Environmental Design & Construction articles from June 2004

Environmental Design & Construction archives from June 2004

Evaluating the "green" in green building products.(Editorial)
June 1, 2004... I am often asked, "What is green?" or "what makes a product truly sustainable?" The best answer I can provide is suggesting that a "green" product is one that doesn't harm the environment (such as material that contains no VOCs, conserves...

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and Southface partner to build EarthCraft homes.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Atlanta -- Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Atlanta's largest builder of truly affordable homes (under $100,000), joins 115 for-profit builders as an EarthCraft participant, and is the first and only nonprofit to commit 100 percent to the building...

Chicago hosts first USGBC Emerald Gala.(U.S. Green Building Council)
June 1, 2004... Chicago -- On May 8, 2004, champions of the green building industry gathered in Chicago to celebrate and recognize recent achievements in their realm. The Chicago Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) hosted the First Annual...

CARE conference announces grant winners, person and recycler of the year.(Newsline)(Carpet America Recovery Effort)
June 1, 2004... Pensacola, Fla. -- In its continuing efforts to foster market-based solutions for the recycling and reuse of post-consumer carpet, the board of directors for the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) announced winners of the organization's...

Solar system installation results in 'Zero Energy' commercial model.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Mahwah, N.J. -- Sharp Electronics Corp. announced a new 200-kilowatt Sharp photovoltaic system installation at a 50,000-square-foot, multi-tenant office building in Santa Rosa, Calif. The building represents Northern California's first "Zero...

College to use methane gas from landfill to save energy.(Newsline)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Troy, N.Y. -- Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., joined by New York Gov. George Pataki, unveiled a power project at an upstate New York community college that has made the college energy independent, partially by converting methane gas from a...

GREENGUARD announces Management Plan.(Newsline)(indoor environmental quality management plan)(GREENGUARD Environmental Institute )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Atlanta -- The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute introduced the GREENGUARD. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Management Plan at the EnvironDesign conference in April. Building professionals will be able to use the IEQ guide to master indoor...

Ratcliff launches new Web-based tool for green design.(Newsline)(green matrix)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Emeryville, Calif. -- Ratcliff, an architectural, planning and interiors firm, launched a new Web-based tool called the Green Matrix (www.greenmatrix.net) to assist the design and construction-industry in plotting a course along the intricate...

For the sake of heaven and earth: the IHM Motherhouse campus in Monroe, Mich., undergoes a historic renovation and reflects the community's vision for sustainability.(Immaculate Heart of Mary)(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... Since the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) first occupied The Motherhouse and Health Care Center in Monroe, Mich., in 1930s, the family of sisters have worked towards their religious mission that includes establishing an...

Sustainable flooring.(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 1, 2004... As the sustainable design movement continues to grow, architects, designers, specifiers and contractors face an increased environmental emphasis on the production methods, material content and disposal of floor coverings. Programs such as...

Manufacturers read the writing on the wall: recycled content, renewable raw materials; No longer strangers to resilient floor coverings.
June 1, 2004... Increasingly, the flooring industry's resilient segment--which includes linoleum, rubber and vinyl products--is embracing the concept of sustainability and bringing to market an advanced generation of floor coverings that feature recycled...

Carpet sets the pace in floor coverings: from reduced environmental impact to enhanced indoor air quality.
June 1, 2004... More than ever, we have the power to avoid hazardous surface choices and opt for sustainability. Architects, interior designers and facility managers can select materials and products for the buildings they design and manage with greater...

No turning back the wheel of progress: today's flooring adhesives are green and getting greener.
June 1, 2004... In today's marketplace, the collateral effect of floor covering adhesives and their byproducts are a primary concern. Over the years, these products have attracted critical scrutiny due to their potentially negative impact on indoor air quality...

Hardwood flooring is nature's renewable flooring resource.
June 1, 2004... During the past few years, a significant buzz about utilizing sustainable natural resources has been generated within the building and construction industry. Everywhere you turn these days, it seems we are inundated with talk of green building,...

Researching the vinyl debate.
June 1, 2004... The jury is still out on the environmental impacts of vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC or vinyl, is a synthetic material used in a variety of applications, including flooring, which has caused an ongoing debate: is vinyl a suitable...

Succeed at LEED: focus on solar energy; An ongoing series presenting useful LEED tips and tricks. This month, we focus on strategies for capturing LEED points using solar power strategies.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
June 1, 2004... LEED, ENERGY AND BUILDINGS In 50 years, climate scientist tell us, Glacier National Park in Montana will have no glaciers, and the arctic ice cap may melt entirely during summer seasons. Oil spills from the Amazon to Alaska despoil fragile...

On the outside: a truly sustainable building envelope requires a whole building design approach.
June 1, 2004... The building envelope, one of the most visible components of a structure, significantly controls building performance. The building envelope, or the exterior surface of a building, includes the entire outer shell: walls and windows, as well as...

