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February 09, 2010

GSA to Green-Up Portland, Oregonm Federal Building




Green Vertical wall

The GSA is renovating the 18 story federal building in Portland, Oregon.  Green features include a vertical green wall and reduced water usage with low flow fixtures and recycled roof water.

"... part of a $133 million renovation, the General Services Administration wants to grow “vegetated fins” on the western facade of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building ... save energy year-round using one of Mother Nature’s own tools."

" ... will use 60 to 65 percent less energy than comparable buildings. That translates to an energy cost savings of $280,000 per year."

"Solar panels could also provide up to 15 percent of the building’s power needs. Energy use for lighting will be halved."

"... building in question was already slated for an energy efficiency upgrade, but funds from last year’s federal stimulus package stressed projects that were environmentally friendly."

Via:  SmartPlanet  LINK

February 02, 2010

LEED Football Stadium Planned for LA NFL Market with Rammed Earth Design




Aedas is involved in the design of the new NFL stadium in Los Angeles, which will meet LEED criteria and leverages a rammed earth design through integration into a hill. ...
... "75,000-seat stadium will be the first LEED-certified building in the NFL and will capture the luxury and drama of the world’s entertainment capital. The project will be completed for the 2011 season. " ...
Via Aedas: Los Angeles NFL Stadium

LA NFL Stadium video.

January 25, 2010

Newport, Tennessee Housing Authority: Green Admin Building




Newport Housing Authority Building

Green buildings and designs are being found all across the country ... the Housing Authority Administration building in Newport, Tennessee is green.  Read about the many green features and technologies used.

" ... 8,585 square foot administration building ... Design included multiple "green" features: photovaltaic solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, premium insulation package, Energy Star windows and lighting, low flow faucets and toilets and low impact site design. Project cost was $1,000,000.00."

 

Via:  McGraw-Hill Construction Community   LINK

January 24, 2010

Visionaire - Green Living in Battery Park City, NYC.




The Visionaire, NYC

There is a new Green building in NYC - at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park City.  Read about the Visionaire - it is one very green building - though a very expensive place to live with pricing startling at just under $700,000 and going to a little over $6 million.

" ...  the Visionaire ... a testing ground for urban green architecture."

"... All building fixtures reduce use of potable water, and a blackwater treatment system means that all toilet water in the building is recycled, treated wastewater. Stormwater collection reserves irrigate the green roofs, which cover 70 percent of the roof surface ... a natural gas-powered microturbine on the structure’s roof harnesses its own waste energy to heat water."

" ... saves an estimated 42 percent in energy costs against a base-line average. This is largely the result of efficient building systems and the building envelope ... goal was achieved through exhaustive attention to detail ... "

According to an article on the Jan 24th, 2010 Philadelphia Inquirer the building is LEED Platinum Certified.

 

Via:  Greensource  LINK

 

January 19, 2010

Iceland's LEED GOLD Data Center




Iceland Data Center

" ... data center developer Verne Global ... announced it is constructing the first international data center in Iceland ... converting a former NATO command center into a data center."

" ... designed to take full advantage of Iceland's infrastructure and environment ... the data center, whose total footprint is about 430,600 square feet, will be designed around LEED Gold standards ... will deploy innovative practices of HVAC and adaptive reuse of the world-class facilities already in place."

" ... will benefit from the large amount of free cooling available in Iceland, as well as its renewable energy sources and constant power rates."

" ... Verne Global is breaking new ground in using Iceland's natural green resources to mitigate both increasing emissions and rising energy costs."

 

Via:  Web Host Industry Review  LINK

January 09, 2010

West Paw Design - Green Pet Supplies




West Paw Design logoPuppy Toys have gone GREEN.

We recently got a puppy and have noticed there are lots of GREEN puppy (and cat) things to be had ...

" ... In an age of disposability, these products stand the test of time. ... Utilizing eco friendly materials, such as reclaimed cotton, organic cotton, eco fabric and stuffing made with IntelliLoft™ recycled fibers, reyclable Zogoflex, and recycled fabric that can be recycled again ... "

Earth Friendly logo

" ... developed a manufacturing process that minimizes waste (currently as low as 2.4%!) ... our state-of-the-art building ... was constructed using the latest developments in energy efficient design in 2001 ... building expansion in 2009 and 2010 ... reclaiming 30,000 lbs of concrete."

" ... Reclaimed and reused old boxes are utilized to store finished goods rather than plastic manufacturing totes ... also incorporate recycled material in our shipping boxes."

Via:  West Paw Design  LINK

December 28, 2009

Livable Green Building




Chartwell School used green building design features to strive for net-zero energy footprint. ...
... "The school building's features include tall, north-facing windows that control enough light and heat gain to reduce the school’s need for electricity by 50 percent. In addition, classrooms and many other areas in the building rely on naturally occurring convection currents rather than noisy, high-maintenance and energy-hungry ventilation systems. " ...
Via University of Califonia at Berkeley: Livable Buildings, 2009

Continue reading "Livable Green Building" »

December 24, 2009

PNC's One PNC Plaza Features a "Green Wall"




PNC is well known for their green projects ... one of their ads says they have more green buildings than any other bank ...

In addition to having green buildings - PNC now has a GREEN WALL. " ... the largest green wall in North America ... 2,380 sq. ft., soil-based wall - similar in size to a doubles tennis court - features a variety of regional plants grown into living art on the south-facing wall of One PNC Plaza ... in downtown Pittsburgh." " ... estimated that each of the 602 panels, with 24 plants in each 2x2 sq. ft. space, will offset the carbon footprint of one person. ... similar to a green roof, will help to cool the 30-story building ... wall is a fitting reminder that PNC is the world leader in green building ...".

" ... has more newly constructed buildings certified by the United States Green Building Council under its LEED® program than any other company in the world ... includes 64 trademark Green Branch® locations and two office buildings. About 20 environmentally friendly branches and two other major buildings are under construction or awaiting LEED certification." Via: PRNewsWire LINK

November 24, 2009

Adura Technologies for Office Lighting Energy Savings




Ever wonder why office building always seem to be lit up at night ? Often if is because the lighting controls do not allow for fine lighting control .... lights are either on or off for the whole floor ... or a large portion of the floor. I recall this when I worked in office buildings past the automatic "lights out" time programmed into the lighting relays.

 

 

"Commercial office buildings are one of the main culprits of the current climate crisis ... consume large amounts of electricity and release excessive carbon emissions ... Adura Technologies has developed a mesh-based lighting system that is reducing costs and consumption inside buildings. The technology consists of wireless radios that plug into florescent light fixtures giving employees more control over their personal lighting space. ... also created a dual motion sensing-personal control system that is being used at UC Berkeley that allows students to break the hard-wired connection and control their lighting from their desktop PCs."

 

 

 

 

Via: SmartPlanet LINK

November 21, 2009

Live Roof Green Roofing




LiveRoof log

Looking to add a green roof?  Lots of building are now sporting green roofs.  There are a number of environmental and economical reasons to green the roof.  A green roof can even help get a LEED certification.

"Urban Heat Island Mitigation ... Green roof vegetation helps by cooling the air, slowing air movement and acting as a substrate for pollution to settle out and detoxify. ... Noise Reduction ... Plants, soil, and air trapped in the soil are great acoustic insulators.  ... green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels ... Fire Prevention ... Succulent green roof plants help reduce the risk of fire. ..."

"Water Conservation/Reduction of Storm Water Runoff ... green roof systems acts like a sponge and absorbs excess rain water ... green roof systems can reduce runoff by up to 90+% annually ... Habitat Recreation
Plants and soil help recreate habitat for butterflies, insects, and songbirds. "

Check out LiveRoof for more information.

 

Via:  LiveRoof LINK

November 10, 2009

Cronkite School Building is LEED Silver




The ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication building in Phoenix has achieved LEED Silver performance level through its design, orientation, materials, xeriscape, fixtures, and sensors. ...
... "The Cronkite building was constructed with numerous sustainable features, including an east-west orientation for solar control, exterior overhangs and sunscreens for shading windows, energy-saving materials to help optimize building-energy performance, low or no-water landscaping, low-flow plumbing fixtures, building materials that meet LEED low-emitting product requirements and occupancy sensors for lighting control. " ...
Via Arizona State: LEED Cronkite building

November 09, 2009

IBM's Green Data Center




Data centers are huge power users ... power for the servers ... that creates heat that then needs more power for A/C to keep things cool. Even with advances in technology such as blade servers and VM-type servers the energy density and energy demands are increasing. IBM has been working on ways to instrument data centers " ... uses networked sensors and liquid cooling to lower energy use." Using data from actual IBM data centers provides real world variable data that helps improve the overall process. Via: ZDNet LINK

November 05, 2009

HP Intelligent Building Management Solutions




HP Eco Solutions

 "HP recognizes the important role that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector will play in enabling carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions ... committed to reducing our own contribution to climate change as well as developing IT solutions that can help lower or reduce the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 into the atmosphere. ...  In most countries, buildings are the largest driver for both energy use and CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions. The 160 million buildings of the EU, for example, are estimated to use over 40 percent of Europe’s energy and to drive over 40 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions ..."

"HP’s Intelligent Building Competence Center (IBCC) offers the BuilDog solution for the next generation of fully managed and optimized buildings ... manage a buildings heating and cooling and electricity use as well as security, facilities, inventory, telecommunications and more. Smart management ... can result in reductions of 25-35% (in cost) through optimization of the facility as well as resource use and purchase."

 

Via:  HP LINK

November 04, 2009

Net Zero Water Homes




water cycle Along with Net ZERO energy houses folks are now talking about Net ZERO Water homes.  The idea is to be self sufficient - self sustaining and off the "water grid".

" ... Water ... requires energy to deliver, so excess use compounds our energy problems ... many renewable sources of power, such as solar, require massive amounts of water as an input, creating further pressure on limited resources."

"Net Zero water is an analogous concept to net zero energy. Through ... rainfall harvesting, aggressive conservation, and water recycling, buildings can achieve self-sufficiency from the water “grid.”"

