Industrial News

Helen English, Executive Director of SBIC explains, “We are proud to once again make Ecobuild Federal the home for SBIC’s annual SUPER THURSDAY events. Ecobuild shares our Beyond Green™ philosophy which is why we are a major supporter of this event. It is also an excellent platform for SBIC to fulfill its mission of educating the industry on sustainable building design. Through our relationship with Ecobuild, our members have the unique opportunity to not only participate in SBIC’s programs, but to attend the Ecobuild exhibit and conference sessions and network with their peers in one great location.” English went on to add, “We are especially thrilled that Ecobuild has anchored our SUPER THURSDAY events with a keynote address by Ed Mazria. From his 1979 seminal work, The Passive Solar Energy Book, to Architecture2030.org─a global movement to address our current climate crisis─Ed has been at the forefront of sustainability, shaping our approach to buildings for more than 30 years.”

The goal of SBIC's Annual FORUM is to educate members and friends about the current state of sustainability across the building design and construction industry. This year, in keeping with SBIC’s tradition of exploring all the elements of a high performance building, the FORUM will examine the nexus between 'sustainable' and 'healthy and productive' design. Using the Whole Building Design Guide (www.WBDG.org) as a starting point, presenters will discuss occupant health and well-being, and how a high performance building contributes to physical and psychological comfort.

SBIC’s Annual Awards Reception recognizes the exceptional contributions that SBIC members and partners make to sustainability across the United States. Now in its sixth year, this prestigious program has received significant attention throughout the industry and the media. The Best Sustainable Practices category (open to SBIC members only) continues to recognize the best products, processes, educational tools and outreach initiatives related to America’s built environment. The Exemplary Sustainable Buildings category (open to all) recognizes institutional, residential and government buildings that demonstrate the successful application of the ‘whole building approach to design.’ This year SBIC is inviting applications that have focused on the interaction between ‘sustainable’ and ‘healthy and productive’ attributes.

For more details about SUPER THURSDAY programs including FORUM 2006 and the Awards Reception, visit www.SBICouncil.org.

SBIC’s Educational Workshops at Ecobuild Federal

The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council will present a series of three educational workshops as part of the Ecobuild Federal Conference. Early bird registration fees begin at $145 per workshop. To register for these and other Ecobuild Federal events, please visit the conference website: www.ecobuildfederal.com. SBIC members in good standing will receive a 25% discount when purchasing an Ecobuild Federal conference passport. Exhibit and keynote admission is free before November 4, 2006 ($25 value). Press passes are also available.

SBIC’s educational workshops are as follows:

Beyond Green™-December 5, 2006, 9:00am-12:00 noon. The market for high performance buildings has become increasingly dynamic, and today requires a thorough understanding of an integrated, ‘whole building approach to design.’ Though there have been great strides made in green/sustainable building design in recent years, SBIC looks to go beyond green, scanning the horizon for better technologies, synergistic design approaches, and stronger cooperative relationships among architects, engineers, building owners, and construction managers. Attendees will receive SBIC’s Whole Building Process Guide and scrutinize the key whole building design objectives (accessible, aesthetic, cost-effective, functional, healthy/productive, sustainable, safe and secure). They will also examine a case study of an actual building which goes…Beyond Green™.

Profiles in High-Performance School Design-December 5, 2006, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. This AIA accredited workshop is targeted for school decision makers, architects, engineers and community advocates. After an overview of High Performance School Buildings by SBIC, BeeryRio Architecture + Interiors will present case studies of the firm’s recent school construction and renovation projects. Attendees will learn how project teams incorporated community values and high-performance design objectives to achieve award-winning school buildings. The ‘whole building approach to design’—with specific design strategies and technologies—will be highlighted. Session will conclude with questions and answers.

Navigating the Whole Building Design Guide-December 5, 2006, 9:00am-12:00 noon. Attendees will explore this extensive website which includes federal mandates, links to the most current case studies and hundreds of detailed Resource Pages. Topics include the whole building design process, sustainability and security, and how to use the website during a design charrette. Participants will hear the latest on the Federal Sustainable Buildings MOU Technical Guidance, and focus on a key implementation tool—the Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers—which includes model green language for contract documents and more than 60 specification sections. This is an AIA accredited workshop.

About SBIC:
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the design, affordability, energy performance and environmental soundness of America’s buildings. Council membership is open to private and public organizations and individuals who share this mission. Since 1979, SBIC has been a leader of the whole building design movement. For more information about SBIC’s products, services and members, visit www.SBICouncil.org or call 202–628–7400 ext. 203.

About Ecobuild America: Ecobuild America, LLC (Centerville, MA) under the leadership of principals Richard C. Vendola, Jr., and George Borkovich, manages and produces Ecobuild America, Ecobuild Federal, AEC-ST, and AEC-ST Federal. Together they have a depth of experience in technology and event planning, for the AEC industry, including creating and managing the former A/E/C SYSTEMS International conference and exhibition. For more information visit www.ecobuildfederal.com.