Environmental Design & Construction articles from November 2005

Environmental Design & Construction archives from November 2005

Going to Greenbuild.(EDITOR'S NOTE)
November 1, 2005... I'm looking forward to seeing all of my green building friends and familiar faces at this month's Greenbuild Conference and Expo in Atlanta, Nov. 8 through 11. The whole ED+C team will be on-hand at the show including Publisher Diana Brown,...

Greenbuild to showcase master speaker series.(U.S. Green Building Council )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Atlanta -- Join the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and thousands of green building professionals at the annual Greenbuild Conference and Expo at the Georgia. World Congress Center in Atlanta November 9-11, 2005. Pre-conference workshops...

USGBC realigns staff.(U.S. Green Building Council promotes Tom Hicks and Nigel Howard)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- On Oct. 4, 2005, the U.S. Green Building Council named Tom Hicks Vice President of its LEED Green Building Rating System program following Nigel Howard being named Chief Technical Officer in July. According to Rick Fedrizzi,...

Sustainable hotel guiding principles released.(NEWSLINE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... London, England -- Many of the world's largest hotel chains met Sept. 14 to accept and adopt the first international guiding principles for sustainable hotel design and development. Sustainable Hotel Siting, Design and Construction, a new book...

Standard for Children & Schools introduces certification for low-emitting products.(NEWSLINE)
November 1, 2005... Atlanta -- A scientific standard that more effectively protects school children from exposure to high levels of potentially harmful chemicals has been developed by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) and is available for viewing at...

Ewingcole supports NASA with LEED facility.(United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)(EwingCole)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Philadelphia -- EwingCole, a national architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm, announced recently that it has begun design work on the new Exploration Sciences Building at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in...

GBI becomes ANSI accredited standards developer.(American National Standards Institute)(Green Building Initiative)
November 1, 2005... Portland, Ore. -- On Sept. 22, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) formally recognized the Green Building Initiative as an accredited national standards developer--the organization will be permitted to develop, maintain and...

Gensler designs green data center.(NEWSLINE)
November 1, 2005... Urbana, Md. -- Fannie Mae Urbana Technology Center (UTC), a 247,000-square-foot data center and office building designed by Gensler (www.gensler.com), was dedicated Aug. 4 in Frederick County, Md., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The UTC has...

SWA to develop LEED supplement to address schools.(NEWSLINE)(Steven Winter Associates)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has contracted with Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) to help develop a supplement to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC) that will address...

Dorm earns LEED certification.(NEWSLINE)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Columbia, S.C. -- The University of South Carolina's West Quad residence hall has earned Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The university reports that it is the...

SBIC to host Ecobuild Federal.(Sustainable Buildings Industry Council)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council's Ecobuild Federal conference and co-located events for federal government building and construction are designed to attract all segments of the public sector plus private sector...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2005... In the September issue of ED+C, we misspelled the project name and photographer's name for one of the finalists in the Multi-use Residential category. We apologize to Alcyone, GGLO and Steve Keating. The correct information is as follows: ...

Dual-Flush Flushometer conserves water in commercial applications.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 1 Franklin Park, Ill. -- A new Flushometer from Sloan Valve Co. (www.sloanvalve.com) may help buildings conserve water on a flush-by-flush basis. Sloan's Flushometer with the UPPERCUT Dual-Flush Handle gives users two flush options: Tilt the...

Specialists offer technical assistance on water feature.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 2 Batavia, Ill. -- Aquascape Designs (www.aquascapedesigns.com) wants to educate you with the latest industry innovations and tools available. Long known as backyard water gardening specialists, Aquascape Designs also features products for...

Energy management appliance harnesses renewable energy.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 3 Washington -- GridPoint, Inc., (www.gridpoint.com) provider of energy management (IEM) appliances, has announced the availability of GridPoint Connect, enabling customers to integrate renewable energy and leverage instant, automatic, silent...

Air conditioning system optimized for new energy standards.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 4 Collierville, Tenn. -- Carrier Corp. (www.carrier.com) unveiled its newly designed central air conditioning system for the U.S. market. The new system will be optimized for the 13 SEER U.S. Department of Energy efficiency standard that takes...

Pla panel fabric derived from organic, annually renewable resources.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 5 Rockville Centre, New York -- Carnegie (www.carnegiefabrics.com) is pleased to announce a new member of its Terratex family of fabrics, produced by Interface Fabrics, a division of Interface Inc. Carnegie's Terratex collection now includes...

Green cleaning program features environmental products, customizable services.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 6 Atlanta -- Facilities services provider OneSource (www.one-source.com) has launched OneSource GreenSweep, a green cleaning program to provide facilities with environmentally friendly janitorial services, the company says. OneSource offers a...

