The Premier Source for Integrated High-Performance Building

environmental design + construction

Tread Lightly
on the Earth
Sustainable Homes + Healthcare Trends
www.EDCmag.com
April 2010
 What Do You See?

Daybreak Elementary School, South Jordan, Utah

Something attractive and modern? Or, durable and sustainable? If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this
one only tells part of the story. You see, MBCI metal panels are not just attractive, they work hard too. Our panels
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And no matter what option you choose, you can create an exquisite exterior that will grab everyone’s attention.

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Reader Service No. 134 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
THE HEALTHCARE
ENVIRONMENT IS GROWING
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Thanks to you.

Making design decisions that effect the health of both

the natural and patient-centered environments isn’t easy.
That’s why we offer you a wide range of sustainable
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solutions for surgical suites, neo-natal units, ICUs, patient
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your needs has resulted in rubber floor covering that is also
bacteriostatic, resistant to micro-organisms, easier to clean,
can reduce noise and contains no PVCs.

It all starts with you.

You and your challenges.
You and your world.
You and nora.

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www.nora.com/us/healthcare6

Reader Service No. 26 www.EDCmag.com/webcard

For Energy Efficiency And Green Building...

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Reader Service No. 135 www.EDCmag.com/webcard QUALITY...INTEGRITY...
SERVICE...SINCE 1926
© W. R. MEADOWS, INC. 2010
IMProved Insulative Properties

Choose IMPs (Insulated Metal Panels) to achieve high R-values of 14 to 48, exceed energy

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time vs. multi-component assemblies. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Reader Service No. 176 www.EDCmag.com/webcard

For more information on IMPs, visit www.insulatedmetalpanels.org

 CONTENTS
APRIL 2010

VOLUME 13

NUMBER 4

22 26

In This Issue
14 Sustainable HOME 18 Sustainable HOME 22 26
Walking Lightly Defying Convention Breaking Ground From Trash
A cold-formed, light- Local builders introduce new Miller Children’s Hospital to Treasure
gauge steel framing products to push the envelope exemplifies a hero’s Recology transforms
system offers architects a and deliver affordable high- journey and contributes dumpsite materials into
powerful new green tool. performance homes. to healing. art and office furniture.
By David McAdam. By David Mosrie. By Damon Barda, AIA, LEED AP. By Alex Spilger, LEED AP.

28 29 30 31
The Future Perspectives: California Greenin’ Information
34 of Hospitals Tool Time Exploring potential Showcase
Sustainable design impacts New tools support continued opportunities presented ED+C advertisers
how hospitals are sited, growth of USGBC’s LEED by California’s new green highlight green
designed and constructed. for Homes program. building standards. products and
By Robin Guenther, FAIA, LEED AP. By Nate Kredich. By David Johnson, AIA. programs.
In Every Issue
7 WEB TOC
8 EDITOR’S NOTE Newsline S
N
A
P
10 NEW + NOTABLE For breaking news, visit www.EDCmag.com or sign up online to
I
receive the eNewsletter delivered right to your inbox. For current T
32 ADVERTISER’S INDEX
industry news from your phone, snap the mobile tag here. Get the free app for your phone at
34 PARTING SHOT http://gettag.mobi

On the Cover:
Minimizing site disturbances is a key component to building sustainably, as was
successfully achieved with the construction of this house in the Southern California desert
6 ed+c A P RIL 1 0 community of Yucca Valley. See page 14 for the full story. Photo by Nuvue Interactive.
WEB TOC
WEBINARS
FAÇADE STABILIZATION
SOLUTIONS: PRESERVING
THE PAST AND BUILDING
THE FUTURE
April 22 | 2:00 p.m. EDT
UNDERSTANDING GREEN SCHOOLS
View on-demand at your convenience.
Register at webinar.EDCmag.com
THIS MONTH’S WEB EXCLUSIVE FEATURES INCLUDE:
A Renewed
Tradition
By Chris Mekus, AIA
Throughout history, the
1 church has relied upon long-
lifetime buildings that are
inherently sustainable. Today, the
LEED Gold certified building at
All Saints Cemetery portends the
church’s enthusiasm for the mod-
ern green movement and brings
hope that sustainable design
could become an integral part of
the Catholic tradition in Chicago.
Online Only at www.EDCmag.com
S
N
A
P
I
T
Get the free app for your phone at
http://gettag.mobi
The Healing
Touch
By Marjorie D. Weiss, PhD, APNP, LEED AP,
and Steve Tyink, LEED AP
In healthcare settings,
2 nurses are the architects of
both how the ideal patient
experience is delivered and how
resources are used to promote
and preserve the environment.
Therefore, it is imperative that
nurses help design the healing
environment so it can support
healthy, sustainable living for
both caregivers and patients.
1
Home Is Where the
Health Is
By Robin Rogers, LEED AP, GACP
Beneath the veneer of newly
3 crafted homes and crusty
old dwellings alike, icky bio-
logical stuff and scary chemicals
often lurk undetected. When
the Smith family uncovered
these dangerous villains during
a home-remodeling project, it
prompted a voyage of discovery
and the creation of a new home
built healthy from the ground up.
When Green
Becomes Code
By J. David Odom, Richard Scott, AIA,
and George H. DuBose
The inevitable is about to hap-
4 pen, and most people don’t
even know it is coming – green
buildings are going to become, by
codification, the law of the land. For
some firms, this will just mean busi-
ness as usual. For other firms, this
change will be cataclysmic. Does
your firm have the requisite skills
and knowledge it will need once
green becomes code?
www.EDCmag.com 7
 NOTE
EDITOR’S HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY EARTH DAY!
TO SEE HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE ON APRIL 22, VISIT
WWW.EARTHDAY.NET.

The Test of Time

As the green building industry continues to evolve, architec-
tural design/building products are often at the forefront of
innovation. For example, the recently debuted “Bloom box”
(Bloom Energy Server) promises to revolutionize our energy
dependence. Whether it will (in addition to whether questions
regarding the device will be answered) remains to be seen.
Other intriguing new products that I’ve seen lately include:
■ Roos International’s new Novelio CleanAir, an air-purify-
ing, paintable wall covering;
■ ECOR Advanced Environmental Composite, a lightweight
structural panel comprising 100 percent recycled material;
■ HQ Hometek Inc.’s HydroCare, a patented unit that trans-
mits a unique radio-frequency signal that breaks up and
prevents limescale buildup in pipes and appliances; and
■ BIONICTILE by CERACASA, a ceramic product that removes
nitrous oxide from the air through photocatalysis.
These innovative new products are awesome, but we
shouldn’t overlook the products that have had deep roots in
sustainability from the start. When I wrote about Greenbuild
products earlier this year – and the lack of a lot of “new” – I
was reminded that there are plenty of “old” reliable products
in the marketplace.
Via ED+C’s LinkedIn group, I received plenty of feedback
regarding some traditional standbys:
Kieran Doyle, lead trainer/contractor development and
national accounts manager at 2001 Co., suggested copper,
terne-coated steel, slate and tile: “I was thunderstruck to work
on a roof that was in excess of 125 years old and ... I could
fix it. With some TLC and careful planning, large important
buildings could be returned to everyday service with antique
roofing systems.” Doyle also offers a weighted scale for select-
ing sustainable products (which you can find on our LinkedIn
discussion by visiting www.sustainablefacility.com/connect).
Jack Pouchet, director of energy initiatives for Emerson
Network Power, reports that “Straw bale construction has
withstood the test of time, especially when combined with
adobe. Passive heating and cooling techniques were imple-
mented in Asia Minor more than 4,000 years ago with the
basic principles still applied today.”
Brian Trimble, PE, LEED AP, senior director of engineering
services for the Brick Industry Association, reminded me:
“There is always room for improvement, but something
doesn’t/shouldn’t have to be new to be good.”
Trimble says brick, for example, is durable, resistant and low
maintenance, but it is not a “new” product. Trimble alluded to
the fact that many of these old standby products have been im-
proved over time in one way or another (i.e., manufacturing pro-
cess, treatment, recycling, etc.). Brick products have been made
better. According to Trimble, brick possesses lower embodied
energy; the manufacturing process uses alternate fuels like waste
sawdust or landfill gas; it includes recycled materials; and so on.
And there are plenty of old – and new – buildings to prove it.
So how do we truly define what’s old? It’s all relative.
Some might think of solar as a breakthrough technology.
But, in fact, it’s been around for more than a century. Solar
Design Associates designed the world’s first utility-interac-
tive, photovoltaic-powered residence in Carlisle, Mass., in
1979, which was covered in ED+C a decade ago.
ED+C’s product section from 10 years ago is pretty similar
to today’s New + Notable section (see page 10). Back then we
brought you ICFs and SIPs, new bamboo and cork flooring
products, recycled-content workstations, energy-efficient light-
ing, and IAQ and solar products (which we still feature today).
So, does it really matter how we define “old” or “new”?
Probably not, as long as the product works and proves
itself to be truly sustainable in the long run. For the recently
released green products, we’ll have to wait and see if they can
stand the test of time.

