Environmental Design & Construction articles from April 2007

Environmental Design & Construction archives from April 2007

Celebrate the earth this month.(38th Earth Day)(Editorial)
April 1, 2007... April 22, 2007, marks the 38th Earth Day, an international celebration of our planet. Events ranging from walks, picnics, contests and more will be held all over the world--at corporations and architecture firms, in schools and in our own...

USGBC's Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee issues final report on PVC.(NEWSLINE)
April 1, 2007... Washington, D.C. -- The Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee (TSAC) of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) issued its final report to USGBC's LEED Steering Committee (LSC) on the technical and scientific basis for a PVC-related...

Luxury condominium unveiled in historic Central Harlem neighborhood.(NEWSLINE)
April 1, 2007... New York -- Full Spectrum N.Y., Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group (UIG) and L & M Equity Participants, Ltd., unveiled the Kalahari mixed-use residential development, which offers luxurious sustainable living in Central Harlem, N.Y., and is...

Hardwood plywood panels made with different cores.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Springfield, Ore. -- Timber Products Company's Green T line of hardwood plywood panels are made with three different core materials: Green T Arreis is an MDF-core product produced with a formaldehyde-free adhesive system and 100 percent...

Screenwall panels earn Cradle to Cradle certification.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Moon Township, Pa. -- Made with 100 percent renewable energy, Centria's EcoScreen perforated screenwall panels have received Cradle to Cradle Gold certification for exterior building products, the company reports. EcoScreen's fabrication...

Corner protection made from recycled steel.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Milwaukee -- Expanding its EnviroGT Sustainable Products line, InPro has added a flush-mount corner guard and an end-wall protector made from recycled stainless steel. According to the company, these products offer minimum design interruption...

Metal fabric for interior/exterior use.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Cambridge, Md. -- Crafted of stainless steel and other alloys, Cambridge Architectural's metal fabric products are offered in a variety of weaves, scales and finishes for interior and exterior use. The Scale metal fabric pattern (shown)...

Report summarizes key findings from energy symposia.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Baltimore -- Danfoss has issued a 16-page report that summarizes the key findings from its 2006 EnVisioneering Symposium Series. According to the company, "Danfoss 2007 EnVisioneering Insights: An In-Depth Look at Advanced Energy Strategy and...

Odor-free multi-purpose structural adhesive.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Cleveland -- The Garland Company, Inc.'s Green-Lock single-component structural adhesive bonds to metals, masonry and wood with 300 pounds of shear strength, the company reports, producing 300 percent elongation at temperatures as low as minus...

Extruded profile emulates of standing seam metal roof.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Holyoke, Mass. -- Stevens Roofing Systems' EP Profile Plus, an enhanced extruded profile for installation on commercial roofs that emulates the look and feel of a standing seam metal roof, is engineered to be installed on both flat and radius...

Modular programmable electrical and data infrastructure.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Chicago -- Convia, a Herman Miller company, offers modular programmable electrical and data infrastructure for use in commercial buildings. Delivering "plug and play" power virtually anywhere within a space without requiring hardwiring of...

Designer options for fabric-covered wall panels.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Newark, Ohio -- Tectum Inc.'s fabric-covered Fabri-Tec Wall Panels combine noise control with design options, the company reports, offering acoustical and abuse-resistant properties with a 1/16-inch, 18-pound-density fiberglass fabric that is...

Mini CFLs save energy and money, provide aesthetic appeal.(NEW + NOTABLE)
April 1, 2007... Danvers, Mass. -- ENERGY STAR-qualified, Osram Sylvania's Dulux EL13-watt Super mini compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) features a color temperature of 3000K, and gives off a clean, white light that is 10 percent brighter than a standard compact...

Campus commitment shapes a sustainable community: Oregon's pacific University embraces eco-friendly design in a new student residence hall.(CAMPUS COMMITMENT)(Cover story)
April 1, 2007... Pacific University may be one of Oregon's oldest universities, but it's at the leading edge of demonstrating how to house students in an eco-friendly environment. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The university's newest student residence hall,...

After the plaque: post-occupancy evaluation of Eastern Village Cohousing reinforces residents' commitment to Sustainability.
April 1, 2007... Eastern Village Cohousing (EVC) in Montgomery County, Md., proudly opened its doors in 2004. Besides achieving LEED-NC Silver Certification, ECV has won numerous awards (list below). Perhaps most importantly though, the residents of EVC...

