Environmental Design & Construction articles from September 2005

Environmental Design & Construction archives from September 2005

Innovative design respects the environment, protects wildlife.(Editorial)
September 1, 2005... Innovative design solutions may contribute to a healthy, natural ecosystem. Carefully planned, green buildings consider or reduce the environmental impact building and construction will have on animals and their habitats. It is even possible to...

Letter to the editor.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... HELLO MICHELLE, I enjoy your publications in both print and electronic form. They are always informative. I have just read your "Editor's Note" in the March issue of ED+C magazine. Congratulations on support of Habitat for Humanity. This...

Wood adhesive.(NEW + NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... 1 Deerfield Beach, Fla. -- Ultrabond ECO 972 is the latest in MAPEI's (www.mapei.com) ECO series of floor-covering adhesives that are low in TVOCs. Ultrabond ECO 972 incorporates MAPEI's BioBlock antimicrobial technology to provide an...

Waterproofing/air barrier.(NEW + NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... 2 Atlanta, Ga. -- Sto Guard from Sto Corp. (www.stocorp.com) is a waterproofing/air barrier that can be used behind most claddings in the commercial and residential markets. According to the company. Sto Guard is a breathable, fluid-applied...

Broadloom and modular carpets.(NEW + NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... 3 Calhoun, Ga. -- Mannington Commercial (www.mannington.com) unveils Worldview and Balanced, two new carpets made from Type 6,6 nylon for long-term appearance retention and durability. Worldview is available in both broadloom and modular, while...

Air quality monitor.(NEW + NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... 4 Lakeville, Minn. -- PureChoice Inc.'s (www.purechoice.com) The Nose is a multi-sensor indoor air quality monitor. The Nose measures temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and TVOCs. PURECHOICE INC. READER...

Anti-microbial surfacing.(NEW + NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... 5 Houston, Texas -- Cosentino unveils a new series of textured natural quartz, Silestone Leather with Microban (www.silestone.com). Silestone Leather with Microban is a countertop with built-in anti microbial product protection that...

New Web site.(NEW + NOTABLE)
September 1, 2005... 6 Denver, Colo. -- Johns Manville has launched a new Web site created especially for architects. The company says its Web site enables visitors to learn about environmentally smart, formaldehyde-free products; achieve continuing education goals...

U.S. Green Building Council expands membership to associations, files for ANSI accreditation.(American National Standards Institute)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced Aug. 9 that it has filed an application with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to become an ANSI accredited national standards developer for standards related...

ED + C to sponsor keynote at METALCON.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2005... Chicago -- Environmental Design + Construction is sponsoring the Keynote Address, "The Economic Benefits of Sustainable Green Building," given by Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council, at this year's METALCON...

Portland Cement Association launches Web site.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2005... Skokie, Ill. -- The Portland Cement Association (PCA) recently launched Concrete-Thinker.com, a Web site that enables architects interested in sustainable design to learn more about the environmental benefits of building with concrete. ...

USGBC to receive award.(U.S. Green Building Council)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- The National Building Museum announces that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the fourth recipient of the Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction Technology. The 2005 Turner Prize is being awarded to...

Solar-powered curtainwall featured on Wal-Mart.(Trainor Glass )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... McKinney, Texas -- Wausau Window and Wall Systems recently teamed with Solar Design Associates and RWE SCHOTT Inc. to provide Trainor Glass with a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) curtainwall system on Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s new,...

Carpet industry expands Green Label Plus program.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2005... Dalton, Ga. -- The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) announced that adhesives have been added to its Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Testing Program. The Green Label Plus certification exceeds California's standards for low chemical emitting...

Executive director participates in architect policy summit.(Green Building Initiative's services)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- On July 25, 2005, Green Building Initiative (GBI) executive director Ward Hubbell appealed to members of the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Sustainable Building Standards Policy Summit to use their influence to...

Cool roof technology featured in congressional energy EXPO.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- The Eighth Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO, held in the Cannon House Office Building in late June, attracted several dozen key figures in national energy policy including members of Congress,...

Trane systems to improve energy efficiency of convention center.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2005... Piscataway, N.J. -- Trane (www.trane.com) has won the bid to provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to McCormick Place, the nation's largest convention center. Trane will supply McCormick Place with: * Six...

Columbia Forest Products to convert standard hardwood plywood production.(formaldehyde-free manufacturing processes)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Portland, Ore. -- Columbia Forest Products (www.columbiaforestproducts.com) has begun the conversion of all its veneer-core hardwood plywood plants to formaldehyde-free manufacturing processes, using a patented, soy-based adhesive cooperatively...

USGBC chapters highlighted.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2005... Above is an updated USGBC chapter map including all affiliates and organizing groups as well as all local chapters. ED+C apologizes to any groups that were not included in the July/August issue. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] For an interactive...