2401 W. Big Beaver, Suite 700 | Troy, MI 48084 | 248.362.3700 | www.EDCmag.com

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Print instead of virgin fibers paper
Group Publisher Editor Managing Editor Associate Editor List Rentals
Diana Brown Michelle Hucal, LEED AP Derrick Teal Wendy Lyons For postal information reduced its ecological footprint by:
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8 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
 Tough
has a
new look

Introducing New Acrovyn® 4000. Everyone knows Acrovyn is as tough as an elephant’s

hide, but it doesn’t have to look like one. We’ve reengineered our entire line to create a
contemporary new texture that designers and owners overwhelmingly prefer over original
Acrovyn, not only for its good looks, but also for its ease of cleaning. And, our entire line
is now PVC-free. To learn more about New Acrovyn 4000, visit www.c-sgroup.com, call
888-621-3344 or find Construction Specialties on ®, ® or twitter.com/acrovyn.

Protection for tomorrow’s environment

Reader Service No. 43 www.EDCmag.com/webcard

 2 3
1
NEW
+ NOTABLE
To request more information on these products, visit www.EDCmag.com/webcard
and enter the corresponding reader service numbers.
1 Family of Erosion Control Products
Leggett & Platt’s Landmark Earth Solutions is a new line of civil engineer-
ing products consisting of ScourStop, Safe Slope and BarriCage. Scour-
Stop is a transition mat system that provides a no-maintenance, veg-
etated, NPDES-compliant alternative to rock rip rap. Safe Slope is a natural
fiber hydromulch made from a blend of cotton plant byproducts, other
crop residue and polymers to protect against seed and soil loss from the
elements. BarriCage is a welded wire gabion system for soil retention and
slope stabilization, erosion and flood control at levees and stream banks,
and architectural applications. www.landmarkearthsolutions.com.
Leggett & Platt | Reader Service No. 100
2 Job Site Material Recycler
Multiquip’s EZ Grout Hog Crusher Job Site Material Recycler (Hog Crusher) is
capable of pulverizing recyclable material in minutes, according to the com-
pany, thus eliminating the need to have debris removed from construction
job sites. The product is capable of recycling materials such as brick, block,
stone, rock, asphalt and non-reinforced concrete. The Hog Crusher can reduce
material down to two inches or smaller and can discharge up to 10 tons per
hour. Featuring built-in forklift pockets, the Hog Crusher attaches to a skid
steer loader or forklift. The machine has a 0.5-yard capacity, a 24-inch crushing
rotor and heavy steel plate construction. www.multiquip.com.
Multiquip | Reader Service No. 101
10 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
4
3 Larger Composite Landscape Pavers
VAST Enterprises LLC has developed a new version of VAST Composite
Landscape Pavers in a 4-by-8-inch size. According to the company, the
4-by-8-inch size is popular for large commercial hardscapes such as
parking areas, walkways, building entrances and plazas. The new tile
is manufactured using VAST’s proprietary composite blend of up to 95
percent recycled car tires and plastic containers. The VAST grids, manu-
factured in the same composite material as VAST pavers, are laid out
on a compacted sand base just like the base for conventional pavers.
www.vastpavers.com.
VAST Enterprises LLC | Reader Service No. 102
4 Composite Decking Uses Recycled Content
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (A.E.R.T.) has introduced
the MoistureShield Vantage Collection. According to the company, deck
planks in the MoistureShield Vantage Collection feature a 5/4-by-6-inch
profile with1-by-5.5-inch realistic wood-grain embossing on both sides,
making them fully reversible. Building professionals can order the solid
decking boards with or without grooves to accommodate hidden fasten-
ing systems. The Vantage Collection contains a minimum of 30 percent
post-consumer recycled content and 60 percent pre-consumer recycled
content. www.moistureshield.com.
Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies Inc. | Reader Service No. 103
Reduce Cleaning Needs with an Wool Broadloom for Residential clude factory finishes
Entrance Flooring System and Hospitality Markets that are designed to
According to Forbo Flooring Systems, incor- Bentley Prince Street launched Kennington and eliminate painting
porating an entrance flooring system into a Blanket Bay, two new broadloom products in- and refinishing, cor-
facility reduces spired by sugar and salt. Available in four natural rosion resistance for
a flooring’s shades, both styles are made from European humid or corrosive
total cost of wool that has been stock blended, a process that locations, thermal
ownership by unifies the slightly varied colors and character- performance, and
up to 65 percent istics of raw wool to ensure an aesthetic that is a 10-year warranty.
while improv- rustic yet elegant. Their textures lend themselves The doors are also
ing sustainable to high-end suites and boutique hospitality GREENGUARD certified. www.special-lite.com.
performance, markets. The products are comprised of wool, Special-Lite Inc. | Reader Service No. 106
reducing a long-lasting, biodegradable natural fiber. Ad-
slip and fall ditionally, wool is naturally fire resistant, soil and Formaldehyde-free Batt Insulation
incidents, and stain resistant. Both styles come standard with Johns Manville (JM) offers MR Faced Batt insu-
maximizing the Action-Bac. www.bentleyprincestreet.com. lation — a product with “facing” treated by an
useful life of the Bentley Prince Street | Reader Service No. 105 EPA-registered mold inhibitor for applications
interior floor. and climates where moisture management is
Forbo Entrance Sandstone-Textured FRP Flush Door needed, the company reports. JM’s MR Faced
Systems limit the amount of soil and moisture Special-Lite’s commercial exterior flush door Batt insulation recently received SCS Indoor
brought into a building, preventing excessive features exclusive fine-grained-sandstone- Advantage Gold + Formal-
amounts of dirt and grit buildup. Its systems textured face sheets for an aesthetically pleas- dehyde Free certifica-
reduce floor care labor, water and chemical ing surface finish, according to the company. tion from Scien-
usage, and maintenance costs while increasing The doors feature the same construction as tific Certification
the life and sustainable performance of the Special-Lite’s SL-17 FRP flush door and are Systems. MR
facility’s flooring. www.forboflooringna.com. designed for locations that are not expected to Faced products
Forbo Flooring Systems | Reader Service No. 104 see deliberate abuse or vandalism. Features in- are available in

Custom fabricated to match any

architecture, Special-Lite® Doors
require less maintenance and
last longer even in challenging
applications. Better design means
I specify these better performance.

t
(3&&/(6"3%
DFSUJmFE
doors for superior
t
&YUFOE
TFSWJDF
MJGF
PG
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Visit our website for

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Reader Service No. 75 www.EDCmag.com/webcard

EDC06094Spec.indd 1
www.EDCmag.com
4/30/09 11:47:18 AM
11
 NEW
+ NOTABLE
For Strength, For Beauty
For the Environment pre-cut batts that fit a variety of standard wall cavities and are available
in R-values up to R-38. MR Faced insulation can be used in a variety of
residential and commercial applications. www.jm.com.
Johns Manville | Reader Service No. 107

Evaporator Performs Cooling and Heating Functions

Delphi’s new MCHX evaporator is a specially designed evaporator ca-
pable of performing both cooling and heating functions for both indoor
residential and commercial settings. According to the company, because
of its design the evaporator can operate efficiently in both condensing
(heating) and evaporating (cooling) modes. It cuts 40 percent of the
mass of a competitive product while still achieving SEER requirements.
With its all-aluminum construction, the MCHX evaporator also elimi-
nates the issue of formicary corrosion seen with traditional copper-tube
evaporator coils. www.delphi.com.
Delphi | Reader Service No. 108

