A special focus Green Matters Conference, held Feb. 23-24, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas brings together leading industry experts to share up-to-date information on sustainable concrete technologies and trends in green building. High-interest topics will be covered in technical seminars, including infrared reflective coatings for heat island mitigation, innovative uses of concrete to provide cooling and stormwater management, environmental benefits of polished concrete, and advancements in functional resilience of architectural concrete.
“When innovative products and new methods come to market, it is a challenge to evaluate when, where and how to use them,” says conference director Sherry Boyd. “It’s a huge advantage that the Green Matters Conference is held side by side with the Concrete Decor Show so that attendees are able to see them in use and talk with technical experts during demonstrations and competitions.”
Registration for the Green Matters Conference includes admission to the exhibit hall floor Feb. 22-24 and to live demonstrations of the latest product and equipment developments scheduled at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. During three action-packed days, the demonstration pavilion showcases competitions in arenas dedicated to polished concrete, concrete coatings, and precast fabrication. On Wednesday, Feb. 22 and Thursday, Feb. 23 a lunch, included free with event registration, is served in the exhibit hall to allow attendees uninterrupted time to see the action and talk with industry leaders.
The panel discussions and technical seminars at the Green Matters Conference go beyond reviewing the criteria for green building certification to look more closely at innovative materials and methods. The courses offer AIA-CES Credits. TimGregorski, Senior Editor for Building Design+Construction leads a panel discussion on “Sustainable Design Using Architectural and Decorative Concrete”.
An opening address by David D. Shepherd, AIA, LEED AP, Director of Sustainable Development for the Portland Cement Association, presents an industry outlook for 2012 and beyond, including an update on new research at MIT being sponsored by the Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative. He will translate their academic findings for the benefit of nonscientists.
The Green Matters Conference is targeted to the whole building team, including public and private project owners and managers, architects, landscape architects, interior designers, builders, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, facility managers, municipal authorities and related consultants. The event will raise awareness and understanding of the new directions in sustainable design and green building that are made possible with architectural and decorative concrete. The Green Matters Conference and the Concrete Decor Show, take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in February 2012. The new event is owned and operated by Professional Trade Publications, Inc. For more information, visit www.greenconcretematters.com. BD+C
Related Stories
K-12 Schools | Aug 29, 2024
Designing for dyslexia: How architecture can address neurodiversity in K-12 schools
Architects play a critical role in designing school environments that support students with learning differences, particularly dyslexia, by enhancing social and emotional competence and physical comfort. Effective design principles not only benefit students with dyslexia but also improve the learning experience for all students and faculty. This article explores how key design strategies at the campus, classroom, and individual levels can foster confidence, comfort, and resilience, thereby optimizing educational outcomes for students with dyslexia and other learning differences.
Museums | Aug 29, 2024
Bjarke Ingels' Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art conceived as village of 12 pavilions
The 60,000-sm Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art in Suzhou, Jiangsu, China recently topped out. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the museum is conceived as a village of 12 pavilions, offering a modern interpretation of the elements that have defined the city’s urbanism, architecture, and landscape for centuries.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 28, 2024
Cities in Washington State will offer tax breaks for office-to-residential conversions
A law passed earlier this year by the Washington State Legislature allows developers to defer sales and use taxes if they convert existing structures, including office buildings, into affordable housing.
Industrial Facilities | Aug 28, 2024
UK-based tire company plans to build the first carbon-neutral tire factory in the U.S.
ENSO, a U.K.-based company that makes tires for electric vehicles, has announced plans to build the first carbon-neutral tire factory in the U.S. The $500 million ENSO technology campus will be powered entirely by renewable energy. The first-of-its-kind tire factory aims to be carbon neutral without purchased offsets, using carbon-neutral raw materials and building materials.
Architects | Aug 28, 2024
KTGY acquires residential high-rise specialist GDA Architects
KTGY, an award-winning design firm focused on architecture, interior design, branded environments and urban design, announced that it has acquired GDA Architects, a Dallas-based architectural firm specializing in high rise residential, hospitality and industrial design.
K-12 Schools | Aug 26, 2024
Windows in K-12 classrooms provide opportunities, not distractions
On a knee-jerk level, a window seems like a built-in distraction, guaranteed to promote wandering minds in any classroom or workspace. Yet, a steady stream of studies has found the opposite to be true.
Building Technology | Aug 23, 2024
Top-down construction: Streamlining the building process | BD+C
Learn why top-down construction is becoming popular again for urban projects and how it can benefit your construction process in this comprehensive blog.
Airports | Aug 22, 2024
Portland opens $2 billion mass timber expansion and renovation to its international airport
This month, the Portland International Airport (PDX) main terminal expansion opened to passengers. Designed by ZGF for the Port of Portland, the 1 million-sf project doubles the capacity of PDX and enables the airport to welcome 35 million passengers per year by 2045.
Adaptive Reuse | Aug 22, 2024
6 key fire and life safety considerations for office-to-residential conversions
Office-to-residential conversions may be fraught with fire and life safety challenges, from egress requirements to fire protection system gaps. Here are six important considerations to consider.
Resiliency | Aug 22, 2024
Austin area evacuation center will double as events venue
A new 45,000 sf FEMA-operated evacuation shelter in the Greater Austin metropolitan area will begin construction this fall. The center will be available to house people in the event of a disaster such as a major hurricane and double as an events venue when not needed for emergency shelter.