East Coast Green
On September 16 and 17th at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) New Jersey Chapter held a multi-regional conference entitled, East Coast Green: Meeting the Architecture 2030 Goals. Sustainability is one of AIA's top priorities and climate change impacts us all, crossing state and regional boundaries. This conference was orchestrated to benchmark how we are doing at reducing climate-change-causing Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Building Sector by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed and constructed.
Robert Kennedy, Jr. (left) with East Coast Green Speaker Chair Kim Vierheilig, AIA, LEED AP  |
Kim Vierheilig, AIA, LEED AP from the LAN Midland Park office was the speaker chair for the event. She focused on assembling a series of speaker tracks which ran concurrently on Legislation, Code/ Metrics, Planning, Building and Tectonics. Additionally, the following keynote speakers presented at the conference: Ed Mazria from Architecture 2030, Bill Reed from Integrative Design Collaborative and Robert Kennedy Jr. from Waterkeeper Alliance. Approximately 450 people were in attendance for the inaugural event. As a profession we were able to strengthen our connections with the NJ BPU, NJ DEP and EPA. LAN strives to stay on the cutting edge of sustainable issues. As an A&E firm, we believe we have the unique ability to integrate these concepts into all disciplines; providing a well-designed solution to our clients. Already we are looking forward towards continuing the conversation as we plan for a successful East Coast Green 2011.
LAN appoints Matthew M. Webb as Director of Surveying
In July 2010, LAN Associates appointed Matthew M. Webb, PLS as Director of Surveying. Since the fall of 2009, under the supervision of Richard Wostbrock, PE, Mr. Webb has been managing LAN's surveying personnel, overseeing drafting, reviewing survey data, preparing proposals and
Matt Webb, PLS
Director of Surveying  |
developing new clients. This past April, Matt passed the last of the tests required to obtain his surveyors license.
Mr. Webb has been with LAN Associates for nine years and has become skilled in the utilization of total station and GPS equipment as well as the procedures necessary for data collection in the field. He is experienced in performing construction stakeouts, topographic surveys, and boundary surveys.
In 2004, Mr. Webb took first place in the National Trig-Star Program Contest, an annual high school mathematics competition sponsored by the National Society of Professional Surveyors based on the practical application of Trigonometry. He graduated from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2009 with an Undergraduate Degree in Surveying Engineering Technology and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree program in Civil Engineering which he anticipates to complete in May 2011.
EPA Announces New Guidelines for Caulk in Older Buildings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced new guidance regarding polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in caulk in older buildings. PCBs were widely used in construction materials, including caulk, from the 1950's through the 1970's, but were phased out in 1978 due to health and environmental concerns. Caulk is often used around window and door frames, masonry, and joints in buildings. Caulk in buildings constructed or renovated between 1950 and1978 may contain PCBs. As a result, the EPA developed guidance for school administrators and building managers that includes steps for minimizing exposure, testing for PCBs, information for schools, and information for contractors working in older buildings. EPA recommends that PCB-containing caulk be removed during planned renovations and repairs. Additionally, EPA recommends that precautions be taken to ensure that PCBs are not released into the air during replacement or repair of caulk in buildings constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978. Additional information can be found on EPA's website at the following link: http://www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk/ |
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LAN Honorably Mentioned on "Hot Firm" List
LAN Associates, Engineering, Planning Architecture, Surveying, Inc. ("LAN") was recently acknowledged by ZweigWhite (the nation's leading management consulting firm supporting the A/E industry) as a successful architectural, engineering, surveying and environmental consulting firm and was chosen to be honorably mentioned on the "2010 Hot Firm List" based on key performance indicators from 2006-2009. LAN narrowly missed being in the top 150 "Hot Firm" list, by placing 154. We are proud of receiving an "honorable mention" and being associated with the top 175 national firms. This recognition in harsh economic times is an affirmation of LAN's leadership objectives, managerial and operational strategies and the contributing efforts of the entire company. LAN is proud to be associated with the industry's most successful firms and we thank our clients for the opportunity to make this achievement possible.
Long before the concepts of "sustainability" and "green design" moved to the forefront of global awareness, LAN has approached projects with energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity in mind. By specifying thermally efficient windows, occupancy sensors for lighting, and low-flow plumbing fixtures, LAN has helped several clients incorporate environmentally friendly features into their facilities.
Additionally, LAN continues to take steps to help make our own corporate environment more sustainable. To reduce fossil fuel consumption, LAN has invested in both fuel-efficient and ultra low emitting vehicles. In addition to low emissions, our ULEV averages 28 MPG, while our Honda Fit averages 39 MPG. By providing every employee with a coffee mug, LAN has eliminated the use of paper and styrofoam cups at our offices.  Paper use has been additionally reduced by using double-sided printing for most documents. In fact, most paper, plastic, and aluminum products, once destined for the dumpster, are now recycled.
LAN is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction that developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program. With a staff that includes 24 LEEDŽ Accredited Professionals, LAN can help you find ways to add green, sustainable features to your facilities within a budget, over time, with minimal disruption of your programs and activities. Not only will this help to create a healthier, more sustainable balance with the environment, but it may also help keep budgets in balance through reduced energy and operational costs.
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