Going tankless: energy efficiency, space savings and easy installation are just some of the perks of these water heaters.
June 1, 2004... Have your customers ever complained about being the last one in the household to take a shower, and running out of hot water while shampoo is streaming in their eyes? Have they danced a little jig trying to avoid the freezing water? Or tried to...

2004 Product Specification Sheets.(Illustration)
June 1, 2004... This special section contains Product Specification Sheets, provided directly from "green" manufacturers. Tear out these special cut sheets and save them to assist in green products specification with technical, accurate product data. ...

Ardex, Inc.: Ardex engineered cements.(Spec Sheet)
June 1, 2004... HENRY GREENLINE GL23 MULTIPURPOSE ADHESIVE For the installation of residential and commercial linoleum sheet flooring * 97% lower in emissions than current (CRI) criteria. The lowest available emissions. * Almost no discernible...

LEED credits.(Systems)
June 1, 2004... Armstrong recognizes the importance of LEED to sustainable design. We are a founding sponsor of the United States Green Building Council. Armstrong Ceiling Systems can help achieve LEED credits in a number of areas outlined below. Contact...

Benjamin Moore & Co. professional coatings.(Spec Sheet)
June 1, 2004... PRISTINE[R] Eco Spec[R] Interior Latex Eggshell Enamel 223 Features * Low Odor * Low VOCs * Quick return to service * 100% Acrylic * Dries quickly to a beautiful eggshell finish with the washability of...

Data sheet.(Spec Sheet)
June 1, 2004... The Duro-Last[R] Cool Zone[R] roofing system membrane is a proprietary thermoplastic formulation consisting of resins and plasticizers, stabilizers, biocides, flame retardants and U.V. absorbents. A weft-insertion knitted scrim that is...

Geberit in-wall pressure assist toilet system.(Spec Sheet)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Product Features, Specifications & Installation Requirements [GRAPHIC OMITTED] * Precision engineered PF/2[R] Energized Flushing System * Saves up to 25% more water, since double flushing is eliminated * 1/2" water supply pipe...

Visio.(Carpets)
June 1, 2004... Features * Unibond RE Backing System * Certified By Scientific Certification Systems * Contains 20% Post Consumer Recycled * Contains 19.3% Post Industrial Recycled Content * Contains 12.4 Renewable Bio Based Materials ...

Lutron[R] lighting controls and shading systems: for sustainable design.
June 1, 2004... Today's innovative buildings are designed to be sustainable, flexible, and energy efficient. Lutron is committed to helping design and construction professionals achieve these goals by offering leading edge product solutions for integrated...

RWE SCHOTT Solar Inc. SunRoof[TM] FS: the industry's leading flat roof PV system.
June 1, 2004... RWE SCHOTT Solar's SunRoof FS[TM] provides a complete, turnkey solar energy solution for roofs with minimal slope. Our systems are built using top-of-the-line ASE 300-Watt modules--the highest quality, most powerful in the industry,...

Thermo 3 series system specifications.(Engineered Curtainwalls)
June 1, 2004... DESCRIPTION [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * High performance fully unitized pre-glazed curtain wall system. * Pressure equalized rain screen design. * Available in variations of fully captured, 2 sided and 4 sided structural silicone...

The optimal choice for T8 lighting systems.(Programmed Start Ballast for High Efficiency T8 Lamps)
June 1, 2004... Product Overview Advance introduces its newest ballast addition to its Optanium[TM] family of Smart Solutions T8 system featuring IntelliVolt[R] technology. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Optanium is a high-efficiency electronic ballast...

Marmoleum[R]: colourful greys.(Forbo Flooring)
June 1, 2004... Forbo has long been recognized as an industry leader in color and design. The Marmoleum Colourful Greys reasserts our leadership in new and exciting ways to integrate flooring as a vital design element in today's architecture. Possessing all of...

Forest stewardship council.(Spec Sheet)
June 1, 2004... DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR WOOD COMES FROM? The answer to this question is important because in many places around the world, logging is associated with habitat loss, displacement of indigenous peoples, water pollution and even violence against...

Photovoltaics and building construction: ideas, concerns and myths.(Studio)
June 1, 2004... There is an ecological wave sweeping the architectural and design communities today, resulting in more "green" buildings than ever before. More and more designers and architects are making an extra effort to incorporate energy-saving materials...

Green edge; Wanted: "nutrition" labels for green building materials.(Epilogue)
June 1, 2004... One of the most frequently asked questions in the sustainable design world is how to tell whether or not a material is "green" in comparison to other potential choices. This question arises for just about every type of material used in...

Ergonomic chair made of 99 percent recyclable content.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Steelcase Inc. recently introduced the Think chair, which was created in collaboration with designer Glen Oliver Low, McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry and the Institute of Product Development in Copenhagen to address...