Full Line of FSC-Certified Wood Ceiling Panels

USG True Wood ceiling panels
provide customers with more
than 200 product choices of
Forest Stewardship Council-cer-
tified wood ceiling panels, the
company reports. The panels
feature a natural wood veneer
laminated to a medium density
fiber board, which provides the
warmth and elegance of true
wood with a Class A fire rating.
The durable panels remain dimensionally stable and crack resistant over
time. The portfolio includes perforated options with USG’s ACOUSTIBOND
backer for high-performing sound absorption. www.usg.com.
USG Corporation | Reader Service No. 109

Solar Control Coating Now Available in More Colors

Pilkington has expanded its architectural line of energy-efficient solar
control Low-E products, the company reports. The Pilkington Solar-E
coating is now available on a palette of natural colors — Arctic blue,
blue-green and grey, to complement Pilkington Solar-E on clear and
other lines of pyrolytic low-E products. The Solar-E family provides a
unique combination of aesthetics and performance values with the
same benefits of the on-line hard-coat technology. Pilkington Solar-E can
be bent, insulated, laminated and tempered, and edge deletion is not
required. www.pilkington.com.
Pilkington | Reader Service No. 110

Hydronic Tank Controller, Flow Center

The new HydroZone hydronic tank controller from WaterFurnace
International Inc. eliminates the need
2
Grasspave porous paving has the strength you need for external control devices when used
and the beauty you want. With 5,721 psi compressive in conjunction with the WaterFurnace
GeoTank, a new large flow center. The
strength and 100% real grass coverage, you can specify HydroZone can control and stage Envi-
Grasspave2 for your next truly green fire lane, parking lot, sion NSW, NDW water-to-water units,
driveway, and more. and Synergy3D products. A sensor built
into geothermal storage tanks enables
the module to control water tempera-
ture using one of three strategies. The
HydroZone controller is designed for easy installation and setup. The
invisiblestructures.com new GeoLink large flow center provides a compact pumping station with
800-233-1510 three-way valves for loop flushing. www.waterfurnace.com.
WaterFurnace International Inc. | Reader Service No. 111
Reader Service No. 76 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
12 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
Introducing
THE NEW

Welcome to the new IPS:

New Look
New Facility
New Products
New Manufacturing Capabilities

Same Great Company

At IPS, our panels offer quick and easy installation, design versatility,
appealing aesthetics, energy efficiency and longevity. We also
provide excellent service and support, before and after the sale. That
combination of superior products and outstanding service is what sets
IPS apart and gives our customers the opportunity to be successful.

Look to IPS for all of your insulated metal panel needs. For more
information, visit us online at www.insulated-panels.com/newpanels or
call us at (800) 729-9324.

www.insulated-panels.com
nää°Çә°™ÎÓ{ÊUʈ˜vœJˆ˜ÃՏ>Ìi`‡«>˜iÃ°Vœ“
Reader Service No. 197 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
 SPECIAL SECTION

Walking By David McAdam

A COLD-FORMED, LIGHT-GAUGE STEEL FRAMING SYSTEM

OFFERS ARCHITECTS A POWERFUL NEW GREEN TOOL.

14 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
A NEW BUILDING SYSTEM HELPS TO MINIMIZE SITE DISTURBANCES AND
PRESERVE THE EXISTING NATURAL LANDSCAPE. PHOTO BY NUVUE INTERACTIVE.

any architects pride themselves on the

design of a very green house. However,
it’s not too uncommon for those same
architects to be dismayed when the
actual construction of the house proves
to be anything but green.
One of the most environmentally de-
structive aspects of homebuilding can be the very act of site
preparation. Most traditional homes require a flat, or nearly
flat, building pad. But when the terrain is not flat, extensive
grading and the construction of retaining walls is often
required — all of which is very expensive and, ultimately,
highly disruptive to the local environment.
However, houses built with a new light-gauge steel build-
ing system lets architects work with the natural terrain, not
against it. This system can practically float over the existing
topography with minimal need for site work and at a cost far
less than structural steel solutions.
Blue Sky Homes recently completed a house in the
Southern California desert community of Yucca Val-
ley using this system. The 2.5-acre parcel of land sited
for the construction is a spectacular natural landscape
of enormous and deeply weathered boulders, ancient
juniper trees, majestic piñon trees, gnarled desert oaks,
and threatened Joshua trees. Crossing the property is a
seasonal stream.
Although the home was not built on virgin desert land
(the area was subdivided and roads cut in the 1960s), creat-
ing a flat building pad for a traditional home on this site
would have, nevertheless, destroyed the very characteristics
that made the property so desirable.
By using the Blue Sky Building System, minimal damage
was done to the land because there was no need for typical
site grading. Indeed, the system is uniquely suited for steep,
sensitive or remote sites, though it also works well in slab-
on-grade environments.

The Design
The house in Yucca Valley required only six hand-dug 24-
inch-by-24-inch concrete footings to which 8-inch-by-8-inch
square structural steel columns were bolted. Cold-formed,
light-gauge, high-tensile galvanized steel elements were
then bolted to the columns to create bidirectional, point-
loaded, moment-resisting frames — the system’s heart and
soul. No specialized trades, field welding or large cranes
were required, which allowed the entire house to be framed
and enclosed in less than five days.
No load-bearing walls (neither interior nor exterior)
were required due to the strength of the moment-resistant
frame. Thus, it was possible to locate windows and doors
almost anywhere.

BLUE SKY HOMES PROTOTYPE PROJECT TEAM

Developer: Blue Sky Homes LLC, Palm Springs, Calif.

Architect: o2 Architecture, Palm Springs, Calif.

Engineering and Steel Fabricator: FCP Inc., Wildomar, Calif.

Contractor: Solterra Development, Palm Springs, Calif.

Interiors: Christopher Kennedy Design, Palm Springs, Calif.

