Environmental Design & Construction articles from September 2001

Environmental Design & Construction archives from September 2001

Leadership, Not Ownership.(leaders share information)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
September 1, 2001... When Susan Lyons, Design Tex executive vice president/creative director, decided to share their proprietary Climatex Lifecycle fabric manufacturing process earlier this year, she said the key business strategy behind the move was the company's...

EPA, DOE and USGBC Announce Energy Partnership.(Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy , United States Green Building Council)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... WASHINGTON, DC -- Recognizing that the 4.5 million existing buildings in the US can achieve a 20 to 30% reduction in energy use, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Green Building Council...

Alliance Seeks Federal Policies For Distributed Energy Systems.(energy trade groups alliance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... WASHINGTON D.C. -- Three energy trade groups -- the US Combined Heat and Power Association (USCHPA), the Distributed Power Coalition of America (DPCA) and the American Gas Cooling Center (AGCC) -- have formed a strategic alliance to seek...

One-Thousand-Home Community Will Use Solar Power.(Bickford Ranch, Placer County, California)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... SACRAMENTO, CA. -- US Home Corp. is partnering with the California Energy Commission to create the largest solar residential project in the US at the Bickford Ranch community in Placer County. The Bickford Ranch community includes 917...

DOE to Fund Energy Efficiency Projects.(Department of Energy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham recently announced funding for the first phase of 12 research and development projects designed to improve the energy efficiency of commercial and residential buildings across the country. Improvements...

Moving LEED into the New Millennium.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... The USGBC is aiming to grow LEED as a business, develop improved rating criteria and products, and develop and enhance the LEED program. The last year has been one of breathtaking success for the US Green Building council's (USG BC) LED...

Mendler, Ford Win IIDA and C&A Sustainable Design Leadership Award.(Sandra Mendler, Ford Motor Co., International Interior Design Association, C and A Floorcoverings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Two years ago, the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and C&A Floorcoverings joined forces to answer this question: Why, when there appeared to be widespread acceptance for sustainable design, were so few designers developing...

Bank of Astoria Recognized for Community-Oriented Design.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... Think of a typical bank, and what comes to mind? An austere, boxlike structure, no doubt, adhering to the strictest standards of dignity and professionalism. Not so for the Bank of Astoria. Nestled in Manzanita, OR's wooded landscape, the...

Floorcoverings Companies Unite to Create One-Stop Solution.(Tandus Group)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... DALTON, GA -- The Tandus Group has emerged from three specialty flooring companies: C&A, Crossely Carpet Mill and Monterey Carpets. The Tandus Group's environmental plan encompasses decreased emissions; waste reduction; air, water and...

HOK Earns Global Green Award For Advancing Sustainable Design.(Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... ST. LOUIS -- Global Green USA recently recognized Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK) Inc. with its Designing a Sustainable and Secure World award. HOK is the first architectural design firm to receive the award. "Through its global...

MRET Awards Funds For Renewable Energy Projects.(Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust (MRET) approved $1.82 million in funding for seven projects that will use a variety of renewable energy technologies. MRET earmarked $47 million for grants, loans and other financial...

MechoShade Expands Westward, Building Facility In Phoenix.(MechoShade Systems Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... NEW YORK -- MechoShade Systems Inc., a shade system manufacturer headquartered in Long Island City, NY, is building a 60,000-square-foot facility in Phoenix. This facility will be for the production of roller screens, using custom-designed...

Climatex Lifecycle Wins Design Resource Award.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... CHARLOTTSVILLE, VA -- The Climatex Lifecycle[TM] fabric McDonough Braugart Design Chemistry developed with Rohner Textile and DesignTex was selected for the First Place Award in the 2001 International Design Resource Awards (IDRA) Competition....

Governor, US Senator Honored With Energy Leadership Awards.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) are among this year's winners of the Energy Leadership Awards for their efforts and achievements in supporting energy...

Georgia-Pacific Earns Green Cross Fiber Label.(Georgia-Pacific Corp. products certified by Scientific Certification Systems)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... ATLANTA -- Products from 15 Georgia-Pacific industrial wood product facilities recently received certification from Scientific Certification Systems to carry its Green Cross label, certifying the recycled and recovered content in each product....

