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This Month: Greater Indianapolis Habitat for Humanity to Realize LEED for Homes Prototype
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Feature Article
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis Working with USGBC Indiana to Build LEED Certified Prototype
USGBC Indiana and the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis (HFHGI) have collaborated on a unique project. The USGBC Indiana Central Branch's Residential Green Building Committee's decision to collaborate with the Indianapolis-based Habitat for Humanity affiliate started with the goal of supporting better design and promoting green building in a situation that allows for mutual learning and growth amongst all members. The objective was to work with an organization with similar aspirations in order to spread the word about the effectiveness of pursuing green building through action. The collaboration between USGBC Indiana and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis was a natural fit.
While it is widely known that Habitat for Humanity builds homes for those in need, many are unaware of the organization's growing efforts across the country to build affordable "green" homes for families in need. HFHGI has joined the growing numbers of Habitat chapters that are making green building a priority in their new construction projects. In recent years, HFHGI in particular has been focusing on energy efficiency, green building materials, and better insulation. They have taken an especially big leap this past year by requiring Energy Star certification on all of their new homes.
In other HFH chapters across the country, a similar surge has started to take place. Groups and individuals alike have taken the initiative to build the greenest homes possible on very modest project budgets. A select few have even sought LEED for Homes certification. Habitat projects are reaching Gold and Platinum-level LEED certification. Especially successful projects have even achieved net zero energy performance. St. Louis, Phoenix, Columbus, and Grand Rapids HFH affiliates are leading the way for long-term success with regard to green, affordable homes.
The Grand Rapids affiliate has been making Energy Star and LEED for Homes certified homes a priority in their projects for over two years. They have certified Silver for each of their last 60 projects and have made it a requirement that all of their newly constructed homes follow suit. After setting the example, the affiliate is now helping other affiliates achieve similar results. These projects have become an inspiration for designers and builders across the country.
As with any new project seeking LEED certification, several factors had to be addressed in advance including fees, funding, construction and, most importantly, design.
With all LEED projects there are fees involved, but as many will attest, early designing for energy and resource efficiency will not only limit the monetary investment, but will make the premium back over the life of a home. There are also several grants available for not-for -profit companies, like Habitat for Humanity, that will help cover the expense of registration, certification, and verification fees.
In terms of construction, many of the items required by LEED for Homes are already being addressed by many builders as better management practices. Through education, training, and on-the-job experience, many builders will learn better techniques that will make a positive impact on this and future projects. Any builder with the proper training and technical support can build to LEED standards. This is where the Residential Green Building Committee and its members come in. With plans in place and the right amount of dedication and motivation, LEED-quality building is a reasonable goal for any team.
Having this alliance between HFHGI and USGBC Indiana benefits all facets of the next generation of Habitat for Humanity projects in Indianapolis. Homeowners will learn useful information about energy efficiency, maintenance, as well as important information on how to run and manage a green home. As part of the LEED system it is required that homeowners participate in a guided walkthrough to discuss all areas of their new green home, including construction, equipment, maintenance, as well as tips for everyday life including green cleaning ideas, local recycling, and other resources.
Not only does the relationship between Residential Green Building Committee and HFHGI benefit families in Indianapolis, it also helps raise awareness with those who work and participate with these organizations. Habitat is using the current opportunity to teach and train the groups that they have teamed with in the past and identify new sources of support. While providing the project with useful project management, the Residential Green Building Committee is using this opportunity to educate its members who are interested in pursuing their LEED-AP Homes credential. Members are working together to learn about how to manage a project, as well as gain valuable project time needed to sit for the exam. This allows for groups to work together under an experienced professional in order to learn in ways that will benefit not just this project, but future projects as well.
Due to the outpouring of support and excitement to be part of the first LEED for Homes certified Habitat home in Indiana, a green design charrette is scheduled to address possible design changes. Since design is the most crucial element of green building the charrette will be a very useful tool in making design changes for a better performing home. The charrette will be geared toward educating participants about existing and upcoming LEED for Homes projects, what is being done to promote energy and resource efficiency, as well as breakout sessions to tackle issues including: site design, water management, systems, materials, resources, and durability measures.
