Environmental Design & Construction articles from September 2007

Environmental Design & Construction archives from September 2007

Making the grade.(EDITOR'S NOTE)(Editorial)
September 1, 2007... It's back-to-school time for colleges and universities around the country, and green is on the minds of many. When I attended college at Michigan State University, I hardly noticed anything environmental other than the beautiful campus. What I...

House passes Solis' Green Jobs bill.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Green Jobs Act of 2007, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) to help train American workers for jobs in the renewable energy and energy-efficiency...

Student design competition features environmentally friendly uses for concrete.(NEWSLINE)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Skokie, Ill. -- U.S. and Canadian entries took top honors this year at the "Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World" international student design competition in a field that included more than 80 entries from the United States, Canada,...

Renewable energy forecast: 40 million jobs in U.S.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Boulder, Colo. -- The nation's first comprehensive report on the size of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries has been released. With appropriate public policies, by the year 2030 the renewable energy and energy efficiency...

U.S. EPA, US BCSD announce international initiative.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Chicago -- In an effort to promote environmentally sustainable economic development worldwide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD) announced a far-ranging agreement...

Student advocacy on global warming explodes.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Washington, D.C. -- The Campus Climate Challenge wrapped its first year of explosive student activity that pushed campuses to become models for a clean energy revolution to stop global warming. The Challenge is a three-year campaign of the...

The green patient room.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Houston -- Environmental responsibility and healthcare are on the national conscience. Addressing these concerns is the Green Patient Room, a healthcare exhibit utilizing ecologically-friendly design and materials to show just how "green"...

Pennsylvania University implements $10 million contract.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Dallas -- East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) has signed a $10-million performance contract with the Energy Solutions division of TAC. TAC will provide facility upgrades to simplify operations and improve the comfort and...

Facilities strategic plan update for the UCCS.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Loebl Schlossman & Hackl announced that the Colorado Board of Regents has unanimously approved the Facilities Strategic Plan Update for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). This long-range master...

Curtainwall wraps syracuse students in first amendment.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Wausau, Wis. -- Students of Syracuse University's School of Public Communications literally will be wrapped in the First Amendment as it is inscribed on the glass exterior of the newest campus building, Newhouse III. Wausau Window and Wall...

Discovering green at Metalcon.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Las Vegas -- "The Architect Wants a Green Building... How to Successfully Achieve That Goal" is one of the many green sessions appearing this year at Metalcon. Moderated by ED+C Senior Editor Michelle Hucal, LEED AP, this session will show how...

Clivus Multrum Composting Toilet System wins top 10 award.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Lawrence, Mass. -- Clivus Multrum's Composting Toilet System has been judged one of the "Top 10 Green Building Products of 2007" by Sustainable Industries--a Portland, Oregon-based green business magazine. The "Top 10 Green Building Products"...

Ohio's first green county courthouse.(NEWSLINE)
September 1, 2007... Columbus, Ohio -- County Commissioners and the Franklin County Courthouse project team were joined by members of the Common Pleas court and city officials to unveil the first green county courthouse in Ohio. Located immediately north of the...

Green building website to assist sustainable building practices.(NEWSLINE)(Website overview)
September 1, 2007... Cambridge, Mass. -- Grace Construction Products has expanded its green building initiative with the launch of a dedicated section on its website to green building products and practices. The new "Building Green with Grace" site links users with...

New + Notable.
September 1, 2007... LIGHT-REFLECTIVE PLASTIC OFFERS AESTHETIC OPPORTUNITIES 1 Nashua, N.H. -- MB Wellington Studio's Lightblocks is a hard, translucent plastic that is stronger than glass and offers a soft, light-reflecting quality, the company reports. This...

2007 Excellence in Design Awards: institutional, non-profit organization, educational or healthcare category.
September 1, 2007... The Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies, De Anza College, is the lead demonstration building for energy innovation and sustainability of the California Community College System and serves as a national model for educating the public about...

Healing the environment: the LEED Platinum Oregon Health & Science University's Center for Health & Healing demonstrates energy-efficient building and environmental sustainability.
September 1, 2007... Oregon Health & Science University's (OHSU) new clinical and research building in Portland's rapidly developing South Waterfront district--as well as the plans it has laid down for the future expansion of the university as a whole--has raised...

Towards a sustainable campus: Ithaca College commits to the environment with new Gateway Building.
September 1, 2007... College campuses across the country are taking strides toward sustainability in their efforts to be environmentally, socially and fiscally sound. Committed to building a sustainable future, Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., developed a...

Build green for future generations: century-old Georgia higher learning institutions ensure future sustainability.(BUILD GREEN)(Company overview)
September 1, 2007... Atlanta's Spelman College, founded in 1881, is taking a bold step toward environmental responsibility--and making history at the same time--with its new green residential facility, now under construction in the Atlanta University Center (AUC)...

Preventing point chasing: prioritizing sustainable goals at penn state through the LEED process.
September 1, 2007... Having recently received its first LEED Gold certification, and with approximately $1 billion of sustainable building projects scheduled for the next five years, Penn State is taking strides to ensure that its buildings are aligned with its...

Steel truss system provides ease of use.(METAL AND STEEL)
September 1, 2007... Phoenix -- Tri-Chord Steel carries open web floor and roof trusses that provide silent, sturdy floors and roofs, according to the company. The trusses reportedly provide for easy attachment of wood decking without the use of screws. Complete...

