USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced a new initiative designed to ensure the use of sustainable and environmentally protective products in buildings by applying technical and science-based approaches to the LEED green building program. This new initiative acknowledges USGBC’s success in leading the transformation of the built environment and sets up a pathway to take advantage of the materials science expertise of ACC and its members.

“USGBC and ACC share the goal of advancing sustainability in the built environment, and we will work together to take advantage of our collective strength and experience,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The looming impacts of climate change and the possibilities of improving human health and wellbeing favor collaboration and engagement as key strategies. The goal is forward progress.”

ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley noted, “Modern energy efficiency gains, building safety advances and carbon footprint reductions would not be possible without the products of chemistry. From windows to insulation, adhesives to flooring, chemistry provides solutions that enable the energy efficient and sustainable buildings that consumers expect in today’s world.

By combining USGBC, a leader of the green building movement, with the scientific know-how of ACC, we can develop a path to stronger, science-based standards that achieve measurable progress in sustainability.”

LEED is regularly updated through a rigorous development process that includes public comments, technical review and balloting. USGBC and ACC will work within that framework to incorporate state-of-the-art safety, sustainability and life-cycle based approaches to LEED. LEED has facilitated advances in building technologies, integrated design and operating practices, as well as the tremendous growth of the green building sector, which supports or creates 7.9 million jobs across all 50 states and contributes $554 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

The American business of chemistry employs nearly 800,000 Americans and supports nearly 25 percent of the U.S. GDP. Chemistry-based plastic building and construction materials saved 467.2 trillion BTUs of energy over alternative construction materials – enough energy saved over the course of a year to meet the average annual energy needs of 4.6 million U.S. households. Energy savings made possible by innovations in chemistry in homes in the U.S. prevented nearly 283 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2010—equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 50 million passenger vehicles.

SPONSORED CONTENT As more building project teams look for ways to collaborate better, technology continues to provide solutions. Yet, as I learned from the experience of one of my customers, choosing the wrong technology can have an underwhelming effect, causing a team to simply swap out old challenges for new ones.

| Jun 24, 2014

From Babylon to Sydney: The evolution of the modern workspace [infographic]

This infographic, made by Sunica de Klerk and originally posted by ArchDaily, shows the evolution of the office from 2400 B.C. to the present day.

| Jun 24, 2014

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announces plans for a Chicago Architecture Biennial

Chicago's mayor Rahm Emanuel announces plan to hold the Chicago Architecture Biennial in late 2015, intended to rival Venice's Biennale.

Rendering courtesy of WRNS Studio and Clive Wilkinson Architects.

| Jun 24, 2014

Intuit begins work on LEED Platinum campus addition

Demolition will begin this week as a precursor to construction of Intuit's new addition to its Mountain View, Calif., campus. The first of two additions, a 185,000-sf building on Marine Way, is expected to begin construction in August.

Method Homes' home design for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

| Jun 23, 2014

5 new designs unveiled for Make It Right homes at Fort Peck, Mont.

Make It Right, Brad Pitt's foundation that builds homes for people in need, has just revealed five new designs for the Fort Peck (Mont.) Indian Reservation.

Images by Iwan baan courtesy of Foundation Louis Vuitton.

| Jun 23, 2014

Gehry's 'glass sail' cultural center for Foundation Louis Vuitton set to open in October

Comissioned by Bernard Arnault, American legendary architect Frank Gehry's newest structure in Paris for Foundation Louis Vuitton will house eleven galleries and an auditorium for performing arts.

Photo Credit: Mark Ahsmann, Wikimedia Commons.

| Jun 23, 2014

Power of IPD: Is integrated project delivery truly a transformative delivery model?

Now that many of the first-generation IPD projects have been completed, CBRE Healthcare's Tim McCurley and Stephen Powell ponder the lessons learned and pros and cons of the industry's newest delivery model.

David Cyr will helm Lilker's new Lighting Group.

| Jun 23, 2014

Lilker Associates launches Lighting Group; David Cyr announced as Director

New division rounds out building systems services offerings for the Manhattan-based consulting firm.

| Jun 23, 2014

Berlin House of One will accommodate Muslims, Jews, and Christians

The building will rise on the ruins of a 13th-century Christian church that was damaged during WWII and eventually demolished.

| Jun 22, 2014

5 ways to improve your firm’s branding efforts

Establishing, conveying, and maintaining a powerful brand is a critical component of an AEC firm’s marketing strategy. Here are five strategies to make a greater impact with your firm’s branding efforts.

Currently Reading

USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED

Tags

| Jun 25, 2014

| Jun 24, 2014

| Jun 24, 2014

| Jun 24, 2014

| Jun 23, 2014

| Jun 23, 2014

| Jun 23, 2014

| Jun 23, 2014

| Jun 23, 2014

| Jun 22, 2014

Most Popular Content

Magazine Subscription

Get our Newsletters

Follow BD+C: