Sunday, November 27, 2005
Ecobuild Federal
Engineers, Architects, Land Developers, Contractors, Building Owners, Facility Managers, Government, and Private Sector Professionals are gathering at an event that assembles built environment experts and cutting-edge resources all in one location - Washington D.C..
The event runs from December 13-16, in Washington, D.C. at the Washington Convention Center and will showcase William McDonough as the keynote speaker. His address will make the case that "an industrial system that "takes, makes and wastes" can be transformed into a system whose goods and services generate ecological, social and economic value. Both private and public sector design and construction professionals working on Federal projects will benefit from learning more about hopeful, nature-inspired design principles that are making industry both prosperous and sustainable."
There will be over 100 technical sessions featuring expert presentations on sustainability, environmental design, green building resources, construction and commissioning, with sessions designed for every member of a building team. (Note: My only complaint about the list of sessions is that there could be more sessions dedicated to including contractors in the design phase. It seems like the industry is still stubbornly sticking to the idea of keeping the two separated.)
The price structure for the conference is here and registration is here. Early bird and discounted registration periods are over, however.
Here is one session that I would really like to attend:
New Initiatives for Sustainable Housing: Three Examples from the Public and Private Sectors
Description: SBIC`s "Green Building Guidelines: Meeting the Demand for Low-Energy, Resource Efficient Homes" (GBG)
SBIC`s Residential Program provides a book and a national workshop series for builders, architects, homeowners and others. The Guidelines book, at the heart of the program was written by builders, for builders, by SBIC members and friends from NAHB`s Green Building Sub Committee. The GBG covers the basics of environmentally sensitive site planning, energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies, wise use of water, indoor environmental quality (acoustics, glare and thermal comfort), materials selection and O&M. Builders see how each relate to all the other systems and materials in the home. The sustainable, "whole building approach" is intended to broaden builders` perspective and help convey the "ripple effects" of thoughtful integrated design.
Speaker: Helen English, Ex. Dir. Sustainable Buildings Industry Council
"NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines"
NAHB unveiled a set of voluntary guidelines ...to help all builders, not just niche builders, design and construct more energy-efficient, environmentally sensitive new homes ... in all price ranges and in all climate conditions. The guidelines consist of a Checklist, a Point System for rating projects (bronze, silver or gold), a User Guide (for further explanation of concepts), Additional Information (calculations, graphics, etc.) and an Appendix which provides information on affecting projects at the "subdivision" level where more than one home is being considered.
Speaker: Ken Ford, NAHB Staff to the Green Building Sub Committee, National Association of Home Builders
"On the Path to Zero Energy Homes"
Now in its fourth year, the US DOE`s Zero Energy Homes Program (ZEH) is working with homebuilders across the country to move from research to reality to apply energy efficiency and solar energy strategies. We`re now seeing large subdivisions cut their total energy use by 50% and some builders have said they`ll ONLY build ZEH from now on! Hear about what`s in store for next year in this innovative program.
Speaker: Lew Pratsch, Project Manager, Zero Energy Homes Program, US Department of Energy