Alternative signage lighting.(LIGHTING)
April 1, 2007... Danvers, Mass. -- Osram Sylvania's BACKlight 2nd Generation BL04 system provides excellent color and brightness and can be easily installed into channel letters for low-maintenance operation, the company reports. Packaged with tiny, bright LED...

Energy efficient LED Luminaire fixture.(LIGHTING)
April 1, 2007... Somerset, N.J. -- Philips Lighting Company's Low Bay LED Luminaire is designed for new construction or retrofitting areas where older, less-efficient lighting systems are installed. According to the company, the Low Bay LED Luminaire's design...

Control DALI ballasts from lighting control network.(LIGHTING)
April 1, 2007... Palatine, Ill. -- The Square D Clipsal two-channel Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) Gateway facilitates the ability to control DALI ballasts via a building's lighting control network and provides an alternative for dimming...

Lighting controls save energy and improve productivity.(LIGHTING)
April 1, 2007... Coopersburg, Pa. -- Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.'s LiteByte and Quantum products make the company's Eco-System digitally addressable lighting control system easier to operate, the company reports. LiteByte allows office workers to control one...

Lighting solutions resource.(LIGHTING)
April 1, 2007... Des Plaines, Ill. -- Juno Lighting Group's 912-page, four-color Lighting Product Guide provides detailed information on the company's nine product brands, including brief product descriptions, key features, ordering information, available...

Spray foam insulation make buildings energy efficient.(INSULATION)
April 1, 2007... Arlington, Texas -- Demilec's Sealection 500 and Heatlok Soy spray foam insulation products create an ultra-tight bond with the building's structural skeleton that helps eliminate air infiltration, the company reports. Both products use...

Formaldehyde-free fiberglass insulation.(INSULATION)
April 1, 2007... Denver -- Johns Manville's EasyFit formaldehyde-free, fiber-perforated thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation features vertical perforations that allow installers to separate sections by hand rather than cutting the insulation, the...

Duct Liner promotes IAQ, high acoustical values.(INSULATION)
April 1, 2007... Valley Forge, Pa. -- CertainTeed Corporation's ToughGard MAX Duct Liner utilizes InsulSafe, CertainTeed's blowing insulation, and features an enhanced R-value, high acoustical values, and a composition that promotes healthy indoor air quality...

System eliminates pushbuttons and calculates passenger patterns.(ELEVATORS)
April 1, 2007... Morristown, N.J. -- Schindler Elevator Corporation's Miconic 10 destination dispatch elevator system eliminates pushbuttons in elevators and improves traffic handling, the company reports, with passengers using an external keypad located in the...

Regenerative drives reduce energy usage in buildings.(ELEVATORS)
April 1, 2007... Farmington, Conn. -- Otis Elevator Company's regenerative drives reduce energy usage by up to 75 percent, the company reports. Regenerative drives produce "clean power"--resulting in less pollution of the building's electrical power system and...

Water conservation products.(PLUMBING)
April 1, 2007... Waterbury, Conn. -- Replacing faucet aerators (from 2.2 gpm to 1.0 gpm) or using water savers on showerheads (from 2.5 to 1.5 gpm) are the most affordable components of a water conservation program for multiunit housing, commercial or...

Narrow-profile waterfree urinal models require less space.(PLUMBING)
April 1, 2007... Franklin Park, Ill. -- Sloan Valve Company's Water Conservation Division offers two models with narrow-profile styling, the company reports, which results in a smaller footprint. Made of vitreous china and wall-hung, the WES-4000 and WES-5000...

Flush valves, faucets with hands-free activation.(PLUMBING)
April 1, 2007... North Olmsted, Ohio -- Moen Incorporated's Commercial Division's FreeHand electronic flush valves and series of electronic faucets are designed to meet high-volume demands. ADA-compliant and providing hands-free activation, the flush valves...

EcoCycle contains certified recycled content.(PRODUCT FOCUS)
April 1, 2007... Crossville's new EcoCycle series contains 40 percent recycled ceramic content, certified by Scientific Certification Systems, which means more than 6 million pounds of material previously sent to landfills each year is now used to create a tile...

Progeox: bio-ecological thinset bed adhesive.(PRODUCT FOCUS)
April 1, 2007... Does not alter natural electrostatic conditions, has no harmful radioactive emissions, no solvents/formaldehyde, and is mold-inhibiting with very high vapor permeability. It's recyclable, uses local raw materials, a low-energy manufacturing...

Recycled leather tiles.(PRODUCT FOCUS)
April 1, 2007... EcoDomo LLC is where you will find unique ecologically-friendly, recycled leather. EcoDomo delivers exceptional value and design of green products for the hospitality, residential and commercial building industry. In addition, EcoDomo is a...