" ... divide available sources of water into categories and treat them accordingly. Rainwater is relatively clean, and can be converted into drinking water with a minimum of processing.... grey water can be cleaned by filtering it through a biological wastewater treatment system ... "

While not yet achievavle for more that a few select instances ... Net ZERO water ..."makes as much sense as energy efficiency, and net zero water provides an admirably ambitious goal."

 

Via:  TerraPAss  LINK

 

November 02, 2009

Easy Ways to Save Energy




CFL bulb 

It's always nice to save some energy (energy = money).  Sometimes these are really easy low cost ideas.  Check these out ...simple, easy and low tech ... programmable thermostat

" ...  Put a timer on your hot-water heater ... no need for your hot water heater to keep running 24/7. ... if you're going away for a few days, turn your hot-water heater off altogether ... change the last of your old bulbs to CFLs. It's getting darker earlier, and than means we need more lighting. Be green and save energy. ... LED flashlights. ..."

 

Via:  SustainLane  LINK

Green Makeover Meets Scalability Challenges




The Willis Tower (Sear Tower) is undergoing a green renovation that will confront scale issues that are not present in smaller buildings. It will serve as a lab for efficiency retrofit buildings. And, because of its scale, energy savings will be significant. ...
... "the only visible sign of what the owners hope to be an environmental model for the world is a pallet of dirt and sedum on the tower's 90th floor roof, the beginnings of a green roof so high that only mountain vegetation can grow there. " ...
Via Chicago Tribune: Willis Tower

October 30, 2009

Calstar Green Building Products




Calstar logoHere is an interesting approach toi reducing waste and CO2 at the same time.  Using fly ash (waste and high in CO2) to make bricks solves both.

Read about CalStar's  approach >>> 

" ... CalStar directly addresses global climate change and CO2 emissions ... Brick is an energy- and carbon-intensive industry ... U.S. demand for brick is almost 10 billion units in a typical year. At 1.3 pounds of CO2 per brick, the industry footprint equals almost 13 billion pounds of CO2 per year. ..."

 "Our commitment to green extends to product safety ...  to ensure they are safe throughout their lifecycle, from manufacture to placement to use (and reuse) to end-of-life disposal ...  process for making fly ash into bricks binds the materials within a strong crystalline matrix that holds even if exposed to the intense acids found in landfills. ..."

"CalStar ... promotes pragmatic solutions to climate change .... reducing the carbon footprint of cement, the biggest lever for industry has been and continues to be substitution of fly ash for CO2-intensive Ordinary Portland Cement. "

 

Via:  Calstar  LINK

October 18, 2009

Team Germany Solar Decathlon Virtual Tour






October 16, 2009

Smart High Tech Roofs Change Color Based on Temperature




Color Changing Roofing TilesWhite roofs are the "hot" thing in roofing ... allowing for a lowed burden on a/c systems.

But dark colored roofs can bring solar gain to warm buildings ... if only roof tiles were smart enough to know ...

The next "hot" thing in roofing might be roofing that can change color based on outdoor temperature to maximize or minimize solar gain.

"MIT researchers have developed roof tiles that change color based on the temperature, turning white when it’s hot to deflect heat and turning black when it’s cold to absorb it ... the tiles can reflect about 80 percent of sunlight when they’re white and 30 percent of sunlight when they’re black. ... white state ... could save as much as 20 percent of present cooling costs ..."

" ... system ... made of a ... polymer in a water solution ... encapsulated between flexible plastic layers, with a dark layer at the back. When the temperature is above a certain level ... the polymer  ... produce a white surface and scatter light.  ... Below that temperature, the polymer stays dissolved, revealing the tile’s black backing and absorbing the sun’s heat ..."


Via: SmartPlanet LINK

The Solar Decathlon Winner is Team Germany




Yes. But not exactly. ... Q: Who really won? A. Team Germany B. The Environment C. All of Us. D. The Students. E. All of the Above. Answer (E). Congratulation to all of the students, their professors, their mentors and parents, the sponsors, and the Department of Energy for a fantastic Solar Decathlon event that showcased sustainable design, green technologies, and, most importantly, the passionate spirit of our students. Great job! See you at the next Solar Decathlon in 2010 in Spain. RFP for 2011 Solar Decathlon (PDF).



October 15, 2009

Solar Decathlon University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Gable Home Leads into the Competition HomeStretch






University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students have achieved a leading green building in their Gable Home design. The Illinois group was made up of a multi-disciplinary team of students that participated in the Solar Decathlon competition.



The solar photovoltaic power system is sized to be a net generator of power to the grid.



The Gable House's exterior architecture delivers a distinctive Midwest feeling with gable roof and barn siding.



However, the interior translates the visitor into a modern atmosphere.



The walls are quite thick, delivering excellent insulation meeting passive design standards. And, renewable wood is used in the structure.



Recycled wood was used for the exterior siding.



Will Team Illinois continue their lead and win the net metering criteria? We will see on Friday morning. ... More Gable Home pictures after the jump.

Continue reading "Solar Decathlon University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Gable Home Leads into the Competition HomeStretch" »

White or Lighter Color Roofs - Low Tech Way to Save Energy




White Roof in process ...

Sometime low tech is the way to go ... painting a flat roof white can reduce the A/C load on a building and keep it cooler ...

This low tech solution " ... can act much like earth's snow covered poles; reflecting the sun’s light and heat as opposed to absorbing it ... keeps buildings cooler, reducing the problem of urban heat islands and saving energy (and money). ... we could counteract global warming simply by increasing the Earth’s total reflective surface. ...Terra Cotta roofing"

" ... Changing from a dark shingle ... to a light-colored (titanium-based white or terra cotta red) shingle can cut air conditioning costs by up to 40%. Georgia has been a leader in pushing cool roofs, passing a state law encouraging the shift. ... other states and regions also provide incentives, and the federal government is considering adding heat reflectivity requirements to housing regulations. "


Via:  WorldChanging  LINK  and LINK

October 14, 2009

Oberlin College - Living Machine® Waste Water Plant




Oberlin CollegeOberlin College's Living Machine® is a waste water treatment system that teaches students how nature purified water for years ... but is unlike most modern systems.

" ... treats wastewater using a system of engineered ecologies that include microbes, plants, snails and insects, and is designed to treat up to 2,000 gallons of ... wastewater daily in a beautiful, garden-like atmosphere. ... Upon completion of a water- pressurization system, the treated wastewater will be recycled back through the building for non-potable re-use."Living Machine

"Invented by Dr. John Todd, of Living Machines, Inc. ... Wastewater flows from the building into two underground reactors ... an anaerobic biological process begins digestion of the wastes.  ... wastewater flows through two closed aerobic reactors ... where the remaining organic compounds are further degraded. ...[then] ... enters the Living Machine® solarium and flows through three open aerobic reactors. ... plants such as papyrus, calla lilies and willows root into the planted aerobic reactors and assist in the treatment process."

" ... biosolids are settled out of the wastewater in a clarifier. ... then flows through a constructed wetland surrounding the open aerobic tanks for final ‘polishing.’ Ultraviolet disinfection is the final step prior to the treated wastewater being reused in the buildings’ toilets."



Via:  Oberlin College  LINK

 

October 13, 2009

Solar Decathlon Team California Refract House Leads with Architecture and Communications






Team California is made up of Santa Clara University and the California College of the Arts students, who collaborated to create the Refract House for the 2009 Solar Decathlon.



The Refract House has a modern, beach house feel. Each room is angled so that as you enter the house, you built up anticipation to enter the next room. Cool effect. Via California College of the Arts: Team California Wins Architecture Contest in Solar Decathlon: "Team California wins the architecture contest with a score of 98 out of a possible 100. Evaluating three main factors - architectural elements, holistic design, and inspiration - the jurors praised Team California's house as beautiful in every respect. "



The pathway and ramps to the California Refract House were integrated with posters and materials to educate the visitor. And, the solar house's project manager answered questions from the front deck. She was a high energy, passionate speaker. This passion for communications has vaulted Team California to the top of the Communcations criteria. Via Department of Energy on Tuesday October 13: Team California Wins the Solar Decathlon Communications Contest: "Team California impressed jurors with the communications strategies, promotional materials, and people skills the team displayed while conveying the technical aspects of household solar energy systems to the public. "



More pictures after the jump. ...

Continue reading "Solar Decathlon Team California Refract House Leads with Architecture and Communications" »

October 12, 2009

Solar Decathlon Germany House Technology Showcase






Team Germany's entry in the Solar Decathlon was designed and constructed by the Technische Universitat Darmstadt.



The roof panels and house exterior are integrated with solar photovoltaics. Single crystal panels are on the roof and thin-film CIGS are used on the exterior. The solar system is sized to make this house a significant net generator of power back to the grid. We will see how the team performs on the net metering criteria of the contest. It should do very well.



The two-story cube-shaped house has a nice exterior deck, modern kitchen and dining room, pull-out integrated beds and a cool loft design.



Continue reading "Solar Decathlon Germany House Technology Showcase" »

October 11, 2009

Solar Decathlon Rice University ZeROW House Designed for Affordability






Rice University students designed and built the ZeROW House, a zero energy row house, with affordability in mind. The appliances are smaller, efficient models to draw a lower load on the electrical system, which is powered by 4KW solar panel array.

This energy efficient row house is targeted for delivery and installation for low-to-moderate income families in Houston's third ward through the Row House Community Development Corporation.

These Rice University students were motivated and passionate about their creation and advancing the state of affordable and sustainable design.















Continue reading "Solar Decathlon Rice University ZeROW House Designed for Affordability" »

Insulation from Recycled Blue Jeans




blue jean insulation

I heard about recycled blue jeans being used as building insulation at the 2009 Solar Decathlon in DC this past Saturday (Oct 10th).

"UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation ... revolutionary patented manufacturing process that has created a superior and safe product. ... made from high quality natural fibers. ... Ultra TouchDOES NOT ITCH and is very easy to handle and work with."

" ... contains no chemical irritants ... requires no warning labels ... no VOC concerns ... it is safe for you and the environment."

" ... meets BondedLogic logothe highest ASTM testing standards for fire and smoke ratings, fungi resistance and corrosiveness. ... contains 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to use a high quality sustainable building material."

 " ... available to purchase nationally on The Home Depot website or through your local distributor."

