Feature
USGBC’s Austin Conference a Great Success
More than 4,000 green building afficionados gathered in Austin, Texas in November at the U.S. Green Building Council's 1st International Conference and Expo. The December issue features news and highlights from the conference, including from the keynote addresses, a showdown over PVC use in buildings, a forum for young professionals in green building, and new developments within the Council. For the technically inclined, a graph from AIRxpert Systems, Inc. of CO2 levels in the exhibition hall reveals a problem with the ventilation system that was, fortunately, resolved.
From the Editors
Adapting to a New LEED World
As the U.S. Green Building Council and its LEED Rating System shepherd green building into the mainstream, Editor Nadav Malin identifies some risks that accompany the new possibilities.
What's Happening
LEED Update
LEED version 2.1 clarifies and simplifies certification, while bringing a new fee structure to project registration; LEED for Commercial Interiors, for Existing Buildings, and for Core & Shell saw improvements at the conference; LEED-Homes and LEED for Multiple Buildings are progressing; and LEED applications guides for building types such as health-care facilities, labs, and schools are under development.
Austin Session Highlights
The USGBC conference sessions had much to offer attendees. Highlights from the sessions included specifics on lighting, comparing LEED energy credits to an ASHRAE 90.1 baseline, underfloor air distribution, no-holds-barred feedback from users of high-profile green projects, and a remarkable study undertaken by the Packard Foundation comparing sustainability options for a new headquarters building.
USGBC Growing in All Directions
The Council has grown tremendously since it was established less than a decade ago. Membership is up 600% in just the past 3 years; 13 local and regional chapters have begun, and another 17 are expected by spring; and 4 affiliate programs have been recognized.
World Green Building Council Unleashed
Nine founding nations officially launched the World Green Building Council in Austin.
Awards & Competitions
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Awards & Competitions (cont.)
Award Briefs
BGI’s Top-Ten Green Products
The editors of EBN announce our pick of the ten best green building products added to the GreenSpec directory in the last year.
Product Review
Preform Office Workstation Systems
In place of compressed mineral fiber, this new office workstation system from Preform Manufacturing, Inc. uses foamed gypsum or recycled glass as the core of its workstation panels. The systems are wrapped with 100% bio-based Climatex Lifecycle fabric.
Gridcore Returns as SONOBoard 3D
Sonoco Products, Inc. is producing lightweight, high-strength panels from recycled cellulose fibers. Raw panels of the product, SONOBoard 3D, are already available and Sonoco plans to use them for furniture, shelves, room dividers, and wall panels.
From the Library
LCA Review of LEED
In this report, Chris W. Scheuer and Gregory A. Keoleian from the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems analyze how six LEED credits measure up when viewed from a life-cycle analysis perspective.
BEES 3.0: LCA Software Makes a Quantum Leap
LCA Software Makes a Quantum Leap. NIST's newest version of BEES incorporates new systems for calculating aggregated life-cycle assessment scores, introduces additional impact categories, and recognizes brand-specific products. The changes represent a significant improvement.
USGBC State and Local Government Tool Kit
This manual, released by the USGBC State and Local Government Committee, offers advice on how to go about establishing a new green building program, including examples of tailoring LEED to local conditions.
Making the Business Case for High Performance Green Buildings
This brochure makes a compelling case for green in a format and style that speak to decision makers in corporate real estate.
GreenBuilt Tours: How to Organize a Successful Tour of Sustainable Architecture
How to Organize a Successful Tour of Sustainable Architecture. Based on extensive experience, the authors lay out a series of recommendations for novice tour organizers.
Calendar
Calendar of Events
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