Connecticut Green Building News Update

Bloomfield, Conn., August 30, 2010 - It's been a while since we did a Green Building News Update in Connecticut so here's the latest.

Suntech Wins contract for New WPI Facility

Suntech of Connecticut, Inc., a leading architectural glazing company specializing in the commercial market, proudly announces their selection as a contractor on the new Sports and Recreation Center at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA. The project, scheduled for completion in 2012, entails the construction of a 29,000 square foot gymnasium, complete with 14,000 square feet of cardio space and 5,000 square feet of specialized, multipurpose rooms. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, the new center will overlook WPI’s quadrangle to the east and Alumni Field to the west. The $53.2 million development is part of the Institute’s seven-year capital plan.

The facility hopes to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification standards from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Connecticut Solar Lease Only Accepting 100 New Leases

The Connecticut Solar Lease Program is open again, but it’s only going to be available for a limited time. The program estimates it only will accept about 100 new leases before the program is closed again. If you’re interested, contact a solar installer to submit your CT Solar Lease application before it runs out.

The CT Solar Lease Program is a unique opportunity to get solar panels in the hands of moderate income households. It is a special leasing plan especially for Connecticut homeowners. Typically, commissioning a solar system on your roof would require a large upfront investment. With CT Solar Lease, the program would actually own the solar installation installed on your roof and lease it out to you a low, fixed monthly payment of about $120 for an average home. With most households in participating in the program, you can start to see the savings on your electricity bill almost immediately.

Rockville Bank Supports Green Building in Connecticut

Building green energy-efficient houses takes a lending partner willing to commit to eco-friendly building projects. Rockville Bank, a FDIC-insured bank based in Connecticut, is one such lender. The bank has helped a cutting-edge residential home builder to build a prototype house that proves that an energy-efficiency house can be artistic and a house an architect would admire. Most importantly, the house developed by Sunlight Construction with financing from Rockville Bank utilizes geo-thermal power and solar power to save energy costs.

“The science behind our energy-efficient prototype is as much common sense as it is sophisticated technology,” said Bill Ferrigno, President of Sunlight Construction and Immediate Past President of the Home Builders Association of Connecticut. “It proves that a complex, energy-efficient house can also be architecturally attractive.” This home will be virtually indistinguishable from the 13 other conventionally constructed residences he is building in the West Hills of Avon subdivision off West Avon Road.

With advanced framing techniques and state-of-the-art insulation and sealing, the entire house is “enveloped” to prevent air leakage to prevent warm air from escaping and keep cold air from seeping inside. “This ensures that less energy for heating/cooling is needed to begin with, and is climate-controlled with a sophisticated new geothermal underground heating and cooling horizontal loop system to maximize energy efficiency,” Ferrigno said.

New Operational Demonstration Program Launched

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund has announced that it has launched a new Operational Demonstration Program. This program funds the installation, demonstration and testing of pre-commercial clean energy technologies in Connecticut by providing loans of $150,000 to $500,000. New features of the program include: semiannual application and funding cycles, streamlined application process, a competitive judging process and expanded list of eligible technologies. Additionally, funding of $4 million has been budgeted for the program over the next two fiscal years, enabling it to support up to six new projects per year. For more information on CCEF, please visit www.ctcleanenergy.com.

The Corbo Group Announces Green Home at Owl Ridge Rd in Woodbury, CT

The Corbo Group is a family homebuilding business that designs custom houses in Connecticut. As a member of the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), The Corbo Group has adopted the Green Home Guidelines and achieved the highest level of compliance, the Gold Level. The Corbo Group offers new green spec houses in an effort to develop energy-efficient, healthier and environmentally responsible houses. By incorporating various green building principles into their new homes in Woodbury and throughout Connecticut, the average house can save as much as 50 percent on utility costs.

"The home at 85 Owl Ridge represents an incredible opportunity for someone to purchase a new home in this highly desirable neighborhood. Manicured lawns, forever views, and all the fittings of a custom home await a new buyer,” says President Ralph Corbo.

The Corbo Group strives to create well built houses with energy efficient techniques and materials, such as the "Total Propane Gas" home energy package.

New Program Helps Workers Prepare for Solar Careers

The CT Business and Industry Association (CBIA), in conjunction with three Connecticut community colleges, is offering free training programs to help workers expand their skills and knowledge and prepare them for new careers in one of the fastest-growing green industries— solar photovoltaics (PV). The program is available free of charge to eligible participants under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal grant.

This program is offered by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and Connecticut Community Colleges as part of the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Matching funds are provided by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.

NCC's Building Program Awarded Silver 2010 CT Quality Improvement Award

NCC’s B.E.S.T certificate program—an initiative to train workers in green building and renewable energy practices-- has been awarded a Silver 2010 Quality Improvement Innovation Prize from the Connecticut Quality Improvement Award (CQIA) Partnership.

The award is America's first state level quality award using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria for performance excellence. Baldridge was a former CEO from Connecticut who served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Reagan administration.