 

Via:  Bonded Logic  LINK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 10, 2009

Solar Decathlon 2009 in Full Swing




Overhead view of Solar Decathlon 2009
Solar Decathlon 2009 is in full swing on the Mall in Washington DC. 

With the US Capital on one end and the Washington Memorial on the other it is an amazing site.  Sponsored by the U.S. DOE there are 20 houses showing what is possible with green technologies - using current off the shelf products and some very creative thinking.

Most of the teams are from US colleges  with several international entries ... including Spain and Germany.

 

Given parameters of 800 sq ft there are some very creative solutions.  Some stress extreme insulation, all have some sort of garden area, all have solar PV and some have solar hot water.  Most interesting is the creative use of 800 sq ft ...

As of this writing RICE is in the lead ... thought the difference between top and bottom on the ranking is not all that great.  Yesterday was very sunny so anyone with LOTS of PV was sure to get extra points ...

 Look for more posts and some GREENTECHNOLOG pictures ...

 

Via:  Greentechnolog.com  LINK

 

October 07, 2009

Greener Concrete




Concrete is everywhere and is a key component of modern infrastructure .... used in roads, buildings, bridges, etc.  It is also anything BUT green.  Not only is it typically gray - its manufacturing process is quite dirty.

"MIT Prof. Franz-Josef Ulm is obsessed with concrete and how to make it greener ... behind the reinvention of this backbone material ... that  happens to contribute up to five per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. "MIT Prof Franz-Josef Ulm

" ... in concert with the Portland Cement Association and the Ready Mixed Concrete Research & Education Foundation will try to ... reduc[e] ...the carbon emissions in concrete cement mfg plantproduction by 83 per cent over the next 40 years."

" ...  25 billion tons of concrete are produced annually on a worldwide basis versus 3.3 billion tons of lumber. ... production ... emits carbon dioxide (CO2) in two ways. Cement forms the glue in concrete and is made from limestone. However, limestone isn’t cement until the CO2 is baked out, a process that makes up half of concrete’s carbon emissions. ... other 50 per cent ... comes from fossil fuels used to heat the limestone up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. ..."


Via:  Smart Planet  LINK

October 06, 2009

Dow POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles




Dow Solar Solutions logoThe Dow Chemical company is active in the green energy space with several innovative products.  They recently announced their entry into the solar cell market with the " ... POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, ... panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. ... expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and ... more widely available in 2011, ..."

"... integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, ... design reduces installation costs because the conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors ..."solar shingles

"... addresses two of the biggest challenges associated with solar power – cost and acceptance. "


Via:  Dow  LINK

September 28, 2009

Univ Minnesota Solar House Design, ICON-ic




The University of Minnesota Solar Decathlon home, ICON, deploys an asymetrical roof to capture the sun's rays on its photovoltaic panels. The University's team involved a diverse set of disciplines to collaborate on the design and construction. This green building uses solar, solar thermal, extensive insulation, and recycled construction materials to create an architecurally pleasing, energy independent home. ...
... "The U's ICON house, named for how its asymmetrical roof may come to symbolize solar homes in the future, is powered entirely by the sun. It has solar panels aplenty plus the latest in energy-efficient materials. " ...
Via University of Minnesota: Ready to Compete in the Solar Decathlon

Continue reading "Univ Minnesota Solar House Design, ICON-ic" »

September 25, 2009

Cylindrical Solar Photovoltaics to Power Penn State Natural Fusion Home at the Solar Decathlon




Penn State's entry in the Solar Decathlon, Natural Fusion, will deploy Solyndra's cylindrical solar panels as the power plant for their home. The team has also integrated a green roof into the design equation. Local residents can view the home today, before it is relocated to the National Mall in Washington, DC for the Depertment of Energy's competition. Good luck to the Nittany Lions. ...
... "Natural Fusion is the first residential project to utilize the Solyndra cylindrical photovoltaics, which captures more sunlight throughout the entire day than traditional flat panels, which can only capture the most intense sunlight in the middle of the day. It's a system called Green Roof Integrated Photovoltaics (GRIP V) where the properties of the green roof beneath the panels create greater efficiency in powering the house. " ...
Via Penn State: Solar-powered home design

Solyndra has a novel panel design that increases the total output of the solar power plant. ...


Continue reading "Cylindrical Solar Photovoltaics to Power Penn State Natural Fusion Home at the Solar Decathlon" »

September 24, 2009

Curio House - Boston's Solar Decathlon Entry




http://i.zdnet.com/gallery/344742-480-322.jpg

Boston's entry in the Solar Decathlon is called Curio House and is built mostly from off the shelf technologies and powered by the sun.  Cobuilt by Tufts University and the Boston Architecture School the building will be on its way to the Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, DC in October.

See related post on the Solar Decathlon.

" ... designed to run entirely from solar energy. ..."

" ... team has focused its design on affordability, making an 800-square-foot building using almost entirely off-the-shelf products and technologies. ... lined up a buyer for the home in Cape Cod where it is supposed to be the first unit in a green housing development. ... projected cost of the building, big enough for two people and a small child, is about $200,000. ..."

 

Via:  ZDNet  LINK

September 13, 2009

Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL)




Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL)

The Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, NY is " ... a state-of-the art education center and natural wastewater treatment facility. "

" ... is a pioneering project in the Living Building Challenge and is expected to be the first building in the United States to receive the Living Building designation in addition to receiving LEED Platinum certification."Omerga Center for Sustainable Living

" ... the Living Building Challenge requires buildings to be informed by their eco-region's characteristics; generate all of their own energy with renewable resources; capture and treat all of their water; operate efficiently; and be designed for maximum beauty. ... six performance areas—site, energy, materials, water, indoor quality, and beauty & inspiration—and certain criteria to be met in each category in order for a building to be designated a Living Building."

 

 

Via:  Omega Center for Sustainable Living  LINK

September 12, 2009

European Green Head Office Uses Energy Storage System




BNP Paribas Fortis headquarters in Brussels will implement green building innovations by Imtech. BNP Paribas combined with Fortis earlier in 2009. The portfolio of green buidling technologies applied at this head office in Europe will result in a fifty percent reduction in energy consumption. ...
... "The residual heat released is used to heat the building. In addition, an innovative Borehole Energy Storage (BES) system is being laid. The system uses 100-metre-deep boreholes to temporarily store cold energy deep underground. This air is then transferred to the building via an ingenious, energy-conserving piping network, for climate conditioning. Solar panels are placed on the roof to preheat warm water for the building’s restrooms." ...
Via Imtech: Green head office in Brussels

September 10, 2009

Serious Materials - Green Building Materials




SeriousMaterials logo

 

Serious Materials produces a line of green environmentally friendly building products that help homeowners save energy ...


"... develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that dramatically reduce the impact of the 'built environment' on the climate."

" ... aim for breakthroughs in product performance, without requiring changes in customer behavior or in how products are used – thus speeding market adoption."

" Serious Windows high-performance insulated windows and glass, which can reduce heating and cooling energy costs and emissions up to 40% ...QuietRock soundproof drywall & QuietHome Windows, which can reduce material use, GreenRock™, a green alternative to standard drywall ... uses 80% less energy to produce its core, resulting in 80% lower CO2 emissions. ... "

" ... manufacture products in ... Sunnyvale, California; Newark, California; Boulder, Colorado; Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. ... to create thousands of green collar jobs ... in the U.S. Products are widely available through building products dealers in the U.S. and Canada."




Via: Serious Materials LINK

September 08, 2009

More on Green Building Design - Video




Green Buildings are more than just green components assembled into a building. At a recent Green Building Summit in Menlo Park, Ca " ... tech executives discuss what is needed to construct and design "green" buildings. ... contend that many "green" buildings are not energy efficient and smart design means more than picking the right materials and products." Via: SmartPlanet LINK

September 04, 2009

Green Home Construction -- Video




Listen to Marc Porat, Chairman of the Board of Serious Materials, discus issues surrounding green homes ... from the Greentech MEdia's Green Building Summit ... how many can be built / retrofitted per year ... what does this do for energy savings and job creation ... " ... Serious Material Chairman Marc Porat discusses the challenges associated with building "green" residential homes. He believes it's important for the green industry to persuade governments to mandate environmentally sustainable buildings in order to speed up construction." Via: SmartPlanet LINK

August 28, 2009

Prairie Bunkers, LLC - Repurpose Buildings to Data Centers




Prairie Bunkers potential locations

 Prairie Bunkers LLC is repurposing WWII ammunition depots into secure energy efficient data centers.  These structures are built to withstand force 5 tornadoes.

In addition to the green aspect of repurposing an existing building ... there are others green features.

 

"Saves approximately 5000 cubic tons of carbon emission which would be produced by construction of a similar structure ... electrical provider .... has a high percentage of renewable energy, including hydro, wind and nuclear ... On-site solar and wind energy systems in planning stages ... Air Economizers to use “free cooling” from average annual temperature of 54 degrees ... Optional active geothermal ... heat pump system ... Passive Geothermal, provided by the bermed earth covering on three sides and top of bunkers ..."

" .... Native vegetation landscaping minimizes irrigation ... Fire suppression agent has zero carbon foot print ... UPS Options including flywheel technology ... Recycled building products including flooring tiles and cable trays ..."

 

Via:  Prairie Bunkers, LLC LINK

 

August 14, 2009

GE's Smart / Zero Energy Home




GE Zero Energy Home

Imaging a ZERO energy home.  Sound realistic? GE thinks so !

GE's “Net Zero Energy Home” ..." ... combines GE’s most efficient appliances and lighting, GE’s new energy management systems, and GE power generating and storing technologies. ... together, the system will enable a homeowner to achieve net zero energy costs by 2015."

" ... the Home Energy Manager, the central nervous system for the Net Zero Energy Home. ... smart thermostats will also be introduced ... to work in tandem with the energy manager. ... plans to develop residential power generation products like solar PV and residential wind products that will also contribute to the net zero concept."

" ... respondents in the U.S. and ... in the U.K. say they are willing to pay an increased monthly rate for smart grid technology if there is a corresponding reduction in overall energy costs by 15 percent."

 

Via:  GE  LINK

August 05, 2009

The HUB - GREEN Meeting and Event Centers in Philadelphia, PA.




