
Design a Better Future
According to the World Commission on the Environment and Development, sustainability is “a form of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
- Does it have a long life?
- Does it save energy?
- Does it add durability?
- Does it contribute to the waste stream?
- Is it renewable and recyclable?
Sustainable Design Resources

Can a tiny house withstand 100-degree Arizona heat?
If you had a tiny house, where would you call home? The mobility and functional minimalism of tiny houses have sparked widespread cultural interest, leading to TV shows, DIY classes, and even entire communities. It’s easy to...
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The Wall Calculator Helping Builders With Energy Code Compliance
Applied Building Technology Group, LLC has developed a new builder calculation tool. It helps compute wall R-values and U-factors, while also checking for wall moisture control. The new “Wall Calculator” helps...
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Replacing Iron Pipe with HDPE Plastic Pipe at Arlington Cemetery
HDPE Plastic Pipe Goes Under Ground with Fewer Trenches Time to make water main repairs at Arlington National Cemetery, and officials chose HDPE plastic pipe. The pipe laying project replaced 44,500 feet of 60 year old...
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PVC Piping: The Ultimate Underground Solution
One of the world’s most versatile plastics started as an accident in a rubber scientist’s laboratory some 80 years ago. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was first created by a German chemist in 1872, but never patented until 1913. It...
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Plastics: Building Material of the 20th Century
Until 1900, writes Robert Bailey, building construction largely involved three basic available materials: wood, stone, and clay (earth). The 20th Century, however, saw the advent of more materials than all past centuries...
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