As landscape architecture, architecture, planning and interior design professionals, our designs are sensitive to the environment as we orchestrate nature and man-made open spaces to create a symphony of experiences for the people who occupy them. Earth Day, which is on Sunday, April 22, should remind us of the role that we, humans, have for stewarding the Earth’s living resources as part of the created order. We should seek to live in harmony with nature and find more creative ways….
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Defining Humidity Ratio and Relative Humidity
Originally published on April 4, 2018 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. How does a hot-air balloon rise? Fire up the burner and the temperature of the air captured within the balloon increased. The molecules of the air take on the thermal energy and become more excited. The excited molecules create more space between them. As a result, the air expands as its temperature increases. Thus, one pound of air at 80-degrees Fahrenheit (°F) is a larger volume than….
Read MoreThermal Dynamics: Visualizing Sensible Versus Latent Heat
Originally published on March 12, 2018 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. It’s the first law of thermodynamics. The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; energy can only be transferred or changed from one form to another. This is the foundation of phase change in the physical environment. Molecular activity requires energy. The activity does not just magically happen. Phase Change When a material changes its state or phase (e.g., going….
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Understanding the SITES Initiative and its Benefits
Architects have been known for creating beautiful and functional buildings all while thinking about what materials can be used that are sustainable to our environment. Over the past several years, several robust green building standards have emerged in the marketplace, including LEED, WELL, Fitwel, and the Living Building Challenge. This commitment to sustainability in building design and construction is now spilling over into the landscape architecture arena, largely as a result of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES). WHAT IS SITES?….
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Browning Day Partners with Parks Groups to Re-Design Indy Park
As we continue to celebrate our 50th year, Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf is honored to have the opportunity to give back to our community by leading the design of the Sandorf Park revitalization project. In 2017, Browning Day was selected by the Indianapolis Parks Foundation and IndyParks to re-design Sandorf Park as part of the 2018 National Recreation and Parks Association’s (NRPA) Parks Build Community program; a key component of the 2018 NRPA National Congress, which will bring between 7,000-10,000….
Read MoreFive Diagrams Every Design Team Should Know
Originally published on February 7, 2018 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. They might be considered cliché; however, they might also be very true. The following are five diagrams that frequently work their way into slide decks about green building design and construction. You should be familiar with all of these. Let’s unpack each one briefly – going back to primary source material and acknowledging attribution. Read more…
Read MoreTracking Energy Efficiency Improvements in ASHRAE Standard 90.1
Originally published on January 17, 2018 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. It may be the most well-known standard in the building design and construction industry: ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings, Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings (or more commonly, ASHRAE Standard 90.1). It serves as the basis for many energy codes across the U.S. It is also the energy standard referenced by LEED and other green building certification systems. Every few years, Standard 90.1 is updated by….
Read MoreBrowning Day Architect Volunteer Designs Two Indy Homes
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Two deserving families will soon be able to live in beautifully renovated homes thanks to one Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf Architect and the help from the wonderful organization, Hearts and Hands Indianapolis. In July 2016, Architect Jennifer Miller wanted to use her skills and give back to her community. She joined Great Places 2020, an organization with the mission to transform underserved neighborhoods and spur urban revitalization. A local leader within that group introduced her to Hearts….
Read MoreToward Benchmarking Embodied Carbon in Buildings
Originally published on December 14, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. The term “Global Warming Potential” (GWP) is a measure of greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide and methane. These emissions are causing an increase in the absorption of radiation emitted by the Earth, increasing the natural greenhouse effect. This may in turn have adverse impacts on ecosystem health, human health, and material welfare. With regard to buildings, GWP is gauged by carbon emissions and….
Read MoreGBCI Ramps Up Service Offerings to Green Building Industry
Originally published on November 15, 2017 by BNP Media through the Building Enclosure Blog. You probably know Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) as the third-party entity that evaluates and certifies your office’s LEED projects. What you may not be aware of is that GBCI currently provides third-party verification services for certification and credentialing on a variety of platforms in addition to LEED. By implementing a standardized, scientific process through which a product, process, or service is reviewed by a….
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