|
This Month: ICC, ASHRAE, USGBC, others Launch International Green Construction Code (IGCC)
|
|
Feature Article
International Green Construction Code Sets Course for Sustainable Future
Author: Adam Figman
Source:
Contract Magazine
Date Written: 3/16/2010
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the International Code Council (ICC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) have announced the launch of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), a set of standards intended to facilitate and accelerate the construction of green buildings in the United States. Public Version 1.0 of the IGCC was unveiled yesterday (March 15) at the ICC's office in Washington, D.C.
This launch represents the combination of two national movements to create enforceable green building codes in the U.S.: one, by the ICC and ASHRAE, who have been trying to develop an industry standard with green building for decades, and one by the Washington, D.C.-based USGBC, who has been involved in a similar effort centered around the LEED Green Building Rating System since LEED was introduced in 2000. The IGCC merges the ICC's impact in all 50 states (and its 22,000 jurisdictions) with the technical abilities of ASHRAE, the IES, and the USGBC.
"Just like with the LEED rating systems, the IGCC code is meant to bring greater inclusivity and flexibility to green building," says Marie Coleman, USGBC spokesperson. "This code will allow jurisdictions to adopt green building guidelines in a streamlined, systematic manner that also fits the individual needs of a city or municipality."
The introduction of the IGCC also includes the unveiling of ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, which does to energy efficiency and water use what the codes do for structural safety. Written by industry experts, Standard 189.1 also covers criteria including indoor environmental quality, materials and resource use, and the building's effect on its site and community.
Along with the organizations listed above, the American Institute of Architects and the American Society for Testing Materials are listed as co-authors of the new construction code. As of yesterday, Standard 1891.1 and the IGCC are both available for distribution, with the intent of helping designers and architects nationwide contribute to a sustainable future.
Within a year, however, the USGBC is expecting to update these codes.
"This is a building block," says Coleman. "The partnering organizations want to ensure IGCC is continuously evolving. The next iteration, IGCC 2.0, will be released late 2010 pending a public comment period in the coming months. And then another version will be released in 2012 to elicit more opportunities for increased performance. As technology evolves and the urgency for better energy and water use, better environmental quality throughout the built environment grows over time, so will this set of codes."
 |
|
From the Chair
Involvement. Volunteering. Service. These are the things our members give everyday and allow us to further our mission in making Indiana a more sustainable place. In order to keep moving forward USGBC Indiana is in constant need of new members to become involved. Your efforts will help our branches have a more active presence throughout the state, and change how buildings are built. Earth Day is quickly approaching (April 22nd) and I have a request for you. This month grab a co-worker, grab a friend and get them involved. Attend our next branch event and ask them if they would like to be involved, because it is the only way we will continue to improve our built environment.
Very Truly,
Luke Leising, AIA, PE, LEED AP
USGBC Indiana Chair
|
USGBC Indiana Chapter News & Events
Central Branch Program / Meeting:
Wednesday, April 21st
 This month's program will be a special event brought to you by Knauf Insulation - a USGBC Indiana gold-level sponsor and producer of EcoBatt Glasswool Insulation using ECOSE technology.
In February of 2007, Knauf Insulation suffered a horrific fire that destroyed their engineering and research facilities. Out of the rubble came a golden opportunity to not only rebuild, but do so in a way consistent with Knauf's commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Their new Shelbyville headquarters has achieved
LEED Gold certification.
Special Chapter Program and Plant Tour at Knauf
4:00PM Plant Tour
As part of the April 21st program, Knauf Insulation is offering a free tour of their Shelbyville plant. This will afford attendees and exciting opportunity to get an inside look at the manufacturing process of Knauf Insulation. This will require an earlier arrival (4:00 PM) to accommodate the program meeting agenda. A separate RSVP is requested for the early tour.
