Ezra

Water damage is the most common cause of durability problems in buildings, affecting everything from foundation systems to roof assemblies. Building scientists rank water-related issues as the primary threat to building longevity, with liquid water from rain and groundwater topping the list. Air leakage and the condensation it causes come second, followed by moisture vapor

When a major disruption forces people to stay close to home, the character of a neighborhood can change remarkably. Streets that once sat empty suddenly fill with walkers, cyclists, and families spending time outdoors. Neighbors who previously exchanged only quick waves begin having real conversations. These shifts reveal something important: strong communities are built through

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the building industry to reexamine how indoor environments influence human health. Architects, engineers, and building owners have long focused on structural safety, fire codes, energy efficiency, and ventilation standards. But a viral pandemic introduces a different category of risk, one that calls for a fresh look at how buildings interact with

Thermal mass plays an important role in how buildings respond to temperature changes throughout the day and across seasons. In building science, the role of thermal mass in passive solar design continues to spark discussion among architects and builders. At its simplest level, thermal mass refers to any solid or liquid material capable of storing

When the modern green builder looks at a can of paint, the environmental considerations go far beyond color selection. Traditional paint formulations have historically contained high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and synthetic chemicals that affect both indoor air quality and the broader environment. Fortunately, the paint industry has responded with a

The United States energy landscape reached a historic milestone when the Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast that renewable energy sources would generate more electricity than coal for the first time. This shift, driven by decades of declining costs and mounting environmental concerns, signals a fundamental restructuring of how the nation powers its homes, factories, and

When seven U.S. Green Building Council chapters from across the Northeast come together for a single-day summit, it signals something important about the state of green building. The Upper Northeast Regional Summit, held in Burlington, Vermont, brought together over 100 professionals from six New England states and upstate New York for a day of connection