flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

School district plans net-zero building

School district plans net-zero building


August 11, 2010
This article first appeared in the 200905 issue of BD+C.



Camas (Wash.) School District is planning to utilize one of three energy sources—photovoltaics, wind turbine, or geothermal—to help take its new community high school completely off the grid. The school district commissioned Interface Engineering to explore all three options for the project, which is scheduled to break ground in August.

Early findings from Interface and project architect Mahlum Architects show that wind turbines may be feasible because of the site’s close proximity to the Columbia River Gorge, which is known for its winds. The geothermal option may work because power could potentially be drawn from water in an underground channel built in the late 1800s for an adjacent paper mill. The third option arises from grants that could be used to buy rooftop PV panels.

Related Stories

| Feb 24, 2011

New reports chart path to net-zero-energy commercial buildings

Two new reports from the Zero Energy Commercial Buildings Consortium (CBC) on achieving net-zero-energy use in commercial buildings say that high levels of energy efficiency are the first, largest, and most important step on the way to net-zero.

| Feb 23, 2011

Financial outlook for green commercial properties is promising

Leanne Tobias, founder and managing principal of Malachite LLC, an advisory firm that specializes in the development, leasing, management, financing, and certification of sustainable or green real estate on a global basis, writes about new government policy proposals that have her cheering—and one that makes her gravely concerned.

| Feb 23, 2011

Unprecedented green building dispute could cost developer $122.3 Million

A massive 4.5 million-sf expansion of the Carousel Center shopping complex in Syracuse, N.Y., a project called Destiny USA, allegedly failed to incorporate green building components that developers had promised the federal government—including LEED certification. As a result, the project could lose its tax-exempt status, which reportedly saved developer The Pyramid Cos. $120 million, and the firm could be penalized $2.3 million by the IRS.

| Feb 23, 2011

Green building on the chopping block in House spending measure

Bryan Howard, Legislative Director of the U.S. Green Building Council, blogs about proposed GOP budget cuts that could impact green building in the commercial sector.

| Feb 22, 2011

LEED Volume Program celebrates its 500th certified Pilot Project

More than 500 building projects have certified through the LEED Volume Program since the pilot launched in 2006, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED Volume Program streamlines the certification process for high-volume property owners and managers, from commercial real estate firms, national retailers and hospitality providers, to local, state and federal governments.

| Feb 22, 2011

Military tests show copper increases HVAC efficiency, reduces odors

Recent testing, which is being funded by the Department of Defense, is taking place in military barracks at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Side-by-side comparisons demonstrate that air conditioning units made with copper suppress the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew that cause odors and reduce system energy efficiency.

| Feb 22, 2011

New EcoSpec Tile company offers recycled tiles

EcoSpec Tile LLC, established February 1, 2011, is a new tile manufacturing company started by a group consisting of experienced/time-tested tile professionals who collectively feel a strong responsibility to their industry and to their planet. The initial product offering includes sustainable tile material composed of 50% pre-consumer waste, 20% post-consumer waste and 30% new material recycled contents.

| Feb 15, 2011

New 2030 Challenge to include carbon footprint of building materials and products

Architecture 2030 has just broadened the scope of its 2030 Challenge, issuing an additional challenge regarding the climate impact of building products. The 2030 Challenge for Products aims to reduce the embodied carbon (meaning the carbon emissions equivalent) of building products 50% by 2030.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category




halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021