www.EDCmag.com 15
 Walking
WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LOAD-BEARING WALLS, SPACIOUS AND OPEN ROOMS CAN BE EASILY INCORPORATED INTO A HOUSE’S DESIGN.
PHOTO BY NUVUE INTERACTIVE.
The architect for the project, o2 Archi-
tecture of Palm Springs, Calif., was able to
maximize the amount of indoor-outdoor
living space available in this modest-sized
home. Thus the house features extensive use
of sliding glass doors.
A decision was made early on in the project
to minimize the amount of space devoted to
bedrooms and to maximize “public” spaces.
Again, with no load-bearing walls to contend
with, this goal was easy to achieve, especially
given that the system is capable of creating
large clear-span areas of up to 30 feet. The
system can readily be used to create structures
of up to three stories.
The exterior of the house was clad with two
materials: bare corrugated steel on lower walls
(which was sprayed with apple cider vinegar
to create a rusted patina) and painted Hardie
board on upper areas. But a variety of other
cladding materials could have readily been used
— further enhancing the design possibilities.
Minimizing Environmental Impact
All of the steel used in the Yucca Valley home
was manufactured with as much as 70 percent
recycled steel, which can, itself, be 100 percent
recycled later. Most steel elements in the home
were factory fabricated, which meant dramati-
cally less waste was created onsite.
The waste generated in the factory during
fabrication was immediately recycled — even
the steel filings created during bolt-hole
drilling. The extremely limited amount of con-
struction waste created onsite was also sorted
16 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
and recycled. The house’s rapid construction
meant far fewer trips to and from the jobsite by
workers as compared to a typical construction
project. In short, the system creates structures
that are highly sustainable in terms of fabrica-
tion, shipping, assembly and life cycle.
Steel has the highest strength-to-weight
ratio of any building material. Additionally, it
is dimensionally stable and will not expand or
contract due to moisture. Nor will it warp, split,
crack or creep. And it is highly resistant to fire
and impervious to mold, dry rot and termites.
The system is the result of more than 15 years
of design and rigorous testing. Additionally, it
is now a recognized and approved standard of
AISI (AISI S-110 and ASCE7), and is expected to
be included in the International Building Code
(IBC) and the California Building Code (CBC).
The system, which requires no bracing of
any kind, is capable of creating cantilevers, is
suitable for all seismic zones and can be engi-
neered to meet all wind-loading requirements.
As construction of the prototype house
in Yucca Valley shows, a light-gauge steel
building system provides architects with a
powerful new tool to overcome engineer-
ing constraints and to execute highly green
designs. Better yet, the designs can be con-
structed without the heavy cost to the natural
landscape that is often caused by traditional
site-preparation methods.
DAVID MCADAM IS A CO-FOUNDER OF BLUE SKY HOMES LLC. HE CAN
BE REACHED AT DMCADAM@BLUESKYHOMESLLC.COM OR BY PHONE
AT (800) 448-9130.
PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS
Roof: AEP Span Design Span panels, standing
seam roof (SSR) in cool zinc grey
Floor Underside Cover: Bare (iron-ox) AEP Span
Nu-Wave Corrugated and galvanized
steel sheets
Exterior Walls: Accelerated Building Technologies
accel-E Steel Thermal Efficient Panels (S.T.E.P.)
Exterior Cladding: ½" Bare (iron-ox) AEP Span
Nu-Wave Corrugated steel siding
Exterior Fiber Cement Siding: 5/16" Hardie board
External Moisture Barrier: DuPont Tyvek
HomeWrap
Sliding Glass Doors: Milgard Series 450/450S
Clerestory Windows: Milgard Custom C716
Vapor Barrier: Grace Construction Products
Bituthene
Split System Heat Pump: Amana/Goodman
Heating & Air Conditioning Co.
Air Handler: Amana/Goodman Heating & Air
Conditioning Co.
Thermostat: Honeywell
Thermal Hydronic System: Vaillant flat
plate collectors
Solar Water Heater: SunEarth Inc.
Pipe Insulation: Johns Manville Micro-Lok
Fiber Glass
Waste Heat Recovery: Turbotec Products Inc.
ENVIRO-PAK heat recovery system
Photovoltaic Inverter: SMA America, Sunny Boy
solar inverter
Light Switches and Plugs: Leviton Decora
Dimmers: Lutron Diva
Recessed Light Cans: Elite Lighting USA
Under Cabinet and Upper Cabinet Lighting:
Philips Color Kinetics eW Profile Powercore LED
Path Lighting: Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting
Toilet: Toto USA Aquia Dual-Max
Exhaust Fan: Broan-NuTone whisper quiet
Indoor Shower Faucet: Grohe
Bathroom Faucet: Grohe
Bathroom Sink: Kohler Co.
Shower Pan: Kohler Co.
Bathroom Countertop: Vetrazzo Glass House
Cabinet Doors and panels: Smith & Fong Co.
Plyboo
Countertop and Backsplash: Vetrazzo Glass
House
Kitchen Sink: PROFLO
Kitchen Faucet: Grohe
Cooktop Range: GE
Oven: GE 30-inch built-in single convection wall
oven with self-cleaning
Kitchen Hood: GE Profile slide-out hood
Refrigerator: GE Monogram 36-inch built-in
Dishwasher: Bosch Integra 500 Series
Washer/Dryer: GE combination washer and dryer
Interior Paint: YOLO Colorhouse non-VOC
A/V Wire Box: Leviton Structured Media Center
Septic System: Bio–Microbics wastewater
treatment system
Waste Water Treatment System: Fuji Electric ring
compressor aeration blower pump
Deep Well Jet Pump & Tank: ITT Goulds Pumps
Domestic Water Jet Pump & Pressure Tank: ITT
Goulds Pumps (A. O. Smith Motor)
Pump Controller Box: ITT CentriPro Model CB
10412 HP 1
 SPEED UP
BUILD TIME
SLOW DOWN
ENERGY COSTS

Reader Service No. 123 www.EDCmag.com/webcard

 SPECIAL SECTION

Defying
Convention
LOCAL BUILDERS INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTS TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE
AND DELIVER AFFORDABLE HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOMES.

By David Mosrie

18 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
 s green-built
homes are
quickly becom-
ing the norm in
Asheville, N.C.,
the drive to
build afford-
able high-performance homes
has produced some interesting
developments. Two local builders
in particular are challenging the
locally accepted green building
standards. Although their meth-
odologies are quite different,
both are pushing the envelope
and attempting to deliver afford-
able high-performance homes
with superior indoor air quality.
Springtime Cottage
The Springtime Cottage by
Asheville-area builder Brian Knight,
owner of Springtime Homes, is
setting a new local standard for
hyperefficient, affordable design
and construction. Knight is commit-
ted to building with polyurethane
structural insulated panels (SIPs).
The Springtime Cottage is built
with Eco-Panels SIPs, a relatively
new, locally produced product that
offers several key advantages to
traditional SIPs, including a seamless
corner panel that eliminates the
most common thermal break in
typical SIPs systems and a locking
CAM mechanism that “grabs” the
adjacent panel and locks the panels
together. According to Knight,
another tremendous advantage is
that the panels are delivered with
LP SmartSide siding primed and
in-place, making for an efficient and
agreeable board-and-baton exterior.
Knight’s commitment to poly-
urethane panels stems from the
fact that the panels have only 3 to 4
percent of the total envelope area
occupied by thermal bridges, com-
pared with 8 percent for polysty-
rene SIPs and 18 percent with smart
framing without foam sheathing.
The cottage’s primary heating
strategy is passive solar. When
combined with a highly insulated
envelope (Eco-Panels and triple-
pane windows), efficient mechani-
cal design (15 SEER heat pump and
(LEFT) THE ECOPANEL SYSTEM, PRE-SKINNED WITH LP SMART SIDING, IS EASILY AND QUICKLY TRANSFORMED INTO A BOARD AND BATON EXTERIOR
FINISH. PHOTO BY BRIAN KNIGHT. (ABOVE) LABORERS ON THE FIRST HEMCRETE HOME BUILT IN THE U.S. PREPARE TO INSTALL THE PURE PANELS ON THE
CEILING AND INTERIOR WALLS. PHOTO BY ANTHONY BRENNER.
ERV) and a thermo-siphon solar
hot water system, the Springtime
Cottage uses 30 to 45 percent of the
energy when compared to a home
of the same size built to code, per
the HERS rating. With the addition
of an average-sized PV system,
Knight estimates the home could
achieve net-zero energy use.
Other features of the home
include roof catchment, universal
design, use of reclaimed wood
and poplar bark accents, and
an energy monitor. Often, the
resident is the most difficult com-
ponent of a home’s energy use
to quantify. Therefore, the energy
monitor offers the homeowner an
accessible quantitative feedback
loop. Offering the end-user the
ability to monitor and adapt
behavior to minimize use and
maximize the home’s performance
is turning out to be surprisingly
important to the buyers of this
particular type of product. The
data collected from Energy Inc.’s
The Energy Detective (TED) 5000
home energy monitor will also be
used by the builder to evaluate
the performance of the home for
consideration in future plan modi-
fications. The home is delivered to
market at just under $300,000.
Hemp Homes
Anthony Brenner, owner of Push
Design LLC, is indeed pushing con-
vention by building with technolo-
gies never before utilized in North
America: Hemcrete and Pure Panel.
Asheville has become the
entry point for Hemcrete into
the United States through locally
based Hemp Technologies LLC.
The product, which has been
utilized for some time in Europe,
is a mixture of industrial hemp
and lime poured into foot-thick
forms around a 24-inch on-center,
2-by-4-inch frame wall. Because
U.S. law currently prohibits the
cultivation of hemp, industrial
hemp must be imported from
Canada or Europe. However, some
of this additional cost is offset by
the reduced framing and the abil-
ity to downsize the foundation.
The material offers many
intriguing advantages, according to
Brenner, particularly in the mixed
humid environment found in the
Appalachians. The lime content
eliminates mold concerns. The wall
breathes and absorbs or releases
moisture, depending on conditions.
The ability of the walls to breathe
and store heat allows for a passive
self-regulation of the temperature
and humidity within the building in
general, often reducing the need for
air conditioning. The end result is a
chemical-free wall system that of-
fers superior IAQ nonmechanically.
Together, Hemp Technologies
and Brenner are developing a spray
application to increase the labor
efficiency. The finishes can range
from stucco to plaster to siding to
drywall, although natural finishes
such as earth plaster are preferred
to maintain the breathability and
good IAQ the product offers.
To date, two homes have been
built with the system in Asheville.
The material offers an estimated
R-Value of more than 2 per inch. In
addition to the high IAQ, the calci-
fication process of the lime actually
creates a carbon-negative wall
system. David Madera of Hemp
Technologies estimates it is the
equivalent of planting more than
an acre of trees. The hardening of
the lime over time creates a highly
durable wall. European studies sug-
gest a lifespan of hundreds of years.
www.EDCmag.com 19
 Defying
Convention
benefits, ease of installation and the material’s
SPRINGTIME COTTAGE 90-ton-per-square-meter crush strength, Brenner
is convinced that Pure Panel will be an integral
Size: 1,410 square feet part of of Asheville’s green building future.
Brenner and David Madera, owner of Hemp
Completed: March 2010 Technologies, say they will endeavor to develop
Market Price: $289,000 new applications for both Hemcrete and Pure
Panel, hoping to bring the advantages to a
Springtime Homes: Brian Knight, Owner,
www.springtimehomes.com
broader market. Both Hemcrete and Pure Panel
are alternatives for homeowners with severe en-
Eco-Panels: www.eco-panels.com vironmental sensitivities. New construction from
Designed to achieve Gold level NC HealthyBuilt Push Design using both products is currently
Homes certification. slated to begin on a 1,100-square-foot home
THE HEMCRETE WALLS HAVE THE FEEL OF “HEAVY MASS” offered around $225,000.
CONSTRUCTION, MUCH LIKE ADOBE, AND ARE PREPARED FOR Asheville is fortunate to have become a
HEMCRETE/ PURE PANEL HOMES EXTERIOR FINISH IN MUCH THE SAME FASHION. PHOTO BY nexus for green building and development in
the Southeast. The commitment to setting a
ANTHONY BRENNER.
new green standard, which is shared by many
Push Designs: Anthony Brenner, Owner,
tradesmen, designers and residents alike, is
www.pushdesigns.net
The other new material Brenner is implement- transforming this small city into an epicenter of
Hemp Technologies LLC: David Madera, ing is Pure Panel, a 100 percent post-consumer creative building.
Owner, www.hemp-technologies.com recycled paper structural/nonstructural wall sys-
tem which can also be used as cabinetry, doors, DAVID MOSRIE IS A REAL ESTATE BROKER AND PROJECT CONSULTANT IN
Since the material is lightweight and strong, furniture, countertops, etc. A 4-by-8-foot panel ASHEVILLE, N.C. HE HAS BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE GREEN BUILDING
estimated to be seven times the strength of can be set with four screws and a glue gun and MOVEMENT SINCE 1993 AND REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE PROPAGATION OF
concrete, the potential creative new applications then painted, which eliminates lumber and dry- GREEN BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
for Hemcrete are vast. wall. With the combination of the environmental REGION. MOSRIE CAN BE REACHED AT THEGLEASONTEAM@GMAIL.COM.