2005 Excellence in Design Awards: ED+C honors sustainable buildings with 2005 Excellence in Design Awards.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... Environmental Design + Construction magazine's Third Annual Excellence in Design Awards recognize commercial spaces and offices, institutional facilities, government buildings, multi-use residential buildings and single-family residential...

ASID survey says homeowners are ready to go "green".(NEWSLINE at home)
September 1, 2005... Washington, D.C. -- Six out of 10 U.S. homeowners say they would consider integrating sustainable design practices into a future home improvement project, provided those enhancements were cost-competitive, according to a recent survey...

USGBC launches LEED green building rating system for homes pilot demonstration.(NEWSLINE at home)
September 1, 2005... Washington D.C. -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announces the launch of a one-year pilot demonstration of its newest green building rating system, LEED for Homes. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes...

Pueblo builder receives high honors from Built Green Colorado.(Built Green Colorado )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Pueblo, Colo. -- Built Green Colorado recently announced that Pueblo-based Y Construction, Inc. received the Pueblo Parade of Homes Built Green Award of Excellence for its Parade home built at 169 Blue Hills Drive in Pueblo West, Colo. The home...

Case study: the concrete house (Des Moines, Wash.).(concrete office building)
September 1, 2005... This concrete office building is designed to look like a house for demonstration of residential concrete construction methods. The owner selected the stock home plan DD109 by Drummond Designs (Drummondville, Quebec, Canada) for Blue Maxx/ABB...

Better Home, Better Planet: an inside look at the BASF Initiative Showhouse in Paterson, N.J.
September 1, 2005... A few years ago, it seemed that the divide between the environmental movement and the chemical industry was as wide as the Grand Canyon. In the past few years, however, these groups are creating a new paradigm in the home building industry. One...

Radiant barrier coating.(NEW + NOTABLE at home)
September 1, 2005... Cleveland, Ohio -- E-Barrier is a new radiant barrier coating from Sherwin-Williams (www.sherwin-williams.com) that contains microscopic reflective particles that help keep radiant energy from transferring in or out of a home. When applied to...

Residential PV system.(NEW + NOTABLE at home)
September 1, 2005... San Francisco, Calif. -- PowerLight Corp. (www.powerlight.com/homes) introduces the SunTile Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) residential product line designed for new home developments. SunTile is interlocked with roof tiles and...

Energy-efficient roofing.(NEW + NOTABLE at home)
September 1, 2005... Courtland, Ontario, Canada -- Dura-Loc Roofing Systems Ltd. (www.duraloc.com) announces the addition of Caribbean Pearl to their existing line of blended color selections for stone coated metal roofing. According to the company, the light color...

College Business Complex offers lesson in sustainability: Lillis Business Complex makes the most of natural sources including daylight.
September 1, 2005... Students at the University of Oregon's Charles H. Lunquist College of Business can now learn about the concept of sustainability in a concrete way. The Lillis Business Complex, the new home of the business college, was designed to set standards...

Lending a helping hand: ED + C and 11 other BNP media publications sponsor habitat for humanity home.(Environmental design and construction)
September 1, 2005... Habitat For Humanity International's (HFHI) motto is "A hand up, not a hand out." Dozens of employees lent their hands--and hearts--in building BNP Media-Sponsored House #20, one of 31 homes dedicated Friday, June 24, as part of HFHI's Jimmy...

Building green with grey concrete: innovation and classic approaches drive today's sustainable design.
September 1, 2005... Everywhere you look today, there are concrete innovations. New concrete mix designs create sleeker, stronger structures that achieve amazing energy efficiency. Manufacturing refinements reduce pollution and energy use. Manufacturing and...

How does concrete fit in the big picture? Life cycle assessment: competing, evolving systems raise questions.
September 1, 2005... Life cycle assessment (LCA) is today's sustainability buzzword. The USGBC is preparing to integrate LCA into its LEED rating system, and the industry is filled with lively debate about its impact. As LEED matures and other rating systems find...

In Chicago, concrete creates new opportunities: Bethel Center helps build a sustainable neighborhood.(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
September 1, 2005... A new project in Chicago's West Garfield Park is helping to revitalize the neighborhood, bringing much-needed daycare, employment assistance, computer training, retail, financial services and office space--and uniting it with a recently...

Know your wall systems: high-performance concrete comes in many varieties, including these six popular systems.
September 1, 2005... When it comes to using concrete wall systems in sustainable building construction, the options are limitless. There are many types of walls, and within each category, many variations. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TILT-UP Tilt-up...

Cement plants going green.
September 1, 2005... In April, Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine recognized five cement plants for getting greener. The Fourth Annual Cement Industry Environment and Energy Awards recognize individual facilities that exemplify the...

Construction waste management: Turner Construction Co. attempts to make 50 percent waste diversion standard practice.
September 1, 2005... In September 2004, Thomas C. Leppert, Chairman and CEO of The Turner Corp., announced a broad commitment to green building. This included promoting Turner's efforts as a leading builder of sustainable projects and adopting sustainable...

