GAB Report library
2010
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Post-Occupancy Evaluation of a LEED Certified Building
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to experience a LEED certified building as a user. On our drive to Los Angeles, my husband and I had to stop by a DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) so we randomly selected the DMV in the City of Tracy, California. Upon reaching the service counter after a…
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West Coast Green 2010: Brilliant Minds and Green Innovations
Every year, I look forward to attending West Coast Green in San Francisco. It’s a chance for me to learn about new building products/technologies, get inspired by industry leaders, and connect with fellow “green” enthusiasts. It will take place on September 30 – October 2, 2010 at the Fort Mason Center located along the San…
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Rubber Tires Find New Life as Modular Flooring Tiles
During a road trip from San Francisco to Southern California, I observed the many facets of the landscape: beautiful rolling valleys, pervasive big box stores, and stockpiles of vehicle tires piled high and awaiting their uncertain future. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, this is prevalent throughout the United States scenery. California has been actively finding ways…
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SchoolPictures.com Deconstructs Its Way to LEED Silver
Domino’s Pizza, Ave Maria College, and SchoolPictures.com. How are these 3 connected? The new headquarters of SchoolPictures.com is housed in buildings that used to belong to Ave Maria College which was founded by Thomas S. Monaghan, the founder of Domino’s Pizza. But more important than that fact is that SchoolPictures.com’s new home will become the…
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Introducing a Green Replacement for Plywood
Can the construction industry help divert plastics from the world-wide waste stream? Could a green replacement for plywood be one of the ways to help solve the problem? During my attendance at Ecobuild 2010 in London earlier this year, I came upon a smartly designed exhibitor booth. I was drawn to its interactive displays, see-through…
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New Directions for Living Roofs and Walls
The evolving technology of green roofs has been leading to the use of greater diversity in their designs. After years of implementing green roof designs, the industry has seen a steady move towards more diversity in both elements of construction and plant materials. What is most fascinating of the improvement in green roof design is…
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How Green Is Your Building’s Wood?
How can architects, developers and builders know for sure that lumber for building their projects comes from sustainably managed forests? Sustainability is defined internationally as: meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising that ability for future generations. Translated to forestry, sustainability strives to balance the interdependent and sometimes competing interests of the environmental,…
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Fresh & Easy’s Lower Energy Bills Translate into Cost Savings for Customers
We’ve all experienced the typical grocery or big-box store that uses excessive energy. The same thoughts get recycled over and over in my head during shopping trips: Why do I have to freeze in the refrigerated aisles? Do all the lights really need to be turned on? Are there opportunities to bring in natural light? …
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How Abode Communities Builds Green and Affordable
The recently completed Casa Dominguez affordable housing and community facility by Abode Communities is touted by the organization as innovative. Upon a recent site walk and visit, I can say that its innovation lies not only in it’s unique program but also lurks unseen, behind it’s walls, beneath it’s ground, and above it’s roof. The…
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City of Ann Arbor Pilots LED Street Lights and Reduces Costs
LED (light emitting diode) is a solid-state semiconductor device that converts electrical energy directly into light. Its development started in the 1960s and has been typically utilized as indicator lights in numerous electronic products, signage and flash light applications. Just in the last few years as its technology advanced, LEDs are now used in real…