RedVector is continually expanding its online education library to meet the needs of our design and construction professionals, and recently we added two new courses focusing on key topics driving the industry: ADA Guidelines 2010: Building Blocks and Renewable Energy Fundamentals. Check it out!
ADA Guidelines 2010: Building Blocks provides essential information about new ADA standards scheduled to go into effect in March of 2012. The 1-hour course outlines the basic building blocks of accessibility established by the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design and includes key changes and compliance guidelines.
Renewable Energy Fundamentals is a 2-hour webcast that focuses on the growing need for alternative energy sources and explores new and existing technologies as well as the advantages and disadvantages of implementing, operating, and maintaining various renewable energy sources.
Both courses were authored by architect and certified planner Rumanda Young, PhD. Dr. Young works currently as a Military Master Planner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Planning, Environmental, and Regulatory Branch and is involved in a variety of military planning, programming, and design projects.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Green Goes Mobile: 4 Great Green Apps for Your Smart Phone
By Vicki Zambito
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of its “Apps for the Environment Challenge” at the end of last year and if you missed it, below are four of the winners. The challenge encouraged developers to use EPA data to create innovative new smart phone and web applications.
1. Best Overall App: Light Bulb Finder – Light Bulb Finder is a free mobile phone application that makes it easy to switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving equivalents with the right fit, style and light quality.
http://www.lightbulbfinder.net/
2. Runner-Up, Best Overall App: Hootroot - Hootroot was created by the folks at Brighter Planet to show how providing just a little information about environmental impact in just the right place can help change a mind here or there. When you search for directions using the app, they'll show you all the ways to go—driving, walking, biking, and transit—along with a comparison of your carbon footprints.
http://www.hootroot.com
3. Best Student App: EarthFriend – EarthFriend is an educational game, providing instruction on climate, water and pollution issues, while offering tips on what you can do to contribute to a better environment.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/earthfriend/id455165523?mt=8
4. Popular Choice: CGSearch - CGSearch is a mobile Green IT application that enables users across the United States to know and visually compare the air quality index, air pollutant levels, energy consumption of various U.S. cities with Atlanta.
http://ec2-174-129-212-31.compute-1.amazonaws.com/cgsearch/cgsearch.html
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of its “Apps for the Environment Challenge” at the end of last year and if you missed it, below are four of the winners. The challenge encouraged developers to use EPA data to create innovative new smart phone and web applications.
1. Best Overall App: Light Bulb Finder – Light Bulb Finder is a free mobile phone application that makes it easy to switch from conventional light bulbs to energy-saving equivalents with the right fit, style and light quality.
http://www.lightbulbfinder.net/
2. Runner-Up, Best Overall App: Hootroot - Hootroot was created by the folks at Brighter Planet to show how providing just a little information about environmental impact in just the right place can help change a mind here or there. When you search for directions using the app, they'll show you all the ways to go—driving, walking, biking, and transit—along with a comparison of your carbon footprints.
http://www.hootroot.com
3. Best Student App: EarthFriend – EarthFriend is an educational game, providing instruction on climate, water and pollution issues, while offering tips on what you can do to contribute to a better environment.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/earthfriend/id455165523?mt=8
4. Popular Choice: CGSearch - CGSearch is a mobile Green IT application that enables users across the United States to know and visually compare the air quality index, air pollutant levels, energy consumption of various U.S. cities with Atlanta.
http://ec2-174-129-212-31.compute-1.amazonaws.com/cgsearch/cgsearch.html
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Look What's New! LEED 2012 Webinar
RedVector is continually expanding our green building and LEED course library to meet the needs of our design and construction professionals. In January, RedVector is holding one of our hottest green-related webinars yet! See below for details.
01/31/2012: LIVE WEBINAR: LEED 2012 Changes Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, 1pm-4pm EST
The U.S. Green Building Council® LEED system is changing! This three-hour webinar focuses on the proposed LEED 2012 changes. LEED 2012 is a technical update to the LEED rating systems, including the Building Design + Construction, Interior Design + Construction, Operations + Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, and LEED for Homes rating systems. This course is important for professionals associated with green building (LEED A.P., architect, landscape architect, engineer, or other green building professional) , in order to stay up-to-date with the LEED rating systems. This course will focus on the proposed 2012 changes including the addition of three new credit categories (Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, Performance), changes to technical content , and a revised point distribution. Finally, this course will look at the revision process and associated timeline for adoption.
