The Green Spec Playbook For Cleaner Builds Part 1

The Green Spec Playbook For Cleaner Builds Part 1

From Green Architects' Lounge by Chris Briley and Phil Kaplan

January 14, 2026 · 1h 14m · Episode 57

About this episode

Chris and Phil discuss the importance of the residential project manual and how to effectively write and enforce specifications for cleaner builds.

Chris and Phil get nerdy about the most underrated tool in your CD set: the residential project manual. They walk through key spec divisions and the small callouts that protect performance, like blower door targets, temporary heat, low carbon concrete mixes, and toxicity rules that keep bad products off site. You will leave with a clearer way to write, organize, and enforce specs so substitutions do not quietly wreck airtightness, durability, or indoor air quality.

People in this episode

Hosts: Chris, Phil

Topics covered

  • residential project manual
  • spec divisions
  • blower door targets
  • temporary heat
  • low carbon concrete mixes
  • toxicity rules

Keywords

  • airtightness
  • durability
  • indoor air quality

Mentioned in this episode

Products: low carbon concrete

Books & works: The Green Spec Playbook For Cleaner Builds

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