Builder Magazine: Building Science

New Name, Same Purpose at NAHB Research Center

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:37:38 EST

The NAHB Research Center hopes rebranding itself as the Home Innovation Research Labs will help to better communicate its mission.

Education and Standards Will Be Key To Combating Building Science Brain Drain

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 03:39:19 EST

As the building industry recovers, proper education on building science will be key in terms of both business finances and skilled manpower.

The Quest For Self-Healing Concrete Marches Forward

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 11:23:46 EST

The latest discovery: concrete mixed with bacterial spores that activate when they come into contact with rainwater.

A New A/C System, but Without the Carbon Footprint

Wed, 2 Jan 2013 11:11:17 EST

The DOE develops an evaporative cooler that uses desiccants to dry incoming air.

Can Plastics Supplant Wood and Concrete as a Structural Building Material?

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:51:35 EST

Several companies are using recycled plastic as ingredients for lighter, stronger composites.

Target: HVAC

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 11:12:48 EST

The next wave of HVAC systems may just evolve from this prototype evaporative air conditioning system.

Seeking Building Material Alternatives in the Natural Order

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:29:20 EST

Scientists turn to biomimicry to devise better, safer products.

3-D Printing for Automated Home Construction?

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 02:35:31 EST

Contour Crafting utilizes 3-D concrete printing to manufacture complex components and even entire houses.

Building Stronger

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 08:07:30 EST

What can builders and engineers do to reduce the death and destruction tornadoes cause?

The Future of Indoor Air

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 09:50:15 EST

Ian Cull speaks about the air we breathe at home, and how this environment will improve exponentially as the building industry embraces the importance of raising indoor air standards.

Sam Rashkin, Winner of 2012 Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing

Wed, 16 May 2012 03:52:24 EST

His greatest legacy may be the federal Energy Star for New Homes program, which he founded.

Breakthrough in Controlling Room Temperatures

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 03:15:37 EST

China-based researchers say they've come up with a way to reduce a building's energy consumption by 35 percent.

Italian Supplier Creates Concrete Panel That Lets in Light

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 02:38:01 EST

The product, called i.light, could have decorative and energy-saving applications for new-home construction and remodeling.

Two Graduate Students Find a New Way to Reuse More Glass

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:23:57 EST

Their company, Seattle-based Envitrum, has developed a product that's more environmentally friendly than masonry.

Continuous Load Path

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:12:09 EST

You don't have to live in a high-wind or seismic-prone area to benefit from a continuous load path.

Gigantic Concrete Mansion Aspires to be the Ultimate in Energy Saving and Disaster-Resistant Construction

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:31:52 EST

The chateau-like home in Missouri is testing a new, more durable wall system.

MIT Students Take First Step Towards Goal of Building a House for $1,000

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 07:48:08 EST

While target is rural areas hit by earthquakes, a variation of the design might by useful in North America, too.

I-Joist Intricacies

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:54:04 EST

Engineered-wood, I-joists work differently than dimensional lumber concerning mid-span holes and notching.

Planted Roofs Keep a Pristine Site Unspoiled

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:53:58 EST

Seeming to extend the forest floor, the overhead gardens preserve the site's naturally beautiful flavor.

New York Startup Bonds Construction and Packaging Products With Mushrooms

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 04:56:22 EST

Ecovative has developed a greener alternative to rigid foam insulation and medium-density fiberboard.