Gypsum Association hurricane and flooding resources for homeowners and professionals

Drywall is a funny name for gypsum-based wallboard. Gypsum itself contains a good deal of water as it is typically formed from the evaporation of saline water. When heated, some of the water is evaporated, but the typical Flue-Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum that makes up about 50% of the gypsum products used in the US still … Continue reading Gypsum Association hurricane and flooding resources for homeowners and professionals →

Should buildings keep weather out, or let it in?

Kevin Nute, writing for the Washington Post: A building’s primary purpose may be to keep the weather out, but most of them do such an effective job of this that they also inadvertently deprive us of contact with two key requirements for our well-being and effectiveness: nature and change. In the 1950s, Donald Hebb’s “arousal … Continue reading Should buildings keep weather out, or let it in? →

Arup wears multiple hats in pursuit of WELL Gold Certification

Arup is a massive global firm that specializes in complex projects in the built environment. With a team of consultants, engineers and technical specialists covering a myriad of niches, the firm is able to handle all kinds of challenges big and small. The company had a chance to demonstrate that cross-functionality at one of its … Continue reading Arup wears multiple hats in pursuit of WELL Gold Certification →

Tracing the history of air conditioning’s impact on occupant health and comfort

Patrick Sisson, writing for Curbed, wrote a wonderful article: How air conditioning shaped modern architecture — and changed our climate. He states: Air conditioning enabled our great modernist buildings to rise, but it’s also fueled today’s energy and environmental crisis. AC helped create a new building typology, one that environmentally conscious architects and designers are … Continue reading Tracing the history of air conditioning’s impact on occupant health and comfort →

University of Toronto experiences major Asbestos leak during renovation, fires longtime contractor

University of Toronto's 50-year-old Medical Sciences Building was undergoing major renovation when multiple leaks of asbestos fibers were discovered. According to the CBC: The vice president of university operations, Scott Mabury, told CBC Toronto the contractor, which he refused to name, is no longer continuing its asbestos removal work in the 50-year-old building and will not … Continue reading University of Toronto experiences major Asbestos leak during renovation, fires longtime contractor →