Kaiser Borsari Hall will draw 100% of its electricity from a rooftop solar panel array. Photo courtesy Perkins&Will

Mass timber a big part of Western Washington University’s net-zero ambitions

Western Washington University, in Bellingham, Wash., 90 miles from Seattle, is in the process of expanding its ABET-accredited programs for electrical engineering, computer engineering and science, and energy science. As part of that process, the university is building Kaiser Borsari Hall, the 54,000-sf new home for those academic disciplines that will include teaching labs, research labs, classrooms, collaborative spaces, and administrative offices.

MFPRO+ New Projects

Two San Francisco multifamily high rises install onsite water recycling systems

Two high-rise apartment buildings in San Francisco have installed onsite water recycling systems that will reuse a total of 3.9 million gallons of wastewater annually. The recycled water will be used for toilet flushing, cooling towers, and landscape irrigation to significantly reduce water usage in both buildings.

MFPRO+ News

ENERGY STAR NextGen Certification for New Homes and Apartments launched

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently launched ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments, a voluntary certification program for new residential buildings. The program will increase national energy and emissions savings by accelerating the building industry’s adoption of advanced, energy-efficient technologies, according to an EPA news release.

HVAC

Department of Energy unveils resources for deploying heat pumps in commercial buildings

To accelerate adoption of heat pump technology in commercial buildings, the U.S. Department of Energy is offering resources and guidance for stakeholders. DOE aims to help commercial building owners and operators reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs by increasing the adoption of existing and emerging heat pump technologies.

Green | May 31, 2016

Miami Beach requires developers to meet green standards or pay a fee

Applies to structures larger than 7,000 sf.

Codes and Standards | May 25, 2016

LEED Dynamic is worth the effort, says commercial real estate executive

San Diego office tower is California’s first office building to receive LEED Dynamic plaque in recertification.

Green | May 23, 2016

Perkins+Will achieves first Living Building Challenge Certification with Vancouver visitors center

The VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre was recognized for its use of healthy building materials, on-site renewable resources, and filtered rainwater to meet greywater requirements.

BIM and Information Technology | May 20, 2016

AIA and Autodesk introduce new feature to automate 2030 Commitment reporting data

The new automated connection will allow the more than 350 AIA 2030 committed firms to report their project and portfolio performance to the DDx directly from Autodesk Insight 360.

Green | May 16, 2016

Development team picked for largest Passive House project in North America

The 24-story curved building would be 70% more efficient than comparable housing in New York City.

Green | Apr 27, 2016

Top 10 green building projects for 2016

The Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco and the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library are two of the projects recognized by AIA COTE as the top green buildings of 2016.