We are nothing without nature, and extinction does not allow for a do-over.  Which makes the Trump Administration’s proposed rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act particularly devastating—both for the planet and for the human psyche.

The environmental philosopher John Muir said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.  In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” 

Green building is driven by a unique value equation that entices consumers to specify or ask for particular green products in their houses, says brand-new COGNITION Smart Data research.

Research released in July from Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Smart Data reveals that the top three variables most often associated with green and sustainable building practices are indoor air quality (IAQ), building and design practices, and quality construction. This trilogy is followed closely by variables that drive down ongoing operating costs (such as renewable energy, durability, and low maintenance).

Tom Halford, VP of Premium and Builder Brands of Home Appliances at Samsung, draws on his 20+ years’ experience to share the trends and technology that are shaking up the homebuilding industry.

Changing customers, changing trends

Millennials are all grown up and, today, this segment of buyers ages 37 years old and younger is driving the housing market. Halford remarks, “Millennials are strongly growing in the single-family buyer market and make up the largest share of residents at 37 percent.” ^¹

With this shifting demographic comes shifting demands, Halford explains. As 74% of millennials plan to buy a home in the next five years,² there’s an opportunity for builders to capitalize.  “Millennials think differently with modern expectations. This translates to their home appliances. We’re witnessing their willingness to pay a premium in terms of technology, design and innovation.”

Today’s many man-made crises can be addressed, but not if we listen to hucksters and sociopaths.

More often than not, predictions about the future get it wrong. As recently as the late 1960s, when the population was 3 billion, author Paul Ehrlich’s warnings predicted in The Population Bomb that humans would overwhelm Earth’s resources within 10 years, leading to vast famines, war and collapse. We’d be living in a “Soylent Green” world, eating each other to survive.

With minimal effort, builders can keep track of money flowing in and out the door.

I’ve written about the importance of a vendor payments strategy for companies in today’s business climate. But the reality is it’s twice as imperative for construction companies to implement this process, because the industry’s payment challenges are bigger—and so is the opportunity. Payments are at the center of two critical areas of the construction business: vendor relationships and job progress. So, getting strategic about how you pay can make a big impact.

Corporate sustainability has evolved far beyond a feel-good marketing strategy to engender goodwill and loyalty.  It has become an economic and environmental imperative, as companies, policymakers, and financial regulators across the globe recognize the risks associated with the failure to plan appropriately for climate change.  Fortunately, corporations in all sectors of the economy are answering the call with innovative approaches to sustainability. 

Armed with indisputable data and undeniable science, senior financial regulator and Trump-appointed member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (which oversees major financial markets) Rostin Behnam has publicly declared that the risks associated with climate change eclipse those posed by the mortgage meltdown that caused the 2008 financial crisis and ensuing recession.

Green Builder® Media embarks on its next extraordinary demonstration project: a stunning dream house that doubles as a template for sustainable building that pros and homeowners across the nation can emulate.

Builders and architects design houses of all kinds in this country, but given a chance to create homes for themselves, what do you think they would build?

Innovation in high performance products, renewable energy, and automation technologies, and corresponding advancements in codes and policy, have facilitated a massive migration towards net zero energy structures, as affirmed by a new market report released by Team Zero.

The market is heating up for net zero building. Grand View Research Inc. projects that the global market for net zero energy structures will explode to $78.8 billion by 2025.

As climate change puts more cities and communities at risk of flooding, wildfire, super storms, drought, and other cataclysmic natural events, which areas will be hardest hit, and who foots the bill?

From coast to coast, U.S. cities are being brutalized by climate change.  As the toll of destruction escalates, lives are torn apart and costs skyrocket. 

With humility and delight, Green Builder magazine proudly accepts the award for Best Trade Publication for the seventh year in a row from the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE).  A hearty congratulations to our stalwart editorial team, and a sincere thank you to NAREE, as well as our readers, advertisers, partners, and friends, for your continued support and contribution to our ongoing success.

Since our launch in 2005, Green Builder Media has helped set the standard for excellence in sustainability, quality, resiliency, and wellness in the built environment.  There are many things that differentiate Green Builder Media, beginning with our unwavering commitment to and passion for making the world better, cleaner, healthier, and more efficient. 

Our nation is embroiled in divisive conflict over formidable issues ranging from immigration to abortion to race equality to climate change.  On this July 4^th holiday, perhaps we can take a moment to remember what unites us and celebrate the basic freedoms we enjoy that allow us to express our opinions with such conviction.

The remote mountain town in southwestern Colorado that I live in is stunning at this time of year.  The rushing river, exquisite wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and robust forests comprise an undeniable testament to all that is good and peaceful in the world.

Led by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New York lawmakers reached a deal last week to pass a historic climate plan that would create a net zero economy, effectively eliminating greenhouse gas emissions within the state by 2050.

New York just raised the bar on climate action.  With the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, the state plans to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 85% (when compared to 1990 levels) by 2050 and offset the remaining 15% through carbon capture measures.

When dealing with a disability, it’s today’s tech to the rescue.

Having a physical disability used to mean a life confined to sitting in a chair or relying or holding a caretaker’s hand to get from place to place. But now, being called “disabled” doesn’t quite seem right. Thanks to many assistive devices developed in the past 20 years, you can do what everyone else can—which means don’t really have a disability—right?

Heck, those technological advances improving vision, mobility and illness might even make you better at something than someone deemed “healthy and normal.”

An ADU may be smaller, but it’s just as challenging to build as a full-sized dwelling.

Steve Snyder and his wife Jackie Ellenz first learned about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) through their designer, Libby Holah. She and her husband Greg had previously designed a bathroom for Snyder and Ellenz, and they were a natural first choice when it came to remodeling part of their home in Portland, Ore.

It’s been a long road toward respect for the ‘other’ type of tiny home, but accessory dwelling units have (finally) begun to gain traction.

In the beginning, it was just an affordable way to buy a home. Kol Peterson had relocated to Portland, Ore., in 2010 and needed somewhere that would be his without breaking his budget.

The baby boomer generation has entered the period of life when it needs assistance to live comfortably and independently. Just in time, assisted living technology could offer a pathway to what boomers want most.

Chances are, you’ve already encountered the reality of aging in America, through a family member or on your own. And unless you’re very wealthy or live on a commune, it’s far worse than what you expected.

Rostin Behnam, a top financial regulator and member of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is sounding the alarm, urging the public to understand the risks associated with climate change, comparing them to the mortgage meltdown that led to the Great Recession.

Just about this time of year a decade ago—yes, it really has been 10 years now—the Consensus Committee that had been seated to develop the first draft of the National Green Building Standard (NGBS, also known as ICC 700) and special members of the staff of what was then called the NAHB Research Center (which is now known as the Home Innovation Research Labs [HIRL], which served as the secretariat for the project), submitted the work to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for official approval.