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In This Issue:
CRADLE TO CRADLE PRODUCT AND MATERIAL DESIGN:
A recent article in Steelcase 360 (December 2006) describes a new certification standard for identifying green and sustainable products called Cradle to CradleTM (C2C), which identifies the environmental impact of a product from its origins to its ultimate disposal. C2C was introduced two years ago by McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), a sustainable product and process design consulting company, in order to combine all aspects of sustainability into one process. The certification process analyzes materials against 19 human and environmental health criteria and four additional sustainability criteria, including energy use, water stewardship, recyclability, and the manufacturer’s record of social responsibility. According to the article, C2C complements the LEED Green Building Rating SystemTM; LEED involves the broad building process and the building itself, and C2C emphasizes the material characteristics of products that compose the building. To learn more, read the article.
FINALISTS NAMED FOR NATION'S PREEMINENT ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME BUILDING AWARD:
According to a recent release (11/22/06), the NAHB Research Center has announced 10 finalists for the 2007 EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA). The EVHA, which honors home builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into the design, construction, and marketing of new homes, is now in its 12th year and has become a signature industry event for the energy- and environmentally-conscious home building community. This year, judges found applicants with exemplary practices related to climate-specific selection of equipment and systems, advanced air sealing and ductwork, consumer education, and attention to detail. Winners not only focused on well-integrated systems design but also the use of high-efficiency equipment and innovative construction techniques. This year’s awards will again feature the "People's Choice" award category, which allows the public to select its favorite home from among the finalists. To learn more about the EVHA program and for a list of the finalists, read the release, or visit the EVHA website to vote for the People's Choice award online.
GO FOR THE GREEN – APPLY FOR NATIONAL GREEN BUILDING AWARDS:
Entries are now being accepted for NAHB's National Green Building Awards, which recognize individuals, companies, and organizations for helping to move green into the mainstream of the housing industry through their designs and construction practices. According to a recent article in Nation's Building News (12/04/06), this year's awards program includes a new green land development award, which honors resource-efficient site design and development practices, including on-site recycling, preservation of trees, and innovative stormwater retention features. Other categories include green project of the year for single family, multifamily, and remodeling; as well as green advocate of the year; green building program of the year; and outstanding green marketing program. The awards will be presented during the National Green Building Conference in St. Louis, Mo., on March 25-27, 2007. For more information on the awards and how to enter, read the article.
SFA PREZ SUGGESTS STRONGER BUILDING CODES FOR STRONGER BUILDINGS:
Larry Williams, president of the Steel Framing Alliance, recently addressed a meeting of the National Association of Real Estate Editors to discuss strengthening codes and building practices to prevent future Katrina-like disasters. According to a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer (Alan J. Heavens, 12/03/06), Williams stated that a material's strength will determine how well a structure performs during events like high-winds or earthquakes, but other variables include how well materials withstand stresses or strains, termite infestation and moisture; the strength of the fasteners or connectors used to join it; and how easy the material is to install. Additionally, the way a building is designed will determine the way it will withstand extreme events more than the materials it uses. States that have adopted "code-plus" programs, which fortify basic building codes designed to reduce damage with higher standards, may add to construction costs, but lower insurance rates over time will likely pay for the increases. To learn more, read the article.
AT YOUR SERVICE – NEW N.C. HOMES COME WITH TECHNOLOGY CONCIERGE:
According to a recent article in the Charlotte Observer (Doug Smith, 12/05/06), residents in a new North Carolina subdivision will have access to a new "technology concierge," a service that will help them troubleshoot TV, Internet, and telephone problems. The concierge is included in the $135 monthly bundled fee that residents will pay for their technology services, and features on-site support weekdays and on-call service on weekends. D.R. Horton Inc. believes that the prototype fiber optic community could be the next big thing in residential development. All homeowners in the community will have digital cable, digital broadband Internet, and digital phone and security monitoring systems from the day they move in, and the concierge helps make the wired homes easy for owners to use. Although similar technology has been available in luxury townhomes and condos, the trend is now poised to happen much faster in the typical suburban neighborhood. To learn more, read the article.
VALVE TEST FOR HURRICANE-RESISTANT BUILDINGS:
A new flow-reversing valve designed in the United Kingdom could play a crucial role in the design of hurricane-resistant buildings, according to a recent article in the UK's Eureka Magazine (Tom Shelley, 12/20/06). The valve, which can switch the direction of air flow seven times per second, will be used in a special test house to simulate hurricane conditions by applying fluctuating pressure to a series of pressurized hollow 'tiles' mounted around the outside of the house. Instead of using a massive wind tunnel, the valve allows researchers to apply measured, changing pressure on a scale model. The valve can switch much more quickly and with more repeatability than previous flow-reversing valves. Additionally, the project's control system can measure the pressure in each tile, compare it with the desired pressure and make real-time adjustments. To learn more, read the article.
IBS SEMINARS TO OFFER TECHNOLOGY KNOW-HOW FOR INCREASING EFFICIENCY, PROFITABILITY:
According to a recent article in Nation's Building News (12/11/06), the 2007 International Builders' Show (IBS) will offer five seminars about how specific information technology solutions can increase efficiency and profitability. The seminars will cover how to use technology to motivate and communicate with trades, even if they are not proficient with information technology; how to evaluate software and jobsite technology; how to use the latest software, hardware, web services, and handheld devices; how to find a good web developer and improve a website; and how to integrate CAD technology and estimating. To learn more, read the article or visit the nextBuild/Technology track of the education seminars on the IBS website.