Plant tour information is as follows:
Date:
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Location: Knauf Insulation
100 Knauf Drive
Shelbyville,
IN 46176
See location in Google Maps
Cost:
Free to all attendees
Parking: Free parking
Register:
Click here to RSVP for the program.
Event can only accommodate the first 80 registrants.
5:00PM Program
Please join us on Wednesday, April 21st when Knauf Insulation hosts the USGBC Indiana Central Branch meeting, accompanied by the plaque presentation and open house of the new Knauf headquarters. We would greatly appreciate your participation.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: Knauf Insulation
100 Knauf Drive
Shelbyville, IN 46176
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Free to all attendees
Parking: Free parking
Register: Click here to RSVP for the program.
Event can only accommodate the first 80 registrants.
North Central Branch Meeting:
Thursday, April 22nd
 Each committee will provide updates from the last month. Upcoming events will be discussed as well as possibilities for future speakers, events, and collaborations. A membership committee is being formed and will be introduced.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, April 22nd
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Location: The Troyer Group
550 Union Street
Mishawaka, IN 46544
See location in Google Maps
Cost: Free
North East Branch
Meeting:
The Natural Step Workshop
The Next Step to Emerging Economies:
A Green City Business Initiative
Thursday, April 22nd
 It's about the Environment -- It's about Economic Development!
The Natural Step Network is a world renowned organization that develops a framework for businesses to grow and explore new economies in a sustainable world.
Program information is as
follows:
Date: Thursday,
April 22nd
Time: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Location:
The Grand Wayne Convention Center
120 West Jefferson Boulevard
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
See location in Google Maps
Register: Click here to register for this event.
South West Branch Program:
Energy-Efficient Home Tours
 Wednesday, April 7th
The meeting will take place Wednesday,
April 7th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at
103 Madison Avenue and 1201 Culver Drive. Parking is on the street in front of the houses. Spend a few minutes or the entire hour and a half inspecting these houses developed by HOPE of Evansville and funded by the City of Evansville, the state and U.S. Deptartment of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD).
Richard Kuhn with Efficient Energy Technologies and Tom Coe from HOPE will be leading the tours. These houses are rated 5 Stars + by Energy Star and achieved Bronze level under the ANSI National Green Building Standard. Energy efficient design includes state of the art insulation, HVAC, and windows; a conditioned attic; low-flow fixtures; no-VOCs and a tankless water heater.
The houses are located in the Evansville Arts District in a neighborhood developed in the decades after the Civil War. These houses are architecturally compatible with the neighborhood while also utilizing today's technology.
Come and check these houses out!
Program information is as follows:
Date: Wednesday, April 7th, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Location 1: 103 Madison Avenue
Evansville, IN 47713
See location in Google Maps
Location 2: 1201 Culver Drive
Evansville, IN 47713
See location in Google Maps
Registration: Please RSVP to Dee Massey at
dmassey@happeandsons.com
 IBGS 2010 Presentations Now posted
Many of the presentations from the 2010 Indiana Building Green Symposium are now posted on the website. Please visit ibgs2010.org
USGBC Indiana Chapter on LinkedIn
 USGBC-IN has established a group on LinkedIn.
Click here to join.
|
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.
|
| Indiana Green Building Events
ASHRAE Dinner Meeting: Geothermal Systems -
Hybrid Ground Loop Design and Economics
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
 This presentation will overview geothermal applications which utilize a ground loop
system combined with a cooling tower.
A hybrid application can optimize the first
cost of a geothermal ground loop system
without operational penalties. This meeting
is co-sponsored by the Indiana Chapters
of USGBC and ASHRAE.
The speaker will be Robert Koschka who is
an Application / Systems Engineer with the
Commercial Products Group at FHP / Bosch
Group with corporate offices located in Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. He has been active in the geothermal market for the last 24 years with experience in both residential and commercial applications.