Reader Service No. 77 www.EDCmag.com/webcard

20 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
EDC07074FRNK.indd 1 6/21/07 11:29:28 AM
CONVENTION 2010 JUNE 10–12 MIAMI

DESIGN
F OR T H E NEW
DECADE

Register online at www.aia.org/convention

The AIA 2010 National Convention and Design Exposition will explore the
theme of Design for the New Decade–highlighting how design knowledge,
vision, and leadership contribute to creating lasting buildings and cities.
Design will permeate every aspect of the convention–keynote presentations,
seminars, workshops, roundtable discussions, exhibits, materials, and tours.
Join more than 22,000 architecture and building and design professionals as
we address the new challenges that arise from an emerging and more modern
economy. Help shape the future of the profession in the next decade by
recommitting to our discipline's primary mode of thought and action–design.
AIA Convention 2010 offers value, education, and quality.

Register by April 26 and save.

www.aia.org/convention
 BUILDING A HEALTHY REFUGE FOR THE RECOUPERATION OF
YOUNG HEROES AT MILLER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.
By Damon Barda, AIA, LEED AP
MILLER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Location: Long Beach, Calif.
Size: (new construction) 120,000 square
feet; four-level expansion
Estimated Project Cost: $150 Million
(construction cost: $93 Million)
Completion Date: December 2009
22 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
ometimes the most important sustainability efforts begin long before a project
breaks ground. The recent opening of the new inpatient pavilion at Miller Children’s
Hospital was the culmination of a six-year endeavor that brought hospital adminis-
trators and clinicians, young patients and their families, the Long Beach community,
and the architectural firm TAYLOR together in pursuit of a shared goal — to build
a new hospital dedicated to children. Through an inclusive visioning process, the
theme for the design — the hero’s journey and the castle refuge — emerged.
The desire to make that refuge an environmentally friendly place was integral to the vi-
sion. When children are ill, their resources to fight disease and infection are depleted. Creat-
ing a healthy building free of toxic materials and full of quality air and light contributes to
the healing process.
 Extraordinary efforts to ensure
Miller Children’s Hospital would
be a healthy building began at
the ground. The building site
was toxic, impacted since the
1920s by Long Beach’s oil field
production boom. To prepare
the site, remaining oil wells
were re-abandoned to current
standards, and more than 45,000
tons of contaminated soil was
removed and thermally cleaned.
For these greening efforts, Miller
was honored as the first and only
nonprofit hospital to receive TAYLOR’S DESIGN TEAM FOLLOWED THE
three brownfields cleanup grants, “GREEN GUIDE FOR HEALTH CARE” AND
totaling $600,000, from the U.S. LEED CONCEPTS IN THE DESIGN OF MILLER
Environmental Protection Agency. CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. PHOTOS BY
With sustainability in mind, ASSASSI PRODUCTIONS.
the hospital recycled nearly
75 percent of its construction
waste, which amounted to more
www.EDCmag.com 23
 ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCTS WERE SPECIFIED IN MILLER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL,
INCLUDING TERRAZZO AS WELL AS LINOLEUM AND CARPETS MADE FROM ORGANIC AND RAPIDLY
RENEWABLE MATERIALS. PHOTO BY ASSASSI PRODUCTIONS.

DURABLE, MAINTENANCE-FREE AND LOW-VOC FINISHES CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

AT MILLER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. PHOTO BY ASSASSI PRODUCTIONS.

than 2.5 million pounds. Materials like concrete, metal, wood and other
resources were segregated and recycled whenever possible.
TAYLOR’s design team followed the “Green Guide for Health Care” — a best
practice guide for healthy and sustainable building design, construction and
operations — as well as LEED concepts in the design. In addition to a highly
efficient central plant, a variety of measures were taken to conserve energy.
A white roof reflects the Southern California sun, which reduces the heat the
building gives off, the temperature inside the hospital and the demand for
air conditioning. Plenty of windows fill the building with daylight, meaning
less electricity is used during the day. High-efficiency lighting systems with
motion sensors turn off lights in empty rooms.
Water conservation, a critical issue in Southern California, was a priority. The
landscaping includes drought-tolerant and native plants as well as a natural
meadow that requires minimal watering. Designers placed flow-restricting
faucets in the public restrooms to reduce water consumption.
TAYLOR’s design team specified environmentally friendly products when-
ever alternatives were available, including linoleum and carpets made from
organic and rapidly renewable materials and wall paints and floor adhesives
free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Terrazzo, an epoxy resin contain-
ing recycled glass and porcelain, was selected for the lobbies and hallways
because it is extremely durable and maintenance free. Using Terrazzo saved
Reader Service No. 78 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
24 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
 Stop costly air leaks










UISPVHI
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MATERIALS

Casework Materials: Roseburg Forest Products Co.

formaldehyde particleboard content less than
0.2 percent; 3form Ecoresin panels; Avonite "JS

8BUFS3FTJTUJWF
#BSSJFS

solid polymers
GPS
TIFBUIJOH
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$.6
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Paint Lines – Low-VOC Content: Frazee, ICI
paints, Hasson Inc., Dunn Edwards
Adhesives - Low-VOC: Dow Corning Silicones, t
$VU
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HBT
DPTUT
CZ
NPSF
UIBO