Both parties are hopeful that support will continue beyond this initial project so that HFHGI may continue to build LEED certified homes throughout the Indianapolis area and emerge as a leader in building homes more sustainably. The successful completion of Indiana's first Habitat for Humanity LEED certified home will create more opportunities for other groups, designers, and builders interested in building better, greener homes. Ideally, such emerging projects will become examples to other organizations that green building can be affordable.
Christin Kappel, LEED AP Homes and BD+C, is the Director of Sustainability at The Architecture Studio. For additional information, please email Christin at ckappel@thearchitecturestudio.com. Follow the progress of the team working on the LEED certified prototype at http://habitatbuildsleed.blogspot.com/.
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From the Chair
The future is looking up for energy efficiency in Indiana. This month saw approval of upgrades to the Indiana Energy Code. The energy code for commercial buildings has been approved and changes for the Residential building code are not far behind. Commercial buildings codes are being upgraded to incorporate the energy sections of the International Building Codes, which reference ASHRAE 90.1 (2007). These revisions will have a far reaching impact on energy efficiency. Currently Indiana is tied for the oldest Energy Code in the US and the current minimum requirements for a building defines little but wall and roof insulation. The new requirements will produce a significant increase in the baseline energy performance of every new building in the state. This will also lead to reducing the cost difference between a typical building and a LEED Certification.
I want to thank our USGBC members that played a significant role in steering the critical change through committee. We will be sure to follow up on the final versions of code changes in our next newsletter.
Very Truly,
Luke Leising, AIA, PE, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Chair
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USGBC Indiana Chapter News & Events
Central Branch Program:
Carbon Emissions & LEED
Wednesday, February 17th
 Please join the Central Branch for it's monthly program featuring a presentation by David Galvin.
David Galvin, of the Bartimaeus Group, is a former sustainability leader for the City of Kokomo. You may remember David from the local governmental panel at last year's Indiana Green Building Symposium.
This time, David is prepared to talk about carbon cap-and-trade, carbon trading, how both relate to LEED, and a bit about K-Fuel (cooking oil used to fuel municipal vehicles) in Kokomo.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Time: Networking and appetizers 5:00 PM;
Program 5:30 - 7:00 PM.
Location: The Conference Center at Four Parkwood
500 East 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN
See location in Google Maps
Cost: $10 for members; $20 for non-members (pay at the door)
Parking: Free parking
Register: Click here to RSVP for this event.
North East Branch Program:
LEED Accreditation and Credentialing Maintenance
 Wednesday, March 31st
Please join the USGBC-IN Northeast Branch for its March program titled: Steps to Accreditation and Maintaining LEED Credentials.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM Registration and Networking; 6:00 PM Program
Location: Columbia Street West - Upstairs Banquet Room
135 W. Columbia Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Individual Chapter Members - Free
Non-Members - $15 (Cash at the door)
Registration: Click here to RSVP for this event.
More Info: Click here for the event flyer.
Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 24th to receive one free drink ticket.
South Central Branch Program:
World Wide Auto Presentation
Thursday, February 18th
 World Wide Auto has graciously agreed to host this months USGBC-SC
meeting on Thursday, February 18th from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. They have an upstairs
meeting room for all to gather at their new facility at 2661 W.
Schmaltz Blvd. They will provide attendees with a short tour of their new
building and a brief power point presentation.
In September of 2009, World Wide Automotive moved into its new green
design facility. After many years of research, planning, saving and
perseverance we believe we have created a facility suited to both our
business needs and our environmental goals. Using LEED standards as our
guide and a desire to upgrade the image of the independent automotive
repair shop, we hope that our new home can provide a safe and
sustainable alternative for all your car care needs.
They will also provide
some light refreshments. More information about World Wide can be
found at www.worldwideauto.net.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, February 18th, 2010.
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Location: World Wide Auto
2661 W. Schmaltz Blvd.
Bloomington, IN 47403
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Free
Register: Click here to RSVP for this event.
