The former head of the U.S. Green Building Council says the Biden Administration’s formation of the National Building Performance Standards Coalition is a “tremendous” step in the right direction to raise building performance standards in the U.S.
This action, along with an effort to boost sustainability on federal properties, has the “potential to merge federal leadership and fiscal resources with lower governments’ capacities for experimentation and execution,” writes Mahesh Ramanujam, former USGBC CEO. The coalition could achieve much while circumventing gridlock on Capitol Hill, he says.
The coalition, a partnership between the White House and 33 state and local governments, aims to deliver cleaner, healthier, and more affordable buildings by advancing building performance policies in each of the members’ jurisdictions by Earth Day 2024.
The coalition recognizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” standard when it comes to standards and codes for buildings. Differences in climates and environments, energy resource distributions, material supply chains, legacy building stock compositions, community preferences, market dynamics, and other variables add complexity.
Taking these variables into account could make code development more effective locally, but on the other hand, Ramanujam adds, the lack of a true national building performance standard may limit its impact.
Related Stories
Building Team | Oct 31, 2016
The world’s 100 tallest buildings: Who owns and has developed the most?
All but four owners/developers on the list are located in the United Arab Emirates, China, or Hong Kong.
Architects | Oct 24, 2016
Winners of the 2016 AAP American Architecture Prize announced
The AAP recognizes the most outstanding architecture worldwide across three disciplines: architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture.
Sponsored | Building Team | Oct 4, 2016
The talent shortage: Will the training the AEC industry desperately needs arrive in time?
As the construction industry bounces back from the Great Recession, an entirely new class of tech-savvy construction professionals has been created, and the supply of these highly skilled, tech-proficient pros has been quickly exhausted.
Sponsored | Building Team | Sep 29, 2016
Manners Still Matter in Advancing Your AEC Career
A well-written thank-you note can land you the job you've been looking for.
Sponsored | | Sep 29, 2016
How to Get Your Best AEC Job in a Virtual World
Top tips for getting that AEC-industry job you’ve always dreamed of in today’s virtual world.
Sponsored | Building Team | Sep 29, 2016
How to Stand Out to Get That AEC Industry ‘Dream Job’
In searching for your AEC dream job, it's important to differentiate yourself in the hiring process. Here are 6 tips to help you do just that.
Sponsored | Building Team | Sep 6, 2016
EFFECTIVE MENTORING: Making It Work for Your AEC Career
Mentoring programs at AEC firms can take many forms. Being involved in a mentoring program, as mentor or protege, can be an important step in career development for design. engineering, and construction professionals.
Building Team | Sep 6, 2016
Letting your resource take center stage: A guide to thoughtful site selection for interpretive centers
Thoughtful site selection is never about one factor, but rather a confluence of several components that ultimately present trade-offs for the owner.
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
11 great solutions for the commercial construction market
A roll-up emergency department, next-gen telemedicine center, and biophilic cooling pods are among the AEC industry’s clever ideas and novel innovations for 2016.
