Archive for ID
Vacouver 2010 Olympics: LEED Gold and Platinum
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As officials in Vancouver, BC prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games to draw the world’s attention on their community, sustainable construction is front and center.
More than 3,000 athletes, trainers and support staff will be housed in 16 residential buildings, all targeting LEED gold certification and totalling more than 1.4 million square feet. The crown jewel of the 100-acre village will be a 30,000 square foot, zero energy community center that is targeting LEED platinum.
Notable technologies employed in the complex are an extensive rainwater harvesting system and a sewer-heat recovery system.
The sustainability of the site goes beyond construction techniques - of equal (or perhaps greater) importance is the long-term usability and connectivity of a project. Planners have designed the site to quickly, and easily, be converted to a mixed use development, including retail and 737 condominum residences. In a market-defying testament to Olympic fever, it has been reported that 90% of the 300 units released to date have sold.
For more information on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, visit www.Vancouver2010.com.
Dutch Boy Introduces Zero-VOC, Odor Neutralizing Paint
Posted by: | CommentsPaint manufacturer Dutch Boy has released a new paint product that is not only no-VOC, but also utilizes Arm & Hammer odor neutralizing technologies to attenuate household odors.  The product line, dubbed ‘Refresh’, is GreenCert and GREENGUARD certified and also acts as a mildew retardant. Pretty versatile stuff.
To kick off the launch of the new line, Dutch Boy is running the ‘My House Stinks‘ contest. Basically, entrants submit photos of embarassingly unhabitable rooms in the homes for a chance to win up to$5,000 and 50 gallons of the new paint.
Dutch Boy has been in the paint business since 1907 and is named after the ‘Dutch Process’ created in 16th century Holland by two scientists.
Big Ass Fans for LEED Credits
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Photo: Big Ass Fans
Not only does Kentucky-based manufacturer Big Ass Fans have one of my favorite company names, but they also produce an innovative product that can significantly contribute to LEED certification.
Big Ass products range in diameter from 6′ to a whopping 24′ (pictured in this post) and can circulate a huge amount of with very little energy comsumption. The 20′ diameter model only consumes about 1300 kwh per year and has an amazingly huge displacement of more than 240,000 CFM.
From a LEED perspective, the fans can contribute to EA, EQ, and ID credits, as they did in the world’s first LEED platinum airport hangar at Bob Hope International airport in Burbank, CA. Seven of the 24′ Powerfoil Plus models were installed in the facility.
According to BAF, there are also a few ancillary benefits to having the fans in the hangar. When aircraft return from flight they tend to be covered in condensation, causing corrosion and wet floors. The fans help attenuate these problems by drying the aircraft quickly and also discourage birds from entering the hangar.
I recently spotted a Big Ass fan in a Dominican Republic airport terminal. Please report any Big Ass (fan) sightings you have had.
Agrifiber for Structural Building Elements
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The obvious benefits of of traditional structural insulated panels include faster build time (3-4 time faster than traditional wood and metal framing), off-site fabrication and potential cost reduction. But, by using agrifiber-based SIPs, these benefits are augmented by contributing towards the following LEED NC 2.2 credits:
EA 1 - Optimize Energy Performance:Â Agrifiber SIPs generally have a very high R-value and produce a building envelope that up to 5-7 times tighter than traditional wood construction.
MR 5.1 & 5.2 - 10% / 20% Harvested within 500 miles: Obviously this requires proper purchasing but, given the typical amount of structural material relative to overall material, the volume goes a long way.
MR 6.0 - 2.5% Rapidly Renewable Materials: It’s possible to satisfy your entire MR 6.0 requirement with one building component.
EQ 4.4 - Low-Emitting Materials: Most agrifiber SIPs exceed ASTM standards and some use a soy-based adhesive resin.
Additionally, there’s a potential for two Innovation & Design points:
ID 1.1Â - Minimize Construction Waste: SIPs are manufactured off-site to exact specifications, including most openings, which can result in vitually no waste.
ID 1.2 - Regionally Harvested Materials: Exceeding 20% of the total materials.
If you’ve had any experiences with agrifiber SIPs, please comment. We would love to hear from you.
