A Few Green Building Links (2.21.07)

Going through the news today, a number of stories on the topic of green building showed up:

• “Does your office environment get you down? Then you might want to consider working with Tom Hicks. In buildings that receive USGBC’s “platinum” certification, its highest rating, natural light permeates the entire floor. Sometimes, cubicles have their own thermostats, so employees can control the temperature. The roof of Hicks’ building, at 1800 Pennsylvania Avenue, has a garden so workers can take a relaxing break at lunch. Oh, and by the way, the urinals don’t flush.”
  

  Link to Article (from Digg)

• Swinerton Builders, a leading general contractor throughout the Western U.S., and a leader in environmentally sustainable building practices, has announced a renewed company-wide initiative toward ‘green’ construction practices throughout their operations. A major San Diego site tops the list of green building in progress under the Swinerton banner. Located in Kearny Mesa, the Sunroad Enterprises’ Centrum 12 building is the first Pre-Certified LEED Core and Shell project in the San Diego region. The Class “A” 12-story
  office tower is within easy walking distance of homes, restaurants, banks and other neighborhood services. During construction, 50% of all construction-generated waste is being recycled. The site features low-water consumption landscaping and light-colored hardscaping to reduce daytime temperatures, while the interior provides natural daylight, non-toxic adhesives, paints and coatings. Water-conserving fixtures are all specified in the design, resulting in savings of over 38%, compared to standard fixtures. Through this project, Sunroad Enterprises is participating in the EPA’s Green Power Partnership.

  Link to SwinertonGreen.com

• “Energy startup The Citizenrē Corporation’s haiku-like Google ad says it all. ‘Solar for free,’ it headlines. ‘No initial investment needed. Just monthly payments for power.’ Instead of making you spring for $25,000 or more in gear, Citizenrē says it will loan you a complete rooftop solar power system, install it for free and sell you back the power it generates at a fixed rate below what your utility charges. The company hopes to make back its investment with those monthly payments, augmented by federal tax credits and rebates.”
  

  Link to Wired Article

21 February 2007 | Green Building, Technology | Comments

Related entries:

Non Sequitur for 2.21.07

Links To Other Sites

San Diego Community a Model for Green Building