The award recognizes companies and nonprofit organizations from Connecticut which demonstrate innovative practices leading to improved quality, performance and marketplace competitiveness.

This year, prizes in the Platinum, Gold and Silver categories were won by 22 manufacturers, 29 service companies, two healthcare organization, three educational institutions and one state agency.

Barnes Expands Green Product Catalog

Barnes Distribution says it has added soy-based cleaners and degreasers to its product catalog to satisfy customer demand for environmentally products.

The unit of Bristol-based manufacturer-logistics firm Barnes Group Inc. says its 2010 catalog, which now includes Nutek Green and Grime Off brand cleaners, continues the line of "greener'' products that lack harmful volatile organic compounds first introduced in its 2009 catalog.

Products in the 449-item catalog include Barnes Distribution High Solid paints, cleaners and degreasers, greases and lubricants, lead free wheel weights, janitorial supplies, adhesives, sealants, lighting, all natural sorbent pads and more.

Yale Receives $1.5M US Carbon Capture Project

The U.S. Department of Energy says it has picked Yale University for a $1.5 million project to develop technologies to store carbon dioxide.

The project is among 15 at a cost of $21.3 million over three years nationally to help develop technology to store carbon dioxide in geologic formations. Officials say the projects selected Wednesday will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop and use near-zero emission coal technologies.

Yale will study questions about the chemical and mechanical processes for carbonation to be practical on a large scale.

Geologic storage is focused on depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline formations, unmineable coal seams and other areas.

2010 CTGBC Design Award Winners

Hartford, Conn. - The CT Chapter of the US Green Building Council recently announced the winners of its Annual Design Award competition for excellence in high performance, intelligently designed and constructed, energy efficient green buildings. The awards were presented to local architects, designers, contractors and building owners whose outstanding achievements in sustainable building practices were recognized. The award jury included Steven Winter, President, Steven Winter Associates; Rick Warhall, Vice President, LEED Sustainability Coordinator, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; Mark Loeffler, Director, Atelier Ten; Bob Wall , Director, Energy Market Initiatives, CT Clean Energy Fund; and chaired by Bruce Bockstael, Chief Architect at CT Department of Public Works.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Cheshire, CT - Green Advocate Award The CT Green Building Council recognized Alexion Pharmaceuticals as a company actively transforming the built environment while sharing their knowledge of green building and sustainable practices. They are advocates for the discovery that green is good for business while raising the bar for social equity in future developments.

The Kantor Residence - This Most Intriguing Residence seeking LEED Platinum certification is a remarkable example of a team approach to green building resulting in a home that incorporates cutting edge green homebuilding technologies. Lead by Mike and Chris Trolle of BPC Green Builders, the project has a list of sustainable features that is virtually endless including a master bath composting toilet, FSC certified wood siding and reclaimed wood cabinetry and flooring, recycled glass countertops, hand-made tiles made in New Hampshire from local clays, triple paned low-E glass windows, compact fluorescent and LED lighting fixtures, walls are natural plaster made from clays, sand and reclaimed marble, rainwater collected in cisterns and landscaped with 35,000 indigenous plants.

The Keithan Residence Killingworth CT - Most Intriguing Residential winner is a classic New England home, in a farm setting, with today’s modern systems and conveniences, all wrapped up into a home requiring Zero Energy. The residence is a 3,600 square foot single family home with a detached garage and barn which is under review to meet USGBC’s LEED for Homes highest rating of Platinum. The home displays a maximum number of energy efficient measures to attain the zero energy status.

Royal Bank of Scotland – Most Intriguing Commercial – This 500,000 square foot office complex in Stamford is the new US headquarters for RBS Americas and contains the world’s largest trading floor. According to Chris Riley, Vice President and Director of Public Affairs at RBS, the bank spared no expense when it came to greening the building, seeking LEED’s top certification. “It will be the largest such building in Connecticut, if not all of New England”. Roger Ferris + Partners incorporated numerous sustainable features into the building. Sited in close proximity to the Metro North Railroad station with a narrow and elongated plan configuration that take advantage of natural day-lighting, the complex boasts an urban courtyard/rooftop garden with grey-water collection for irrigation of native adaptive plant species. Operable louvers on the trading floor adjust automatically to the natural conditions while an interior daylight dimming system links to all office space lighting.

Commercial Storage Barn - Il Poggio LTD – Most Intriguing Commercial - The Barn was a delightful effort to make a statement about a storage barn, it had no pretense to attempt to obtain LEED since there was no heat involved, but the interior storage of the material handling equipment, and maintenance work space was lighted by translucent walls and ceilings allowing natural daylighting during the day and some solar PV mounted on the roof to generate whatever electrical power was needed for equipment and lighting at night. The idea was to display outdoor products on the outside of the building for customers viewing, illuminated at night by the interior lighting through the panels at night. A beautifully crafted and unique idea on how to store and maintain the materials that the company sells.

