Smog-Eating Buildings and the Snackwell’s Effect

Is Technology the Answer?

The development of new green building technologies can be tremendously exciting, but it can also be a distraction that takes us away from a core focus. A few months ago we saw the introduction of “smog-eating” roof tiles by MonierLifeTiles that are being deployed on all of KB Home’s California projects. In May we saw ALCOA introduce its Reynobond^® with EcoClean™ architectural panels that purportedly clean themselves and the air around it.

For us green building geeks, this is exciting and fun stuff.  Both use titanium dioxide for air cleaning purposes. MLT uses it as a sunlight-reactive agent roofing product that interacts with smog molecules (nitrogen oxides, or NOx) and converts it to a harmless calcium compound that is washed off by rain.  EcoClean is also a titanium dioxide product that is applied to pre-painted aluminum panels. NOx is captured and converted on a super-slick surface and then washed off with rain or small amounts of humidity.

How to Find a Great Builder or Watch Them Run for the Hills

Three Questions to Ask

I want to let you in on a little secret: buildings are complex. We expect them to 1) keep us comfortable, 2) to handle all kinds of weather 3) to be safe 4) durable 5) stylish, and 6) efficient.

The last time I checked, the laws of physics didn’t ignore buildings, and these laws can actually be applied to deliver five of the six expectations above. Perhaps there are even physicists out there who can predict style with science -- I suppose I can extend the benefit of the doubt. But how many people do you know who build, sell, inspect, purchase or occupy buildings and who comprehend how the flows of energy, moisture, and air influence comfort, efficiency, durability and safety? 

Oregon House Debate Highlights Building Performance Labeling

Should building owners be required to provide public information on the energy performance of their buildings? Would such disclosure help to promote the local commercial and residential real estate sectors? A number of Oregon legislators and their constituents would answer “yes” and “yes.”

Oregon shares water management concerns with many states

Guest Blogger: Salvador Del Cid

There are countless high-paying jobs in Oregon.  Our housing market is booming.  And we have absolutely no water concerns, not in this so-called Webfoot State.

Fiction! All of it.

Yes, it’s well documented -- Oregon employment and housing are standing on wobbly knees.  But oddly, it’s the threat of future water availability that would make most bike riding, vegetable growing, recycling gurus here drop their BPA-free water bottles in shock.

The Next Generation of Green Architects and Builders

If you’re an architect or designer who knows how to use Autodesk’s Revit building information modeling software, how long did it take you to become proficient with the program? While Revit is often thought to have a steep learning curve, teenage students at Northeast Portland Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy find learning the program relatively easy. In fact, ACE Architecture Instructor Marjan Rotting reports that students often design entire houses using Revit, over the course of a weekend. Meet the next generation of architects and builders in our community.

Ready, Set… Earth Day Run 2011!

The 3^rd Annual Earth Day Run is coming up and this year's event is shaping up to be the most fun yet! Over 800 people came out last year to experience this great event focused around community, healthy lifestyles, and of course, our planet.

If you're not an avid runner, this is still an event for you! Last year, a woman ran with 4 dogs (actually, they ran her), and a man ran the 10k while pushing his twins in a stroller – he lost 20 pounds (okay, not really). Serious runners, don't worry, the people out to have an extra good time are the last ones out of the gate. The Earth Day Run is truly for all ages and abilities. Featuring a 10k Run, 5k Run/Walk/Doggie Run, Kids' race, and a Kids' Recycle run, there is an event for every member of the family.

Top Ten Green Building Trends for 2011

January is a time we all look forward to because the new year holds such promise. We believe it's going to be a promising year for the green building industry -- despite flat market conditions for conventional homes, we've seen market share for high performance homes increase from 18.5 to 23 percent in the Portland Metro area alone. In both Seattle and Portland 1 of every 4 new homes is certified. Clearly the time has come for energy efficiency, and with it, healthier green homes.

