Green ArchiTEXT

Green Building – It’s Not Just About Green Building

By Tom Breunig

Last night I went to a reception where I saw all that green building can be. The occasion was a fundraiser for a union of Mexican immigrant farmworkers, called PCUN. This group, located in Woodburn, Oregon, leads a network called CAPACES, consisting of nine Latino organizations that do many things to help their constituents: building and managing housing, operating a radio station, providing services, and involving immigrant parents in their children’s education.

The network is now building an office structure to house the CAPACES Leadership Institute (CLI), which will train leaders in grassroots engagement of the Latino community and help resolve serious issues facing the immigrant population. Yes, it will be certified Earth Advantage Commercial, and not only that – it will be the first passive house office building in the United States, intended to achieve “net positive” energy generation. It will use reclaimed and innovative materials, will have a green roof and a rain capture system. Oh yes, and they’re building it debt-free. The only thing they are lacking is full funding for the solar PV system. READ MORE >>

via www.earthadvantage.org

The Public Dialogue: New Blog from Public Architecture

"Why the Public Dialogue?"

By John Peterson

The profession is in transition. We are questioning what is relevant. For many, the focus only on issues of elite culture is not enough. There is a growing desire to tackle problems of broader social impact; the continued expansion of The 1% program alone demonstrates appetite for social engagement.

While this shift has been influential, the question still remains: do we possess the skills and experience to address vexing social problems when the most troubling conditions are in communities and cultures that are unfamiliar to designers? Whether those communities are across town or around the world, they are the underserved and by definition designers don’t have much experience serving them.

We are witnessing successful projects around the nation and globe, yet there is much that we need to learn. The Public Dialogue seeks to build our knowledge by advancing our understanding of the following questions:

• How can we best use design thinking as tool for social change?
• How can designers effectively work for underserved communities?
• What is the impact of the built environment on our lives?
• What is the role and value of pro bono service for the design profession?
• How do we measure design’s effectiveness?

We are putting forth this discourse because we believe it to be urgent; however, the focus of these topics will change as the perspectives of individuals and organizations within our industry evolve. Being such, your input is important to us. If you believe there is anything we have missed, or if you have content to contribute to this conversation, please write to us at [email protected].

via www.publicarchitecture.org

Rise of the smart building

By Adam Courtenay

We expect a lot from anything that has the word “smart” in front of it.

The smart phone superseded the mobile phone; smart televisions are an obvious upgrade from the idiot box and well, computers just keep getting smarter.

So it comes as no surprise buildings aren't just buildings, they can be smart as well.

Michael Zimmerman, who has spent most of his career either working in the IT industry or setting up IT start-ups, is an obvious candidate to create the smart building.

He is the CEO of BuildingIQ, a green technology firm now making waves in Australia and the US.

The company's technology can direct a building to regulate its own energy, thereby reducing its carbon footprint and energy costs. READ MORE >>

via www.smh.com.au