Green Building Focus
Globe St. -
Jan 3
According to Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”), 2012 will see further expansion in sustainable design and development as countries and companies continue to collaborate on the best green building practices. Low cost is the first reason for green building expansion in 2012. JLL says it is less expensive to design and build in compliance with LEED standards today. The second reason is collaboration between governments and companies on green standards. In the U.S., five major cities and two states have enacted energy performance measurement and disclosure policies, and nine more cities and states are considering similar bills.
ArchDaily -
Jan 7
Stanford University will offer a free online, entry-level course on Making Green Buildings in January. The course will focus on improving sustainability within the built environment and consist of short lecture videos and quizzes. Participants will learn how to manage project teams in order to better design and construct sustainable buildings. They will not receive any college credit.
GreenBiz.com -
Jan 5
The USGBC is proposing a green cleaning policy for LEED certification. The policy would be a mandatory prerequisite for LEED certification and re-certification. According to an informal poll of the EPA's Federal Green Challenge Web Academy participants, 80% of companies that have achieved certification have successfully earned recognition for their environmentally preferable cleaning program.
Mercury News -
Jan 3
San Mateo County plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020. The plan includes energy-efficiency retrofitting of buildings, government operations, and promoting existing programs that offer incentives to make homes energy-efficient. Finally, the County is considering changes to its green building program, renewable energy initiatives and development strategies.
Pasadena News -
Jan 3
Schools can now apply for the inaugural Green Ribbon award, which recognizes the nation's highest-performing environmentally-friendly schools. Schools have until Feb. 17 to apply for the federal award. The winners are expected to be announced on Earth Day, which is April 22.
The Cadmus Group -
Jan 18
The Cadmus Group, Inc., an energy, environmental and public health consultancy, acquired Constructive Technologies Group (CTG), in a move that will strengthen Cadmus' position in the green and high-performance building sector. CTG comprises two consultancy firms, CTG Energetics and CTG Forensics, and the company was recognized in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine as a green building industry leader.
PR Newswire / McGraw-Hill Construction -
Jan 3
McGraw-Hill Construction and USGBC renewed their alliance to share green building news and analysis through GreenSource Magazine and GreenSourceMag.com.
MercuryNews -
Jan 6
The Ploughshares Nursery of Alameda, California, received grants from the Yahoo Employee Foundation, the city and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to construct a green building featuring: (1) straw bale and earth bag construction; (2) a living roof; (3) rainwater catchment and reuse systems; and (4) a photovoltaic system.
ThomasNet News -
Jan 3
Upon its completion in 2013, New York's LEED Gold One World Trade Center will be the tallest building in the U.S. and will be the most environmentally sustainable building of its size in the world featuring: (1) waste steam recycling; (2) recycled rainwater; (3) central chiller; (4) waste material recycling; (5) recycled building materials; (6) "Green Concrete;" (7) make use of off-site renewable wind and hydro power; (8) no VOCs; (9) daylighting; (10) low-water bathrooms; and (11) sustainable wood.
Green Building Projects
PR Newswire / Hyundai Motor America -
Jan 3
Hyundai Motor America released a rendering of its proposed 419,000 sq. ft. U.S. headquarters building in Fountain Valley, California. The building, designed by Gensler, will be LEED Gold.
Ventura County Star -
Dec 30
The Vineyard Center for Family Health in Oxnard, California, was selected for the USGBC’s Green Healthcare Award and features (1) 21% energy savings; (2) water savings of 12,500 gallons; (3) local building materials; and (4) reduced transportation impacts.
General Mills -
Jan 4
An expansion at General Mills' Albuquerque, New Mexico, facility earned LEED Gold and features (1) a recycling program; (2) a 30% reduction in energy use; (3) a 30% reduction in indoor water use; (4) a 70% reduction in irrigation water; and (5) a 80% construction waste diversion.
Cadillac Fairview Corporation -
Jan 4
The RBC Centre in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, earned LEED Gold and features (1) an Enwave Deep Lake Cooling System; (2) raised flooring for maximum HVAC distribution/energy conservation; (3) power conservation through indirect lighting/lighting sensors; (4) light shelves for natural light reflection and maximum penetration; and (5) energy-efficient exposed ceiling option.
AOC -
Jan 4
AOC earned LEED Silver for its world headquarters in Collierville, Tennessee, and features (1) 30% savings of energy and water, (2) geothermal HVAC system; (3) low-emitting materials; (4) reflective roof; (5) maximum use of ambient lighting; and (6) recycling.