Green Build Blog

The first two issues of the Journal of Green Building are now available. It is the first publication of its kind to present current research findings and new directions related to green building and high performance built facilities and infrastructure. The journal publishes peer-reviewed articles from authors in the fields of architecture, engineering, design, construction, facilities management, and all disciplines relevant to the life cycle of built facilities and infrastructure. The journal also publishes a series of articles and case studies written by practicing building professionals. These practitioner oriented pieces offer detailed advice on how to incorporate green building approaches and technologies into future projects.

For more information, visit collegepublishing.us.

Many exhibitors are still joining up for this summit, including a few listed below. To sign up, visit green-technology.org.

The Green California summit will be held at the Sacramento Convention Center on March 13 and 14, 2007. It will provide state officials with an unprecedented opportunity to learn about the full range of green products and services that can help the state achieve its goals. It will include seminars and training programs for officials at all levels – an effort that is being guided by the advisory board and other experts within state government.

Read on for a partial list of exhibitors…

Read the rest of this entry »

On-site sewage treatment systems are becoming increasingly common with new development projects, and Victoria’s Dockside Green project is setting the bar high with the goal of treating all of it’s waste on-site, with no sewer connection at all. The system won’t shun the sewage system completely however, as it will require an infusion of municipal sewage to kick start the biological processes that will break down the waste from the 1,200 units in the community.

Full Article

Green building’s early adherents have proven that they can build high-quality, high-performance structures in a professional, businesslike way. Their passion has not diminished, but it has become more firmly grounded in the realities of the marketplace.

This “new reality” has begun to attract the attention of the financial community. Investors are asking: Do green buildings command premium rents? Do they lease up faster than “conventional” buildings? Are they more valuable than other real estate investments? What is the market potential for green buildings in the future?

In the following pages, we will examine the bottom-line issues of green building across a wide range of building types.

Full Article (via Jetson Green)

China intends to build one of the world’s biggest solar power stations at a cost of 765 million dollars, state press reported Tuesday. The 100-megawatt facility, to be built in Dunhuang, an oasis town in northwest China’s Gansu province, would be a collaborative effort between the local government and Beijing’s Zhonghao New Energy Investment, Xinhua news said. The project would take five years to construct, it added.

Full Article

The Albany City Council gave preliminary approval this week to three ordinances that comprise its proposed green building program. The ordinances are scheduled to go before the City Council for final approval Dec. 4.

The ordinances introduce the following changes:

• Projects with more than 10,000 sq feet of non-residential space will be required to use recycled water for construction for designated project areas.
• Construction and demolition/renovation projects with costs more than $75,000 ($25,000 for demolition only projects) are required to divert at least half of all debris for recycling.
• More time will be permitted for inspections.

Full Article

Plans for the Freedom Tower and other facilities at the World Trade Center site will feature state-of-the-art energy technologies to better protect environmental resources, utilize renewable energy sources, and maximize energy efficiency.

Full Article

This (somewhat dated) article is about the eight-story LEED-certified building in Beijing that houses China’s ministry of science.

In a country both energy-starved and cash-conscious, the new ministry of science building is a small wonder. It uses 70 percent less energy than similar federal buildings, and saves 10,000 tons of water a year through rainwater collection. Wise use of quality materials inside a simple, plain design also make it far cheaper to build and maintain than comparable Beijing buildings.

Last week, this building became the first in China to pass the stringent, internationally recognized LEED certification.

Full Article (via Green Tea Blog)

The Las Vegas Review-Journal writes about a 41-unit, five-story condo project in Las Vegas:

Green Valley Lofts will offer one of the most energy-efficient projects in Las Vegas, integrating sustainable design principles and advanced building technologies, Vydra said.

The developer’s goal is to drastically reduce utility costs for residents, while minimizing the effect of the building’s construction on the environment.

Using European glazing techniques for the façade, energy requirements of the building will be significantly reduced compared with conventional structures, he said.

Full Article

Green Valley Lofts

Two press releases of note come on the same day from Autodesk.

First, they are predicting a lot of growth in sustainable design, after conducting a survey of architects in the United States:

“This year’s study reveals a growing commitment by architects and owners for supporting sustainable design principles,” said Jay Bhatt, vice president, Autodesk building solutions. “By enabling our customers to collaborate more effectively and estimate more accurately, Autodesk solutions help architects predict the overall lifecycle costs of their designs.”

Of the architects who responded to the survey, […] seventy-two percent have received training or continuing education on the subject of green buildings.

Full Article
Second, Autodesk is joining forces with the USGBC:

Autodesk, Inc. today announced it has entered into a strategic relationship with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) aimed at expanding the use of technology and to facilitate further adoption of sustainable design and green building. Autodesk and the USGBC plan to work on several initiatives to make sustainable design easier and more efficient through the use of technology such as the Autodesk Revit platform for building information modeling (BIM), ultimately reducing the causes of climate change by increasing the number of green buildings that emit less carbon dioxide. As the first step, Autodesk and the USGBC plan to develop an educational curriculum for architecture and engineering students.

Full Article