Green Building Focus
Living Green Magazine - Jan 3
Some researchers claim that white roofs can cut summer cooling costs by as much as 20%. Yet other research suggests that reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere could end up decreasing white cloud cover, thereby increasing (rather than decreasing) global temperatures.
Area Development Online - Jan 4
Although the recently built 7 World Trade Center trumpets its LEED Gold rating to lure tenants, it is not as efficient as the Chrysler Building, which was constructed in the 1930’s. That's because old structures tend to have thicker walls, fewer windows, and less ventilation. Also, older buildings may not lend themselves to massive data centers that consume lots of electricity.
Green Buildings NYC - Jan 7
Microsoft will move out of 1290 Avenue of the Americas and take 230,000 square feet at the LEED Gold-certified 11 Times Square trophy tower at the corner of 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.
PR Web - Jan 7
Green building and sustainability consultant Jerry Yudelson has released his annual list of “Top 10 Megatrends” for the green building industry. Yudelson expects green building to expand worldwide in 2013 despite the economic downturn in Europe and the U.S.
Green Building Projects
Hines - Nov 27
Hines' 21271 and 21281 Burbank Boulevard, located in the Woodland Hills/Warner Center submarket of Los Angeles, have received LEED Gold certification under the USGBC's Existing Buildings rating system. The buildings are 50% more energy efficient and annually save $2.40 in energy costs per square foot when compared to the average U.S. office building.
The Washington Examiner - Jan 3
The Chicago Center for Green Technology earned LEED Platinum.
Mother Nature Network - Jan 4
The nation’s largest deep energy retrofit of an existing affordable housing community, Boston's Castle Square Apartments, was awarded LEED Platinum certification in the Multifamily category.
EarthTechling - Green Tech, Green Products & Energy News - Jan 7
Iowa State University’s extensive renovation of several athletic facilities earned LEED Platinum.