Water cleaning system.(PRODUCT FOCUS)
April 1, 2007... The SlurryClean and MicroClean Water Clarification Units are revolutionary new water cleaning and mud handling control units featuring a patent pending flow system. The systems clean the water and patent pending mechanism "slug meters" heavy...

Self-cleaning dust collector.(PRODUCT FOCUS)
April 1, 2007... The Veri Dry Dust Collector meets all U.S./California OSHA regulations including Silica (when properly installed and manufacturer's recommendations followed). This dust collector has 99.97 percent cartridge efficiency on sub micron crystalline...

New green root provides basis for extensive study.(GreenBuild International Conference and Expo)
April 1, 2007... Each year, green enthusiasts from all over the country--in fact, from all over the world--meet to attend the GreenBuild International Conference and Expo. They come to see new technologies that are helping to make our world more sustainable and...

Pushing up daisies: a new generation of green roofs takes root.
April 1, 2007... When it comes to green roofs, the public generally envisions either the sod roofs of pioneer cabins or the earth and grass-covered roofs of the 70s residential "earth ship" era. A new generation of lightweight green roof systems is poised to...

High-performance building with energy-efficient: vinyl roofs.
April 1, 2007... In full sun, the surface of a black low-slope roof may experience a temperature rise of as much as 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F), reaching midday temperatures of 150 to 190 F on a summer day. A white vinyl/PVC reflective roof on the same...

Replacement roof uses soybeans to save energy: bio-based rooftop makes environmental statement along the magnificent mile.
April 1, 2007... Located in the heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, 669 N. Michigan Ave. needed a replacement for its existing asphalt-covered rooftop. Chicago-based U.S. Equities Realty, the facility's management company, researched the various options...

Johns Manville GlasKap[R] CR cap sheet.(product + literature showcase)
April 1, 2007... GlasKap[R] CR, Johns Manville's white acrylic coated fiber glass cap sheet, allowed Enterprise Roofing to meet California's Title 24 energy code requirements and to continue its preference of installing multi-ply roofing systems. "GlasKap CR...

Mule-Hide[R] Elastomeric Acrylic Coatings.(product + literature showcase)
April 1, 2007... Mule-Hide[R] Elastomeric Acrylic Coatings are professional grade, premium products contractors trust. Including Metal Roof Primer, Flashing Grade, and both standard and specialty finish coatings such as Skylight Finish. Our standard acrylic...

Color Collection creates indoor environmental balance.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... AFM Safecoat is proud to introduce our new Ayurveda Essence Color Collection. With Ayurveda (literally, "the science of life"), bring the benefits of an ancient healing system into your environment with meaningful color choices. We've created a...

Garden roof assembly.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Hydrotech's Garden Roof[R] Assembly has helped to focus the building industry on the potential of sustainable design with respect to the rooftop. Additional usable space, mitigation of the urban heat island effect, stormwater management, as...

PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Established in 1978, American PolySteel is the industry leader in high-performance exterior systems for sustainable construction. PolySteel Insulating Concrete Forms provide energy efficiency, safety, security, durability and comfort in one...

AmDeck[TM] Floor & Roof System.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... The new AmDeck[TM] Floor & Roof System is a modular, lightweight stay-in-place form made of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) used to construct concrete floors and roofs. When installed properly, the system provides structural strength through...

Amvic Design Software (ADS)[TM].(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Amvic has recently developed Amvic Design Software (ADS)[TM], a leading engineering software for checking the structural adequacy of Amvic walls, lintels and AmDeck[TM]. Users input variables and the system calculates if they satisfy the...

Metal-free wood treatment.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... An historic breakthrough in wood preservation, Wolmanized[R] [L.sup.3] Outdoor[R] wood is protected against termite damage and fungal decay by a solution that contains no metals. It is the first such wood created for residential use....

Frameguard[R] mold-resistant wood.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... An effective mold inhibitor is factory-applied to lumber, plywood, OSB, trusses, SIPs, and other wood products to protect against mold, termites and fungal decay. Frame-Guard[R] wood is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified[R] for its low...

ADSearchGreen.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Architectural Data Systems[TM], the leader in online document production, introduces ADSearch-Green[TM], a search engine dedicated to finding building products that are eligible for LEED credits. These can be scheduled, specified, and...

Specifying LEED Requirements Reference Book/CD.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... ARCOM introduces Specifying LEED Requirements Reference Book/CD--Second Edition. This all-in-one reference tool includes: an overview of LEED Requirements, a checklist of relevant specification sections, 600+ pages of valuable LEED information,...

