August 2004 Newsletter

August 2004

News

City of Vancouver Sets Gold Standard
The Vancouver City Council adopted a Green Building Strategy in July. The Council approved a requirement of LEED Gold for all new civic buildings over 500 square meters. Additionally, these civic buildings must show at least a 30 per cent improvement in energy consumption over the City's current energy bylaw. This Gold standard is currently the highest standard for any municipality in North America. For more information, contact Dale Mikkelsen, Central Area Planning, 604.871.6168. See Standard

Cascadia has (Great) Friends

Rendering by Bryan Christie Design

To match the Russell Family Foundation's generous grant, we have begun an annual campaign called 100 Friends of Cascadia. The campaign has 4-levels: Platinum-$10,000, Gold-$5,000, Silver-$2,000, and Certified-$1,000. The Russell Family Foundation will match contributions to 100 Friends dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, thereby doubling corporate and other donations.

Our latest Friends are Environmental Design + Construction, Sustainable Industries Journal, Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Bassetti Architects and Rosendin Electric. Thank you to all our sponsors!

Friends so far include:

Platinum: Russell Family Foundation, Mithun, Energy Trust of Oregon

Gold: Lease Crutcher Lewis, Sparling and Candela, ShoreBank Pacific, Environmental Design + Construction

Silver: Fortis Construction, Swenson Say Faget, Skanska, Trane Oregon, Green Building Services, Olympic Associates, Miller Paint, King County, SERA Architects, Sustainable Industries Journal, Coughlin Porter Lundeen

Certified: PAE Consulting Engineers, Via Architecture, SvR Design, Sellen Construction, O'Brien & Company, Mahlum Architects, Stormwater Management, Bassetti Architects, Rosendin Electric, Magnusson Klemencic Associates

SERA Architects in Portland has taken a unique approach to joining 100 Friends by agreeing to match employees' contributions to the annual campaign. When an employee makes a gift, the firm will match it dollar-for-dollar, then the Russell Family Foundation matches the combined individual/corporate gift, quadrupling the employee's original contribution. This is an experiment we will report back on in the near future. For information on the benefits of being one of the 100 Friends of Cascadia including full-page ads in major green building publications and recognition at Cascadia events for 12 months, please contact glen@cascadiagbc.org . Join 100 Friends

Greenbuild Call for Posters: Local Initiatives and K-12 Schools, Deadline for Submission, September 3, 2004
Greenbuild is the nation's biggest, most influential conference in the growing field of high performance construction. The Greenbuild conference is accepting submissions for posters that showcase local and/or regional talent and projects. Poster topics must address either local sustainability initiatives or K-12 sustainable schools design, programs or initiatives in the Cascadia Region (British Columbia, Washington and Oregon). Read Request for Proposals

11 Projects Earned LEED Certification, Including Two in Cascadia

University of Washington Tacoma
On June 29, 2004, the University of Washington Tacoma - Phase 2B, Cherry Parks and Mattress Factory Buildings achieved LEED® v2 Silver. Located on a Brownfield, 129,000sf, renovation includes classrooms, administrative and faculty offices, shops, and a student services center. By renovating existing buildings, the project maintained 82.2% of the existing shell. The project installed low-flow lavatories and showerheads to reduce water use by 28%. During construction the project diverted 81% of its waste materials from the landfill. Recycled content materials represent 58% of total materials value while salvaged or reused materials represent 26% of total materials value, both demonstrating exemplary performance. To support the local economy, the project used 41% locally manufactured materials, demonstrating exemplary performance, with 100% of those harvested locally. A sustainability education program is in place with signage and building tours to educate students, faculty, and visitors on the benefits of green building. Read More See LEED Scorecard

University of British Columbia
On June 30, 2004, the TEF III at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver achieved LEED® v2 Silver. The TEF III is a 120,000sf multi-disciplinary research and development project that includes offices, information technology, and biotechnology. Focusing on water efficiency, drought tolerant plants were selected that do not require a permanent irrigation system. Waterless urinals, dual flush toilets, and low-flow lavatories result in 48% water use reduction. For the interior, the project implemented a construction IAQ management plan during construction, installed low-emitting materials, and provides for thermal comfort. To connect occupants to the outdoors, all spaces have access to daylight and 90% of spaces have views. Educational signage throughout the building identifies sustainable features to occupants as part of the TEF III sustainability education program that also includes seminars and a case study. See LEED Scorecard

See updated LEED project list

BetterBricks Announces the Second Annual BetterBricks Awards
BetterBricks is seeking nominees for its 2004 awards. Winners will be announced at an October 28, 2004 event honoring the efforts of those people working in the commercial building industry who have best championed sustainable, high performance building practices. Entrants in all categories must work in Oregon or Southwest Washington. Entries are due by September 10, 2004; entry forms are available at www.betterbricks.com. For questions, please contact Vanessa Skillern at vanessa@coateskokes.com or (503) 241-1124.