USGBC Announces Addenda to LEED Reference Guides
 Addenda to the various LEED Reference Guides (2009 Editions) have been updated. It is strongly recommended that project teams adhere to the Reference Guide addenda based on registration date.
Updates have been issued for the following documents: - Reference Guide Addenda: Green Building Design & Construction
- Reference Guide Addenda: Green Interior Design & Construction
- Reference Guide Addenda: Green Building Operations & Maintenance
Read more...
USGBC Indiana Chapter on LinkedIn
 USGBC-IN has established a group on LinkedIn.
Click here to join.
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Join USGBC-IN Today!
Join the Indiana Chapter of USGBC today to enjoy the many benefits of membership that help your organization stay competitive, grow your business, and make the best contacts in the green building industry.
Indiana Chapter members receive the following benefits:
- Member-only discounts and networking events - local event fees are discounted for chapter members. Monthly meetings are free!
- Get a fantastic array of green building tools and educational resources.
- Be noticed - membership sets your organization apart.
- Build relationships in the local construction industry.
- Meet, learn and network with other building professionals who share the same passion for green building.
- Benefit from company and individual names being listed in one of the largest directories of green building practitioners and supporters via the USGBC National website and our local chapter homepage.
- Get involved - help build much-needed awareness for green building in Indiana.
- Be recognized as a leader in supporting a better built environment.
- Shape and proactively promote local green initiatives through chapter and committee involvement.
- Vote in local chapter business/issues.
Sign up today and receive a one-year membership for only $50 (less than 14 cents per day)!
For more information regarding USGBC Indiana, please visit our web site at usgbc-in.org.
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| Indiana Green Building Events
   
Speakers Announced
Join hundreds of designers, owners, operators and developers at the fourth annual Indiana Building Green Symposium, 2010. This annual conference hosted by the USGBC brings together leading professionals in a variety of disciplines and all facets of the building industry to facilitate and expedite the shift toward sustainable building practices in Indiana. Get all the latest on applications and trends that are turning green thinking into green building, and how it's enhancing the quality of life for people and planet.
It's time to "Think Green" in Indiana!
This year's growing list of outstanding world-class speakers includes:
Toshiko Mori
Toshiko Mori, FAIA is the Robert P. Hubbard Professor in the Practice of Architecture with tenure at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and was the chair of the Department of Architecture from 2002 to 2008. She is also principal of Toshiko Mori Architect, which she established in 1981 in New York City.
Douglas Farr
Doug Farr is founder and president of Farr Associates, a Chicago-based sustainable architecture and planning firm that is the first in the world to design three buildings certified as "platinum," the highest distinction under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. He is author of "Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature."
Pliny Fisk III
Pliny Fisk specializes in green technology, design and planning. He is co-creator of EcobalanceDesign™, BaselineGreen™ , CDIR ™. His work holds several national and international awards and is well known regarding regionalized building materials and open building protocols. Fisk is Co-director of The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems and is signature faculty In architecture landscape, architecture, and planning at Texas A&M University.
Dan Rockhill
Dan Rockhill is the Executive Director of Studio 804 and the J L Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning. He is a principal of the design firm Rockhill and Associates. Their work is tightly bound to the natural milieu and culture of the Kansas region. In the spirit of regionalism, the areas archetypal forms, Spartan aesthetics, frugal methods, and relationship to nature permeate the results.
William Harrison
As ASHRAE's president, Harrison directs the Society's Board of Directors and oversees the Executive Committee. His presidential theme, Maintain to Sustain: Delivering ASHRAE's Sustainability Promise, focuses on operating buildings to deliver the energy efficiency inherent in their design, including effective commissioning, improved documentation, and programs to educate and certify building operators.
For more information, and to register for this event, please visit:
ibgs2010.org
Greening the Heartland 2010
May 19 - 21, 2010
 This year's theme, BRIDGING, seeks to draw valuable connections between people, places, and ideas to help create a sustainable heartland region and beyond. Specifically, the conference seeks to link such ideas as:
- Sustainable development and environmental protection
- Green building and social justice
- Community planning and individual health
- Commercial and residential projects (market-rate and affordable housing)
- LEED and the Green Communities criteria
Presenting organizations, the Minnesota chapter of USGBC and Minnesota Green Communities, are excited by this unique partnership and opportunity to "bridge" our two conferences and bring people together around green building and design from all across the region.