Learn More / Sign Up Here
01/31/2012: LIVE WEBINAR: LEED 2012 Changes Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, 1pm-4pm EST
The U.S. Green Building Council® LEED system is changing! This three-hour webinar focuses on the proposed LEED 2012 changes. LEED 2012 is a technical update to the LEED rating systems, including the Building Design + Construction, Interior Design + Construction, Operations + Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, and LEED for Homes rating systems. This course is important for professionals associated with green building (LEED A.P., architect, landscape architect, engineer, or other green building professional) , in order to stay up-to-date with the LEED rating systems. This course will focus on the proposed 2012 changes including the addition of three new credit categories (Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, Performance), changes to technical content , and a revised point distribution. Finally, this course will look at the revision process and associated timeline for adoption.
Learn More / Sign Up Here
Friday, December 16, 2011
LEED 2012: Six Things You Should Know
By Vicki Zambito
The New Year is almost upon us and while most of us contemplate changes that we hope reduce our waistlines or increase our bank accounts, the USGBC has been hard at work developing the next evolution of LEED. The second public comment period for the draft version of LEED 2012 has closed. According to the USGBC, it is anticipated that LEED 2012 will be put forth for a member ballot vote in late summer 2012, after the public comment and response periods. Meanwhile, here are six quick things you should be aware of about the proposed LEED 2012 rating system:
1. The number of credit categories has jumped from seven to ten. The three new credit categories are Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, and Performance.
2. The number of prerequisites has climbed from nine to fifteen.
3. Point values of existing credits have changed.
4. The “LEED Accredited Professional” credit has changed. It now requires two additional individuals representing primary disciplines to be LEED AP (with any specialty) or Green Associates. The current language for compliance with this credit requires one LEED AP with applicable specialty.
5. It is anticipated that the LEED Professional Credential program administered through the Green Building Certification Institute will remain the same.
6. Project teams need not comply with the 2012 rating system proposed for public comment. Project teams should follow the rating system version for which they are currently registered.
For more information on LEED 2012, visit http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=9826
The New Year is almost upon us and while most of us contemplate changes that we hope reduce our waistlines or increase our bank accounts, the USGBC has been hard at work developing the next evolution of LEED. The second public comment period for the draft version of LEED 2012 has closed. According to the USGBC, it is anticipated that LEED 2012 will be put forth for a member ballot vote in late summer 2012, after the public comment and response periods. Meanwhile, here are six quick things you should be aware of about the proposed LEED 2012 rating system:
1. The number of credit categories has jumped from seven to ten. The three new credit categories are Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, and Performance.
2. The number of prerequisites has climbed from nine to fifteen.
3. Point values of existing credits have changed.
4. The “LEED Accredited Professional” credit has changed. It now requires two additional individuals representing primary disciplines to be LEED AP (with any specialty) or Green Associates. The current language for compliance with this credit requires one LEED AP with applicable specialty.
5. It is anticipated that the LEED Professional Credential program administered through the Green Building Certification Institute will remain the same.
6. Project teams need not comply with the 2012 rating system proposed for public comment. Project teams should follow the rating system version for which they are currently registered.
For more information on LEED 2012, visit http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=9826
Friday, December 9, 2011
Net Zero Energy Building Certification: 5 Imperatives You Must Meet
By Vicki Zambito
The world of green building has another certification to add to its portfolio of sustainable stamps-of-approval. The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is launching a Net Zero Energy Building Certification program based off its popular Living Building Challenge. The ILFI defines net zero energy as “One hundred percent of the building’s energy needs on a net annual basis must be supplied by on-site renewable energy.”
According to the ILFI’s website, to earn Net Zero Energy Building Certification, the requirements of the following five Living Building Challenge Imperatives must be met:
1. Limits to Growth (in part): Curbs the building’s contribution to the effects of sprawled development, which undermines the positive impact of achieving net zero energy building operation.
2. Net Zero Energy: Serves as the primary focus of Net Zero Energy Building Certification.
3. Rights to Nature: Ensures that the building does not preclude another building from achieving net zero energy operation as a result of excessive shading.
4 & 5. Beauty + Spirit and Inspiration + Education: Underscore the notion that renewable energy systems can be incorporated into a building in ways that are attractive and inspiring.