The Cement Industry Launches Voluntary Code of Sustainability
The Portland Cement Association (PCA) introduced the Cement Manufacturing Sustainability (CMS) Program, including a voluntary code of conduct for the industry at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2004 National Convention in Chicago. The initiative, titled Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World, sets environmental performance benchmarks and goals, and creates a recognition program for environmentally responsible manufacturing processes. More Information

Calling All Green Building Leaders
For its special Greenbuild 2004 issue, Sustainable Industries Journal will profile 25 of the Northwest's most dynamic and influential green building leaders. Send nominees to brian@celilo.net.

Events

Driving Down the Cost of LEED, Driving Up the Value of Your Building, September 15th in Vancouver, BC or November 13th in Portland, both 8am - 5pm

"Driving Down the Cost of LEED" Workshop

This is a full-day interactive workshop with Tom Paladino and Company on building valuation based on real world project experience and hands-on exercises. It covers practical cost/benefit analysis, effective life cycle cost analysis, and actual cost shifting within established budgets, all of which lead to a lower total cost of ownership. Register Here

Crossroads - The Intersection of Green Building and Life Cycle Assessment, September 9 at Two World Trade Center in Portland, repeated on September 10 at the Mountaineers Building in Seattle, 8am - 5pm
Featuring Vivian Loftness, Kevin Hydes, Tom Paladino, Phillip White and Rita Schenck. More Information Register Portland Register Seattle

Don't Miss: Profitable Sustainability Conference, September 26-29, Seattle - Sponsored by the Cascadia Green Building Council
Great line up includes:
Keynote Michael Braungart: Co-founder of McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry
Cradle to Cradle ­ Producing Products within the Circle of Life

Hunter Lovins: President, Natural Capital Group
Gifford Pinchot: Co-founder, Chairman, Bainbridge Graduate Institute
Tachi Kiuchi: Chairman of Future 500 and CEO of Tokyo-based E-Square
Gil Friend: Founder, President & CEO, Natural Logic, Inc.
Bill Glover: Director, Environmental Performance Strategy, Boeing Co.
Registration and Information

Seattle LEED Users Group (SLUG)
Date: August 10 at 7:30 AM
Topic: Water use reduction
Location: Lighting Design Lab, 400 E. Pine
Contact: dcs@abacus-engr.com

Portland LEED Users Group (PLUG)
Date: August 12 at 7:30 AM
Topic: Daylighting
Location: Interface Engineering, 708 SW Third Ave, Ste. 400
Contact: bybee@mail.teleport.com

Vancouver LEED Users Group (VLUG)
Date: August 20 at 12 PM
Topic: Green Roofs & LEED
Location: 800 Burrard St., Room 1902
Contact: ebrault@veleng.com

Seattle Branch Meeting
Date: August 19 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM
Subject: Water Read More
Location: Sustainable Design Center (Seattle Lighting Lab), 400 East Pine Street
Contact: seattle@cascadiagbc.org

Stormwater Cycling Tours presented by the City of Portland BES
Saturday, August 21 and Saturday, September 18 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Bike to sites where Portlanders have built innovative, green facilities to capture and treat rainwater. We'll see eco-roofs, bioswales and raingardens in the inner east side.
RSVP to adriennea@bes.ci.portland.or.us. 503-823-7863
View the route

Resources

LEED® Accreditation Exam "Flash Cards" Available
With the last available test date for the current LEED-NC Accredited Professional Exam on August 19, Cascadia has developed LEED 2.0 "flash cards" to help you prepare for the examination. The resource includes over 280 questions and answers on the LEED 2.0 Green Building Rating System that can be cut into "flash cards." A PDF file will be emailed to you within 24 to 48 hours. Purchase the Flash Cards

"The part I liked the most is that the flashcards are really a summary of the Resource Guide with a very short and concise description of the questions as well as the answers. This is the document that people should read just before taking the examination. It's in short a summary of the entire Resource Guide. Thanks." (Failed twice but passed the exam on the 3rd try by using the flash cards)

Cascadia Case Studies Online
Cascadia has produced two dozen project briefs on green buildings in the region. See Case Studies. Suggest other buildings for a case studies by emailing glen@cascadiagbc.org.

