Electricians, contractors own net-zero-energy teaching lab in Calif.

In Alameda County, Calif., electricians who need to know about emerging technology and the contractors who need them team up for hands-on training.

By Ron Gallagher • July 10, 2013

Goal for UC Davis building: All wine out, no energy in

In the heart of California wine country, the Jess S. Jackson Sustainable Winery Building (JSWB) on the UC Davis campus is LEED Platinum and aiming for net-zero energy status.

By Ron Gallagher • July 9, 2013

Four new ideas for LEED credits join 'pilot' program offerings

The pilot program puts suggestions for new ways to earn LEED credits up for testing and discussion among members.

By Ron Gallagher • July 8, 2013

Design-build—an easy route to LEED certification?

Design-build is not guaranteed to deliver LEED certification more reliably than other project methods, but several professionals say they believe it helps.

By Ron Gallagher • July 5, 2013

Are the benefits of glass-walled buildings for real?

Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional Peter Rumsey suggests wide and high expanses of glass are not all they're trumped up to be.

By Ron Gallagher • July 2, 2013

New version of LEED to launch this fall

The U.S. Green Building Council says its members have approved the LEED v4 proposal, with the update on green building standards garnering 86% of vote.

By Ron Gallagher • July 2, 2013

Storm-defeating homes and the world's greenest building: This week's most read construction news

Need to catch up on construction news? Check out Construction Dive's most read news of the week.

By Davide Savenije • June 28, 2013

Here's why efficient materials do not always equal efficient buildings

How systems are installed and what other materials are used can affect heating loads by 30% and cooling loads by 200%.

By Ron Gallagher • June 27, 2013

Working on a green project? Get it right or go home

How the contractor does the job can add – or subtract – points for the client, and adding is much better for business.

By Ron Gallagher • June 26, 2013

Green projects see rapid rise in retail, hospitality industries

A survey by McGraw Hill Construction found that owners see green as an important piece of their expansion strategies.

By Ron Gallagher • June 26, 2013

Dubai now has world's greenest building

Dubai already had the world's tallest building, but now it can boast the commercial building with the highest LEED score of all time. 

By Ron Gallagher • June 26, 2013

Carpet made from recycled fishing nets supply eco-boost for commercial sites

Contractors looking for a environmental angle to offer clients might consider a line of carpet tiles made with recycled nylon for tenant build-outs.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

When sensors can count people, HVAC savings soar

A study that found occupancy sensors can boost building efficiency 18% for HVAC use, which just about guarantees they will be part of future buildings.

By Ron Gallagher • June 18, 2013

Light-colored roofs reflect well on building designers, bill-payers

Bouncing light off a roof rather than soaking it up in dark materials can make a significant difference in energy use.

By Ron Gallagher • June 17, 2013

Reuse and redevelopment jobs bring some special planning needs

Reusing building sites instead of doing greenfield development can be fun for contractors, but they do can have some twists that need careful planning.

By Ron Gallagher • June 14, 2013

Federal agencies get graded on going green

Ratings were given to federal agencies to assess if environmental goals were being met at each facility.

By Nicole Wrona • June 13, 2013

Green building bill gets reworked in N.C.

LEED lumber rules played a significant role in the decision to do a rewrite.

By Brian Warmoth • June 11, 2013

Wood skyscrapers and the world's tallest building: This week's most read construction news

From extra OSHA scrutiny to the appeal of the International Green Building Code, here's what you need to know.

By Davide Savenije • June 7, 2013

How green should building codes really be?

No one says net-zero, or at least very efficient, homes cannot be built, but factions are split over how much to mandate and what to leave to the marketplace.

By Ron Gallagher • June 6, 2013

U.S. Green Building Council offers free certification in LEED-less countries

The first project to meet certification standards in an untapped market will get its green credentials for free under a new expansion program.

By Ron Gallagher • June 5, 2013

Can you build a skyscraper out of wood?

New research from Skidmore, Owings and Merrill suggests a tower using mass timber along with some concrete and steel is feasible.

By Ron Gallagher • June 4, 2013

International Green Building Code gains ground on rival LEED standards

The International Green Building Code may appeal to governments and businesses more than LEED standards that shoot too high.

By Ron Gallagher • June 3, 2013

Demolition debris isn't just trash—it's cash flow

One demolition company owner that recycles materials claims he can turn demolition waste from expense into profit.

By Ron Gallagher • May 29, 2013

Most Read Construction News of the Week: Facebook, nanotech and green value

Want to see what everyone else read this week? Here are the most popular highlights.

By Brian Warmoth • May 24, 2013

Guest Post: The true value of green building

A former contractor dishes on the realities of green building.

By Wade Myer • May 22, 2013