[Construction Focus Newsletter]

Hannah Grimes Construction Focus Newsletter March/April 2011

Many thanks to the businesses and organizations who attended our March 16th Construction Business Forum. One attendee shared "This meeting should take place every month, same place, same style, same length."

While this may be something that the Hannah Grimes Center can provide in the future, there are already ways for construction business owners to connect in our region. One opportunity is the monthly Green Building Discussion Group. This is a great way to network with other business owners and meet potential clients.

Green Bldg Discussion Group

SISR Architecture

Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Toadstool Bookstore, Keene

We'll be discussing alternative construction methods: modular buildings with Chet Pasho of Preferred Building Systems, structural insulated panels (SIPs) with Zack Leroy of Panel Pros and we will talk about our own earth berm and straw bale home designs. Contact: christina@sisr.us; http://www.sisr.us.

SISR

INNOVATE:

Events to Help Your Business Innovate

Build & Maintain Professional Relationship

Associated Builders & Contractors

Tuesday, March 29, 8:30 - 11 a.m.

ABC Training Facility, Concord

This session identifies overlooked and often misunderstood qualities needed to develop and enhance effective communications and productive relationships. View Flyer. Cost: $45 for ABC Members/$90 for Non-members. Contact: dan@abcnhvt.org.

Strategic Planning Workshop
Hannah Grimes Center
Friday, April 22, Noon - 1:30 p.m.

Hannah Grimes Center, Keene

Learn how to create comprehensive plans that you can use in your business to drive sales, increase profits and focus your team. Audience: "Solo-prenuers" up to medium sized businesses or even teams within larger businesses.. This free workshop is facilitated by Ann & Michelle Connor from AdviCoach. For more details and to register: http://www.hannahgrimes.com.

CONNECT:

Events to Help You Connect With Other Experts

New Hampshire Energy Code Workshops

NH Office of Energy and Planning

Tuesday, April 5, Commercial Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Monday, April 25, Residential Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Manchester Community College, Manchester

With the IECC 2009 Energy Code having gone into effect April 1st of 2010, it is important that all building and design professionals be aware of what will be required of them by code, as well as to understand the benefits to exceeding code. These spring 2011 workshops will be related specifically to meeting and exceeding the 2009 IECC Energy Code. May workshops will be offered in Claremont. View the event brochure at http://www.nhenergycode.com.

Case Study: The Living Building Challenge & Next-Generation Sustainable Design

NEXUS Boston

Wednesday, April 13, 12:30 2 p.m.

NEXUS Green Building Resource Center, Boston, MA

The Living Building Challenge is the most ambitious green building certification program. Certification is achieved by complying with all prerequisites, such as net zero energy and water on an annual basis. A robust set of computational analysis tools were used to help inform the design on optimum building form for effective natural ventilation and daylighting. Results from ongoing post occupancy evaluation will shed light on the iterative design process required for a Living Building. Learn more at

http://www.nexusboston.org. Contact: 617-374-3740; events@greenroundtable.org.

Green Retrofit Mini Bootcamp-Pilot

HBRA of New Hampshire

Thursday & Friday, April 14 & 15, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Housing Center, Concord

This hands-on course prepares the student for the installation of basic air sealing and insulation measures in a residential environment. This training will help qualify students for positions in energy performance contracting. The class will include a review insulation and air sealing principles, diagnostics tests, and safety considerations. Students will learn to implement building science-based retrofit techniques, including blower door-guided air sealing, duct sealing, densepack cellulose and loose-fill insulation. This PILOT course is offered at a reduced cost, and is open to a limited number of students. Register: 603-524-3207 or online. For information: Andy Duncan, 603-524-3207 ext. 6629.

Design For Builders

Yestermorrow

Saturday & Sunday, April 16 & 17

Yestermorrow, Warren, VT

This is an intensive two day workshop explaining the benefits and limitations of green building materials. This course will examine green materials choices for nearly all aspects of the home including: roofing, cabinets and flooring, siding, wall coverings, wall systems, framing, plumbing and more. Environmental impact, life cycle assessment, and indoor air quality ramifications will all be discussed for the various building materials. This course will help both amateurs and professionals to make best-possible environmental choices when designing and building a home. Tuition: $320. Register at http://www.yestermorrow.org.

Construction Forecast Webinar

National Association of Home Builders

Wednesday, April 27, 2-4 p.m.

Online Webinar

Get diverse data and interact directly with some of the nation's top economists. Comprehensive and convenient, right at your desktop, the two-hour Construction Forecast Webinar will present the latest economic data and opinion in a streamlined, efficient format at an accessible price. NAHB Members: $29.95/Non-members: $49.95. Register at http://www.nahb.org.

THRIVE:

News & Resources to Inform & Inspire

Chicago's Willis Tower to Become a

Vertical Solar Farm

Originally Posted at Inhabit.com

Chicago's iconic Willis Tower (formally the Sears Tower) is set to become a massive solar electric plant with the installation of a pilot solar electric glass project. The high-profile project on the south side of the 56th floor will replace the windows with a new type of photovoltaic glass developed by Pythagoras Solar which preserves daylighting and views while reducing heat gain and producing the same energy as a conventional solar panel. The project could grow to 2 MW in size - which is comparable to a 10 acre field of solar panels - turning North America's tallest building into a huge urban vertical solar farm.

Avoiding the Global Warming Impact

of Insulation

Originally Posted at BuildingGreen.com

Can insulation materials, which we use to save energy and help prevent climate change, cause greenhouse gas emissions? Yes, in two ways.