The Hub logo

A current trend in office space for smaller companies or those looking for a remote presence is to rent by the day.  the HUB offers "GREEN Meeting and Event Centers" on an as needed basis.

" ... only privately-held LEED Silver Rated Meeting and Event Facility in the U.S. ...[LEED is] ... nationally accepted standard for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, ... less costly to operate and maintain, and reduce environmental footprint ...achieved a LEED-CI Silver rating at its Cira Centre location ..."inside view

There are many GREEN design elements incorporated including use of recycled materials, reduced water usage, brownfield redevelopment, and use of local materials.

"... The Hub is 100% wind powered, ... aggressively recycles ... discontinued the use of plastic water bottles in all of its facilities  ... More than 15% of the new materials ... were recycled ... More than 20% of the materials ... are of local origin (manufactured within 500 miles of the location) ... constructed on a rehabilitated "brownfield" railyard ..."

 

Via:  the HUb  LINK

July 31, 2009

New Belguim Brewing - Environmentally Friendly Brewers




 new belgium brewery logo

New Belgium Brewing is a green brewer ... read about some of their efforts and innovations in green brewing ... there are many many more on their web site.

http://www.newbelgium.com/files/shared/homeimagecycle_01.jpg

Green building ... " ... using UV blocking windows, sun-tubes, and light shelves. .. evaporative coolers, we can condition our 55,000 square foot packaging hall with no compressors, using much less energy ... "

Green energy ... " ... methane produced by process water treatment is used to fuel a ... co-gen—which creates electricity and heat for the brewery. ... co-gen ... full-time, it can supply 15% of our electrical needs ... In 1999, New Belgium became the first wind-powered brewery ..."

Walk the Talk ... " .... members of 1% For The Planet ... through donations and fund-raisers, 1% of our revenue goes to environmental non-profits ...  encourage sustainable transportation, every employee gets a custom cruiser bike after one-year of employment."


Via:  New Belgium Brewing   LINK

July 27, 2009

Berkeley California Solar Map




Berkeley, California Solar Map

Berkeley, California is into solar and wants to help residents and businesses make the move to solar.   To help they offer two tools ...

> One tool is a solar portal that allows property owners to look at their roof and determine both the solar potential and the cost. 

>A second tool provides financing paid by by taxes

" ... Solar Mapping ... estimate the solar potential of their rooftops and view existing solar installations. ... get an estimated size of a photovoltaic (PV) system that would fit ... obtain detailed information on tax rebates and choose from a listing of available installers ... map reflects elements such as rooftop structures, the slant of the roof, shading ... and ... azimuth of the sun for PV panel placement."

" ... Berkeley FIRST program, a solar finance program ... provides property owners an opportunity to borrow money ... and repay the financing through property tax bills."

 

 

 Via:  MatterNetwork LINK

July 10, 2009

India Green Building






July 07, 2009

Microsoft Hohm - Energy Management - UPDATE




 Microsoft hohm logol

In an earlier post of this blog (June 25th,m 2009) I wrote about Microsoft hohm, a new beta software application that would help homeowners better understand their energy usage and give suggestions to save money.

Yesterday I got the link inviting me to try it ... here are some of the details ... 

 hohm is a web application that develops a detailed "picture" of your home and its energy use using a very detailed series of questions.  Questions cover ... the direction the front of your home faces ... and includes details about all major systems  and about the number of windows and square footage of widows on each side of the house.  See graphic to the right for pictures of the categories of questions.Miscrosof hohm graphic

As you fill out the questionnaire a series of "FYI / Did you knows?"   appear to increase your Energy IQ.

After filling out 75% of the questions I was able to get a list of "best ways to spend

50, 100, and 500 dollars".

So far I found hohm easy to use and informative ... and the initial Q & A took about 20 minutes.

More details as the "experiment" continues !

 

 

Via:  Microsoft hohm  LINK


 

 

 

 

 

July 01, 2009

Zwahlen's Ice Cream Goes Green With SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile




Zwahlens Ice Cream and Chocholate

 Zwahlen's is a local (Audubon PA) ice cream and chocolate establishment that just so happens to have the first commercial use of SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile Roof.

I was driving past the store last evening when my son told me about the sign on the front that  said --- something along the lines "the best ice cream under the sun is now powered by the sun".  I needed to check this out ... SRS logo

" SRS Energy, ...installed ... the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for curved roofing systems, ... the first commercial installation of the Sole Power Tile(TM) system  ..."

"T...a great example of how time-tested traditions and cutting-edge technology can meet to create something beautiful," said Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy and owner of Zwahlen's. "

" ... designed to blend seamlessly with several styles of US Tile's clay tiles, providing energy without the use of traditional solar panels that can compromise a building's roofline and curb appeal. ... preserves Zwahlen's charming Swiss chalet look."

"SRS Energy recently introduced the Sole Power Tile(TM) system to the greater Philadelphia region at the PV America show, held at the Pennsylvania Convention center during the week of June 7, 2009."

SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile can generate 500 Watts per sq ft.

 

Via:  EarthTimes  LINK

Via:  SRS Energy  LINK

June 30, 2009

Exolation - New Insulation developed in Philadelphia for newly created End Row Homes




Newly Created "end unit" row homwPhiladelphia is a city of row houses ... unfortunately many are in blighted condition and when they are town down the newly  created "end units" are poorly insulated.  Cleaning up the blighted homes causes the other homeowners to have basically little or no insulation on a large surface of their home.

Exolation insulation

"In the interest of creating local green jobs, the city hopes to find a local manufacturer." " ... product consists of layers of insulating foam (for thermal protection), high-density foam (to absorb impact), fabric (to prevent penetration of sharp objects), and a latex-stucco finish.  ... produce it in 2-by-4-foot panels that will be affixed to a wall with a foaming adhesive."

" ... Philadelphia University's help was enlisted after the city determined that existing exterior-wrap products were too expensive and not sufficiently durable."


Via:  Philadelphia University  LINK

June 26, 2009

Starbucks Sustainable Store Strategy




Starbucks updates its retail store strategy to incorporate strong sustainable design elements and will place emphasis on unique local characteristics at each location to accentuate the customer experience. ...
... "Derive 50 percent of the energy used in company-operated stores from renewable sources by 2010; Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making company-operated stores 25 percent more energy efficient by 2010; Achieve LEED certification for all new company-operated stores worldwide by late 2010; " ...
Via Starbucks: Store Experience Reinvention

June 25, 2009

Green Sears Tower Renovation Planned




Owners of the Sears Tower building in Chicago plan extensive green renovations to transform the energy profile of the building including operational efficiencies and power generation from rooftop solar photovoltaics and wind turbines. ... Via NY Times: Link

June 21, 2009

iGEN Lighting Controls





iGEN logo

One easy way to save energy and money is to turn off the lights when no one is around.  Older buildings often have lighting that can only control half or a quarter of a building's floor.  That is why so often you see all the lights on in a large section of an office building at night ... one person working and all the ligLightolier logohts on.

 

Lightolier's iGEN is one way to fix this problem ..." ..flexible lighting control solutions, whether you are connecting a few luminaires in a private office or hundreds in a building-wide system. ...building owners and architects seek effective digital lighting technology for intelligent buildings and green building design... iGEN delivers the means and the materials for sustainable, cost-efficient lighting practices ..."

 

Via:  iGEN / Lightolier  LINK

June 15, 2009

Wired Home in Chicago




Chicaog Wired Home

Wired Magazine has created their Smart Home  .. which is Green + Wired.  The design uses green materials and techniques along with tools to allow you to be GREEN with energy.

" ... high-design demonstration homes ... technologies we present aren't stuck in beta, but are available now. Trends driving the developments? Environmentally smart architecture, affordable automation systems, and real-time energy monitoring."

" ... use prefab construction ... automation systems we use are affordable, and upgradeable ... same access to energy data as the latest car dashboards, showing daily and weekly electricity and water consumption, as well as up-to-the-minute electricity pricing to help homeowners make smart decisions."

The Wired Home is open from March 19th, 2009 through January 3red, 2010.  If you are in Chicago and want to tour the home ... CLICK FOR DETAILS.

Via:  Wired  Link

June 04, 2009

Platinum LEED homes in Manayunk (Philadelphia), Pa




Sheldon Crossing - Manayunk, Phila, Pa

Green living options are increasing in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia.  Manayunk is accessible to the R6 regional rail line to center city and is a very walkable village ...

Sheldon Crossing is a new Platinum LEED (to be certified) development ...

" ...16-unit carriage home development in Manayunk, PA, ... to meet and surpass green standards, which will earn us a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum level of certification. As we are redefining eco-conscious living, we have not lost sight of the importance of design. ..."

" ... less energy and resources consumed ... will result in significant savings for the homeowner as utility bills dwindle. ... Sheldon Crossing homes will use less energy, water, and natural resources. They create less waste, have less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. ... features to highlight are PV solar panels, green roofs, Icynene insulation, high efficiency heaters, WaterSense plumbing fixtures, water purification, heat recovery ventilators, smart home technology, Energy Star appliances, windows and doors and much more. ..."

 

Via:  SheldonCrossing  LINK

June 03, 2009

U.S. Wants to Go Green with White Roofs, White Roads and Light Colored Cars




whote roofs in Bermuda One possible way to save energy is to paint your roof white ... or some other light color.  This would keep buildings cooler and lessen the need for air conditioning.  Same for roads and other dark surfaces ... which would reflect heat back into space instead of warming the earth.  Concrete could be used instead of painting road a lighter color ...

" ... solution to climate change could be as simple as a big bucket of whitewash, ... Steven Chu believes that painting the world's roofs, roads and pavements white would keep buildings cooler as temperatures rise and cut the need for air conditioning."

"... the U.S. Secretary of Energy and a Nobel prize-winning scientist, said the low-tech solution would be as effective at reducing global warming as taking all the world's cars off the road for 11 years."