Partners provide color for ecoresin panels.(NEW + NOTABLE)
November 1, 2005... 7 Salt Lake City -- Pantone, Inc. (www.pantone.com), a global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, and 3form, Inc. (www.3-form.com), manufacturer of eco-friendly resin-based materials,...

Healthy building, healthy community: BNIM Architects creates an environment that is at once healing, pedagogical and inspirational on the university of Texas health science center at Houston campus.
November 1, 2005... The new School of Nursing and Student Community Center in Houston's world-famous Texas Medical Center establishes a much broader meaning for the concept of a place of healing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed by BNIM Architects, a...

Examining the water at the Eco Office: a showcase of ideas for reducing water dependency in commercial design and construction.
November 1, 2005... By itself, one green building won't do much to help Atlanta's air quality, limited water supply, overfilling landfills or growing energy needs. But when that building teaches hundreds of design, construction and development professionals about...

Getting to know solar control: sustainable design, energy savings and controlled environments.
November 1, 2005... With more real-estate owners considering the economic benefits of green building, architects are responding to the increased demand by turning to solar control. These products combine custom shading solutions and control systems to deliver...

Water: a limited supply meeting demand; The Department of Environmental Protection Southeast Regional Office Building demonstrates the benefits and simplicity of rain-water harvesting systems and water conservation techniques, while addressing the limited supply of a valuable resource.
November 1, 2005... Water consumption in the United States has emerged as a problem that we can begin to address by designing buildings that use less water. Currently, our potable water supply is diminishing faster than nature can replace it. Daily in North...

RadioShack: the answer; The new RadioShack Riverfront Campus is a state-of-the-art sustainable facility that accommodates the needs of the company and the community.
November 1, 2005... RadioShack executives decided to investigate alternatives to their two existing high-rise buildings in 2001. Their goal was to develop a new corporate headquarters that would be responsive to their business needs, the needs of employees, and...

Sustainably managing stormwater: Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park preserves and restores its roots.
November 1, 2005... It's a familiar scenario; forest and prairie become farmland, and farmland becomes a business or industrial park, all traces of its past covered by concrete and sod. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But a few years ago, as Western Michigan...

Building a commitment to rural America: Organic Valley's new headquarters symbolizes their dedication to rural renewal and sustainable agriculture.
November 1, 2005... Organic Valley's 180 employees proudly moved into their $5.9 million green headquarters located in the Village of LaFarge, Wis., in September 2004. Organic Valley is the nation's largest 100 percent farmer-owned organic cooperative and the only...

Bright lights, big savings: LED-based border tubing confirms energy savings of 85 percent at Petro-Canada.
November 1, 2005... Using energy-efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources in lighting is one of the best energy savings strategies available today. While the advances needed to apply LEDs in general "white" lighting applications in home, office and...

Bringing LEED to China: progressive developers in China are transforming the market by designing and building green without compromising the bottom line.
November 1, 2005... On Nov. 10, 2005, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) President Rick Fedrizzi will present leadership awards to 10 Chinese real estate developers and government leaders for their "pioneering work in transforming the world's largest building...

ASID sponsors National Building Museum green design and home building exhibit to open spring 2006.
November 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- The ASID Foundation, Inc., has signed on as a lead sponsor of the upcoming exhibition, "The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design," to debut at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.,...

Green Built Home program releases affordable housing report.(NEWSLINE at home)
November 1, 2005... Madison, Wis. -- Green Built Home, a program of Wisconsin Environmental Initiative, recently published a report that details how environmentally friendly building choices can result in cost-reducing benefits. "The Green Built Way to Affordable...

The PowerHouse Home: an exciting new approach to home building; This "home of the future" is located in Newton, Iowa, combining maximum energy efficiency with stylish and comfortable living.
November 1, 2005... When we began work on what would become the Alliant Energy-Zero Net PowerHouse Home in Newton, Iowa, we tossed the rulebook on traditional home building materials, systems and design. Rather than pulling conventional materials "off the shelf"...

Top five reasons not to Build Green: Built Green Colorado shares the real truth about the advantages of environmental homes.
November 1, 2005... The voluntary green building program of the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver, Built Green Colorado, is in its 10th year. It has grown from a local to a statewide program, receiving international attention along the way. More than 100...

Is this product really green? Third-party certifications can assist in product selection and verification of green marketing claims.
November 1, 2005... WHY GREEN MATERIALS? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While a building is more than the sum of its parts, selecting the right materials can significantly lessen the toll buildings take on the local and global environment. Green materials can...

Marketing LEED: it's all about the experience.(STUDIO)
November 1, 2005... July 15, 2005 -- Yesterday a colleague and I were in Seattle for a project meeting; we finished early but he delayed his return by an hour just to sit in a downtown Starbucks, use the T-Mobile wireless network, sip a coffee and listen to music...

