Change Conference (also known as COP27), was just held in Egypt from November 6-18. The conference sparked global conversations around sustainability efforts and the role of the construction industry in reducing emissions. 

Dan and Annie sat down with the Enclosure Experts podcast to talk about all things net zero. Mostly, they discussed the concept of getting to net zero before the RFP, including questions to ask before writing an RFP and how project teams can approach net zero energy while working on a project.

Project teams are considering additional dimensions of carbon emissions resulting from a building project, including carbon emissions from water consumption, waste generation, occupant transportation, and the embodied carbon of materials used to build the project. 

According to the EPA, Sick Building Syndrome describes situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. 

Lendlease, Rubicon Technologies, Mycocycle, and Rockwood Sustainable Solutions applied mycology to roofing shingles in what is believed to be a first-of-its kind sustainability study, emphasizing the importance of recycling, reuse, and carbon reduction.