Knowledge Hub

Sharing what we learn along the way is essential to evolving our industry and making the built environment more sustainable, healthy, equitable, and accessible.

LEED v5 & Embodied Carbon: All About the New Requirements

The sustainable building industry is buzzing with anticipation for the release of LEED version 5. This update to the world’s most widely used green building rating system promises to bring significant changes, particularly in the realm of embodied carbon reduction.

Research & Programs

Building Innovation Hub: Decarbonization Resources for Washington DC

SWA has supported the Building Innovation Hub since its inception in 2019, and we continue to develop resources and share expertise to help break down local BEPS and net zero mandates and further building electrification.

Room Acoustics – Are They the Missing Piece in the Occupant Experience?

Many of us take good acoustics for granted. But it’s common for acoustic efforts to be the first thing cut from commercial projects—or not included in the design phase at all, according to Graham Waks, founder of Music City Acoustics.

Do We Need a Green Certification Program Just for Commercial Kitchens? (Hint… Yes)

Commercial kitchens are one of the most challenging spaces to electrify, but we need to take on this challenge in order to decarbonize restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and other buildings with commercial kitchens. Is another green certification program the answer?

It’s Getting Hot in Here! – Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Electric Kitchens

Remember when gas stoves became a political issue last year? While all that public debate was happening, there were chefs around the world embracing the concept of all-electric kitchens and getting past the learning curve to induction cooking.

Baltimore, Maryland skyline

Baltimore, Maryland skyline

Maryland BEPS: Timeline and Recommendations for Building Owners [July 2024 Update]

Maryland is implementing a state-wide Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) for buildings 35,000 square feet and over as a requirement under the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. Let’s take a look at what we know so far.

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Podcast

Room Acoustics – Are They the Missing Piece in the Occupant Experience?

Many of us take good acoustics for granted. But it’s common for acoustic efforts to be the first thing cut from commercial projects—or not included in the design phase at all, according to Graham Waks, founder of Music City Acoustics.

Do We Need a Green Certification Program Just for Commercial Kitchens? (Hint… Yes)

Commercial kitchens are one of the most challenging spaces to electrify, but we need to take on this challenge in order to decarbonize restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals, and other buildings with commercial kitchens. Is another green certification program the answer?

It’s Getting Hot in Here! – Why We Can’t Stop Talking About Electric Kitchens

Remember when gas stoves became a political issue last year? While all that public debate was happening, there were chefs around the world embracing the concept of all-electric kitchens and getting past the learning curve to induction cooking.

Career Diaries – What’s It Like Working As an Accessibility Consultant?

Accessibility consultants work at the intersection of architecture and social justice. It’s much more than checking the boxes on accessibility requirements of laws and codes; it takes precision, dedication, and creativity to solve problems and remove physical barriers to access…

Blog

LEED v5 & Embodied Carbon: All About the New Requirements

The sustainable building industry is buzzing with anticipation for the release of LEED version 5. This update to the world’s most widely used green building rating system promises to bring significant changes, particularly in the realm of embodied carbon reduction.

Baltimore, Maryland skyline

Baltimore, Maryland skyline

Maryland BEPS: Timeline and Recommendations for Building Owners [July 2024 Update]

Maryland is implementing a state-wide Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) for buildings 35,000 square feet and over as a requirement under the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022. Let’s take a look at what we know so far.

Designing for Passive House and Accessibility Compliance: It’s All in the Details

Projects targeting Passive House certification must comply fully with all applicable accessibility requirements.

Efficiency and Health: Prioritizing Occupant Health and Wellbeing in High-Performance Buildings

We like to say that a building is not sustainable if it does not sustain the health and wellbeing of all its occupants. This includes considering how the materials, technologies, and building systems affect indoor air quality, comfort, and the…

Research & Programs

Research & Programs

Building Innovation Hub: Decarbonization Resources for Washington DC

SWA has supported the Building Innovation Hub since its inception in 2019, and we continue to develop resources and share expertise to help break down local BEPS and net zero mandates and further building electrification.

Research & Programs

NYC Affordable Housing Retrofit Electrification Pilot

Through our work with these New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HUD) programs, SWA has provided technical assistance for the electrification of over 40 affordable housing buildings.

Research & Programs

NYC Accelerator Program

Helping New York City owners, building staff, and practitioners comply with Local Law 97 and reduce carbon emissions from the building stock.

Research & Programs

Alliance for Inclusive Design Practice and Research

North Carolina State University (NC State) and SWA have established a transformative partnership to revitalize the Center for Universal Design. The newly formed Alliance for Inclusive Design Practice and Research (the Alliance) represents a major leap forward in advancing equal…

News

PRINT Magazine: The New ‘Building Equity Standard’ Championing Our Differences When Designing

PRINT magazine’s Charlotte Beach talks with SWA’s Victoria Lanteigne, Ph.D., Principal of Research, about Universal Design vs. designing for equity and the Building Equity Standard (BEST)—a new resource aimed at helping practitioners embed equity in the design of the built…

SWA’s Victoria Lanteigne Co-leads Effort to Relaunch the Center for Universal Design

North Carolina State University and Steven Winter Associates have been awarded a grant to reinvest in the CUD given increasing interest in related efforts such as inclusive design and building equity.

New Building Standard Advances Equity in the Built Environment

Today, a new equity-focused design standard was launched for architectural practitioners interested in embedding equity in the design of the built environment. Victoria Lanteigne, Ph.D., WELL AP, in alignment with award-winning building performance firm, Steven Winter Associates, announced the release of…

SWA to Lead DOE Building America Team

SWA was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Building America program to lead a team that will address technical challenges of decarbonizing the U.S. housing stock. Along with our team members HR&A Advisors, Ecosystem, and Kinetic Communities Consulting…

Education & Training

heat pumps on roof

heat pumps on roof

Air-source Heat Pumps for Cold Climates

The course illustrates real-world examples of air-source heat pumps, with both good and bad applications. ASHPs can work very well in many cold climates with thoughtful design and implementation. The intent of this course is to help people implement systems…

Air Conditioning Repair Concepts, Technician holding refrigerant manifold gauge set air conditioning tools with hose and hook, repairman fixing air conditioning system

Air Conditioning Repair Concepts, Technician holding refrigerant manifold gauge set air conditioning tools with hose and hook, repairman fixing air conditioning system

Net-Zero HVAC Strategies for Multifamily Buildings

This module will take an in-depth look into the mechanical systems typically employed in high performance, net zero buildings including heating, cooling, domestic hot water, and ventilation. Discussion topics include reasons for, and issues with full electrification and central-plant considerations….

woman sitting and reading in a living room

woman sitting and reading in a living room

Electrifying Homes

This course explores the benefits of electrification, provide an overview of the considerations when going all-electric, discuss a variety of technology options and best practices for incorporating heat pumps for both domestic hot water and space heating.

Top 10 Multifamily Design Mistakes

The residential building industry is becoming more sustainable and efficient, yet many new buildings are still under-performing because designers continue to make simple, avoidable mistakes. Based on lessons learned in the field, we discuss the top ten multifamily design mistakes…