Bob is a graduate of Purdue University and
began work with a design / build mechanical firm based in Indianapolis. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for design and installation of energy efficient products and controls throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. He is a current ASHRAE member, Certified Geothermal Designer and is an IGSHPA Accredited Installer
Bruce Moss who is President & CEO of MOSS WELL DRILLING, INC. will be doing the Tech Session on drilling wells for geothermal systems. This is a 3rd Generation Family Business.
Bruce is President of TRITON GEOTHERMAL LLC, a Graduate of Ball State University (1977) and Secretary on the Board of Directors of IGWA (Indiana Ground Water Association). He is also a Member of NGWA (National Ground Water Association.
Program information is as follows:
Date: Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Time:
6:00 PM - Tech Session
6:45 PM - Dinner Starts
7:00 PM - Program Start
Location: Indiana Memorial Union
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
Cost:
$20 per person - includes dinner and the program.
Students are free.
Register:
Reservations
due by Friday, April 9th.
Option-1: Website registration - Go to www.indyashrae.org
set up your login name and password then go to the event calendar, just
below the top banner. Go to the month of the meeting and follow the
easy steps to register for the meeting. You can also prepay with your
credit card or Paypal account.
Option-2: E-mail or call Kris Stewart kstewart@hydstm.com. 317-577-8326,
stating your name, company the number of reservations required, and
your phone number.
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
The Earth Day Indiana Festival
Saturday, April 24, 2010
 The Earth Day Indiana Festival moves in 2010
to White River State Park in downtown
Indianapolis. Plans are in place to host the
event at the site for at least the next four years.
On the final Saturday of every April, thousands
of Hoosiers head to downtown Indianapolis to
attend one of the nation's largest Earth Day
festivals.
The Earth Day Indiana Festival combines 130
environmental and conservation exhibits with live music from some of Indiana's best new bands, special activities for kids and good food. An estimated 30,000 people attended the 2009 Earth Day Indiana Festival. That's the most visitors ever, and we're still growing.
For more informationn, please visit: www.earthdayindiana.org
2010 Living Future, the Unconference
May 5 - 7, 2010
 It's that time again! Living Future, the Unconference, is returning to Cascadia Region Green Building Council for its fourth year.
This year, the unconference will happen in Seattle on May 5-7.
The theme for Living Future 2010 is "Building Hope, Re-valuing Community." This year's event has a powerful program lined up, including keynotes by James Howard Kunstler, Pliny Fisk, John Francis, and Jason McLennan.
The event will also feature sessions by some of the leading thinkers and doers in the movement, along with perennial favorite events: 15 Minutes of Brilliance and the Green Building Slam!
The full program is available HERE.
This event is available to USGBC-IN members at a special discounted rate!
REGISTER NOW
Green Weekend 2010
June 11 - 12, 2010
 Green Weekend 2010 will be a two-day event combining the best of WNIT's Green Expo and the best of Downtown South Bend's EcoFest, transforming the heart of South Bend into a weekend-long celebration of the environment and sustainable living.
This two-day event will take place on Friday, June 11th and Saturday, June 12th. For more information, please visit: http://www.gogreenweekend.org/
|
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.
EPA ranks Indy 23rd for energy efficiency
Source: IndyStar
Date Written: 3/24/2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranked Indianapolis 23rd among cities with the most energy-efficient buildings, Mayor Greg Ballard's office announced Tuesday.
Indianapolis cracked the top 25 for the first time because of its 39 Energy Star-rated buildings, officials said.
Advertisement
"This recognition underscores the commitment of building owners and operators to become more energy-efficient in how they manage buildings as well as their commitment to reducing their energy consumption and improving our local environment," Ballard said in a statement.
Buildings with the EPA's Energy Star rating typically use 35 percent less energy and release 35 percent less pollution.
Read more...
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.
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...
|
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.
|
|
National USGBC News
Items are linked back to their sources and are the property of their owners. Click on heading for complete article.
