Positive Ripple

William McDonough: Cradle to Cradle

2008-03-26T13:21:00.001-04:00

Masdar Headquarters, (zero waste, zero carbon emission) Masdar City

2008-03-23T09:08:00.004-04:00

Chicago architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill
1.4 million sq ft mixed use building
ground-breaking ceremony on February 9, 2008, will be completed by the end of 2010
Masdar City will be constructed over 7 phases to be completed by 2016
buildings solar roof (one of the largest in the world) will be constructed first, and power the construction of the rest of the building
building will produce more power than it needs
largest solar thermal driven cooling and dehumidification system
consume about 70% less water than a typical mixed-use building of its size
PROJECT ANIMATION

Source: http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/33088

What is missing in LEED? (Rocky Mountain Masonry Blog)

2008-02-28T10:02:00.001-05:00

Well written article. Good, thoughtful read.

http://rockymountainmasonry.blogspot.com/2008/02/what-is-missing-in-leed.html

Life Cycle Assessment
Repair and Maintenance
Passive Heating, Cooling, and Lighting
Embodied Energy and Embodied Water
Retiring Carbon Credits
Social Equity Credits

Ontario's 1st LEED Platinum Green Building

2008-02-28T09:56:00.003-05:00

Architect: Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.
located in Vaughan, Ontario
2-storey, 1095 m2 building: office space for 25 occupants and a works garage
construction is engineered wood framing with brick and wood siding
cost premium aprox 10%
expected to achieve a 66 % annual energy savings
heating: heat pump system with a slinky ground source loop
cooling: chilled water fan coils supplimented by cooled floor, using the same tubing as the radiant heating system
concrete “earth tube” delivers outdoor air to the basement mechanical equipment
2 heat-recovery ventilators deliver 100 % outside air to the offices via displacement ventilation
power: partly by photovoltaic system and remaining needs buying electrical power from a supplier of green (renewable) power—Bullfrog Power
composting toilets (rarely used in offices) and waterless urinals means that the centre uses no water for wastewater conveyance, , together with low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout the building conserve 80% of the potable indoor water normally used in a building of this size
95 % of regularly occupied spaces have an abundance of daylighting and 90 % of these spaces have a view to the outdoors
furniture is certified as “low off-gassing.”

Source: http://www.trca.on.ca/Website/TRCA/website.nsf/frmNewsArticleDisplay?OpenForm&NoteID=NT0001A1E6

TruStile’s MDF doors

2008-02-22T13:58:00.002-05:00

Available in TruStile’s 350+ door styles
Certified by SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) to be constructed of 82% recycled content
Eligible for LEED^® credits for Materials and Resources
Manufactured with low-emitting adhesives
No-added formaldehyde MDF option is an ideal choice for builders who are concerned about indoor air quality
More durable and long-lasting than hollow-core doors

Sources for green furniture (Green Home Guide)

2008-01-29T06:09:00.000-05:00

Question: Are there any stores—online or in the real world—that sell affordable green furniture?

Answer: Fortunately, there are—both online and in the real world! Of course, which ones you buy from will depend on what you consider affordable and which green attributes are most important to you.

Depending on the materials used to make a piece of furniture, its green features could include any of the following:
* Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, sustainably harvested wood;
* nontoxic glues (or no glues);
* nontoxic stains and finishes;
* organic cotton or other natural fibers;
* untreated upholstery or nontoxic fabric treatments for fire resistance, waterproofing, and stainproofing; and local manufacture using local materials.
While it’s rare to find products that meet all these criteria, the number of furniture manufacturers and individual products with green attributes is growing, providing more options in all price ranges... (read more by following the link)

High Efficiency Toilets (HET)

2008-01-29T05:57:00.000-05:00

"Thus, the High Efficiency Toilet (HET) is becoming a significant part of the toilet fixture marketplace as manufacturers recognize the compelling need for water-efficient products and water authorities and municipalities incorporate them into their toilet replacement programs. Furthermore, builders participating in "green building" programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California's California Friendly Model Home program install HETs to accumulate water efficiency credits or to comply with program requirements.

The HET is defined as a fixture that flushes at 20 percent below the 1.6-gpf/6.0-lpf maximum or less, equating to a maximum of 1.3-gpf/4.8-lpf. This 20% reduction threshold serves as a metric for water authorities and municipalities designing more aggressive toilet replacement programs and, in some cases, establishing an additional performance tier for their financial incentives (e.g., rebate and voucher programs). Previous field studies in the U.S. and Canada have demonstrated that the average flush volume of dual-flush toilets in residential applications ranges between 1.1 and 1.2 gals."

ecohaus

2008-01-10T14:39:00.000-05:00

ecohaus = Environmental Home Centre + Environmental Building Supplies (Seattle, Portland, Bend)
"We've spent over 10 years finding, using, testing and selling this wonderful array of items. They're what all building materials ought to be—stellar performers with Expanded Value Performance because they're safer, more durable and more energy efficient."