Portland's Earth Advantage Homes Feature Efficiency, Responsibility.(Oregon energy efficient house construction initiative)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... PORTLAND -- New homes can offer more than just great locations, value and comfort. The Earth Advantage program in Oregon shows that they also can offer built-in savings. Earth Advantage homes are designed to preserve natural resources....

Bankruptcy Court Building Aims For LEED Certification.(Dick Corp. and URS/Stearns, architects, project designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... YOUNGSTOWN, OH -- Dick Corp. has broken ground for the new federal bankruptcy court being developed by the General Services Administration (GSA) in Youngstown, Ohio The GSA has developed a design to obtain certification under the US Green...

Johnson Controls Saves Energy, Earns Award.(Johnson Controls Inc. install system and Camp Pendleton, California)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... SAN DIEGO, CA -- Johnson Controls has completed work at Camp Pendleton to realize the energy savings required by President Bush's federal energy mandate. The company installed its UNITY system at the military base to integrate the HVAC,...

Study Finds White Roofs Help To Save Cooling Energy.(Florida Power and Light Co. results conclusive)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... FORT MEYERS, FL -- Florida Power & Light sponsored a test project in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity of Lee County to compare the impact of roofing systems on residential cooling energy demand in Florida. The study confirmed that white...

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Falls Short Of Independent System.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... MONTPELIER, VT -- The industry-run Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) falls short of the standards found in the independent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system, a June report indicates. The report, by the National Wildlife...

NAHB Names Arxx Product 'Outstanding Green Product' of Year.(National Association of Home Builders)
September 1, 2001... UPPER MARLBORO, MD -- The NAHB Research Center launched a new product award designed to recognize manufacturers' initiatives in designing and marketing environmentally friendly products. The Arxx [TM] High Performance Wallsystem by Arxx...

MagneTek Lighting Products Now Is Universal Lighting.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... NASHVILLE, TN -- MagneTek Lighting Products, a manufacturer of electronic and magnetic ballasts, has changed its name to Universal Lighting Technologies. The company will remain focused on service and growth through new product...

PACT Helps Office Center Improve Its Efficiency, Comfort.(Performance Agreement for Comfort from Trane program)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... LA CROSSE, WI -- The American Center is now a better performing asset thanks to the Performance Agreement for Comfort from Trane [TM] (PACT) program. Owners of the 660,000-square-foot office tower in Southfield, Mich., used the PACT program to...

Breaking the sustainable product Barrier.(environmentally friendly products)
September 1, 2001... As several design offices and product manufacturers have discovered, successful collaborations are often key to breaking down the barriers to sustainable products. Over the past decade, as architects and designers have struggled to bring...

Alternative Strategies for Sun Shading.
September 1, 2001... Custom designed sun shades made with off - the shelf materials can maximize environmental benefits and minimize costs in hot, sunny climates. Sun control is a common problem for architects working in hot climates. While pre-engineered...

Textiles for a Better Tomorrow.
September 1, 2001... Today's leading textile suppliers are reducing their impact on the environment and sharing technology with each other in an effort to spread sustainable practices in textile manufacturing. Over the past several years, three distinct leaders...

Maintaining a Green Commitment.(new EPA building in Research Triangle Park NC)(Statistical Data Included)
September 1, 2001... As EPA learned through its new Research Triangle Park campus, maintaining a sustainable commitment requires careful construction detailing and specifications, performance tracking, green value engineering and a partnership effort. The...

High Expectations.(elevator design)
September 1, 2001... A machine-room-less elevator design saves both energy and money while allowing architects to design higher into the sky. The first real elevators, powered by steam and hydraulics, were introduced in the 1800s. By 1903, the gearless traction...

Wall to Wall Sustainability.(environmentally friendly wall coverings)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... From paint and panels to glass and fabric, today's wallcoverings add color and mood to rooms while protecting the environment and indoor air quality. Today's wallcovering suppliers offer a broad range of products that not only enhance the...

Carpet Tile for Underfloor Air Systems.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... NORWOOD, MA -- United Technical Products (UTP) announces PosiTile(R), its patented precision-cut carpet product engineered to allow a one-to-one fit with Tate Access Flooring's Building Technology Platform[TM] and ConCore[TM] access floor...