In keeping with the spirit of renewal, we are releasing our annual green building trends for 2011. The trends, which range from “affordable green” to lifecycle analysis of materials, were identified by Earth Advantage Institute based on discussions with a range of audiences over the latter part of 2010. These sectors include policymakers, builders, developers, architects, real estate brokers, appraisers, lenders, and homeowners. We encourage you take a look, cogitate and comment...

Accelerating Green Building: Sustainable Finance

Currently, homeowners of energy efficient and green homes are typically eligible for a few tax breaks and minor dollar amounts in utility incentives. What’s missing from the picture is the development of a financial “ecosystem” around the consumer where financial advantages make high performance green  homes a no-brainer. Besides benefitting the consumer’s pocketbook, such green financial models offer tremendous opportunity for lending organizations themselves -- through the potential for increased loan volume, decreased risk of default, expansion into new markets, the ability to deliver highly targeted value-added products and the assumption of a position of market leadership. Such financial services will catalyze and enlarge the green home/green remodel market.

Greenbuild 2010: Sound Materials Decisions Can offer Immediate Carbon Reductions

So far Greenbuild 2010 has been jam-packed with great sessions.  Today's pick: Reducing Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment.  While energy efficiency is agreed to be a top priority for carbon reductions, speakers at this session also emphasized the importance of addressing the embodied energy and carbon in buildings (particularly those buildings that use significant amounts of concrete, a very GHG-intense material).  The well made argument was based on the fact that we need to achieve radical GHG reductions within the next twenty years to hit target levels. By reducing embodied carbon in the buildings we are building today, we can make those reductions immediately while also benefiting from the reduced emissions during occupancy as a result of energy efficiencies.   The bottom line: embodied carbon reductions provide the benefit of immediate emissions reductions.

Greenbuild 2010: Net Zero is a Dominant Theme

This past week in Chicago has been an exciting buzz of anticipation along with a cautious touch brought on by the continuing economic malaise.  But the annual gathering of green professionals hosted by the US Green Building Council has continued to grow over the years and this year it looks no different with what looks like will be over 30,000 in attendance.

Greenbuild 2010: EPS Goes TED

We were fortunate enough to be selected by USGBC to take part in a special initiative for select sessions at GreenBuild this year. This is part of USGBC’s efforts to keep the conference fresh and exciting for attendees. Our session on the Energy Performance Score (EPS), a Market Catalyst, was selected by the Special Programs Working Group to take place in a new interactive and multimedia environment in order to better engage the audience in our presentation. 

The project was not without peril. Our PowerPoint, which included man-on-the-street video interviews, was projected on a suspended cube hanging above a runway catwalk of sorts. The audience completely encircled the runway so that we had to walk, turn to all directions, pass off the single remote control, and talk at the same time, all without falling off (luckily the platform was only 16 inches high). Thanks to the USGBC providing rehearsal time, we were able to traverse the runway and engage the attendees in a fairly unusual format, while remaining safe. We opted not to take advantage of instant smartphone polling capability as we had enough to keep track of already.

Test Your Green Marketing Knowledge

If your sustainable product team is looking to learn more about your audience and hone your message, we invite you to sign up for our one-day course, Marketing the Value of Sustainability, and challenge you to take your best shot at answering a few green marketing basics.

Green Day Forum to Hit Gerding Theater Nov. 4

Think of it as a series of TED talks with a common sustainability theme… On November 4^th sustainability leaders from around the Northwest will convene for Green Day Forum.  Discussions will take place around regional trends and policy, how sustainable building is moving to the next level, whether technology influences occupant energy behavior, and what the issues are that green building is ignoring. 

Benefits of Third-Party Certification

Third-party certification offers many benefits to home builders. The certifier is an independent company that assists the builder in identifying green building measures, such as those above, and then ensures that the measures are properly installed. Many builders want to build green, but may not have all the necessary experience or information. 

The New Site Has Arrived!

Welcome to Earth Advantage Institute’s new website and blog, a new interactive portal that’s designed to be a source of information and data -- for our growing green building and climate solutions community, as well as for those individuals and organizations just beginning to learn more about sustainable construction and carbon mitigation in the built environment.