May 2009 Table of Contents

Featured
Happenings Green Bank Legislation Introduced

Introduction of the Green Bank Act of 2009, which creates the Green Bank as an independent, tax-exempt, wholly owned corporation of the U.S. Read more

Happenings Boma Challenge Addresses Energy Consumption

7-Point Challenge aims to reduce commercial buildings’ energy consumption by 30 percent in the next three years. Read more

Happenings Certification Recognizes Individuals

Certification recognizes those with optimal knowledge of the entire building-commissioning process. Read more

Happenings Program Provides Legal Standard

Tropical Forest Foundation has instituted a program to assist with independent auditing to confirm tropical-wood products for sale in the U.S. meet legal requirements. Read more

Happenings Chemicals Found in Water

The Washington, D.C.-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a report that states polybrominated diphenyl ethers, chemicals commonly used in commercial goods as flame retardants since the 1970s, are found in all U.S. Read more

Happenings Initiative Facilitates Financing for Solar Thermal

EnerWorks has appointed Robert Bender executive vice president. Read more

Eco-Tech Sustainable Flooring Specification Requires a Systemic Approach

An efficient and effective green-flooring specification system allows you to factor in aesthetic, practical and environmental considerations. Read more

Innovations Flooring Resembles Hardwood

LG Floors’ NATURELIFE is durable commercial sheet flooring designed to withstand heavy traffic. Read more

Innovations Paints Are Eco-Friendly

Kelly-Moore Paint Co. Inc. has introduced two zero-VOC, low-odor paint lines. Enviro Coat is a 100 percent acrylic interior paint that can be tinted in myriad custom colors. Read more

Innovations Carpet Contains Sustainable Fiber

Zeftron nylon and BOLYU Contract have introduced Strut, a commercial broadloom carpet that is manufactured with MBDC Cradle to Cradle-certified Zeftron nylon. Read more

Innovations LED Intensity Can Be Controlled

The Infrared OSTAR Lighting LED from OSRAM Opto is composed of six thin-film chips and a hemispherical lens, producing 3.5 watts of optical output power. Read more

Innovations Lightweight Concrete for Architectural Panels

Sonoma Cast Stone has made its Classic Concrete and NuCrete versions of EarthCrete available for architectural-panel applications. Read more

Innovations Commercial Glass Product Has Low SHGC

AGC Flat Glass North America has made available its Ti-AC 23 low-E, energy-efficient glass product for commercial buildings. Read more

Innovations Pavers Are Rubber and Plastic

VAST Enterprises LLC has introduced its VAST Permeable Composite Pavers, which consist of 95 percent post-consumer scrap automobile tires and gallon-size plastic containers. Read more

Innovations Wireless System Controls Lighting

Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.‘s GRAFIK Eye QS Wireless system integrates with Lutron light and shade products for complete light control in a space. Read more

Innovations Wall System Provides Thermal Barrier

Dow Building Solutions has introduced the THERMAX Wall System for use on commercial steel-stud buildings. Read more

Innovations Urinals Realize Water Savings

The High-Performance-Composite no-water urinals from Waterless Co. Inc. realize water savings of up to 45,000 gallons (170345 L) per year. Read more

Innovations Lighting Features Recycled Components

Lightlink Lighting’s Azure Suspension light is made of layers of recycled aluminum plates, azure, and clear acrylic and dichroic film. Read more

Innovations Sensors Provide Energy Savings

Square D Commercial Grade wall-switch occupancy sensors from Schneider Electric provide energy savings for commercial buildings. Read more

Innovations Siding Has Recycled-paper Base

KlipTech has introduced EcoClad exterior cladding for commercial and residential applications. Read more

Innovations Harvest Rainwater Easily

Englert Environmental has unveiled the Englert Rainwater Harvesting System that integrates Englert Inc.’s metal roofing and rainware products with rainwater-harvesting technology. Read more

Feature Center Sets Standard in Sustainable Community

The LEED Platinum Daybreak Corporate Center maximizes daylight, water and energy in a sustainable community development on reclaimed mining land. Read more

Special The Green Office Challenge

Last year, HGA Architects and Engineers, Minneapolis, transformed the iconic First National Bank building in downtown St. Paul, Minn., into a more desirable multi-tenant office building. Read more

Special Practicing What They Preach

Autodesk's Massachusetts office demonstrates usage of BIM and IPD Read more

Perspectives Vini, Vidi, Vegetated

Steven W. Peck, founder and president of Toronto-based nonprofit association Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, shares his thoughts about the benefits of vegetated roofs. Read more

Happenings AIA Selects Top Green Projects

The Washington, D.C.-based American Institute of Architects and its Committee on the Environment have selected the top 10 examples of architecture and green-design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. Read more

Ecocentric Back Yard Shed Is Transformed Into Home Office

A homeowner converts a shed into a home office in Santa Fe, N.M., and employs many green elements. Read more

eco-tourist Great Wolf Resorts Greens its Facilities and Operations

The 11 U.S. Great Wolf Resorts recently achieved Green Seal certification. Read more

Lasting Impacts of the Green-building Industry

Editor in chief Christina Koch takes a stroll down memory lane. Read more

Happenings Events: May/June 2009

Browse upcoming events about sustainability. Read more

Fast-food Chains Serve Up Sustainable Restaurants Ecommercial Fast-food Chains Serve Up Sustainable Restaurants

With locations across the U.S., fast-food restaurants have great potential to create positive environmental impacts as they enter the green-building arena. Read more

Deep Green Understanding LED and CFL Technology

There are more benefits than drawbacks to these quickly growing lighting technologies. Read more

Deep Green The Critical Role of Air Barriers

Continuous air barriers must be designed, constructed and tested to help achieve building energy efficiency. Read more

Correspondence Correspondence: May/June 2009

Readers respond to articles in previous issues of eco-structure. Read more

Happenings Book Tells Why and How to Create a Sustainable Business

This book, which challenges the mindset of business as usual, explains how and why to create a sustainable business. Read more

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