 

Via:  DailyMail  LINK

May 28, 2009

Net-Zero Green Building




Washington University in St. Louis celebrates grand opening of its Living Learning Center, which is designed to achieve zero net energy and zero wastewater. It is a great accomplishment that will further our understanding of these green building strategies. ...
... "The pavement surrounding the building is porous and will absorb almost all storm runoff. Waterless composting toilets will eliminate a major use of water and enable the collecting of waste that will be used as fertilizer for the surrounding grass. A 17-kilowatt photovoltaic system will power the facility. " ...
Via Washington University in St. Louis: Greenest building opens

Continue reading "Net-Zero Green Building" »

May 27, 2009

Taiwan's Solar Powered Stadium





Taiwan's solar powered stadium

Taiwan has built a solar powered stadium that can generate 100% of it's powder needs and can send power to the grid when the stadium is not hosting an event.

" ... solar-powered stadium that can generate 100% of its electricity from the sun. ... can hold 50,000 spectators and is made with over 8,000 solar panels."

"...will officially open in July for the 2009 World Games. ... ntegrates many other sustainable features such as permeable paving and maximum use of domestic materials and local labor." 

" .... [when] not being used, the government plans to feed surplus energy into the local grid, where it will meet approximately 80% of the neighboring area's demand. This equates to approximately 660 tons of carbon dioxide per year! "

 

Via:  WholeTravel blog LINK

May 26, 2009

greenfiber insulation




GreenFiber logo

One of the easiest ways to make you home more energy efficient ... and save on your heating and cooling bills is to insulate to the proper levels.  A poorly insulated (or not insulated) house is just letting your heat or air conditioning pass through the house.  

 EPA Recommended levels of Insulation

Recommended minimums for walls and ceilings are based on your geographic location ... LINK to see the appropriate R-Values for your location.

" .. high-efficiency thermal insulation and effective R-value. ... Reduce nuisance noise when used in walls. ... made from 85% recycled paper fiber. ... Support energy conservation programs focused on engreenfiber insulationvironmental responsibility."

" ... forms a monolithic blanket of protection—blocking air infiltration and convection currents that are both primary causes of energy loss. ... ... remains consistent through a greater temperature and application range than that of loose-fill fiberglass, ... can increase a wall's fire resistance by 22-57%. ..."

 

Via:  greenfiber  LINK

May 25, 2009

Greener Building




Eric Corey Freed discusses green architecture on this podcast (mp3) via Greener Cities.

May 13, 2009

801 Market St in Phila to be LEED Green




801 Marklet St, PhilaThe former Strawbridge and Clothier flagship department store in Philadelphia is being remodeled in a green way.  PA. REIT has posted window signs and made green dioramas in the store's street side display cases (most of the building has been closed for some time).

" ... bring together 16 state agencies in a former retail space, a 13-story historic building on Market Street, bringing renovations and modernizations throughout the space. ... the arrival of the state agencies will bring 750. employees to the Market East section of Center City, as the state consolidates agencies ... PREIT, which controls everything from the sub-basement to the sixth floor, will renovate vacant space to make room for retail on the first, second and third floors, while maintaining the historical aspects of the building and complying with LEED silver certification requirements."

 

Photos to follow ...

 

Via:  Phila Biz Journal  LINK

 

 

May 06, 2009

ebay Green Campus




ebay green campus eBay has many green aspects to its business model ... including the basic eBay design - helping people sell unneeded / unused stuff ...

They are also greening their campus by making the most of available sunlight, using a smart irrigation system, recycling / using recycled materials, using SOLAR and designing for and achieving LEED ...  ... 


" ... newest building, in San Jose, California, was designed and built to the  ... (LEED) Gold standard."


" ... automatic dimming system detects the amount of natural light ... and adjusts the electric light accordingly, resulting in an estimated 39% energy savings.... Recycled materials are used throughout, including 95% recycled structural steel, 38% recycled carpet tiles and 100% recycled workstation fabric. ... smart irrigation system ...  monitors weather conditions, including forecasts, dewpoint and relative humidity levels to determine the optimal and most efficient irrigation pattern."


" ... a 650 kW solar installation at our San Jose North location ...  3,248 panels cover more than a football field of roof space and will take up to 18% of our energy demand at that campus off the grid completely."

 

Via:  ebay  Link

May 05, 2009

SAP LEED Platinum Building Design Elements Demonstrate Enterprise Commitment to Sustainability




SAP's enterprise commitment to sustainability translates well into its facility expansions. The company's new office building at its Newtown Square campus demonstrates the potential that sustainable design practices can offer. The building is under review by the US Green Building Council for LEED Platinum-level certification and incorporates the smart use of sunlight, a greef roof, intelligent water management and recycling, geothermal heating and cooling, and time shifting of energy consumption. SAP collaborated with FXFOWLE Architects to deliver this achievement. Green construction techniques were adhered to. Here are highlights of sustainable design features from SAP's release. ...
... "Located on the 110-acre campus of SAP North America and adjacent to its existing LEED-certified building, the new building features a floor-to-ceiling glass exterior and an open-space plan that takes maximum advantage of daylight. The green grass roofs, the use of native and regional vegetation species in landscaping and the maintenance of extensive open space highlight SAP's goal of integrating the building with the surrounding natural environment. The new building also incorporates numerous innovative features to reduce water use. Rainwater from the green roof and other areas is collected in a 50,000-gallon cistern, which supplies water for landscape irrigation and the flushing of toilets in some of the building's bathrooms. Additionally, low-flow bathroom fixtures will greatly reduce water usage, with an expected saving of over one million gallons of water per year. Energy-efficient features abound in the building. Geothermal wells use the constant ground temperature of the earth to both heat and cool areas of the building. Lighting systems based on the concept of daylight harvesting are controlled by sensors that dim the lighting levels and raise or lower window shades based on the level of sunlight coming through the triple-glazed glass exterior wall. A hybrid air conditioning system produces ice during the overnight hours when energy demands and electric rates are lowest, with the chilled water from the melting ice used to cool the building during the heat of the day. " ...
Via SAP: New LEED Platinum Building

April 24, 2009

Comcast Philadelphia HQ is LEED Certified




Comcast Phila LEED BuildingComcast's HQ in Philadelphia is now LEED Gold certified ... and the tallest such building in the US.
LEED Gold logo
Read on for more  >>>

" ... received LEED Gold certification for the building's core and shell from the national organization. ... using 40 percent less water than a typical office building, with fixtures that save more than 3 million gallons of drinking water annually and waterless urinals in all restrooms that save 1.2 million gallons."

" ... a shaded plaza reduces the heat-island effect caused by pavement by 70 percent and ... low-E coating ... blocks 60 percent of heat while allowing in 70 percent of the sun's visible light, reducing energy used for air conditioning while using natural light to its fullest."

Via:  Philadelphia Business Journal  LINK

April 21, 2009

Smithsonian (Washingotn, DC) Goes Green




http://media.smithsonianmag.com/images/smithsonian-castle-green-388.jpgI was in Washington DC this past weekend and saw some small buses with the Smithsonian log on the side - promoting them as green hybrids.  This prompted me to see what else our nations museum is up too in the green space. 

Turns out quite a bit ... Read on for more >>>

" ... in 2008, 3.7 percent of our electricity came from renewable energy sources. ... reducing our carbon footprint [by]... 4.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases..."

" ... Smithsonian manages a fleet of over 700 vehicles ... As we finished 2008, over 76 percent of that fleet is now either hybrid electric or capable of working off of alternative fuels."

" ... have several people on staff who are LEED accredited professionals, ... design managers, architects and some engineers and are there to assist Smithsonian in seeking these LEED certifications."


 

Via:  Smithsonianmag.com  LINK

 

April 16, 2009

ROI of Green Building Studied




Study looks at the return of investment for developing Living Buildings. As with any ROI calculation, the payback improves when the client has a holistic perspective and includes operating costs in addition to one-time project costs over a longer time horizon. Building scale, the location's climate and energy costs, and the use have significant impacts on the costs and the financal return of the green building investments. ...
... "Achievement of this highest documented level of sustainable design continues to be highly sought after, although a true Living Building has yet to be completed and certified. The purpose of this study is to provide much needed, up-todate information on the incremental cost between LEED Gold buildings and Living Buildings, and answer the questions regarding the anticipated payback. " ...
Via Cascadia Region Green Building Council: THE LIVING BUILDING FINANCIAL STUDY (PDF)

Continue reading "ROI of Green Building Studied" »

April 14, 2009

Toronto Green Roofs




Toronto is considering legislation that will require a green roof on future new buildings of certain sizes. ...
... "Every building or building addition constructed after January 30, 2010 with a Gross Floor Area of 5,000 square metres or greater shall include a Green Roof with a coverage of Available Roof Space ... " ...
Via Toronto, Canada: Green Roofs Required (PDF)

April 12, 2009

Babcock Ranch Florida Solar City




Babcock Ranch is designed to be energy-efficient and the first city completely powered by solar energy. FPL will build a next-gen Solar Energy Center to produce 75 MW of electricity. ...
... "Babcock Ranch is the first city planned to be powered by the sun, with the majority of its electric needs generated from the largest on-site solar photovoltaic energy facility powering any city on earth. " ...
Via Babcock Ranch: Southwest Florida City

Continue reading "Babcock Ranch Florida Solar City" »

April 07, 2009

Green House - Video Tour




bbc logoCheck out this BBC video of a prefab house ... some neat ideas that make for green living ...

" ... One of the exhibits at the TED2009 conference is a pre-fabricated house that boasts state-of-the-art technology and a sustainable design that promotes a green way of living. ... Peter Bowes was given a look inside the home. "TED logo

>>> To see the video "Inside the new 'green' house" ... LINK

 

Via:  BBC  Link

April 06, 2009

Green Empire State Building Renovation Reaches for the Gold




Johnson Controls collaborates with partners, such as the Clinton Climate Initiative, to remake the Empire State Building as the model for sustainability renovation that can be replicated to other commercial buildings. This building retrofit integrates multiple energy efficiency strategies to significantly reduce power consumption. The project schedule is front-end loaded with retrofit tasks that will accrue energy savings early as the building systems are completed. The project team expects the building to to achieve LEED Gold performance levels. ...
... "The program is expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 38 percent and will provide a replicable model for similar projects around the world. Work has already commenced, and building systems work is slated to be completed by year-end 2010. The balance of the work in tenant spaces should be concluded by end of 2013. Work that is scheduled to be completed within 18 months will result in over 50 percent of the projected energy savings. The balance will be an additional 36 months completed by 2013. The project will prove the viability for energy efficiency retrofit projects to dramatically increase building energy efficiency and reduce its overall carbon output with sensible payback periods and enhanced profitability. At the end of the project definition process, the team analyzed the steps to be taken in conjunction with other steps towards sustainability as part of the Empire State ReBuilding program within the framework of the existing USGBC LEED rating system. Internal calculations show that the Empire State Building will be able to qualify for GOLD certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings ... " ...
Via Johnson Controls: ENERGY EFFICIENCY RETROFIT PROJECT AT EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

April 04, 2009

Vancouver Green Convention Center






March 25, 2009

GREEN BUILD (365)




Greenbuild 365 logo "Greenbuild365 expands USGBC's Greenbuild Conference to a year-round interactive green building learning portal. Educational opportunities ... are now available to anyone, anywherhttp://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Images/PromoImages/07701818-5cce-4480-a74b-273865c7d165.jpusgbc leed logoe. It is through green building education, outreach, and the sharing of best practices that USGBC's mission of a sustainable built environment within a generation will be achieved."