Author: Nadav Malin
Source: BuildingGreen.com
Date Written: 3/16/2010
"For architects, this is good news, because we had concerns all along about what competing codes mean from a regulatory perspective," noted Paul Mendelsohn, vice president of government and community relations at AIA. Inconsistency in codes from one community to another complicates the work of designers and contractors, and competing options might have bogged down the entire code adoption process. "We saved ourselves maybe five years of fighting about it," agrees Brendan Owens, vice president for LEED technical development at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), one of the sponsors of Standard 189. "Now we can be collaborative and go forward together much faster."
Read more...
Source:
Center for American Progress
Date Written: 3/11/2010
The iconic building was constructed on a swamp wasteland in 16 months and completed on January 15, 1943 at an approximate cost of $83 million. Efficiency was a priority even then. The building consolidated 17 buildings of the War Department to cover 29 acres-the largest ground area of any office building in the world. But despite the 17.5 miles of corridors, it takes just seven minutes to walk between any two points in the building.
Read more... |
|
From the Editor
Need a LEED AP? ...It's Kind of Like Doing Your Taxes
Lately, I have been asked a lot about the new LEED AP Credential Maintenance Program (or CMP). Many of the discussions have been initiated by current LEED accredited professionals (LEED APs) considering whether or not they should opt into the CMP.
While the CMP was being developed, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) released information suggesting that current LEED APs who did not buy into the new CMP (which requires a maintenance fee, periodic contribution to LEED projects and thirty hours of continuing education every twenty-four months) would be designated an inactive status (referred to as "Legacy" status). However, by the time the CMP was implemented in 2009, the Legacy status information was withdrawn and GBCI released a formal statement informing all LEED APs that there would be no penalty for not opting into the new system (although, the LEED APs were informed that they would be given a two-year window to join the CMP, after which they would be required to completely requalify to join the CMP).
Joining the CMP requires LEED APs to be identified with one of five specialty categories (e.g. LEED AP BD+C identifies a LEED AP who specializes in building design and construction).
The CMP introduces many changes and a new structure to the LEED AP credential. Through my recent discussions, I've come to believe that many who currently hold the credential do not see an incentive to join the CMP. At least, not yet. Back in 2006, when I became a LEED AP, it was not nearly as popular amongst public and professional circles. Today, the credential is much more widely known.
It is my contention that in the near future, the building design and construction market will realize the importance of the CMP and the various LEED AP+ credentials. In the meantime, a project team's decision whether or not to consult a LEED AP may seem eerily similar to filing taxes.
Sure, you can file your taxes yourself, and if you have the proper LEED Reference Guide you essentially have access to all the information needed to manage a LEED project. But bringing a LEED AP on board your project team is kind of like hiring a tax professional to check your books and do your paperwork. Consulting a LEED AP can provide your team the best opportunity to successfully realize a LEED project with the highest level of certification and the least amount of mishaps and setbacks.
Just like choosing a tax professional, your choices amongst possible LEED AP candidates is fairly expansive. There are over 140,000 LEED accredited professional today. But not all LEED APs are equally knowledgeable or comparably experienced. Some have simply taken a class in college, passed the old exam, and have no experience on an actual LEED project. Many may have earned the credential several years ago, but has since failed to educate themselves on the many recent changes to LEED such as credit piloting, increased credit stringencies, or the LEED 2009 point allocations. This is where the new CMP comes into play. If your team brings on board a LEED AP+ (with a specialty designation), your team can rest assured that the accredited professional has at least met the minimum requirements outlined by the CMP Guide and has made the commitment to adhere to the continuing education requirements and minimum LEED project involvement.
Daniel Overbey, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
USGBC Indiana Communications Chair
|
|
Calendar at a Glance
April
7: USGBC-IN South West Branch Home Tour
Location: Evansville, IN
13: ASHRAE Dinner Meeting
Location: Bloomington, IN
May
Location: Indianapolis, IN
June
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.
|
|
|
|
|
OUR SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor
| |