To learn more, visit: http://www.living-future.org/netzero/details.html
The world of green building has another certification to add to its portfolio of sustainable stamps-of-approval. The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is launching a Net Zero Energy Building Certification program based off its popular Living Building Challenge. The ILFI defines net zero energy as “One hundred percent of the building’s energy needs on a net annual basis must be supplied by on-site renewable energy.”
According to the ILFI’s website, to earn Net Zero Energy Building Certification, the requirements of the following five Living Building Challenge Imperatives must be met:
1. Limits to Growth (in part): Curbs the building’s contribution to the effects of sprawled development, which undermines the positive impact of achieving net zero energy building operation.
2. Net Zero Energy: Serves as the primary focus of Net Zero Energy Building Certification.
3. Rights to Nature: Ensures that the building does not preclude another building from achieving net zero energy operation as a result of excessive shading.
4 & 5. Beauty + Spirit and Inspiration + Education: Underscore the notion that renewable energy systems can be incorporated into a building in ways that are attractive and inspiring.
To learn more, visit: http://www.living-future.org/netzero/details.html
Monday, November 28, 2011
Ecobuild America 2011: 4 Reasons to Brave DC in December
By Vicki Zambito
The Ecobuild America Conference is being held December 7-9 in Washington D.C. The widely popular event brings together AEC industry leaders from across the country to explore the latest in green building technology, products and proven strategies to improve future projects. The conference is billed as covering “the ENTIRE spectrum of strategies and technologies to build faster, smarter and more sustainably.”
I’ll be there but five other reasons to head to chilly D.C. in the middle of winter are:
1. There are many co-located events going on at the same time (so you can get more “bang for your travel buck”). Co-located events include: buildingSMART alliance conference, Building Enclosure Technology & Environment Council Symposium, FedCon ‘11, and the National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Meeting.
2. The keynote features two speakers from the Department of State and will reinforce the relationship between a Unified Building Management System and Building Information Modeling (BIM) through the use of the Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie) standard.
3. The AEC Interoperability Center will feature kiosks clustered on the exhibit floor that visually demonstrate real-world examples of how BIM and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) systems are revolutionizing collaboration.
4. And the most important reason – free drinks! A new Happy Hour Reception with beer, wine and light snacks will happen on the expo floor Wednesday night from 4 -6 pm.
For more information on Ecobuild America, visit: http://aececobuild.com/conference-exhibits
Thursday, November 17, 2011
7 Facts about the New International Green Construction Code
By Vicki Zambito
Final action hearings held this month on the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) mark a milestone in what’s been a 2-year development process. The code was finalized in Phoenix on November 6 and will be available Spring 2012. The objective of the IgCC is to raise regulatory minimums while raising high-performance possibilities. Here are seven things you should know about this new code:
1. The code applies to residential buildings over 3 stories tall and all commercial buildings.
2. Mandatory requirements make up the bulk of the code but jurisdictions which adopt it may also include their own requirements.
3. 1,500+ organizations have expressed their support of the IgCC including AECOM, CH2M Hill, and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
4. Greenfield development is not permitted (with some exceptions).
5. New buildings, renovations, and additions are required to have a zero energy performance index (zEPI) of 51.
6. Smoking shall not be allowed inside of the buildings.
7. Rhode Island was the first state to adopt the IgCC back in 2010. Other states to have already adopted the code include Florida, North Carolina and Oregon.
For more information, visit the International Code Council’s website at http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx
Final action hearings held this month on the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) mark a milestone in what’s been a 2-year development process. The code was finalized in Phoenix on November 6 and will be available Spring 2012. The objective of the IgCC is to raise regulatory minimums while raising high-performance possibilities. Here are seven things you should know about this new code:
1. The code applies to residential buildings over 3 stories tall and all commercial buildings.
2. Mandatory requirements make up the bulk of the code but jurisdictions which adopt it may also include their own requirements.
3. 1,500+ organizations have expressed their support of the IgCC including AECOM, CH2M Hill, and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
4. Greenfield development is not permitted (with some exceptions).
5. New buildings, renovations, and additions are required to have a zero energy performance index (zEPI) of 51.
6. Smoking shall not be allowed inside of the buildings.
7. Rhode Island was the first state to adopt the IgCC back in 2010. Other states to have already adopted the code include Florida, North Carolina and Oregon.
For more information, visit the International Code Council’s website at http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx
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