California: Title 24 is here! The new law will affect the commercial roofing industry throughout the U.S.
September 1, 2005... You've heard about the new law that affects our industry. Who is going to enforce it? When does it take effect? How does it affect me and my company? Questions such as these are just a few that are buzzing around the industry as we approach the...

Residential solar system.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Sharp Electronics Corp. (www.sharpusa.com/solar) presents ND-62RU1 solar modules, a polycrystalline silicon PV roof module with 62-watt maximum power. The four basic components of the residential solar system are the...

Reliable solar panel.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... Marlboro, Mass. -- Evergreen Solar (www.evergreensolar.com) introduces the EC-115 Solar Panel made with String Ribbon Technology. According to the company, String Ribbon polycrystalline solar cells achieve comparable performance to bulk...

Solar PV module system.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... Scottsdale, Ariz. -- Kyocera Solar, Inc. (www.kyocerasolar.com) unveils MyGen Meridian, a UL listed photovoltaic module and mounting system designed to blend in with a tile roof. The first in Kyocera's new BIPV product line, MyGen Meridian...

Solar Powered Attic Vent.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... Dallas. Tex. -- SolarCool Solar Powered Attic Vent from Air Vent Inc. (www.AirVent.com), is a new solar powered attic ventilator that features a solar panel mounted directly to the roof vent dome. The adjustable, tempered glass solar panel can...

Building integrated PV panels.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... Elmsford, N.Y. -- RWE SCHOTT Solar (www.rweschottsolar.com) introduces a new building integrated photovoltaic panel, a thin-filmed, semi-transparent silicon solar panel for use in skylights, windows and facades. According to the company, RWE...

Solar power modules.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... Camarillo Calif. -- Shell Solar (www.shell.com/solar) reveals Shell PowerMax, a new range of dependable, high performance solar products, the company says. Shell PowerMax modules offer dependable, high performance power for grid-connected...

Solar grove: parking lot doubles as solar electric generating system.(PRODUCT FOCUS: SOLAR/PV SYSTEMS)
September 1, 2005... SAN DIEGO, CALIF. -- KYOCERA (WWW.KYOCERASOLAR.COM) INTRODUCES ITS FIRST SOLAR GROVE--A MASSIVE SOLAR ELECTRIC GENERATING SYSTEM DEDICATED ON JUNE 24, 2005 AT ITS NORTH AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS AND KEARNY MESA PLANT IN SAN DIEGO. THE SYSTEM...

Ventilated insulation panel.(PRODUCT FOCUS: INSULATION AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS)
September 1, 2005... Portland, Maine -- Hunter Panels (www.hunterpanels.com) presents Cool-Vent, a venting composite insulation board that consists of NexGen Chemistry polyiso, a middle layer of solid wood spacers, and a top layer of APA/TECO rated OSB or plywood....

Cross-ventilated roof insulation.(PRODUCT FOCUS: INSULATION AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS)
September 1, 2005... Atlanta, Ga. -- Atlas Roofing Corp. (www.atlasroofing.com) introduces ACFoam CrossVent RB that incorporates radiant barrier technology with its existing cross-ventilated roof insulation panel. CrossVent RB is designed for use over sloped...

Fiber glass duct liner.(PRODUCT FOCUS: INSULATION AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS)
September 1, 2005... Valley Forge, Penn. -- CertainTeed Corp.'s (www.certainteed.com) ToughGard2 Textile Duct Liner is a fiber glass duct liner made from nearly 80 percent recycled material, the company reports. The air stream surface serves as a barrier against...

Radiant Barriers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: INSULATION AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS)
September 1, 2005... Arlington, Texas -- Innovative Insulation Inc. (www.radiantbarrier.com) introduces Super R Radiant Barriers. Made from double-sided 99 percent pure aluminum and reinforced for maximum strength and durability, Super R Radiant Barriers provide 97...

Textile Duct Liner.(PRODUCT FOCUS: INSULATION AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS)
September 1, 2005... Shelbyville, Ind. -- Knauf Insulation (www.knauf-usa.com) reveals Knauf Textile Duct Liner with Hydroshield Technology, a flexible, mat-faced insulation made from textile-type glass fibers bonded by a thermosetting resin with an encapsulant...

Natural fiber insulation.(PRODUCT FOCUS: INSULATION AND REFLECTIVE MATERIALS)
September 1, 2005... Chandler, Ariz. -- The Insulator Thermal/Acoustic Insulation from Bonded Logic (www.bondedlogic.com) can be used in residential and commercial buildings in addition to other applications such as automobiles and aircrafts. The Insulator is...

Montana sheep ranch uses sun, organic methods to produce fine wool.(Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool Co)
September 1, 2005... Up until the last century, ranches were green by necessity. Ranchers relied on naturally sustained grasslands to feed their livestock and animal power to process their products. But the introduction of antibiotics, growth hormones, fertilizers,...