Tnemec Company Inc.
Roofing Material: Tremco Inc. t
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UIBO

Windows: Viracon Inc.
t
8BUFSCBTFE
BWPJE
70$&1"
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Exterior Building Cladding: Trespa North America Ltd.
Gypsum Board: National Gypsum – Manufactured t
*NQSPWF
JOEPPS
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locally in Long Beach
Flooring: Forbo Flooring Systems linoleum flooring
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PROJECT TEAM

Architecture & Interior Design: TAYLOR

Contractor: Turner Construction
Construction Manager: Cleo Enterprises LLC
Structural Engineer: TMAD Taylor & Gaines
Mechanical, Electrical, Low Voltage, Data/
Telecom Engineer: JBA Consulting Engineers 


t


XXXQSPTPDPDPN
Civil Engineer: Moffatt & Nichol
Geotechnical Engineer: MACTEC Reader Service No. 79 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
Geotechnical Engineer: Smith-Emery Co.
Interior Design and Environmental Graphics:
Ford Design
Programming: Kurt Salmon Associates
Landscape Architects: Rabben/Herman Design
Office Ltd.
Land Surveyors: Dulin & Boynton
Acoustical: Newson Brown Acoustics LLC
Medical Equipment: Facilities Development Inc.
Methane Gas Consultant: Kleinfelder
Traffic Consultant: Linscott, Law & Greenspan
Soils Remediation: SCS Engineers
Curtain Wall Consultant: JA Weir Associates
Elevator Consultant: Lerch Bates
EIR Consultant: Sapphos Environmental Inc.
Shoring Engineer: Burnett & Young Inc.
Architectural Hardware Consultant: Ingersoll Rand
Specifications Consultant: C Plus C Consulting LLC

money by eliminating the need for the future

use of products like strippers and wax.
From the initial site work to thoughtful details
like using environmentally friendly paints and re-
cycled paper in the art program, TAYLOR worked
closely with Miller Children’s Hospital to create
a healing refuge where sustainable features
contribute not only to the health of its young
patients but also to the wider community.

DAMON BARDA, AIA, LEED AP, IS A SENIOR ASSOCIATE

AND ARCHITECT AT TAYLOR, AN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM
COMMITTED TO “PROMOTING WELLNESS THROUGH
ARCHITECTURE.”HE HAS MORE THAN 12 YEARS
EXPERIENCE IN HEALTHCARE DESIGN AND DEVELOPING
SUSTAINABILITY GOALS AND CONCEPTS FOR HEALING
ENVIRONMENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.TAA1.COM.
Reader Service No. 80 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
www.EDCmag.com 25
 CASE STUDY
By Alex Spilger, LEED AP

From Trash to Treasure

RECOLOGY TRANSFORMS DUMPSITE MATERIALS INTO ART AND OFFICE FURNITURE.

Recology Inc. — formerly Norcal

Waste Systems Inc., one of the
nation’s oldest urban recycling
companies — used its new office
space in San Francisco to illustrate
the company’s rebranding transi-
tion. Recycled items from the
waste hauler’s dumpsites were
incorporated into artwork, office
tables and furniture throughout
the sunlit LEED Gold space.

Reduce
Recology downsized from a
24,500-square-foot office to a
19,500-square-foot office in an
existing, free-standing building
located in a high-density neigh-
borhood with close proximity to
public transportation. Standard
LEED requirements for reducing
water and energy usage were
met through the incorpora-
tion of low-flow water fixtures,
energy-efficient lighting, and
HVAC control systems. Natural
light flowing into every work
space further reduced lighting
demands to create a healthy
work environment.

Reuse
One of the most innovative
aspects of this project was the
client’s incorporation of “found”
treasures in its art and furniture
program. Recology sponsors art-
ists-in-residence who produced
the majority of the attention-
grabbing items distributed
throughout the headquarters.

A WALL IN RECOLOGY’S HEADQUARTERS

WAS PANELED WITH PIECES OF OLD
SKATEBOARDS FOR AN ARTISTIC EFFECT.
PHOTO BY ERIC LAIGNEL.

26 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
 RECOLOGY HEADQUARTERS

Location: San Francisco

Size: 19,500 square feet

Completed: April 2009

Additional Materials
SierraPine Ltd.: MDF
Knauf Insulation: EcoBatt Insulation
Henkel N.A.: Draft & Acoustical Sound Sealant
InterfaceFLOR: Reinvent and Reincarnation
Carpet Tile
Expanko: Cork Flooring
Visions Paint Recycling Inc.: Latex Finish Paint
Scuffmaster: EnviroMetal Paint
Farruggia Design: Recycled Material Tables and
Furnishings

Recology Project Team

Architect: POLLACK Architecture
Engineer: Amit Wadhwa & Associates
LEED Consulting & Construction: BCCI
Construction Manager: COLE Project Management
General Contractor: BCCI Construction Co. THE RECEPTION AREA FEATURES FOUND OBJECTS, LIKE FURNITURE (WHICH WAS REUPHOLSTERED). SCULPTURES, SUCH AS THE ONE
Vendor: MG West HANGING ABOVE THE RECEPTION DESK, WERE CREATED WITH FOUND GLASS SHARDS. PHOTO BY ERIC LAIGNEL.

Artistic additions to the new build-out consisted of:

■ A giant mobile made from broken glass;
■ A huge wall divider composed of discarded skateboards; and
■ A pine tree sculpture made from old saws, which is promoted during
the holiday season to remind San Franciscans to consider alternatives
to live Christmas trees.
Furniture created from recycled materials included:
■ Conference tables composed of recycled cardboard;
■ A computer desk constructed from a wine cask;
■ Salvaged lobby and office furniture reupholstered in recycled-fiber
fabrics; and
■ Tabletops that incorporate the bottoms of glass bottles, found maps,
discarded circuit boards and old road signs.

Recycle
Myriad colored paint from Recology’s paint recycling program was mixed
together, used as a base coat for the office, and then covered with a low-
VOC final coat. Recycling collection points were incorporated throughout
the office and composting containers were included in the boardroom,
lunchroom, training area and pantry. More than 75 percent of all con-
struction waste was diverted from landfill.
Recology’s new headquarters is not only a functional, healthy work space
but also a fitting showcase for trash turned to waste-hauler treasure.

ALEX SPILGER, LEED AP, IS SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER FOR BCCI, WHERE HE LEADS PROJECT AND CLIENT TEAMS
FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES. HE CURRENTLY WORKS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE A GLASS CONFERENCE TABLE WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH THE BOTTOMS OF WINE BOTTLES. PHOTO
TOOLS AND SYSTEMS FOR EFFECTIVELY MANAGING LEED DOCUMENTATION. SPILGER TEACHES LEED WORKSHOPS BY ERIC LAIGNEL.
AS WELL AS A LEED PROJECT MANAGEMENT COURSE AT UC BERKELEY.

