2013
Spokane Courthouse Exceeds Energy Performance Goals
SPOKANE, Wash. — Seattle-based McKinstry, a full-service design-build-operate-and-maintain (DBOM) firm, announced the one-year performance metrics for Spokane’s retrofitted Thomas S. Foley United States Courthouse project.
High Plains Architects Goes Triple Platinum
BILLINGS, Mont. — In just a one-month period, Billings-based High Plains Architects has received three LEED Platinum certifications for their design of the Boy and Girls Club of Carbon County, the Wyss Wilderness Medicine Campus and the renovation of the historic Tracy Lofts.
New Technology Supports San Jose’s Green Vision
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The city of San Jose has transformed its processing of organic wastes with the opening of the world’s largest dry fermentation anaerobic digestion facility.
UN Secretary General Encourages Low-Tech Sustainable Technology
TALLIN, Estonia — In a speech delivered at Tallin University, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described how technologies are changing the world’s vision of sustainability and how to achieve it.
Sustainable development goals should use the best science, but also have the simplest design and farthest-reaching impact, Ki-moon said.
Iowa Nature Center Aims for Living Building Challenge
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Indian Creek Nature Center, slated for completion in 2016, will attempt to achieve the Living Building Challenge, only four other buildings in the world have achieved Living Building status.
Locally based Solum Lang Architects will design the 11,600-square-foot nature center. In order to meet the Living Building Challenge, the new nature center must be a net-zero building and meet the challenges 20 of categories of measurable sustainability features.
New Technology to Convert Heat Energy into Electricity
WASHINGTON — New advancements in the research of thermionic conversion have allowed physicists to develop a new technology that converts heat energy, such as sunlight or heat burned from fossil fuels, into electricity.
Christoph Stump
Christoph Stump has been promoted to senior associate with New York-based Magnusson Architecture and Planning (MAP). Stump holds more than a decade of experience in his field specializing in passive design that minimizes energy consumption as well as accessible design. Stump has planned urban neighborhoods and designed residential commercial and community facilities. His projects with MAP include mixed-use developments, senior housing, multi-family housing and educational facilities.
Fernando Villa
Magnusson Architecture and Planning, based in New York, has promoted Fernando Villa, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C, from senior associate to associate principal. With more than 20 years of international design experience with a focus on sustainability, historic preservation, cultural institutions, adaptive reuse and residential projects, Villa specializes in LEED-certified affordable housing and mixed-use developments in New York City and the surrounding area.
Solar Solutions
Draper Inc., a manufacturer of window coverings, introduced a new line of solar solutions at Greenbuild 2013. The new line includes venetian blinds for exterior, interior and double façade applications; rack arm louvers; tensioned fabric systems; stainless steel roller shades and shutters; and custom solutions designed to best utilize daylight while controlling heat and glare. The new product line has garnered support from industry veterans such as Frits Nijs, founder of Nysan Shading Systems, and Richard Wilson, former director of sales with Nysan.