Color-shifting finish system.(METAL AND STEEL)
September 1, 2007... Mooresville, N.C. -- Alucobond Spectra Colors--a new color finishing system for Alucobond aluminum composite materials--has been introduced by Alcan Composites USA Inc. According to the company, Alucobond Spectra Colors change colors as...

Steel framing system offers fast installation.(METAL AND STEEL)(Brief article)
September 1, 2007... Harvey, Ill. -- Dynastructure (formerly Dresden Framing Systems) from Allied Tube & Conduit--Construction Division (ACD) is tubular framing systems made of high post-consumer recycled content, with integrated stud and tack. Arriving...

Gutter system seeks to improve ease of installation.(METAL AND STEEL)
September 1, 2007... Cambridge, Mass. -- Suitable for most eave conditions, the RHEINZINK titanium zinc Snap-Lock Drainage System simplifies installation and significantly reduces labor costs by eliminating the need for precise fitting and alignment of brackets,...

Closed-loop furniture.(OFFICE SYSTEMS AND FURNITURE)
September 1, 2007... Long Lake, Minn. -- Baltix Furniture, Inc. offers a closed-loop solution that uses natural materials that contain no harmful adhesives, formaldehydes or VOCs, the company reports www.baltix.com. BALTIX FURNITURE, INC. READER SERVICE...

Modern and sustainable casegood collection.(OFFICE SYSTEMS AND FURNITURE)
September 1, 2007... Jasper, Ind. -- Tahke, from Jofco, is sustainable, freestanding furniture engineered to accommodate the demands of today's office, according to the company. Designed to suit diverse office aesthetics, the line includes five desk styles: single...

New material to [F.sup.3] seating line.(OFFICE SYSTEMS AND FURNITURE)
September 1, 2007... Muscatine, Iowa -- The HON Company's [F.sup.3] chair is now available in a new material called ilira--stretch. The material features a three-dimensional knit with an open-weave pattern, which allows for enhanced airflow, according to the...

Cradle-to-cradle certified work station.(OFFICE SYSTEMS AND FURNITURE)
September 1, 2007... Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Tour workspace, from Turnstone--a Steelcase, Inc. company--is comprised of seven elements to be configured into over 80 combinations to fit a variety of office designs or specifications. The company reports that Tour...

Greenguard certified auditorium and classroom furniture.(OFFICE SYSTEMS AND FURNITURE)
September 1, 2007... Green Bay, Wis. -- Several lines of auditorium seating and classroom furniture from KI now carry GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification for low emitting products from the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). The newest KI lines...

Indirect fired domestic water heater.(WATER HEATERS)
September 1, 2007... Lebanon, Tenn. -- The Squire, from Lochinvar, is a stainless steel indirect fired water heater for use with the KNIGHT Heating Boiler. The stainless steel tank and oversized heat exchanger offer a recovery rate up to three times faster than...

High-capacity tankless water heater.(WATER HEATERS)
September 1, 2007... Peachtree City, Georgia -- Rinnai Corporation's tankless water heater, model R98 (REU-3237), has a maximum output of 9.8 gpm at a 35 degree rise. According to the company, the R98 maintains energy savings over traditional tank water heaters and...

Hot water in a flash.(WATER HEATERS)
September 1, 2007... Irvine, Calif. -- Designed for commercial and heavy residential use, Takagi's T-H1 is equipped with a pre-heating system and built-in neutralizer to provide greater efficiency and reliability. www.takagi.com. TAKAGI INDUSTRIAL CO. USA,...

Tankless line offers new and exclusive features.(WATER HEATERS)
September 1, 2007... Montgomery, Ala. -- Rheem's 2nd generation tankless water heaters offer a variety of residential and commercial hot water applications, capable of handling all the hot water needs of a home, a business, or even large heavyduty project,...

Building today to conserve the future.(CONCRETE)
September 1, 2007... Let's begin with the things you already know about concrete: Concrete is, of course, strong--at least in compression. And concrete reinforced with steel can handle the worst abuse--we build bomb shelters and prisons with concrete. It doesn't...

Concrete's contribution: even without LCA, concrete yields green building points.(CONCRETE)
September 1, 2007... Could a sustainable building be built without concrete? Sure--but it's easier with concrete. The durability alone that is one of concrete's inherent qualities provides an advantage in creating a sustainable structure. In a recent article...

Concrete pavement without the runoff.(CONCRETE)
September 1, 2007... Controlling stormwater runoff from paved areas is a source of sustainability points under either LEED or Green Globes. But more importantly, capturing this runoff at the source can actually make sites viable that might otherwise be ineligible...

Concrete in disguise.(CONCRETE)
September 1, 2007... Today's concrete interiors come in nearly any color or pattern imaginable. And they aren't just interesting and beautiful, but also provide finishes that contribute to sustainable construction. Concrete floors are near zero maintenance. Unlike...

Students thinking sustainable concrete.(CONCRETE)(Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture)(Portland Cement Association)
September 1, 2007... Beginning in 2006, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) teamed up with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) to sponsor a student design competition: "Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World." The competition drew...

Cement manufacturing: taking an aggressive approach to sustainability.(CONCRETE)
September 1, 2007... Portland cement is the basic "glue" material in concrete. Mixed with water to create a paste, cement typically constitutes from 10 to 12 percent of the entire concrete mix. The remainder is aggregates, such as sand, gravel and stone. According...