Rebuilt Green: The Natural Capital Center and the Transformative Power of Building

120 pages, $15 USD includes shipping and handling. Cascadia sponsored this Ecotrust publication on the building we call home.
"Rebuilt Green is the first book to explore the true meaning and social dimensions of green building." --Paul Hawken
Buy the Book

Build green. Everyone profits.
Check out this very useful new site at http://www.buildgreennw.com/

2nd Urban Sustainability Study Tour of Sweden and Denmark, Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, 2004.
Vulcan's Hamilton Hazlehurst: "This trip was very inspirational for all of its attendees which included architects, engineers, general contractors and developers, and has provided the opportunity to get others in our community excited about sustainable building and the reasons for pursuing it." Learn More

Application for the Washington Sustainable Schools Pilot Program due August 9
The State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction are now accepting school district applications for the Washington Sustainable Schools Program (WSSP) Pilot Project. Submittals are due by 5:00 p.m., August 9, 2004. (username=WSSP; password=school). For questions, contact Pilot Program Project Manager, Jane Simmons jane@obrienandco.com. More information

UO Launches Sustainability Leadership Academy: 2004-2005 Course Schedule Now Available
The University of Oregon is launching one of the most comprehensive sustainability development programs of its kind in the nation. The Academy offers specialized seminars for senior executives, mid-level managers, and line staff in the private sector, as well as for government leaders and managers, and nonprofit practitioners. Academy seminars are located in Eugene and Portland. For more information contact Shanda LeVan at (541) 346-0467 or slevan@continue.uoregon.edu. View Curriculum

King County Salvages Building Materials
King County government has signed an agreement with RE Store, a non-profit used building materials store in Seattle, to pick up reusable building materials that would otherwise go to the landfill, from King County internal construction, renovation and demolition projects. Examples of these materials include doors, windows, stairway railings, cedar sheeting, and hardware fixtures. If you are a County employee and have used building materials from King County internal construction, demolition or renovation projects, please contact Pat Finn, Seattle field manager for the RE Store, at patf@re-sources.org. If you need more details about this contract, please contact Tom Watson tom.watson@metrokc.gov or Kinley Deller kinley.deller@metrokc.gov in the King County Solid Waste Division, (206) 296-4481.

New Design Tool: Green Matrix
An architecture, planning and interiors firm in Emeryville, CA, has launched a new Web-based tool called Green Matrix to assist the design and construction industry in building green. The Green Matrix cross-references topics of sustainability with the standard phases of project design.

Survey on Economic Impacts of Businesses Using Sustainable Development
In a new online questionnaire, the State of Oregon Sustainability Board seeks help understanding the economic impacts of businesses using sustainable development and/or resource efficiency practices statewide. The survey can be accessed at http://cwch.uoregon.edu/quest. The information will inform programs and policies that can help retain and grow businesses implementing sustainability practices. Those who fill out the survey will also receive a copy of the findings and final recommendations for strengthening and expanding sustainable businesses. Questions? Contact Shanda LeVan at cwch@uoregon.edu or 541-346-0687.

Help Wanted (job announcements in sustainable building)

IslandWood , a LEED-Gold certified out-door environmental education center on Bainbridge Island, WA seeks an Executive Director. Contact Kristine Morris at kmorris@morrisberger.com. Read Job Announcement

Green Building in the News

A little patch of Green, Mail Tribune, July 28, 2004

Stephen Miller atop the company's solar panel covered roof.

S&B James Construction remodels its White City offices employing the latest environmentally friendly features (left).

S&B James Construction architect, Stephen Miller . . . wants to see the company become the leader in environmentally friendly buildings in the Rogue Valley. Read More

Building a green business future - CNN, July 8, 2004

Green fever; Catch it on a roadway nearby or on the waters of Elliott Bay, Seattle Times July 4, 2004

'Green' grocer set to be first of its kind, Philadelphia Inquirer, July 5, 2004

Eco-Friendly apartment building gets board's approval, Washington Post, July 8, 2004

Pepper heir going green in new career, Daily Herald - Chicago, July 8, 2004

Largest Green Roof in Canada
Toronto Globe and Mail : When the Vancouver Convention Centre spreads its sails in 2008 with a $500-million expansion, it will be sporting a 2.4-hectare roof alive with flowers and grasses. Destined to be the largest green roof in Canada, it will cover the equivalent of four city blocks. Read More

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