Changi "green" Airport, Singapore

2008-01-09T22:09:00.001-05:00

Features:

designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and CPG Corporation
began in 1999, at an estimated cost of about S$1.75 billion
380,000 square meters (4 million sq ft)
natural lighting from the 919 skylights
positioning air-conditioners nearer to floor-level
5-storey high wall of hanging plants to regulate the internal temperature of the terminal with the occasional misting
a butterfly garden
koi ponds dotted throughout

Sources:
http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/28926
http://www.changiairport.com/changi/en/airport_guide/exp_changi/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore_Changi_Airport

Hycrete

2008-01-05T08:22:00.000-05:00

Our technologies deliver integral waterproofing that eliminate the need for external membranes, coatings and sheeting treatments. With our solutions, concrete is batched with Hycrete liquid admixtures to achieve hydrophobic performance (less than 1% absorption under BSI-1881 122). Hycrete Admixtures transform concrete from an open network of capillaries and cracks into an ultra-low absorptivity, waterproof, protective building material.

Hycrete Admixture is Cradle to Cradle Certified by MBDC. Cradle to Cradle Certification provides a company with a means to tangibly, credibly measure achievement in environmentally- intelligent design and helps customers purchase and specify products that are pursuing a broader definition of quality.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/greenenergy/ci_7889323?nclick_check=1

EcoTimber

2008-01-05T08:18:00.000-05:00

Since 1992, EcoTimber has been the leading supplier of high quality
wood products from environmentally sound sources. We offer a beautiful
selection of hardwood flooring from FSC-certified well-managed
forests, fast-growing Bamboo flooring, and hand-scraped flooring.
Offering products made with finishes and adhesives that won't
off-gas harmful chemicals, EcoTimber is the healthy choice for your
home and the planet.

Source: http://www.mercurynews.com/greenenergy/ci_7889323?nclick_check=1

Al Gore's Green House

2007-12-28T08:11:00.000-05:00

Putting his money where his mouth is...

By ERIK SCHELZIG, The Associated Press

Published: December 28, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Al Gore, who was criticized for high electric bills at his 10,000 sq ft Tennessee mansion, has completed a host of improvements to make the home more energy efficient...

The former vice president has installed solar panels, a rainwater-collection system and geothermal heating. He also replaced all incandescent lights with compact fluorescent or light-emitting diode bulbs - even on his Christmas tree.

"Short of tearing it down and starting anew, I don't know how it could have been rated any higher," said Kim Shinn of the U.S. Green Building Council, which gave the house its second-highest rating for sustainable design.

Gore's improvements cut the home's summer electrical consumption by 11 % compared with a year ago, according to utility records reviewed by The Associated Press. Most Nashville homes used 20 percent to 30 percent more electricity during the same period because of a record heat wave.

Shinn said Gore's renovations are impressive because his home, which is more than 80 years old, had to meet the same rigorous standards as new construction. It houses his offices and those of his wife, Tipper, as well as a commercial kitchen for formal events.

EcoLogo Green Products Database - Building & Construction Products

2007-11-21T08:14:00.000-05:00

Target’s Economical Eco Furniture - formaldehyde-free

2007-11-21T08:08:00.000-05:00

affordable
made with FSC/Rainforest Alliance Certified SmartWood
100% formaldehyde-free
100% nontoxic, water-based glues and stains
furniture ships flat to conserve packaging and reduce waste
designed and manufactured in USA (reducing shipping distance)
and requires no hardware to set up

Fab Tree Hab

2007-11-21T08:02:00.001-05:00

National GreenBuilding Conference

2007-11-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

November 28 - 29, 2007
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building

Approximately, 50% of green house gas emissions come from buildings and associated activities in Canada. The increasing pressures to reduce green house gas emissions, rising energy costs, and a growing global interest and demand for efficient, responsible growth and development are fuelling the trend towards green building and design and have reinforced the need for a stronger focus on sustainability.
National GreenBuilding Conference will focus on all aspects of green design, construction, retrofit, and maintenance leading to high performance buildings, and will examine best practices and project delivery models that result in more efficient methods of designing sustainability into any project.

AQUS from WaterSaver Technologies

2007-11-13T23:05:00.001-05:00

coolest thing (and almost affordable!!!) i've seen in years.

AQUS can reduce metered water usage in a two-person household by about 10–20 gallons a day – or approximately 5,000 gallons a year - conserving water and helps save money in reduced water consumption charges and wastewater treatment or sewer fees
tucked inside the vanity below the sink
reservoir works in conjunction with standard lavatory pipes
reservoir holds up to 5 ½ gallons of water from the sink

Santiago Calatrava's Chicago Spire

2007-11-13T22:46:00.000-05:00

Shelbourne Development and Santiago Calatrava Chicago Spire

aka The Twisted Tower
Popular Science Engineering Grand Award Winner from their Best of What's New 2007
2,000 feet
1,193 condos
the tallest residential building in the world (tall enough to see the curvature of the planet from the top floors!)
completed in 2011
green touches:

cooling system that draws water from the Chicago River
cisterns for collecting rainwater for landscaping
reflective glass that will prevent migratory-bird collisions
aiming to earn LEED “gold”
thechicagospire.com

Largest Low-Rise Green Development in Canada

2007-11-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Oct. 24 - The Toronto Economic Development Corporation (TEDCO) and Monarch Corporation announced today that they will develop the largest low-rise green residential community in Canada.

called Evergreen
environmentally friendly homes built to the new LEED-H
Toronto's Midland and St. Clair area (Scarborough)
combined development area will equal close to 24 acres
eventually encompass a mix of 196 town homes and single-family homes
cost for green building for each unit could rise by as much as 8-9% or $12,000 of the direct building cost

Canadian green building information sources

2007-11-02T08:43:00.000-04:00

Sustainable, High-Performance “Green” Building in Canada

Green building – also often referred to as sustainable, high performance building – has its roots in the energy conservation, healthy building, interior air quality, building envelope, commissioning and integrated design movements. It is international in scope. Here is a list of the major Canadian green building information sources.

