Sustainability
Green Apple Day of Service
USGBC MA is organizing several activities in the Boston area for the first annual Green Apple Day of Service this Saturday, September 29th. “Where we learn matters” is the theme of this national day of service, organized by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Sign up for one of the activities on the Green Apple website or organize your own, and be sure to let others know about these activities.
Speaking at NCMA
I recently presented on the topic of Green Procurement at the regional National Contract Management Association (NCMA) conference and workshops. The NCMA is a professional association for those in the field of procurement and contract management. While I often speak about sustainable design, the U. S. Green Building Council and the LEED rating systems to groups in the world of real estate development, building design and construction, but the invitation to speak at this workshop presented an opportunity to talk to a different audience, one that is focused on purchasing products and services. A majority of the attendees were from military and government agencies and companies that contract with them…
AFH in the BAC Sustainable Design Program
BAC Master of Design Studies Sustainable Design from The Boston Architectural College on Vimeo.
I wanted to take a moment to share this video, put out by the BAC’s sustainable design program. The beginning shows our Artists for Humanity project, the shots taken during a tour I gave for students in the sustainable design degree program.
For more information, see the BAC’s page on the program.
Innovative Partnerships for Photovoltaic Installations
Jim Batchelor will be presenting work on Photovolatic Installations at the Brookline Climate Week 2012 in a panel on Saturday, January 28th. His focus will be on partnerships between non-profit and for-profit providers to accomplish PV installations. For more information on the conference, go to http://climatechangeactionbrookline.org/calendar.php.
RetailGreen: Presentation and Debate
The International Council of Shopping Center’s (ICSC’s) annual “RetailGreen” Conference was recently held in Phoenix, Arizona. It’s the only green conference that exists primarily to serve the retail development industry. In planning meetings for the event, my colleagues and I on the Program Committee spent a lot of time conjuring up panel presentations and roundtable discussions on the sustainability topics most relevant to ICSC members…
LEED for Homes: Multifamily Midrise
In late 2010, the United States Green Building Council expanded the LEED for Homes certification with a new Multifamily Midrise category, in order for 4-6 story residential buildings to pursue LEED certification. As the original LEED for Homes certification was designed for single family and low rise multi-family, the program did not accommodate the special demands of the slightly taller projects, especially with the increased density of living units…
USGBC Innovation in Green Award
Arrowstreet’s work on the Green Roof Study for the City of Boston was honored with an award in the Technology/Product category by the Massachusetts Chapter of the US Green Building Council. The winners “demonstrates the best forward-looking ideas that are replicable and cost effective.”
Tree-hugger!
Ten years ago, using the word sustainability in conversation likely won its speaker the ignoble title tree-hugger. Five years ago, the term garnered friendlier reactions while its institution was more of a “nice to have.” But today, sustainability is not just normal; it’s imperative…
Icelandic Institute of Natural History
Arrowstreet, as part of an international design team, created a sustainable master plan for a mixed-use community on a spectacular hilltop site in Garðabær outside of Reykjavik. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History was the first office/lab building to be built in the project, and is already getting noticed around the world for both its beautiful design and its sustainability features. Arrowstreet served as design consultants to the architect-of-record, Icelandic firm ARKIS, and led the sustainability effort…