"Resources ... are organized into four primary categories, [ALSO] ...Course Catalog – Search for USGBC's core LEED offerings, ... Green Bytes – Download short videos, podcasts and articles to expand your knowledge even while you're on-the-go.  ... Greenbuild Expo Media Library – Watch videos of Greenbuild's keynote speakers ..."

 

Via:  USGBC  LINK

March 17, 2009

Timberland's 474 Broadway Store in NYC




Timberland has a solid green business policty and their store on Broadway in NYC is another good example ... "Located at 474 Broadway,... our newest specialty store incorporates salvaged industrial elements with a modern, sustainable aesthetic. ...Green building practices included using materials salvaged or reclaimed from previous occupants, energy-efficient lighting, a more eco-conscious HVAC system, and wall paints and sealants containing reduced chemicals. Via: Timberland Link

March 10, 2009

Green Advantage - Green Building




 
greenadvantageWant to become certified in Green Building or looking for a Green Certified Contractor?


Check out Green Advantage >>>

 "Green Certification Available for Building-Related Practitioners ... environmentally consciouUSGBC logos client prefers structures that are ... energy and water efficient, ... healthier and environmentally friendly. Green Advantage® certifies your knowledge of the latest in "green" building practices, technologies and techniques. ..." 

" ... homeowners directly benefit from green building practices: lower energy bills, lower water bills, and healthier longer-lasting homes. ... cumulative effect of large-scale green building can have enormous benefits for the community, the nation and the planet. ..."

To find a Green Advantage certified contractor ...LINK

 

Via:  Green Advantage  LINK

Continue reading "Green Advantage - Green Building" »

March 05, 2009

Top25 EnergyStar Cities




EPA identifies the Top 25 ranked cities with EnergyStar rated buildings. ...
... "1. Los Angeles, CA 2. San Francisco, CA 3. Houston, TX 4. Washington, DC 5. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX 6. Chicago, IL 7. Denver, CO 8. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN 9. Atlanta, GA 10. Seattle, WA 11. Boston, MA 12. New York, NY 13. Austin, TX 14. Detroit, MI 15. Milwaukee, WI 16. San Antonio, TX 17. Philadelphia, PA 18. Charlotte, NC 18. Portland, OR 20. Grand Rapids, MI 21. Sacramento, CA 22. Phoenix, AZ 23. Miami, FL 24. Riverside, CA 25. Madison, WI " ...
Via EPA: EnergyStar Labelled Buidlings

March 04, 2009

Starbucks Shared Planet




 Starbucks Shared Green Planet

Starbucks Shared Planet is " ...  commitment to doing business in ways that are good to the earth and to each other ... it's using our size for good....committed to minimizing our environmental footprint, tackling climate change, and inspiring others to do the same"Starbucks LEED plant

One shining example of this is their new (Feb 19th - 2009) South Carolina " ... state of the art roasting plant ... an example of the company's global commitment to green design and has been awarded LEED® Silver certification for New Construction by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)."

LEED Logo" ...20 percent – of building materials were from recycled content and over 75 percent of construction waste was recycled. ... drought tolerant landscape and a portion of the power used for operations will be green power supplied by wind energy."


Via:  Starbucks  Link

 

 

Continue reading "Starbucks Shared Planet" »

February 24, 2009

European Building-Integrated Solar




French farmer secures multi-million Euro investment to integrate solar photovoltaics into farm sheds, enabling electricity generation that will be fed back into the grid with a capacity over four megawatts. ...
... "The type of solar-panel roof Westphal is using -- known as integrated because the panels are built into the roof rather than superimposed -- is booming in France thanks to legislation creating 20-year contracts with strong incentives to sell electricity to the grid. " ...
Via Reuters: French Solar Farmer

February 19, 2009

Starbucks LEED Coffee Roasting Facility




Starbucks opens green roasting plant in South Carolina. The new facility has achieved the level of LEED Silver for New Construction. ...
... "The facility employs 100 full-time Starbucks partners (employees) and supplies coffee to the company’s southeastern U.S. stores. The facility is also is an example of the company’s global commitment to green design and has been awarded LEED Silver certification for New Construction by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Using green design components certified by a third-party organization is part of the company’s strategy to help achieve the Starbucks Shared Planet goal to significantly reduce its environmental footprint by 2015. Starbucks invested in a variety of green design elements to help reduce the energy and waste generated by both the construction and operation of the facility. A significant amount – 20 percent – of building materials were from recycled content and over 75 percent of construction waste was recycled. The facility features efficient, state of the art lighting and water fixtures, drought tolerant landscape and a portion of the power used for operations will be green power supplied by wind energy. " ...
Via Starbucks Coffee Company: LEED Certified Coffee Roasting Plant

Starbucks on Sustainability:



Continue reading "Starbucks LEED Coffee Roasting Facility" »

February 17, 2009

Elon Green Building




University invests in new building with green design, materials, and energy. ...
... "Lindner Hall will also be Elon’s greenest building, using photovoltaic solar power cells and low-flow plumbing. According to E-Net, much of the building’s materials contain recycled materials and local products. " ...
Via Pendulum, Elon University: Evolution

January 27, 2009

Principles in Green Building Standards




Green principles that enable many building standards ...



January 25, 2009

Audubon Green Building Workshop




Sustainable home workshop begins this week. ...
... "This four-part workshop series begins Tuesday, January 27th with Green Homes 101: An Introduction to Green Building and features a panel of noted experts in the field of green building and home design ... " ...
Via Audubon Greenwich: Green Homes Workshop

January 24, 2009

Obama on Green Building




The impact of Obama policies on green building is discussed. ...


January 23, 2009

Sustainability Series - Radnor Township (Pa)




Radnor Twp logoRadnor Township has a number of "green" sites:  a new school has a green roof, restored wetlands at Villanova University and leaf pick up / composting by the township.  Now they are presenting a series of lectures on Sustainability in Radnor. 

Read on for more >>>

" ... Sustainability Series: Issues in Sustainable Living and Growth in Radnor Township ... GREEN BUILDING 101 ... Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 7 to 9 pm ... Radnor Township Municipal Building (also aired live on Comcast Cable Channel 10 and Verizon FiOS Channel 30)"

Topics covered include " ... What is Sustainability and Green Building ... How Green is Green? ... Promoting Green Building ... Making it Real in Radnor, a Success Story ... "

Via:  Radnor Township  LINK

Continue reading "Sustainability Series - Radnor Township (Pa)" »

January 18, 2009

Office Depot Green Retail Store Achieves LEED Gold Rating




Office Depot achieves LEED Gold for Green retail store pilot. The store has demonstrated green building performance through significant energy savings, use of solar photovoltaics to offset electricity from the grid, efficient lighting and water conservation techniques. Kudos to Office Depot for their commitment to sustainability. ...
... "Office Depot received the Gold Rating for the Company's Store Prototype as well as for its first Green retail store in Austin, Texas which opened during the summer of 2008. The Office Depot Austin store was the first location the Company constructed following its environmentally preferable prototype design or master set of drawings. The prototype, which will be utilized for future stores where Office Depot manages the new construction process from the ground up, has now been recognized with Gold Certification, obtaining one of the highest levels of environmental sustainability. " ...
Via Office Depot: Retailer Receives LEED Gold Certification from U.S. Green Building Council

January 13, 2009

AMD Austin Campus is LEED Gold




AMD's Lone Star campus in Austin, TX achieves LEED gold certification through renewably-sourced electricity, rainwater reuse, recycled construction materials, and native landscape plantings. ...
... "The Lone Star campus, which is home to AMD’s business operations and the Austin design engineering center, was designed and constructed by a diverse team of internationally recognized architects, engineers, ecologists and sustainability experts. The site development plan for the 58-acre, 870,000 square foot campus was based on three key tenets: limit site impact, protect water quality, and use innovative sustainable design. " ...
Via AMD: Campus Receives LEED Gold Certification

January 04, 2009

Sims Green Building




Green building meets The Sims. ...

January 03, 2009

PECO's First Green Building - West Chester, PA.




PECO logoAs part of their 2020 Low Carbon Roadmap .... PECO opened their first "green" building in West Chester (Chester County) Pa. 

" ... $2 million, 8-month project to open PECO's first 'green building' at the company's service site in West Chester, Chester County. ... expected to use about 20 percent less energy and 40 percent less water. ... the use of reflective roofing materials; low flow water devices; recycled construction materials, ... energy efficient lighting, ... and more .."


Via:  PECO  LINK

 

December 28, 2008

PECO Green Roof in Center Citry Phila, Pa.




PECO logo

PECO is installing a green roof at it's Phila HQ location at 23rd and Market Sts.  The planned 45000 sq. foot roof will " ... reduce the summertime temperature of a dark roof by 60 to 80 degrees, saves on heating and cooling costs, and grows without conventional soil..."

" ... green roof development ... is part of the company’s recently-announced comprehensive environmental initiative with a range of programs over the next several years.

 

Via:  PECO  PECO

Continue reading "PECO Green Roof in Center Citry Phila, Pa." »

December 27, 2008

First Green Dental Office on the East Coaast - in PA




Here is the first I have read about Green Dentistry ... an established practice (over 50 years) in Aston, Pa that is Green Dentistry ... renovating to become GREEN.