Greening the Heartland 2010 is also excited to announce keynote speaker Cameron Sinclair, president and co-founder of Architecture for Humanity.
This year's event will be held from May 19th through 21st at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
For more information, and to register for this event, please visit:
greeningtheheartland.org
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Emerging Green Builders News & Events
 Who We Are
Emerging Green Builders are students and young professionals dedicated to becoming and recruiting the future leaders of the green building movement. EGB Indiana, part of the Heartland Region, offers you the opportunity to get involved in green building locally, access USGBC resources, and particiate in local events.
All Things EGBPlease visit us at usgbc-in.org/egb for all the latest events, resources, and local branch information. |
Indiana Green Building News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Green Building / LEED Green Associate Pre-Class
Saturday, February 27th
Program information is as follows:
Date: Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM. Lunch provided.
Facilitator: EcoAchievers
Location: 908 West 8th St.
Bloomington, IN 47404
Cost: $245.00 with coupon (savings of $40.00).
Registration: Go to http://bit.ly/2qrzY4 for details and registration.
EcoAchievers is a USGBC education provider
Planet Indy 2010 Series Announced
The USGBC Indiana Central Branch's Residential Green Builders Chapter is a proud promotional sponsor of the Planet Indy 2010 lecture series.
The Ascent of the Electric Car with Chris Paine
Thursday, February 11th
In the four years since filmmaker Chris Paine released the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?, electric vehicles have been revived. In that film, Paine documented the corporate leaders, government officials and consumers who embraced SUVs over electric cars, exploring the larger story of our car culture in the process. Paine is back with a new film in the works: The Revenge of the Electric Car, set for release in 2011. As part of Planet Indy series, spend an evening with Paine. See Who Killed the Electric Car?, then hear the filmmaker discuss the latest progress on electric vehicles, the relationship between good design and sustainability, and new ways of thinking about mobility. After the program, see an electric car up close and get information about companies making electric vehicles in Indiana.
Gestalt Gardening with Felder Rushin
Thursday, April 22nd
Can garden design be a subversive act? At this Planet Indy talk, on the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, offbeat garden guru Felder Rushing addresses "slow" gardening for cheapskates, alternatives to the oppressive lawn, and irreverent approaches to horticulture that are also more sustainable. Rushing is a 10th-generation American gardener from Jackson, Miss., whose quirky cottage garden has been featured in many TV programs and magazines, and includes a huge variety of weather-hardy plants and a collection of folk art. Rushing is the author or co-author of 15 gardening books and co-hosts a public radio call-in garden program. After the event, buy a book, have it signed, and enter to win a free garden consultation by Rushing the next day and $50 worth of plants at the Perennial Premiere event. Presented with support from the IMA Horticultural Society.
This program is ASL interpreted.
The Not So Big House with Sarah Susanka
Thursday, May 20th
How do the size, scale and design of our homes affect our well-being, our family relationships, and our planet? In this talk, Sarah Susanka, architect and author of The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live, illustrates the connection between smart design, domestic pleasure, and lower carbon footprints. Susanka explores the bigger ideas behind The Not So Big House - a radical re-think of urban architecture and the difference between a bigger house and a better home. Presented with support from AIA Indianapolis. Promotional support from Residential Green Builders of Indianapolis.
Read more...
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Add Your LEED Projects to USGBC-IN.org
Submit Your LEED Certified Projects
USGBC Indiana is in the process of adding in-state LEED certified projects to the website's "Green Projects" showcase. If
you would like to submit your LEED certified
project, please complete the Green Project Profile
form and submit entries to info@usgbc-in.org.