Workstation uses wheatboard, sunflower board and certified wood.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... Long Lake, Minn. -- Baltix Furniture's office suite (shown) includes the company's flagship EcoBuzz workstation using wheat-board for the work surface and the lower privacy panels. The upper hutch panels are sunflower board and the frame is a...

Panel fabric produced from annually renewable resources.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... Muscatine, Iowa -- Allsteel will soon launch its new Bungee and Propeller panel fabrics, made from Polylactide acid (PLA), a manmade fiber derived from 100 percent renewable resources. Allsteel will launch the new fabrics in late summer 2004,...

Reconfigurable walls, office furniture systems.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... Calgary, Alberta -- SMED offers Constructive Solutions, a product line that includes LifeSPACE moveable walls (shown); Nexus low-profile access floors; energy-efficient two-component lighting systems; and a variety of office furniture. SMED's...

Certified laminate furniture made of recycled material.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... East Greenville, Pa. -- The Currents laminate furniture system from Knoll Inc. is manufactured with at least 30 percent recycled material. The composite wood products in the systems are derived from well-managed forests and none of the glues or...

Upholstered chair is recyclable.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... Zeeland, Mich. -- Herman Miller has introduced an upholstered version of its Mirra chair. The Latitude fabric is made from polyester that is 100 percent recyclable. The Mirra chair was the first Herman Miller chair to fully utilize the...

Antimony-free seating and panel fabrics.(Furniture and Office Systems)
June 1, 2004... Saint-Georges, Quebec -- Victor Innovatex presents the Soiree Collection of Eco Intelligent Polyester seating fabrics. As part of Victor's line of sustainable polyester seating and panel fabrics, Soiree is the first Eco Intelligent Polyester...

Seven-layer reflective insulation.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Markleville, Ind. -- Reflectix is a technologically-advanced insulation material ideal for use in commercial, industrial, metal building and post-frame buildings, says Reflectix Inc. The company provides single bubble, double bubble, standard...

Reflective insulation brochure.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Auburndale, Fla. -- Fi-Foil has developed a new brochure to highlight product advantages and Fi-Foil's potential to contribute to LEED points. Fi-Foil's ENERGY STAR-compliant reflective insulation products boost energy efficiency in furred-out...

Kits for pipes and attics.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Acton, Ontario -- Insul-Kits from TVM Building Products make use of reflective foil insulation reflects radiant heat and is impervious to moisture, humidity and condensation, as well as resistant to moisture, mold and fungi. TVM offers a...

Moisture, air barrier.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Arlington, Texas -- Innovative Insulation Inc.'s TempShield Reflective Insulation products consist of one or two layers of Barrier Bubble material laminated between layers of aluminum foil. Thin, lightweight material provides resistance against...

Fiberglass core in foil film.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Solon, Ohio -- CGI Silvercote Inc.'s Solarguard is a new reflective insulation product that combines a high fiberglass core with durable reinforced facing materials on the exposed side and a reflective foil film on the back side. Solarguard...

Solvent-free flooring adhesives.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Deerfield Beach, Fla. -- MAPEI Corp.'s Ultrabond ECO 185 is a solvent-free, high-performance carpet adhesive with extended residual tack that offers a strong long-term bond for demanding commercial carpet installations. It has BioBlock...

Three new adhesives.(Reflective Insulation)
June 1, 2004... Aliquippa, Pa. -- The W.W. Henry Co. has three new environmental flooring adhesives. The GreenLine family of products features ecologically advanced adhesives that have almost no discernible odor and ultra low emissions, the company says. These...

Low VOC Roof Tile Adhesive.(Adhesives)
June 1, 2004... Mentor, Ohio -- OSI Sealants Inc. offers the RT-600 Low VOC Roof Tile Adhesive. The new product is ideal for tile repairs or for original installation of concrete, clay, slate or composite type roof tiles. OSI Sealants also offers other...

Flooring adhesive fights mold.(Adhesives)
June 1, 2004... Scotch Plains, N.J. -- Synthetic Surfaces' Nordot Adhesive #113D can be used for wood flooring and artificial turf adhesive, and other applications. It is made with a curing urethane that fights mold; it is VOC compliant and contains no...

Non-toxic adhesive line.(Adhesives)
June 1, 2004... Dalton, Georgia -- Manufactured by APAC, the Goodyear Chemicals latex-based ECOlogical multipurpose adhesives have been independently tested and have been found to be non-toxic as defined by the Federal Hazardous Substance Act, 16 CFR, Section...

Certified for indoor air quality.(Adhesives)
June 1, 2004... Fontana, Calif. -- A variety of flooring adhesives are part of the Envirotec Healthguard Adhesives line from W.F. Taylor Co. Envirotec products are approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Testing Program for indoor air quality....