www.EDCmag.com 27
 STUDIO
By Robin Guenther, FAIA, LEED AP
The Future of Hospitals
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IMPACTS SITE, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.
We are at a moment of radical
transformation in the design and
construction of hospitals and
healthcare facilities. The disciplines
of sustainable design, evidence-
based design and “Lean” process
management are impacting how
hospitals are sited, designed and
constructed. Clearly, the path ahead
for hospitals is to move beyond sim-
ply reducing their resource impacts
(i.e., “doing less harm”) through a
vision of hospitals that “do no harm”
and heal their occupants, their com-
munities and the planet.
This central idea of healing, or
“regenerative” healthcare, has the
power to capture the imagination of
healthcare organizations worldwide
and transform the way healthcare
services are defined, organized
and delivered. It has the power to
transform a healthcare infrastructure
that consumes enormous amounts
of fossil fuel resources into a resilient
net provider of clean water, energy
and environmental conditions that
support health. Gary Cohen with the
nonprofit Health Care Without Harm
said it best: The hospital can situate
itself in the ecology of its community
and act as a force for healing.
The “Green Guide for Health Care”
and the soon-to-be-released LEED
for Healthcare signal the beginnings
of this awareness and journey. Both
these tools are establishing a context
that links sustainable design with the
larger healthcare safety and quality
movements to produce different —
and better — healing environments.
There is growing acceptance that
optimizing built environments and
clinical systems for only one of these
factors, at the expense of the others,
is untenable – our future healthcare
infrastructure needs to be effective,
safe and sustainable.
Mechanical system innovations
like displacement ventilation sys-
28 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
WE NEED TO HOLD A CLEAR VISION
OF THIS IMAGINED FUTURE AND
RECOGNIZE THAT EVERY CHOICE WE
MAKE TODAY, AS DESIGNERS, HAS A
ROLE IN CREATING THIS FUTURE.
tems, ground source heat pumps or
combined heat and power (a long-
time standard practice in Europe,
where energy has been much more
expensive) have the potential to re-
duce energy demand by as much as
60 percent. A few notable examples:
Gundersen Lutheran health system
is pledging “carbon neutrality by
2014”; The Embassy Medical Center
& Health System in Sri Lanka will
capture methane from municipal
organic waste to fuel and power a
1,000-bed hospital; Kaiser Perma-
nente and Partners HealthCare are
testing displacement ventilation.
As healthcare organizations and
their designers make the connection
between resource use and human
health, new priorities are emerging.
Tools like Practice Greenhealth’s Ener-
gy Impact Calculator, which uses EPA
data on health issues associated with
fossil fuels to calculate the health
impacts from local energy sources,
is assisting hospitals in greening
their energy supply chain – moving
to cleaner burning fuels and green
power. Healthcare organizations can
link green energy choices to health
benefits and track energy-demand-
reduction efforts against data on
asthma and respiratory illness.
Likewise, the environmental
health issues associated with the
manufacture, use and disposal of
building materials will continue to
be a focus of healthcare organiza-
tions and their design teams. In re-
sponse to demands from healthcare
markets, nonprofit organizations
such as Healthy Building Network
and GREENGUARD are developing
new tools to assess the chemical
components of building materials.
In response, manufacturers
are reformulating building
products to substitute chemicals
of concern with safer and
healthier alternatives. Perkins+Will
recently launched a “precautionary
list” of chemicals of concern,
(http://transparency.perkinswill.com)
and is actively substituting those
chemicals with safer alternatives.
Imagine if our hospitals adapted
to climate challenges, operated
using on-site renewable energy,
harvested and recycled available
water, and were filled with natural
light so that in extended periods of
extreme weather or infrastructure
crises, vital medical services could
continue without interruption.
Imagine they contain no materials
with known or suspected carcino-
gens or toxic chemicals.
We need to hold a clear vision of
this imagined future and recognize
that every choice we make today, as
designers, has a role in creating this
future. We have to act on a belief
that every innovative strategy we
implement today that changes hos-
pital design makes a difference and
contributes to making this imagined
future tomorrow’s reality.
ROBIN GUENTHER IS A
PRINCIPAL AT PERKINS+WILL.
SHE IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN
THE CONVERSATION LINKING
PUBLIC HEALTH, REGENERATIVE
DESIGN AND SUSTAINABILITY.
GUENTHER’S MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE THE
DISCOVERY CENTER, THE SECOND LEED-CERTIFIED
HEALTHCARE PROJECT IN THE WORLD. SHE WAS
THE PRINCIPAL AUTHOR OF THE “GREEN GUIDE FOR
HEALTH CARE,” AND AUTHORED “SUSTAINABLE
HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTURE.”
PERSPECTIVES
WITH HIGH DEMAND FOR CERTIFICATION
AND A GROWING NATIONWIDE INTEREST
IN GREEN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, THE
LEED FOR HOMES PROGRAM IS NOW
SUPPORTED BY A VARIET Y OF NEW TOOLS
AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
By Nate Kredich
Tool Time
NEW TOOLS SUPPORT CONTINUED GROWTH OF USGBC’S LEED FOR HOMES PROGRAM.
The LEED for Homes green certifi-
cation program has been a crucial
and successful extension of the
LEED family of rating systems.
To date, more than 5,000 homes
have achieved LEED certifica-
tion and nearly 25,000 homes in
the U.S. are currently pursuing
certification. With high demand
for certification and a growing
nationwide interest in green
residential buildings, the LEED
for Homes program is now sup-
ported by a variety of new tools
and infrastructure.
Green Raters
A significant increase in the
demand for highly qualified and
trained verifiers is anticipated in
the coming years, and with the
council’s newly launched LEED
for Homes Green Rater program,
the ranks of raters will expand.
Green Raters are set apart from the
crowd because they are verified
by the Green Building Certifica-
tion Institute (GBCI). The path to
becoming a Green Rater includes
comprehensive training coupled
with an exam. Beginning Jan. 1,
2011, all newly registered LEED for
Homes projects must have a Green
Rater certificate-holder on the veri-
fication team. Green Raters play a
critical role in the LEED for Homes
process by overseeing all verifica-
tion services on a project. Green
Raters may work directly for a LEED
for Homes provider or contract
independently with one or several
providers. Visit www.usgbc.org/
greenrater to learn more about
the LEED for Homes Green Rater
program, register for an upcoming
training, or apply for the exam.
Connecting Professionals
Drawing on the lessons learned
throughout the development
and deployment of the LEED for
Homes program, U.S. Green
Building Council’s (USGBC)
newly launched Green Home
Guide is an online resource that
serves as a clearinghouse of in-
formation for homeowners and
builders alike. The Web site,
http://greenhomeguide.com,
provides a unique blend of
content and community that
allows consumers to research
locally relevant solutions and
professionals.
Green Home Guide offers three
essential channels of informa-
tion: Know How, featuring articles
written and vetted by residential
professionals; Ask a Pro, which
encourages pros to interact directly
with their local customer base by
posting answers; and the Find a Pro
nationwide directory, which lists
builders, contractors and service
providers working on green homes
across the country. With Find a
Pro’s efficient search engine, users
can search for professionals by
specialty and/or location. Green
residential professionals should visit
http://greenhomeguide.com/apply
to post a free directory listing and
be included in future searches for
service providers who can help
the growing LEED for Homes audi-
ence fully realize their vision
of green living.
Remodeling Green
Beyond the new construction
market, USGBC recognizes that
a serious commitment to green-
ing the existing housing stock is
key to reaching environmental
and carbon-reduction goals.
As a third new addition to the
LEED for Homes set of tools and
features, USGBC and its partner,
the American Society of Interior
Designers (ASID), have added
new learning opportunities
to the REGREEN remodeling
program. A new two-day work-
shop, REGREEN: Implementing
Green Residential Remodeling,
teaches participants how to
identify the green concepts
and strategies that will best
enhance their next remodeling
project. This year, REGREEN will
be on a road show traveling to
more than a dozen cities.
The REGREEN program also
includes a set of remodel-
ing guidelines and strategies,
all supported by a robust
educational program created
in tandem by USGBC and ASID.
REGREEN addresses major
elements of green renovation
projects, including water and
energy efficiency, indoor air
quality and material choices.
The program blends product
selection, building systems in-
tegration and proven technolo-
gies into a seamless compilation
of green tips, strategies and
case studies for the homeowner,
builder or design professional.
Visit www.regreenprogram.org
for more information
on REGREEN.
For more information on all of
USGBC’s programs and offerings
for the residential marketplace,
visit www.usgbc.org/homes.
NATE KREDICH JOINED THE
USGBC IN MARCH 2008 AS
VICE PRESIDENT OF RESI-
DENTIAL MARKET DEVELOP-
MENT. HE SPENT THE PRIOR
FIVE YEARS WORKING IN
THE PRODUCTION HOMEBUILDING ENVIRON-
MENT AS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
AND GENERAL MANAGER OF CREATIVE TOUCH
INTERIORS, A NATIONAL TURNKEY PROVIDER OF
DESIGN CENTER AND INSTALLATION SERVICES,
WHICH WAS PURCHASED BY HOME DEPOT.
www.EDCmag.com 29
 STUDIO
DAVID JOHNSON, AIA, IS DIRECTOR OF WILLIAM
MCDONOUGH + PARTNERS’ WEST COAST
STUDIO IN SAN FRANCISCO. AN ACCOMPLISHED
ARCHITECT AND PLANNER, JOHNSON ALSO
ADVISES INSTITUTIONS AND DEVELOPERS ON
EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO BECOME MODEL
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DYNAMIC CONTEXT OF
CALIFORNIA’S AB-32, SB-375 AND ANTICIPATED
PROGRAMS FROM THE CALIFORNIA STRATEGIC
GROWTH COUNCIL, A BODY FOR WHICH HE WAS
A NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVE.
WHAT ARE WE, AS A SOCIET Y,
WORKING TOWARD?
30 ed+c A P RIL 1 0
By David Johnson, AIA
California Greenin’
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY CALIFORNIA’S NEW GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS.
The recently passed California Green
Building Standards (CalGreen)
will raise the baseline for new
construction and have an enormous
positive impact, given CalGreen’s
widespread application. This new
code from the California Building
Standards Commission, which takes
effect January 2011, will continue
California’s legacy of environmental
leadership. However, as we integrate
these new requirements within the
wide range of existing green stan-
dards, codes and rating systems,
we are constantly faced with the
question: Is what we’re doing green
enough? In other words, if we meet
the requirements of CalGreen, LEED
or any other rating system, are we
laying a path toward a sustainable
future? Another way to approach
this question is to step back and ask
ourselves: What are we, as a society,
working toward?
At William McDonough + Part-
ners, we have summarized our in-
tentions as a vision for “a delightfully
diverse, safe, healthy and just world
— with clean air, soil, water and
power — economically, equitably,
ecologically and elegantly enjoyed.”
What if we take this vision as the
end goal for the green building
movement? What does it suggest
in terms of new opportunities for
California as it moves forward?
Clean Air and Clean Power
While efficient, low-emission build-
ings can be characteristics of the
outcome, they are not the goal. In-
stead, a safe, healthy and just world
starts with communities that are
powered using renewable sources.
Achieving renewably powered
communities will mean tackling the
much-harder questions of communi-
ty-scale infrastructure to encourage
effective and efficient production
and distribution of power; broaden-
ing the use of load-shifting and smart
grid technologies; and integrating
renewable energy production into
the fabric of our cities. Urban areas of
California are endowed with a mod-
erate climate as well as abundant
solar, wind and tidal resources. From
a technological standpoint, there
are building typologies (houses,
schools and even some offices) that
could rely solely on renewable power
under these conditions.
The next level of leadership will
be to identify obstacles preventing
designers and developers from
making the switch to clean power.
Partnerships with utilities that ex-
amine new production and service
models, additional incentives for re-
newable production, and targeted
use of state purchasing power are
opportunities to transform the
market, create new economies and
realize a positive energy future.
Clean Water
Our end goal for water is not to use
the least amount possible but to cre-
ate communities that reinforce the
natural water cycle of each unique
place. For California, this can mean
creating nearly closed-loop condi-
tions for potable water at the com-
munity scale that rely on renewably
powered water treatment infrastruc-
tures. It also suggests eco-intelligent
stormwater management practices
that support watershed quality and
restore groundwater flows.
Next-generation leadership
that will take us closer to meeting
community needs while supporting
ecological health include incen-
tives for water providers to create
nonpotable supplies; requirements
for buildings to anticipate stepped
water use and, where appropriate,
rainwater capture; investment in new
treatment technologies; and regional
stormwater management plans.
Clean Air and Clean Soil
Waste diversion/recycling and in-
door air quality are often regarded
as separate issues, but they are
inextricably intertwined. Safe,
healthy and just communities will
have eliminated the concept of
waste. Instead, materials will flow
in biological or technical metabo-
lisms and return safely to soil or
to industry in an endless cycle.
Products following this cradle-to-
cradle cycle are designed to sup-
port human and ecological health.
And instead of going to landfill (or
becoming downcycled, a slight
detour en route to landfill) at the
end of their useful life, they create
soil or become feedstock for new
products — ultimately eliminating
the need for landfill sites.
California’s Green Chemistry
Initiative is an incredibly important
step in this direction. In the con-
struction industry, higher standards
for material content, recyclability,
design for disassembly, and positive
effects on human and ecological
health are all opportunities for in-
novation and leadership.
CalGreen is an important
first step. It may lead toward
integration of selected water
and material concerns within
the larger regulatory framework
of the construction industry
much like Title 24 did for energy
concerns. Its wide influence will
undoubtedly result in significant
gains on solid waste, emissions
and water-use goals established
by the state, and it will become a
model that many other states will
follow in their search for guidance
on green concerns.
However, we all need to be
diligent to ensure that we are
working toward the right things
and not just doing the wrong
things really well.
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Reader Service No. 11
SIGN UP
TODAY FOR
eNEWS!
ED+C and Sustainable Facility each feature a monthly
eNewsletter that brings the latest industry developments
to readers’ desktops. Inside, you’ll find all the news and
information that simply couldn’t be squeezed into print.
Past editions of the eNews are archived on ED+C and
Sustainable Facility’s websites.
VISIT WWW.EDCMAG.COM AND WWW.SUSTAINABLEFACILITY.COM
AND CLICK ON ENEWSLETTER TO SUBSCRIBE.
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ECONOMICAL TILE – RECYCLED CONTENT
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UNDERFLOOR SERVICE DISTRIBUTION
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performance and sustainable indoor environments.
This single strategy improves daylighting, energy effi-
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comfort control for building occupants. Access floors
enable intelligent modular design that may contrib-
ute to LEED certification and promotes a healthier work environment. Cost competitive,
Tate offers lasting value that can adapt and evolve throughout the life of a building.
TATE ACCESS FLOORS, INC. | WWW.TATEACCESSFLOORS.COM
Reader Service No. 15
www.EDCmag.com 31
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ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Volume 13, Issue 4 (ISSN 1095-8932) is published 12 times annually, monthly, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W. Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI 48084-3333. Telephone:
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JUNE 14–16 THE MERCHANDISE MART CHICAGO NEOCON.COM