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National USGBC News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Author: Wendy Koch
Source: Green House Blog on USA Today
Date Written: 1/22/2010
"We're in the planning phases," Rick Fedrizzi, president of the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit group, said in an interview. He said his group is working to figure out what Haiti, devastated by a massive earthquake Jan. 12, needs for reconstruction. He's asking people to donate to the William J. Clinton Foundation's Haiti Relief Fund, available by clicking here.
Read more... |
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From the Editor
The Case for Slowness
USGBC's vision is to realize a market transformation over the course of one generation in which all buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life. Put another way, USGBC aims to help guide the building industry in a direction such that within the next - say - 20 years, healthy, high-performance building will be the norm, not the exception. However, currently certifiably green buildings (not just LEED) are but a small fraction of the total building industry. Obviously, if this vision is to come to fruition, the collective green movement is going to have to pick up the pace, and fast!
But is there a case to be made for taking things a bit more slowly?
We live in an ever-changing, fast-paced, highly competitive culture. There are many examples of this in our day-to-day lives: email, instant messages, streaming movies, computerized stock trading, fast food, air travel - the list goes on. In know in architecture, technology like CAD and BIM have afforded design firms the ability to get more work done, in a less time, and with fewer people than ever before.
An unintended consequence of trying to survive - or even thrive - in such a fast-paced, reactionary culture is that our mindset, by necessity, has to shift to short-term thinking in many instances. Many businesses have become dependent on measuring economic activity minute-by-minute. You use to have to wait a couple of weeks to get a response to that love letter you mailed to your sweetheart in Topeka. Now, if you don't get a reciprocating Facebook post within the next hour, you start to stress from the lack of affirmation.
During a green building project, short-term thinking means focusing on chasing LEED points and doing just what you need to do in order to verify building performance and fulfill documentation for green building certification. In other words, it all becomes about the engineering, constructability, and affordability - which are all vital and very influential factors to the success of any green building project.
But what if we used the opportunities afforded by the design process to take more time to explore missed experiences in everyday life; expand the expression of objects beyond pure functionality; encourage people to reflect on consumer habits; and promote the connectedness of that which we design to local materials and resources?
These are just a few of the core principles applied by Carolyn F. Strauss and the slowLab. The slowLab, a collective of designers based in New York City, has been exploring the virtues of "slow design" and applying a cradle-to-cradle philosophy to consumer goods since it was founded in 2003.
The scope of the slowLab's work varies, but the results tend to buck mass production and disposability in favor of local materials and processes that can create unique objects of long term value with an innate connectedness with their environment.
Of course, such a "slow" design process may seem to have little place in a fast-paced and economically teetering building industry. But we can certainly strive to strike a balance between the fast and the slow. In addition to efficiency, time-sensitivity, and quantified metrics, the building industry could certainly benefit from project teams taking opportunities to lend building solutions more time for thought and design. As William McDonough, one of the great green designers and ecological philosophers of our generation once put it, design is the first signal of human intention.
Perhaps John Maeda, the president of the Rhode Island School of Design, posed our design quandary best, "How do we slow down what matters the most and speed up what benefits change and progress? We don't want to impede progress, but we are seeking reconnection to ourselves, to each other, and with the world."
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
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Calendar at a Glance
February
11: The Ascent of the Electric Car with Chris Paine
Location: Indianapolis, IN
17: USGBC-IN Central Branch Program Location: Indianapolis, IN 18: USGBC-IN South Central Branch Program Location: Bloomington, IN 27: Green Building / LEED Green Associate Pre-Class Location: Bloomington, IN
March
10 - 11: 2010 Indiana Building Green Symposium Location: Indianapolis, IN 17: USGBC-IN Central Branch Program Location: Indianapolis, IN 26 - 28: Green Fest Indy 2010 Location: Indianapolis, IN 31: USGBC-IN Northeast Branch Program Location: Fort Wayne, IN 31: Michiana Facilities Maintenance and Building Expo Location: Century Center, South Bend, IN
April
21: USGBC-IN Central Branch Program May
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Please email your event notices to the Editor. Thank you!
All dates are subject to change. For a complete list of upcoming events, please log-in to usgbc-in.org.
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