Controllable Hybrid Lighting.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... SARASOTA, FL. -- Tubular Skylight, Inc., has developed a completely controllable, daylight-harvesting, hybrid lighting system that combines daylighting, efficient electric lighting and automatic control all in one unit. The daylighting...

Pipe Descaler.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... CLEARWATEPL, FL. -- ClearWater Enviro Technologies, Inc., has developed the ScaleBlaster, a product that eliminates the formation of limescale deposits in water pipes, faucets, toilets, dishwashers, coffee makers and heating elements. The...

Environmentally Friendly Carpet.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... IRVINE, CA -- Pacificrest Mills introduces three high-fashion commercial carpets made of DuPont Antron(R) Legacy fiber -- Union, Lombard and Embarcadero. Paintings by Austria's art nouveau secession movement leader Gustav Klimt inspired these...

UVC Lights.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... CERRITOS, CA -- Steril-Aire Inc. offers a new line of UVC lights that sanitize, decontaminate and Freshen indoor air in homes. The high intensity UVC of the SteriLight[TM] devices destroys mold, bacteria and viruses that grow in or circulate...

Dehumidifiers.(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
September 1, 2001... MADSLON, WI -- The Santa Fe and Santa Fe Rx dehumidifiers from Therma-Stor Products now feature the Energy Star label under the EPA's new residential dehumidifier program. The Santa Fe, which requires an operating temperature of 53 degrees,...

Solar Light Diffuser.(Solatube International Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... VISTA, CA -- Solatube International Inc. introduces its OptiView[TM] diffuser option for its Brighten Up[TM] and SolaMaster[TM] series skylights. The OptiView reflects the sky's image, creating an overhead window effect that helps connect the...

Energy Saving Roof Coatings.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... SEATTLE, WA -- Gaco Western Inc. acrylic and silicone roof coatings have earned the Energy Star label. The coatings surpass the initial and three-year reflective criteria for roof coatings. GacoFlex white A-6200 acrylic roof coating shows...

Acrylic Coatings for Exteriors.(Building Energy Savings Technology)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... CARSON CITY, NV -- Building Energy Savings Technology (BEST) introduces its new energy-saving acrylic coatings with advanced ceramic technology for exterior walls named WallCool Textured Finish and WallCool Elastomeric Paint. The WallCool...

Fluorescent Dimming Ballasts.(Lutron Electronics Co.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... LEHIGH VALLEY, PA -- Lutron Electronics Co. Inc. now offers an expanded electronic fluorescent dimming ballast selection with the T5-HO Hi-lume[R] and Eco-10[TM] dimming ballast lines. Both are available in 120 and 277V models. The T5-HO...

Fiberglass Insulation.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... VALLEY FORGE, PA -- CertainTeed 202-96 fiberglass insulation for metal buildings is available to provide thermal and acoustical control in a variety of pre-engineered metal building wall and roof assemblies. Furnished in rolls, the flexible...

Ventilation Fans.(Panasonic ventilation fans)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... SECAUCUS, NJ - Ten new models of Panasonic's ventilation fans now carry the Energy Star[R] label, including the WhisperCeiling[TM], WhisperLite[TM] and WhisperWall[TM] models. All three models are designed for low energy consumption, super...

Environmentally Friendly Piping.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... KNOXVILLE, TN -- Chemical-free, flexible DURA-PEX[R] piping from Consolidated Plumbing Industries is offered for hot and cold-water plumbing systems. DURA-PEX is abrasion-resistant plastic piping that is flexible enough to sweep and wind around...

Modular Green Roof.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... BELOIT, WI -- Roy F. Weston, Inc. and American Builders and Contractors Supply Co., Inc. recently unveiled the GreenGrid [TM] System, a new green roof technology designed to quickly transform an unattractive roof into a beautiful,...

Radiant Barrier Sheathing.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2001... STAMFORD, CT -- International Paper's Solar Board(r) is a combination of polished, perforated aluminum foil and oriented strand board. The radiant barrier sheathing combines the benefits of a high-quality engineered wood panel with enhanced...