GAB Report library

Building Materials


  • Building Health Forum

    Building Health Forum

    The What: Join more than 275 of the world’s preeminent experts and thought leaders pioneering the healthy buildings and healthy communities movement at USGBC Northern California Chapter’s upcoming Building Health Forum for a series of provocative keynotes, educational sessions, tours, and networking receptions. The Building Health Forum is the first feature-length event produced by the Building Health Initiative, an unprecedented…

  • Water Wise Homes Conference

    Water Wise Homes Conference

    The What: Join leading experts and your peers at Build It Green’s upcoming Water Wise Homes Conference to learn about new technologies, techniques, and strategies to save water in the homes we design, build, and remodel, overcome water conservation barriers, and fight California’s drought. Presentations will explore: Landscape Design and Strategy; Behavior and Water System Design; Water-Energy…

  • Hey World, Get Up and Green Up!

    Hey World, Get Up and Green Up!

    World Green Building Week is here! During the week of September 22-27 2014, Green Building Councils in countries in the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East and North Africa and representing more than 27,000 organizations will host more than 200 events to celebrate World Green Building Week under the theme: “Get Up, Green Up.”…

  • Greener Builder 2014: Climate of Change

    Greener Builder 2014: Climate of Change

    The What: Join leading experts at Greener Builder 2014 organized by the USGBC Northern California Chapter. The conference will set the stage for a high-profile discussion at the intersection of green building and technology. This year’s theme is Climate of Change, and will feature sessions that address LEED v4 credits and implementation, healthy buildings, technology…

  • JW Eco-Technology’s Innovative Load-Bearing Permeable Pavement

    JW Eco-Technology’s Innovative Load-Bearing Permeable Pavement

    With increasing urbanization and development, increasing floods and droughts due to climate change, and diminishing fresh water resources, stormwater management is a real and urgent topic of discussion. Recently I came across a promising permeable pavement solution at the Taiwan International Smart Green City Expo/Taiwan International Green Industry Show — the JW Pavement Eco-Technology. Without…

  • California’s First Net Zero Energy Library

    California’s First Net Zero Energy Library

    Editor’s Foreword: During my college years, I used to swing by the West Berkeley Public Library on University Avenue after shopping at the nearby art stores for my studio projects. I remember its dismal entrance, dim lighting, and run-down furniture squeezed into tight quarters. I’m so excited to learn that it has been replaced with…

  • Build It Green’s Healthy Homes Conference

    Build It Green’s Healthy Homes Conference

    The What: Join leading experts at Build It Green’s upcoming Healthy Homes Conference to learn about new building science, products, and practices to maximize safety and air quality in the home. Presentations will explore: cost-effective ways to maintain indoor air quality during construction and remodeling to protect homeowners and work crews; updated combustion safety standards…

  • Fire Safety Without Harmful Chemicals Webinar

    Fire Safety Without Harmful Chemicals Webinar

    The What: The Sustainable Furnishings Council will be offering a free webinar on the topic of Fire Safety Without Harmful Chemicals. Flame retardant chemicals can be found in upholstered furniture as well as building materials such as insulation (expanded and extruded polystyrene (EPS and XPS) and polyurethane and polyisocyanurate). Learn from expert Dr. Arlene Blum…

  • dFab Connects the Digital Fabrication Community

    dFab Connects the Digital Fabrication Community

    A few years ago at a Green Building Summit convened by Greentech Media and SRI International, I met an interesting fellow named Greg Howes. He talked at a fast pace and was full of ideas. He introduced me to the world of robotic manufacturing and made a strong case for how technology could help us…

  • No Border School Project Empowered by Traditional Construction

    No Border School Project Empowered by Traditional Construction

    Editor’s Foreward: Portuguese architects João Guimarães and Miguel Magalhães of Aware Collective have designed No Border School, a 208 square meter modular and sustainable school for Burmese refugee children in Mae Sot, Thailand. The project is awaiting funding and I hope they will be able to realize such a thoughtful project which could have a…