Resources: Special Editions

AAMA developing product-based green certification program for fenestration - 7/1/2009 8:24:00 AM
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association is working on a product-based green certification program for residential and commercial fenestration, the organization announced today. AAMA will use the results of a recent green building survey to help shape the program. Among the survey's findings: 77% of respondents reported a green certification program for fenestration would benefit the product selection process for their company.

SPRI expands membership to include green roof and photovoltaic component suppliers - 7/1/2009 8:17:00 AM
SPRI, the association representing sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry, recently approved a bylaw revision expanding its membership to include companies that represent emerging technologies, such as photovoltaic and vegetative roof components.

GSA celebrates 60th anniversary - 7/1/2009 8:13:00 AM
The U.S. General Services Administration today is commemorating its 60th anniversary as it engages in one of its its most challenging assignments ever—helping to achieve the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

ICC launches green construction code initiative for commercial buildings - 6/30/2009 1:04:00 PM
The International Code Council has launched its International Green Construction Code (IGCC) initiative, which will aim to reduce energy usage and the carbon footprint of commercial buildings.Entitled “IGCC: Safe and Sustainable By the Book,” the initiative is committed to develop a model code focused on new and existing commercial buildings. It will focus on building design and performance.

AASHE releases annual review of sustainability in higher education - 6/28/2009 10:24:00 AM
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has announced the release of AASHE Digest 2008, which documents the continued rapid growth of campus sustainability in the U.S. and Canada. The 356-page report, available as a free download on the AASHE website, includes over 1,350 stories that appeared in the weekly AASHE Bulletin last year.

Nonresidential construction will be down 14% in 2009; 17% in 2010, according to FMI report - 6/26/2009 1:15:00 PM
FMI released its Construction Outlook: Second Quarter 2009 Report, and the outlook isn't good for the nonresidential market. FMI forecasts the market to decline 14% this year, followed by a 17% slide in 2010. FMI says that while the economy is showing some signs of improvement, it is just the beginning of the downfall for nonresidential construction.

Study explains the financial value of green commercial buildings - 6/25/2009 8:42:00 AM
Green building may be booming, especially in the Northwest, but the claims made for high-performance buildings have been slow to gain traction in the financial community. Appraisers, lenders, investors and brokers have found it difficult to confirm the value of high-performance green features and related savings. A new study of office buildings identifies how high-performance green features and systems can increase the value of commercial buildings.

Architecture Billings Index flat in May, according to AIA - 6/24/2009 7:18:00 AM
After a slight decline in April, the Architecture Billings Index was up a tenth of a point to 42.9 in May. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.

ASHRAE introduces building energy label prototype - 6/22/2009 8:07:00 AM
Most of us know the fuel efficiency of our cars, but what about our buildings? ASHRAE is working to change that, moving one step closer today to introducing its building energy labeling program with release of a prototype label at its 2009 Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky.

Guggenheim to host live online discussion of Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition - 6/22/2009 8:02:00 AM
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum launches the Guggenheim Forum, a new series of moderated online discussions among experts from a variety of fields that will occur in conjunction with major museum exhibitions.