Dubai 1st Green City in the World

2007-10-26T06:28:00.000-04:00

The instruction issued by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that all buildings in Dubai would have to be constructed as per environment-friendly "green building standards" from January next year (2008). come as a major boost to the international climate initiative.
The latest decision makes Dubai one of the first in the world, and the only city in the Middle East region, to go for the "green building standards".
This system also has a plethora of benefits to derive from. For example, a green building, according to the US Green Buildings Council, can save, on an average, 70 per cent of electricity, between 50 and 60 per cent of water, and 36 per cent of energy more when compared to the standard buildings.

OSBBC - Fall Straw Bale House Tour

2007-10-09T14:04:00.000-04:00

Saturday October 13, 2007
from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Over 30 homes will be featured

For more information visit the link, call 1-87-STRAWBAL(E) or email info@strawbalebuilding.ca

http://www.strawbalebuilding.ca/gallery.shtml

B.I.M. - the wave of the future

2007-10-06T06:57:00.000-04:00

Architects in California say factors such as building information modeling, green building and industry consolidation are changing the way they do business.
For instance, Irvine-based Ware Malcomb has placed a big emphasis on having its project management teams become LEED-accredited, says CEO Larry Armstrong. At the same time, Ware Malcomb is preparing its staff to do BIM projects later this year, he adds.

“(BIM) is a freight train and it’s coming,” Armstrong says.

Peter Devereaux, president of Los Angeles-based Harley Ellis Devereaux, calls BIM “the wave of the future and it will transform our industry.”
BIM also means that design firms will be looking for more experienced, licensed architects and that will mean less opportunities for the drafters and novice architects, Darden adds.

“Everywhere you will see people trying to hire licensed experienced architects,” Darden says. “With BIM, there is no room at the bottom.”

Finding experienced and qualified architects is a concern for Kit Ratcliff, president of Emeryville-based Ratcliff.

There has been a 50% falloff in the last 10 years in U.S. licensed architects, Ratcliff says. “We are running out of architects,” he adds.

Source: http://california.construction.com/features/archive/0710_Cover.asp

Green Globes Student Housing - University of Arkansas

2007-09-30T07:52:00.001-04:00

Architects: Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Charlotte, NC) with Allison Architects (Fayetteville and Little Rock)

50 apartments on the southeast edge of the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus
600 sq ft
projected to cost $ 16. 28 million
4 three-story apartment buildings - community building with a lounge, office and upstairs exercise room
first Green Globes project on campus
part of the university’s efforts to become “a model for sustainability”
university “mindful of our responsibility to our environment and to our surroundings”. That means implementing the latest standards in “green design” for all new campus buildings.
new UA construction projects followed LEED benchmarks since 2004
Green Globes is similar to LEED. 90% percent of criteria between the two agree, but Green Globes identifies wood as a renewable resource

Features:

wood frame
energy efficient lighting, windows and insulation
carpets will be made from recycled materials
showers and toilets will be designed to restrict water flow
landscaping will use native plants that limit erosion
Energy Star-approved appliances

Source: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/202757/

Sidwell Friends Middle School (Washington, DC)

2007-09-26T20:57:00.000-04:00

architect: Kieran Timberlake Associates

the greenest school in the U.S., the first to earn a platinum LEED rating
if initial cost of going green is high- savings can be even greater:
the energy bill for primary and secondary schools in the U.S. is $6 billion--and that's per year (more than spent annually on computers and books combined)

Features:
constructed wetland (first in Washington, DC), treats building waste water on site - part of a closed system that recycles water back to the building and lavatories
Green roof vegetation holds and filters rainwater; gutters and downspouts direct rainwater to a biology pond, which supports native habitat. Herbs grown by students on the green roof are supplied to the cafeteria
Building orientation
passive and mechanically assisted ventilation
solar chimneys
solar panels
5% of the building’s total electrical load is generated on the roof
double-glazed windows
Window placement, skylights and reflective panels maximize use of natural light so energy for lighting in this building is 10 – 15% of that of a comparable code compliant building
Recycled, rapidly renewable and locally produced materials such as cork, gypsum, linoleum, bamboo and wheatboard substrate
Exterior cladding is western red cedar (reclaimed from wine casks)
Paints, carpets and adhesives were selected for low emission of volatile organic compounds
carbon dioxide sensors in the classrooms automatically adjust temperature by detecting how many people are inside

Source: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1663859,00.html