" ...Dental Health Care Associates ... undergoing a major renovation ... and will soon become the first LEED certified "green" dental office on the East coast."

"... measures are being taken to create a state-of-the-art facility that will meet or exceed the Gold certification standards for LEED  ... buildings. ... renovations include, but are not limited to:tooth and toothbrush

    " ... recycled building materials ... Geothermal HVAC ... Solar and wind-powered energy ... No-VOC cabinetry, carpets, flooring, and paints ... rainwater collection tank ... Water-free landscaping ..."


Via:  PAGreenDentist.com  Link

December 18, 2008

Honda's GREEN Data Center





Honda's Longmont, Colo Data Center

Honda has always been known for its fuel efficient and low emissions vehicles ... it is now known for its LEED cetrified data center in Longmont, Colo.Honda logo

" ... 61,000-square-foot data center, ... certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system for green building construction. ... selected building materials based on proximity to the data center's location and ... recycled 73% of the construction waste ... left much of the site undeveloped and replanted trees and shrubs indigenous to the area."

" ... administrators were ... advised to decommission unused equipment quickly and to use management tools to ensure that servers are optimally provisioned...."

Via:  Informationweek.com  LINK

December 16, 2008

LEED Baseball Field




Penn State baseball field achieves LEED through green design features, such as waterless urinals, gray watering system, and intelligent lighting. ...
... "Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, the baseball facility home to the Penn State team and the short-season Class A Spikes, has been certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as an environmentally friendly facility. " ...
Via The Daily Collegian: The Med

November 29, 2008

Leadership Award for Green Building Education






BuildingGreen: "Alex Wilson is the Executive Editor of Environmental Building News. "

November 26, 2008

California Academy of Science - Greenest Museum?




The California Academy of Sciences is an example of GREN design - from solar cells, to green roof, to skylights to reused literature ... See the Video for more ... Via: ZDNet LINK

November 25, 2008

Tour Honda Green Buildings




November 21, 2008

LEED Lending Increasing




Wells Fargo breaks the $2B threshold for lending towards LEED green buildings. ...
... "Doubled its commitments for LEED buildings from $1 billion to $2 billion; Increased the number of LEED buildings it has financed by 125 percent; Expanded its reach from financing LEED-certified buildings in 11 states and the District of Columbia to 19 states; Increased the type of LEED buildings financed to include a cold storage facility, data center and community center, in addition to office, mixed-use, industrial, retail, schools, multifamily; " ...
Via Wells Fargo: Financing for LEED-Certified Green Buildings

November 19, 2008

Vatican Solar Panels




Vatican Solar Panels

" ...the first solar panels have been installed on the Paul VI auditorium at the Vatican. ... BBC News reports Pope Benedict has become the first pontiff to harness solar power to provide energy for the Vatican."

"Roof tiles on the Paul VI auditorium, ...  are being replaced by 2,700 solar panels ... photovoltaic cells ... generating enough power to light, heat or cool the 6,000 seat hall ..."


" .... When ... not in use, the surplus energy produced will reportedly be fed into the Vatican's power network."

 

Via:  CathNews.com  Link

November 15, 2008

Sustainable Design Education




The Center for Architecture Science and Ecology has been created by RPI and a leading architecture firm to develop advanced green strategies for building design by pushing the frontier of material use and building configuration. ...
... "CASE participants will explore the use of natural dehumidifying materials, the naturally cooling properties of terra cotta walls and ways in which a structure can be modified to harness wind energy. " ...
Via New York Times: Green Building Design

Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM)

November 08, 2008

Green Roof Replacement in NYC




Penn State Scores with Green Roof Research




While we would enjoy an unbeaten season as much as any other fan, Penn State contributes to the advancement of green roofs with its research into species, growth rates, and maintenance. This green roof was installed on the roof of an old building, a root cellar. ...
... "The roof is divided into 6 equal size sections each with it’s own drainage that runs into the building and through a series of flumes to measure runoff flows. Four of the roof sections have an average of 4in of medium and the other 2 have 8in of medium. The sections are planted with sedums and other green roof plants and will be used to evaluate potential green roof species ... " ...
Via Penn State University Center for Green Roof Research: Root Cellar

Trane Green Building Education




Trane leader shares green building experience with students at Ball State and Indiana University at Bloomington. ...
... "Dave Sommer, business leader for Trane Indiana, discusses how green architecture incorporates innovative designs and technologies to significantly reduce a building’s negative impact on the environment." ...
Via Trane: Ball State University Indiana University visit

November 05, 2008

GREEN Living in Philadelphia's Western Suburbs





Pembroke North logoNewly opened condominiums in the Western Suburbs of Philadelphia combine energy efficiency, LEED design standards, a green roof and is within easy walking distance of 2 tLEED for Homesrain stations.

" ... highly efficient energy and mechanical systems meet stringent environmental certification requirements ... making Pembroke North the first multi-family residential buildings to be registered for LEED-certification in the Philadelphia area ...". 

Green roof on parking garage" ... buildings have heating and cooling systems that employ heat pumps connected to extensive underground thermal pipe systems for tremendous energy efficiency. ..."

"LEED FEATURES ... High-Efficiency Window Glass ... Well-Insulated Roof and Exterior Walls ... Natural Light and Views ... Geothermal Heating and Air-Conditioning ... Tankless Hot Water Heaters ... "

Nearby Radnor Middle School also has a green roof ... that's 2 green roofs (at least0 in Radnor, Pa!

Via: Pembroke North  Link

October 04, 2008

Green Building Tour




Open house and tour of local green buildings ...
... "This year's Green Building Open House features 27 homes in Tompkins, Tioga and Schuyler Counties. Homeowners and/or green building professionals will be on site to answer questions and describe their green building features ... " ...
Via Cornell University: 2008 Green Buildings

August 04, 2008

Pittsburgh's Green Convention Center




Historically Pittsburgh was not thought of as a green city ... but a heavily industrialized one ... Today Pittsburgh has one of the nation's greenest buildings ... " ... trying to shed its image of a gritty, grimy steel town one building at a time. Its convention center is one of the most environmentally friendly buildings of its size in the entire country. ... boasts an organic garden, its own water reclamation plant, and a smart cooling system. The building was awarded gold-level certification on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ratings scale set up by the U.S. Green Building Council." See the video for more information Via: ZDNet Link

Continue reading "Pittsburgh's Green Convention Center" »

June 30, 2008

Green Building Web Service




Autodesk provides architects with a software-based approach to green building through a web service that evaluates building components for energy consumption so that sustainability can be integrated early in the design process. ...
... "Green Building Studio tools enable architects and designers to evaluate the energy profiles and carbon footprints of various building designs. Files are shared between engineering software programs and among engineers and architects early in the design cycle, making sustainable design more efficient and cost effective. " ...
Via AutoDesk: Green Building Studio

Continue reading "Green Building Web Service" »

June 16, 2008

Green Building




 American Technion Society Green Building

Here is a truly green building that combines green thinking and agriculture ... providing a family  with greenhouse space for food and possible income. 

Read on for more  >>>

" ... high-rise apartment complex includes greenhouse spaces that enable a family of four to grow a variety of vegetables for their own consumption, with enough left over to generate additional income. ..."


"... design will be used to construct a building in Wuhan, China. ... Groundbreaking on the new building is expected to begin this year."

"Each apartment has ... greenhouse space measuring approximately 100 square feet. These climate-controlled areas  ... will employ a system that utilizes soilless growing media ... a liquid fertilization system, and an advanced drip irrigation system. ... will use water recycled from the apartment units and rainwater harvested on the building's rooftop. The building will also feature solar heating and cooling systems and a geothermal system."

"Among its advantages are significant savings in energy, providing fresh, pesticide-free organic food, freeing agricultural land for forests, which contribute to the environment, preventing soil pollution by pesticides, and intelligent use of recycled water for irrigation."


Via:  American Technion Society 
Link

Continue reading "Green Building" »

June 09, 2008

Largest Gold LEED Center




The Pittsburgh convention center is LEED Gold certified by embracing green design and practices, such as recycling of demolition waste, water reclamation, natural ventilation and illumination, and energy optimization. ...
... "The David L. Lawrence Convention Center is the largest Gold LEED certified green convention center in the USA and the first of its kind in the world. " ...
Via Lawrence Convention Center: Green Factor

June 02, 2008

LEED Science Center Breaks Ground




Utah university starts construction on new science center to satisfy growth in enrollment while embracing a green building design. The building design will reuse storm water, leverage daylight, and use local materials saving on transportation costs. ...
... "The new 60,000-square-foot, four-story Meldrum Science Center is the culminating project in Westminster's 10-year campus master plan. It will be LEED certified, underscoring Westminster's commitment to the environment. " ...
Via Westminster College: Meldrum Science Center Ground-Breaking

May 31, 2008

Citibank Branch Green Building Program Reaches for LEED




Citi achieves Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) pre-certification for its retail branch prototype through U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) pilot program. ...
... "New CitiFinancial branches in Austin, Texas, and Flint, Mich., and the Citibank financial center in Warrington, Penn., are the first Citi branches to be certified in this pilot program. An additional 27 CitiFinancial and Citibank branches were designed with the same features and are in the process of pursuing LEED certification. " ...
Via Citigroup: Milestone in Green Building

May 28, 2008

Citigroup Green Skyscraper






May 17, 2008

Eco-Friendly Paints Discussed




Building Green show explores the basics of green paint brands. ...

May 12, 2008

Green Building Standards Analysis




AIA reviews green building rating systems and makes recommendations that goals are established for efficient use of water resources and the life cycle value of a community or project is understood, in addition to construction costs. ...
... "U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED NC 2.2 system: This is good example of a rating system which provides a measurement of environmental achievement. Continued developments in life cycle assessment, requirements for renewable energy or carbon reduction targets for certified projects will continue to make this system an effective resource for architects. " ...
Via American Institute of Architects: AIA Study of Three Green Building Rating Systems

Continue reading "Green Building Standards Analysis" »

April 29, 2008

Sustainable Design EcoPrinciples Discussed




Eco-friendly materials are highlighted ...