New bamboo ceilings from Armstrong.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... The natural, exotic look of bamboo is now available in the WoodWorks[R] family of ceilings from Armstrong. The vertically grained 2'x 2' Bamboo ceiling panels feature all the inherent characteristics of natural bamboo to help warm a space. The...

Ultra Touch insulation.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Bonded Logic Inc's addition of R30 batts to its popular UltraTouch insulation line allow for easy installation in ceiling applications where higher R values are required. As always, the new R30 UltraTouch insulation will offer superior acoustic...

Cambria.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Cambria is the premier brand of natural quartz countertops and surfaces. As the exclusive U.S. manufacturer of quartz surfacing, Cambria understands and emphasizes the importance of environmental responsibility in its products and practices....

REHAU construction products.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... REHAU products enhance comfort and convenience, reduce energy costs, and conserve finite resources. Our window and door designs improve thermal efficiency. Our RAUGEO[TM] geothermal system harnesses heat from the ground to deliver an economical...

GreenGrid Roof Garden System.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... For more than 40 years, Carlisle SynTec has been a leader in the single-ply roofing industry. In addition to manufacturing the most innovative single-ply roof systems, Carlisle is also proud to lead in the development and manufacturing of...

FACADESCAPE.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Carl Stahl-DecorCable specializes in stainless steel cable, rod and mesh systems for building facades, tensile structures, canopies, safety applications and custom visual displays. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our FACADESCAPE vertical...

SolarWall = building integrated Power + LEED points.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... SolarWall[R] systems are a great choice for architects, engineers and building owners who are looking for an ultra high-efficiency building-integrated renewable energy technology, or a source of LEED points (up to 6). SolarWall has been used on...

Full service distributor of renewable energy solutions.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... With in-house design and tech support, training, and the best products available, DC Power Systems is your renewable energy partner. If you haven't already, join our international network of qualified dealers and installers. If you're...

CushionWalk Pavers.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Looking for a sound absorbing and slip resistant exterior surface that is also good for the environment? Choose Dinoflex CushionWalk Pavers made from recycled rubber! Provide outstanding noise reduction, shock absorbency and slip resistance...

Dupont[TM] Corian[R] solid surfaces and Dupont[TM] Zodiaq[R] quartz surfaces.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... DuPont[TM] Corian[R], DuPont[TM] Zodiaq[R] and the sealants and adhesives from DuPont Surfaces are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified[R] and GREENGUARD for Children & Schools(SM) certified. These premium, low-maintenance materials provide...

Dupont[TM] Tyvek[R] Weatherization Systems.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Used in commercial and residential construction with all cladding types, DuPont[TM] Tyvek[R] Weatherization Systems are engineered to help provide air and moisture management for a more durable, energy efficient building envelope. Our...

Seneca Plus Tiles.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... EcoStar introduces Seneca Plus Tiles, the company's most recent addition to its line of premium roofing products. Produced using some of today's strongest, most flexible recycled materials--rubber (EPDM) and plastic (TPO)--Seneca Plus Tiles are...

Innovation in thermal isolation.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... EFCO Corporation's E-Strut thermal framing solution integrates glass-reinforced polyamide's energy efficiency, structural integrity, condensation resistance, and enhanced acoustics into an aluminum framing product that delivers long-term...

What really makes a roof cool?(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... It begins with energy savings, and the highly-reflective Duro-Last[R] Cool Zone[R] roofing system is saving energy costs for commercial buildings all over North America. Sustainability decisions should also include the impact of roofing systems...

Eggers Industries.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Eggers Industries now offers architectural wood doors with agrifiber cores in non-rated, 20-minute and 45-minute ratings. Fire ratings available are Category A only. Options include crossbanding with no added urea formaldehyde, viewers and...

Elero: Econom 0 actuator for North America.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... The UL-certified Econom 0 linear actuator is the bar for exterior facade motorization. Despite a diameter of 2 1/2 inches, the actuators have load-bearing capacities of 675 foot pounds and are maintenance free. The weather- resistant stainless...

XLERATOR[R] hand dryer.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... The XLERATOR[R] hand dryer dries hands 3 times faster (10 to 15 seconds) and uses 80 percent less energy than conventional hand dryers. XLERATOR represents a 95 percent cost savings versus paper towels and eliminates their maintenance while...