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PARTING
Home is Where
the Health is
Six million households live with
physical housing problems, ac-
cording to the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development.
Issues include allergens such as
paint fumes, dust mites, mold and
formaldehyde. These offenders can
trigger asthma attacks, respira-
tory illnesses or allergies in the 23
million asthma sufferers in America,
according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
The Smith family, of Selah,
Wash., experienced these issues
firsthand. After remodeling
an older home, asthma and
related problems emerged in their
younger children. The Smiths
tapped into a convergence of
shared interests. Their builder and
the local home builders associa-
tion were on a similar trajectory
toward sustainable building.
Working with the Steve Weise
Co., the Smiths focused on indoor
air quality, but they also wanted
the project to achieve sustainability
overall in its site development,
By Robin Rogers, LEED AP, GACP
energy and water use. Weise was
a true advocate for their needs as
he kept an eye on the end goal of
building a healthier home while
maneuvering through the compet-
ing interests of quality versus
budget choices. Sustainability
consultant Brenda Nunes, of the
Sustainability Foundation, played a
key role in guiding materials selec-
tion. As the developer of a five star
Built Green home in Roslyn, Wash.,
Nunes understood the challenges
and opportunities as they related to
green trends, choices and budgets.
With a focus on healthy prod-
ucts and overall sustainability, the
home will certify to the Northwest
ENERGY STAR Homes program for
energy efficiency and qualifies for
the EPA Indoor airPLUS program
for indoor air quality.
Perhaps the most reward-
ing aspect of the project is that
by implementing new healthy
home principles, as well as a diet
of appropriate foods and pro-
biotics, the Smith kids are now
medication-free and living in a
healthy environment.
For the complete story on the project,
visit the Web Exclusive Editorial section
of www.EDCmag.com.
Reader Service No. 65 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
CEILING&WALL SYSTEMS
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MR Credit 5.1, 5.2 Regional Materials
EQ Credit 4.1 to 4.5 Low-Emitting Materials
EQ Credit 4.4 Low-Emitting Materials
EQ Credit 8.1, 8.2 Daylight and Views

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Health Zone™ Ultima® Reader Service No. 3 www.EDCmag.com/webcard
LOCATION
Lancaster General
Women & Babies Hospital
Lancaster, PA