J.M. Syken

Last time we began this discussion of the full meaning behind the term “Sustainable.” This time, we’ll continue with a look at two key issues concerning sustainability: Energy Consumption and Indoor Air Quality.

There is a significant difference between the often-used terms “green” and “sustainable” when referring to the built environment.

Submerged timber typically has many superior qualities compared to much of the living timber presently available.

In parts one through three, we looked at what’s been going on with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED “green” building rating/certification program. This time, we’ll conclude this series–and the year–with a look at some other significant goings-on in the world of LEED.

In part one we began this “LEED Update” series with a discussion of climate change and how out of Greenbuild ’06, the USGBC and the green building movement were determined to change things in a big way by significantly reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption by the years 2010, 2020 and 2030. This time, we’ll continue with a look at the controversy between USGBC/LEED and the timber industry.

This month, we’ll continue our review of the world of LEED with a look at how the USGBC intends to mass market LEED and the progress of the LEED for Homes (LEED-H) program.

In January of 2004, there appeared in this column the first of a three-part series entitled: “LEED: Leading the Way.” It took an in-depth look at LEED, the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) green building rating/certification program. I promised readers I would continue to keep them up-to-date concerning the LEED program at regular intervals.

Last month, in Part One, we began this three-part series about bamboo, one of the most versatile and widely used natural materials on earth. This month, we continue our discussion of this miraculous material.

This month, we’ll begin a three-part series that will take an in-depth look at one of the most amazing natural materials on earth: Bamboo.

Pursuant to the Canadian Standards Association’s Guideline on Durability (CSA S478-95), one point can be earned for developing and implementing a building durability plan. Paradoxically, this sole point for durability has met with a firestorm of resistance from insurance companies who consider it an implied warranty.