Post-consumer Glass Tile.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Fritz Industries announces the introduction of a major technological advance in environmentally friendly flooring, FritzGlass Tile consists of 60 percent recycled post-consumer glass aggregates. Flexible 12" x 12" x 3/16-inch FritzGlass Tile...

Paperless drywall from Georgia-Pacific Gypsum.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... DensArmor Plus[R] is a paperless drywall designed as a replacement for paper-faced drywall in building interiors. The combination of paperless surfaces and a moisture-resistant core provides superior moisture and mold resistance when compared...

GreenGrid[R] modular Green Roof Systems.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... The GreenGrid[R] Green Roof System, like all Green Roofs, has the ability to reduce a building's energy costs and reduce stormwater run-off. But unlike traditional layered systems, its simple-modular design makes it cost-effective and easy to...

H & B products for sustainable masonry structures.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Hohmann and Barnard, Inc. offers a line of products for the construction of sustainable masonry structures, including numerous anchor, reinforcement and flashing products that enable masonry walls to endure and perform as intended by the...

Design and energy efficient framing.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Focused in the mid-Atlantic, Hugh Lofting Timber Framing, Inc. provides design, manufacturing and raising services for residential and commercial clients throughout the United States, and has been dedicated to energy and design efficiency since...

Kawneer's LEED planning tool.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Kawneer's strong support of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System inspired the creation of Kawneer's LEED planning tool. The free booklet, designed as a guide for architects and building owners,...

Kirei Board.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Kirei: A Japanese word signifying "beautiful" and "clean." Our first product, Kirei Board, embodies these principles, using the hidden beauty found within simple reclaimed agricultural fiber to create a sustainable modern interior design...

Knight Premium Flooring.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Knight Premium Flooring remains dedicated to quality, durability and innovation. As the only United States manufacturer of quartz flooring, we pride ourselves on producing resilient tile that offers long life, low-maintenance and aesthetic...

Knight-Celotex fiberboard.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Knight-Celotex is the world's largest manufacturer of high-performing, affordable fiberboard building products. Our SoundStop[R] family of sound deadening materials includes sheathing, underlayment and tackable wall panels. Structodek[R]...

Logison Acoustic Network.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Large open areas, short workstation partitions, and alternative HVAC typify green design. They also have a negative impact on noise and speech privacy levels, yet LEED doesn't address acoustics or reward those who do. Consequently, many green...

Lonseal.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... A leading designer and manufacturer of resilient flooring and vertical-surfacing products, Lonseal's commitment to sustainable innovation is clear. Through its GreenVinyl[TM] initiative, the majority of Lonseal products have been reformulated...

Ecosystem[TM].(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Lutron's EcoSystem[TM] solution provides daylighting, automated energy management, and personal control in a cost-effective system that makes fluorescent lighting control easy to design, install and maintain for any size project. Its devices...

Guardian 275 panels.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Guardian 275[R] Translucent Daylighting panels offer beautiful natural light without glare or hot-spots. Studies show that utilizing natural light not only helps the environment, but also offers health benefits in the form of increased focus...

AAC/SolarTrac.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... MechoShades'[R] AAC/SolarTrac[TM] 3.0 Window-Management[TM] & Daylighting System integrates new digital, addressable motorized shades with automated shade and daylighting software that tracks the sun according to the solar profile angle....

Metecno USA wall and roof panels.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... MeTecno USA, a single-source manufacturer of premium factory engineered insulated composite and architectural single element metal wall and roof panels, delivers nationwide by way of four divisions and five plants servicing the architectural,...

Lees' Unibond U2: backing the new generation of sustainable Carpet.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Lees Carpets introduces Unibond U2[TM], a revolutionary, thermoplastic and fully-recyclable broadloom backing system. Unibond U2 couples world-class performance with industry-leading sustainability--offering all of the qualities that the...

Naturalite.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Naturalite Skylight Systems has added the Versalean-To-Glass (VL2G) skylight to its line of preassembled, preglazed products. The VL2G is a lean-to product that can be installed from a vertical wall to a curb. Standard glazing options for all...

Ecoset.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Polyfoam Products, Inc. introduces Ecoset, an environmentally friendly and energy efficient tile attachment system for steep slope roofing. The five-part Ecoset system consists of a waterproofing underlayment, a layer of expanded polystyrene...

Polykool.(green product buzz guide)
April 1, 2007... Polyglass[R] USA, a worldwide leader in modified-bitumen and waterproofing products utilizing ADESO[R] technology, offers Polykool. A revolutionary, self-adhesive cool roof modified-bitumen roofing membrane, Polykool features a premium, white...