Design for Energy
Good design reduces energy use and eliminates dependence on fossil fuels while improving building performance, function, comfort, and enjoyment.
Learn more about the AIA Framework for Design Excellence.
Reproduced with permission of The American Institute of Architects, 1735 New York Avenue, N.W.; Washington, D.C. 20006
Design for Energy
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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The Problem with Net-Zero Buildings (and the Case for Net-Zero Neighborhoods)
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It can be tough to make an individual building into a zero energy building, while working at the community scale can offer up opportunities for energy efficiency and cost-effective renewable energy generation.
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What Makes a Product Green Today?
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Lots of manufacturers call their products "green," but are they? Here's our guide to the high-performance attributes that matter.
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Why Schools Are Embracing Net-Zero Energy
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Schools are leading the way in net-zero energy, but some designers question whether these goals create the best learning environments.
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Mind the Gaps: Making Existing Buildings More Airtight
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Leaky building enclosures create health hazards, comfort problems, and high energy bills. Fixing them isn’t rocket science; but you’d better know your building science.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Demystifying Climate Change Lingo: From Scope 3 to SSP
Explainer
Climate change is complicated, and the terminology can also be hard to decipher. Here’s a short glossary of a few relevant terms.
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Energy Performance: Learn the Lingo
Explainer
The AIA 2030 Commitment and many other programs require project teams to predict and report on energy use. Here are the key terms you’ll need to get the job done.
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Building Decarbonization: Learn the Lingo
Explainer
Building decarbonization 101 for architects, engineers, and sustainability consultants cutting emissions from building materials and operations.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Blanket and Batt Insulation
Product Guide
Batts and aerogel blankets with high recycled content, reduced air-quality concerns, or superior performance
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Blown Insulation
Product Guide
Blown-in products with high recycled content, superior energy performance, and low-toxicity ingredients
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Board Insulation
Product Guide
These insulation products and thermal breaks provide superior thermal performance and avoid common chemical hazards.
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Heat-Pump Water Heaters
Product Guide
Heat-pump water heaters are preferable to gas or electric resistance. Those that use CO2 as a refrigerant are future-proofed against refrigerant phaseouts and are also the most efficient.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Another Corona Side Effect: Reduced Peak Electricity Demand
News Analysis
Flattening the COVID curve is also flattening electricity load curves, which may be a lesson for the building industry.
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Biophilia a Hallmark of COTE Top Ten for 2020
News Analysis
2020 AIA COTE Top Ten winners feature daylight, indoor/outdoor spaces, extensive plantings, and exposed wood.
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A Review of the Current Net-Zero Energy and Net-Zero Carbon Certification Programs
News Analysis
Until recently, there was only one game in town when it came to net-zero energy and carbon. Now there are several certifications.
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AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence: A Hook for Firm-wide Change
News Analysis
With design awards on the line, architecture firms are starting to require sustainability tracking across all projects.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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The Green Building Movement Is Dead. Long Live the Green Building Movement!
Op-Ed
The green building community needs a lot more collaboration and a totally new theory of change—and we need it now.
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Net Zero Has Failed. We Need a Universal Carbon Standard for Buildings.
Op-Ed
The building sector’s current “net-zero” standards are not credible, not scalable, and don’t eliminate emissions. There’s a better way.
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This is the Universal Low-Carbon Building Standard We Need
Op-Ed
The building industry’s current net-zero-energy and net-zero-carbon standards got complicated for a reason, but they don’t have to stay that way.
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The Universal Low-Carbon Building Standard Does Six Things
Op-Ed
Here’s how we’re going to deconstruct “net zero” and rebuild it as a comprehensive standard that applies to every building.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Building Re-Entry with Arc
Webcast
Arc Skoru’s Chris Pyke explains Arc Re-entry and how it integrates with CDC and WHO recommendations, LEED pilot credits, the WELL Building Standard, and other frameworks.
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Is Using Smart Glass Smart?
Spotlight Report
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The BuildingGreen Guide to Building Product Certifications and Ecolabels
Special Report
This BuildingGreen publication provides a no-nonsense guide to the world of green building product certifications to help designers, purchasers, manufacturers, and others in the industry to focus on what is significant and relevant so that market forces can work and the industry can focus on bigger issues.
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We Must Decarbonize Existing Buildings by 2050—but How?
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Curbing carbon emissions requires that we address our vast stock of existing buildings. Here’s how to make the case and get it done.