Green Roof at Schuykill Valley Nature Center (greater Phila, Pa)




RoofScapesSchuylkill Valley Nature Center (Phila area, PA)
Roofscapes, Inc. is " ... an engineering firm dedicated to developing the most elegant and efficient performance-based green roofs. ..."  Roofscapes is in Germantown, Pa (greater Philadelphia, Pa).

Schuykill Valley Nature Center roofOne of Roofscapes "green roofs" is at the Schuykill Valley Nature Center - just outside of Phyioladelphia PA.  The roof is not irrigated and covers 2,000 sq ft.

" ... 2” thick ...vegetated cover was selected to complement the other sustainable development technologies in this project. ... was required to be very thin ... Runoff from the green roof is channeled into the rain garden below on the ground. ..."
 

 

 

Via:  Roofscapes  Link

April 27, 2008

Cool Roof Coatings




Elastomeric roof coatings lower the power requirements for cooling flat roof buildings, saving money and conserving energy. ...
... "Because they are white, elastomeric coatings reflect more sunlight before it becomes heat. Traditional flat black roof coatings, such as asphalt, absorb sunlight and radiate heat. These elastomeric coatings also protect against cracking because they themselves expand and contract as part of the roofing material. The result is a cooler and longer-lasting roof, lower ambient air temperatures and energy savings for the entire building. " ...
Via Rohm and Haas Company: White is the New Black Gone Green... When It Comes to Roofs

Continue reading "Cool Roof Coatings" »

April 25, 2008

Green ACME Supermarket in Concordville, Pa.




Architect drawing of Concordville, PA ACME
The newly opened ACME in Concordville, PA is GREEN. 

How GREEN?  Very Green !!

Read on for more >>>>

" ... What makes this supermarket so special? LEED registration and hopefully soon - certification!"

... Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ... promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality."..."

The complete listing of all the GREEN work / thought / materials / concepts that went into this building go on and on but here are some of the items ...

" ... is located within ½ mile of a residential area with 10 units per acre and has pedestrian access to 10 basic services within ½ mile ... Preferred parking (5% of total vehicle capacity) to be provided for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. ... Water Efficient Landscaping - ... No use of potable water for irrigation. ... Recycle or salvage at least 50% or 75% of non-hazardous construction waste. ...  ... an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan for the construction phase of the project. ...
Low Emitting Materials - ... Paints and Coatings ..."

Via:   Dever Architects   Link

April 23, 2008

Radnor (Delaware County, PA) Schools Go Green




Radnor Middle School Radnor Township (Delaware Country, Pa) recently opened their new Middle School.  It was designed from the ground up to be environmentally friendly as well as to provide a healthy environment for the students and staff.

Some of the energy saving features include: " ... Geothermal heating and cooling, ...'green roof' with plants that absorb storm-water, keep the building cool, and give off oxygen, Waterless urinals and motion-activated sinks, Motion sensors that adjust / turn off classroom lights reducing electrical load..."

" ... is the only green-roof school in Delaware County [PA]  ... . is eligible to receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council ..."

 

Via:  PhiladelphiaSustainabilityAwards.com   Link

Continue reading "Radnor (Delaware County, PA) Schools Go Green" »

April 21, 2008

Friends School in Philadelphia, Pa to use Goethermal Energy




Friends Center - Phila., PA.

Friends Select, an independent Quaker school in center city Philadelphia, Pa, is constructing a thermal energy system,.

Drilling holes " ... 1,500 feet below the sidewalk ... in search of energy savings."

" ... will use the ambient temperature of the ground, about 50 degrees, to heat and cool the Quaker-run office complex."

" ... costing $1.3 million, ... will help eliminate the center's emissions of greenhouse gases and cut its energy costs by an estimated 46 percent. The payback period: six to eight years."

Freied Select has other "green" application ... " ... a green makeover that includes solar panels, a vegetated roof, and rainwater holding tanks to flush the toilets."

Via:  www.philly.com   Link

April 13, 2008

Green Architecture Lecture This Week




Green architecture movement will be discussed this week ...
... "Nicolai Ouroussoff, the chief architecture critic for The New York Times, will discuss green architecture on Thursday, April 17, at SUNY Cortland. Ouroussoff, who has written a number of articles pertaining to the green architectural movement for The New York Times magazine, will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Sperry Center, Room 105. " ...
Via SUNY Cortland: New York Times Critic to Discuss Green Architecture

Continue reading "Green Architecture Lecture This Week" »

April 11, 2008

India Green Building Design




Dupont collaborates with TERI to increase market awareness of green building design in India. ...
... "DuPont and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote the cause of green building design and certification in India. " ...

Via Dupont: Green Building Design in India

 

GE ecomagination Homebuilder Program




GE ecomagination Homebuilder Program

"... a whole-home solution that benefits the environment and your wallet. Designed to lower overall household energy consumption, emissions and indoor water consumption,... combines building science with high performance products ..."GE logo

FACT: "A 2,500-square-foot house in Texas built to the ecomagination Homebuilder Program specification is designed to lower CO2 emissions by approximately 5 tons annually, which is equivalent to the CO2 emissions of driving more than 10,000 miles in an average U.S. car, or to the CO2 absorbed by 1.3 acres of a Southeastern forest each year.

FACT:  A 2,500-square-foot home built to the ecomagination Homebuilder Program specification is designed to save the homeowner US$ 600 to upwards of 1,500 USD on annual utility bills versus an industry-standard average new home due to significant energy and water savings.

Source: GE Consumer & Industrial

 

Via:  GE ecomagination Homebuilder Program  Link 

 

March 28, 2008

University LEED Silver Green Building




Saint Xavier University starts its second green building, which will target LEED Silver certification. ...


March 15, 2008

Green Building Could Stem Global Warming




Recently presented report shows that conversion to green buildings could play strong role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ...
... "The study, which was released at an environmental conference in Vancouver yesterday, points out that buildings in North America, including those in Canada, release 35 percent of all CO2 emissions. " ...
Via London Free Press: Green buildings

March 11, 2008

Green Building Residential Market Assessment




Market growth for green homes is expected to expand significantly over the next five years, while the percentage of green products is nearing fifty percent of the remodeling market. ...
... "The size of the homeowner remodeling market that is using green products is large: 40% of homeowners remodeling their houses are doing so with green products, especially their windows and heating and cooling systems. " ...
Via McGraw Hill Construction: Green Homeowner Market Assessment

March 10, 2008

LED Lighting for Green Buildings






March 07, 2008

Green Building Ideas and Design Studio in Philadelphia, Pa




Greenable

Want to go green and not sure how to start?  Kpeco wind powerednow a lot and just want some ideas?

Check out GREENABLE.

" ... is Philadelphia's premier resource for interior and exterior green building products and services for residential & commercial projects."

"... a can of paint, a green roof installation, or an entire residential or commercial design project, Greenable does it all. ... located in Old City on Market Street between Front and 2nd."

Via:  Greenable.com   Link

Continue reading "Green Building Ideas and Design Studio in Philadelphia, Pa" »

March 05, 2008

Green Tips on Sustainable Building Design




Architects discuss the eight steps to green building design and practices. ...
... "he defined the actual concept of sustainable design as a functional, durable, healthy for occupants, energy-efficient and designed to work with exterior environment and location to optimize comfort and utility. ” ...

Via Cornell Daily: Green Building Tips

 

February 22, 2008

Drexel University Smart Home




Drexel University - Smart House

Drexel University's Smart House "... is a student-led, ... project to construct an urban home to serve as a "living laboratory" [to] ... conduct research and develop designs in the areas of environment, energy, interaction, health, and lifestyle with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life in the urban residential setting."

Drexel Logo

" ... toward the goal of creating a building that functions like a home and serves as a laboratory ... will provide an exemplary model and testing environment of an improved approach to home life while specifically improving the lives of the individuals inhabiting the house."

The sSmart House will focus research on 5 Areas:

  • "Environment ... decrease the environmental footprint ...implement sustainable and environmentally friendly products"
  • "Energy ... investigate alternative energy sources, such as solar and geothermal, ... ultimate goal is to generate all energy on site.
  • "Interaction ... addressing the way in which people interact with technology ... to create an intelligent and aware living environment. "
  • "Health ... Indoor air quality ... will be incorporated into the Smart House. "
  • "Lifestyle ... increase the efficiency of our day-to-day living. ... more efficient living and work spaces..."

 

Via:  Drexel University SmartHouse  Link

Continue reading "Drexel University Smart Home" »

February 14, 2008

Japan Green Roof




Lightweight green roof tour, in Japan ...

February 13, 2008

gbXML Sustainable Design Software




Autodesk acquires web-based energy analysis software through Green Building Studio, expanding its offerings to the sustainable design community. ...
... "Green Building Studio Inc. developed the Green Building XML (gbXML) schema and launched the Green Building Studio web service in 2004. The web service offers whole building energy, carbon, and other analysis tools for architects and designers using CAD and BIM software from Autodesk and other industry providers. Green Building Studio provides the ability to quickly and efficiently analyze building design proposals, providing building performance information to support sustainable design. Autodesk currently plans to continue support for the Green Building Studio web service and gbXML as an open standard, and to strengthen the web service's integration with its BIM software. " ...
Via AutoDesk: Sustainable Design Product Portfolio

Continue reading "gbXML Sustainable Design Software" »

February 10, 2008

UN Green Office






Continue reading "UN Green Office" »

February 07, 2008

Solar Decathlon 2009 Lineup




Department of Energy has selected twenty university teams for competition in the DOE's Solar Decathlon planned for the National Mall in Washington, DC, in the fall of 2009. ...
... "This year’s teams have been selected from universities in the United States, Canada, and Germany and each team will receive $100,000 from DOE to uniquely design, build and operate an energy efficient, fully solar-powered home for this unique competition. Each home will utilize energy efficient technology and demonstrate that homes powered entirely by the sun do not have to sacrifice all the modern comforts and aesthetics Americans are accustomed to. The Department's Solar Decathlon complements the President's Solar America Initiative, which seeks to make solar power cost-competitive with conventional forms of electricity by 2015. " ...
Via Department of Energy: Student Teams Selected

January 30, 2008

Green Building Features






January 28, 2008

LEED Gold Building Pacific University Sustainability Strategy




Pacific University will open its new Berglund Hall, designed with a foundation for LEED Gold capability, on the Forest Grove campus . ...