Reflective Low-E Glass.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Toledo, Ohio -- Pilkington's (www.pilkington.com) Eclipse Advantage Reflective Low-E Glass provides the solar control you'd expect in a reflective glass as well as the thermal (U-Factor) control of a low-E glass, the company says. Eclipse...

Glare-free, energy-efficient window technology.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Manchester, N.H. -- Kalwall Corp.'s (www.kalwall.com) translucent building systems are highly insulating, diffuse-light transmitting fenestration products, offering super-insulating qualities for heating/cooling and lighting costs savings,...

Renewable door core material.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Holstein, Iowa -- VT Industries (www.vtindustries.com) now offers architectural wood doors manufactured from rapidly renewable agricultural fibers. This new core material is manufactured from materials like wheat straw, soybean straw and...

Reflective, color-enriched glass coating.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Pittsburgh -- PPG Industries' (www.ppgideascapes.com) Vistacool Azuria glass is a subtly reflective, color-enriched architectural glass that imparts a luminous aqua-blue appearance while transmitting high levels of daylight. In a one-inch...

Window designer series.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Pella, Iowa -- Pella Corp.'s (www.pellacommercial.com) Designer Series of windows and patio doors feature between-the-glass window treatments. Blinds and shades stay clean and virtually dust-free. Based on computer simulations, double-paned...

Sustainable doors, windows.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Klamath Falls, Ore. -- AuraLast wood windows and doors from Jeld-Wen (www.jeld-wen.com) provide protection against wood decay, water absorption and termite infestation, according to the company. AuraLast wood is created using a vacuum/pressure...

Zero-Sightline glass.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Terrell, Texas -- Moduline Window Systems Zero-Sightline Series of ventilators allows the continuation of dramatic fixed-glass appearance with operable vents within a curtain wall, window wall, storefront or punched-opening system, without a...

Greenguard certified doors.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Decatur, MI. -- Special-Lite Inc. (www.special-lite.com) exterior doors and frames are GREENGUARD certified. The poured-in-place urethane core of flush doors is injected using a water-blown, HCFC/CFC-free process. Special-Lite products feature...

Thermal barriers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WINDOWS AND DOORS)
November 1, 2005... Wausau, Wis. -- The latest addition to Wausau Window and Wall Systems (www.wausauwindow.com) Visuline Series is the 3250iV and 4250iV fixed and project-in, Insulbar thermal barrier, aluminum windows in 3-inch or 4.5-inch frame depths. The...

Tankless water heater.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Irvine, Calif. -- Takagi's (www.takagi.com) Mobius T-M1 is a tankless water heater for commerical, residential or radiant heating use. The Mobius's first-hour rate is more than 500 gallons per hour. Because there is no tank to run out, Mobius...

Energy efficient water heater.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Northvale, N.J. -- AERCO's (www.aerco.com) KC1000 water heater unit's condensing and modulating may lower project costs while reducing fuel expenses. The unit features 93 percent to 99 percent thermal efficiency, according to AERCO. AERCO...

New geothermal unit.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Fort Wayne, Ind. -- Geothermal heating and cooling system manufacturer WaterFurnace International, Inc. (www.waterfurnace.com) unveiled the new EZ Series Indoor Split Product Line. The EZ units include the compressor, refrigeration circuit,...

Tankless gas water heaters.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... New York -- Rheem Manufacturing Co. (www.rheem.com) offers a variety of tankless (indoor/outdoor) gas commercial water heaters. Rheem-Ruud products are designed, according to the company, with an energy-saving and space-saving design. Models...

High-efficiency boiler controls.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Lebanon, Tenn. -- The KNIGHT's SMART SYSTEM Control from Lochinvar Corp. (www.lochinvar.com) is available on the KNIGHT high efficiency, condensing heating boiler. The system's operating controls incorporate a two-line, 16-character backlit LCD...

Tankless hot water.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Waitsfield, Vt. -- Controlled Energy Corp. (CEC, www.protankless.com) recently introduced a new product designed specifically with professional builders and contractors in mind--the new Pro Tankless by Bosch GWH 635 ES. The GWH 635 ES model is...

Tankless technology.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Houston, Texas -- Microtherm Inc.'s Seisco (www.seisco.com) is an electric tankless water heating system whose technology has earned five U.S. patents, and was measured to be over 99 percent efficient by an agency of the federal government, the...

Continuous hot water heater.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Peachtree City, Ga. -- The Rinnai Continuum tankless water heater (www.foreverhotwater.com) heats water quickly and delivers an endless supply of hot water. Unique to the Continuum is the ability to utilize up to three water outlets...

Tankless Gas Water Heater.(PRODUCT FOCUS: WATER HEATERS AND BOILRS)
November 1, 2005... Ashland City, Tenn. -- State Water Heaters' (www.statewaterheaters.com) Aurora Tankless Gas Water Heater heats water at four gallons per minute. The company reports that the copper heat exchanger is 78 to 81 percent efficient; and is available...