COP26

Text by: George Kontaroudis, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHD These coming weeks are perhaps the most politically important for the future of humanity. That's because COP26, which is held in Glasgow, is in session. While the UN holds annual conferences on climate change, some are more important than others. COP26 is important because this year the delegates are planning to finalize the ‘Paris Rulebook’, or the rules needed to implement…


2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction is a reference document published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)-hosted Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC). This year's edition finds that in 2020, the sector accounted for 36 per cent of global final energy consumption and 37 per cent of energy related CO2 emissions, as compared to other end use sectors. While the level of emissions within the sector are 10…


30 years old ˗ more relevant than ever!

Darmstadt/Wuppertal, Germany. Passive House is celebrating its 30th birthday – and is more  relevant than ever before. The 25th International Passive House Conference demonstrated how important it is to implement climate protection in buildings on a large scale. The Passive House Institute moderated the anniversary conference live in the Historic Town Hall of Wuppertal, for the participants it took place online. The research institute emphasised the key role that energy…


Call for 2021-2023 NYPH Board Members Candidate Applications

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Dear Esteemed NYPH Supporter, We are excited to announce that our 2021-2023 Board Elections are here! Do you have a vision to change the landscape of New York's built environment? Here's your chance! NYPH is looking for fresh ideas and strong leadership to head the organization starting Fall 2021. Successful applications will be determined by a members-only election. Click here to submit your application for the 2021-2023 NYPH Board Member…


All-electric Brooklyn tower showcases need for gas ban, say advocates

Elected officials, climate advocates, architects, and policy experts gathered in front of an all-electric building site in Downtown Brooklyn today to urge New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and the New York City Council to enact a gas ban. They highlighted Alloy Development’s 44-story 100 Flatbush Avenue project (rendering top) as well as over 70 other fossil free projects in New York City to urge Speaker Corey Johnson and the Council to pass Intro 2317,…


Europe’s first uninhabitable Capital

I recently read a piece in the New York Times that shocked me. The article was about the fires that raged all over Greece last month and it posited the idea that “Athens could become Europe’s first uninhabitable capital city.” In the wake of the fires, the Greek government stated that the climate crisis is upon us. Joe Biden said the same thing just this week after visiting hurricane-ravaged parts…


NY City Council Int. 2317-2021 Promotes Building Electrification

[caption id="attachment_20670" align="alignleft" width="198"] Casa Celina, Magnusson Architecture and Planning PC[/caption] NYC is now the largest city in the U.S. to propose legislation relating to the electrification of buildings. On May 27, 2021, the NY City Council introduced Int. 2317-2021, which promotes the electrification of new and substantially retrofitted buildings. The bill will become effective two years after its enactment, and includes important exemptions; for example, the use of emergency…


A Brutalist building by a Bauhaus master is reborn as a net-zero hotel

By Nate Berg After sitting vacant for decades, a gem of Brutalist modern architecture in New Haven, Connecticut, is being given a second life. And it’s surprisingly energy efficient. Built to house the Armstrong Rubber Company, and later tiremaker Pirelli, the former office building has been redesigned into a 165-room hotel by the architecture and development company Becker + Becker. Unlike most adaptations of Brutalist concrete buildings – and very…


New Product: How To Use The AEROFIXX Spray And Seal Airtightness Tool

The AEROFIXX spray and seal application tool makes quick work of difficult and hard-to-reach air sealing jobs. It connects to standard compressors to easily apply liquid-applied airtight membranes anywhere from wall or ceiling surfaces to hard-to-reach gaps. The AEROFIXX is for use with VISCONN and VISCONN FIBRE sausages which is compatible with both interior and exterior application. VISCONN can be applied to CMU, masonry, and junctions, and cures into a…


Zola Windows Selected Green Builder Hot 50 Products 2021

Green Builder Hot 50 Products 2021: ThermoPlus uPVC was selected as one of Green Builders 50 Products they feel raise the sustainability bar. "Anyone with a thought on Passive House, net zero or large multifamily developments should take a look at Zola's foam-insulated ThermoPlus uPVC windows." For more information on ThermoPlus uPVC, see our website. Read the full article on Green Builders website. Read More >  


L+M Development Partners 2021 Award Finalist “Excellence In Affordable Housing Development”

Beach Green Dunes II Queens, NY Developer: L+M Development Partners Owner: BGN II Owners LLC & BGNII Housing Development Fund Corporation Architect: Curtis + Ginsberg Architects LLP Beach Green Dunes II is a mixed-use affordable rental housing project located in the Edgemere neighborhood of Far Rockaway, Queens. The eight-story building measures approximately 121,000 square feet and includes 127 fully occupied residential units that are affordable to low- and moderate-income households…


ROCKWOOL’s second U.S. factory begins commercial production

Official start of commercial operations signifies first post-pandemic increase of stone wool insulation manufacturing capacity in the North American market RANSON, WV (July 7, 2021) – ROCKWOOL North America has begun commercial production of stone wool insulation products at its newest U.S. manufacturing facility, located in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The state-of-the-art factory produces ROCKWOOL’s residential, commercial and industrial stone wool insulation and marks North America’s first post-pandemic increase in…