Connecticut Science Center – Most Intriguing Institutional - A wonderful LEED Gold certified building that stresses the importance of sustainable design, with an emphasis on energy savings throughout the building. Designed by renowned architects Pelli Clarke Pelli, the building, perched high above the Hartford skyline, captures the wonder of science as well as the city and state’s commitment to education and cultural enlightenment.

Kroon Hall – Yale University – Most Intriguing Institutional - Probably one of the most important buildings constructed in the past year, in the United States; this is truly a great design and demonstration of what can be done to provide a sustainable building. Kroon Hall Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies earned a LEED Platinum certification by the USGBC earning 59 points, or seven more than required for platinum standing. Kroon Hall was designed to use 81% less water and 58% less energy than a comparable building, and to generate 25% of its electricity on site from renewable sources. The building, sited on a previously developed location, displays a white façade and a partial green roof to combat urban heat island effect.

Stoeckel Hall – Yale University – Most Intriguing Institutional - A wonderful total renovation and extensive exterior terra cotta restoration of a classic building on the Yale campus, demonstrates the ability to provide a sustainable environment within an existing structure and earned the building a LEED Gold certification. The availability of public transportation as well as water conservation initiatives in addition to high efficiency lighting, control ventilations and hot water pump loops, re-using 90% of the walls and floors and recycling 80 % of the waste materials contributed to earning the building’s LEED certification. Originally built in 1897, the building currently houses the School of Music. The restoration included a 4 story classroom, computer lab and practice room addition.

Rogers International Magnet School – Most Intriguing Institutional - A splendid teaching environment, the ability to achieve a sustainable building within the confines of the State of Connecticut education guidelines is demonstrated to all CT communities that it can be achieved. Former Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy was quoted as saying of the project, “The decision to build green is an extension of the Environmental theme for the curriculum of the school”. The two story wing of classrooms was designed to maximize daylight , while the media center, cafeteria, gymnasium and theater are house in a second wing covered by a planted green roof. An outstanding feature of the school is a unique rain garden built in the former Clairol headquarters building foundation which in addition to bio-swales provides onsite storm-water filtrations. The captured rainwater will provide irrigation for the extensively planted green roof. Efficient fluorescent lighting augments daylighting with the use of dimmers. Some of the building’s energy needs will be met by the photovoltaic solar panels and wind turbine.

Armour Academic Center, Westminster School – Honorable Mention - A classic example of architecture that is thoughtful and carefully designed to fit into the campus yet provide the benefits of a sustainable environment. The 95,000 square foot LEED Gold building includes a humanities wing and a math and science wing surrounding a center glass atrium. The center achieved its LEED rating through the use of a large scale geothermal heat exchange system as well as a high capacity ventilation system providing fresh air to all classrooms for an improved learning environment. Highly efficient mechanical systems, water efficient plumbing fixtures and low emitting paints, finishes and carpet as well as recycled content building materials all contributed to the LEED Gold designation.

Chase Tallwood Technical Center, Kingswood Oxford School– Honorable Mention - Founded in 1909, the Kingswood Oxford School is located in West Hartford. Key to the sustainability of their technical building was its siting. Rather than using a more typical available open space the decision was made to utilize the existing space between several buildings and not disturb virgin land. The new math and science building, Chase Tallwood Technical Center, was beautifully crafted to bridge a series of campus buildings into a functioning unit that serves the entire school. The use of abundant natural light in the building’s design and the reconfiguration of an existing energy system from an adjacent structure as a baseline heat source and then converting that source to both heating and cooling with a heat exchanger, work to reduce the usage of electrical power.

July 24, 2010

Tyre Studio One of Five Finalists For Design Competition

Michael Tyre, LEED AP of Tyre Studio in Brooklyn, NY and a friend of buildingctgreen.com has announced that his design entry has been selected as one of five finalists for the Fort Tilden Field House international design competition. The open ideas competition called for the design of a new field house and surrounding sports fields and courts at the decommissioned Fort Tilden military base in Queens, NY.

To find out more about Michael's entry, visit the design competition's web site.

June, 2010

Energy Cost Savings with Eco Attic Guard

Simply put folks, radiant barrier attic insulation works!

Eco Attic Guard is a factory-certified installer of radiant barrier attic insulation in the Avon, CT area, serving all of Connecticut. Eco Attic Guard offers this innovative insulation solution that helps reduce your home energy bills. Using radiant barrier technology, we offer a practical, affordable product and top quality service. Our licensed and insured company services residential and commercial properties. Save on heating and cooling costs with our affordable, maintenance-free attic insulation.

Our Product Features and Benefits:

Reduce your home energy bills by 17% - 23%
Retain 93% of the heat in your home during the winter
Reduce the wear and tear of AC and heating systems
ENERGY STAR® RATED
Works all year round
Retrofit to your existing fiberglass insulation
Virtually eliminates ice damming problems

"Simply put folks, radiant barrier attic insulation works! I’ve installed dozens of barriers in my customer’s homes and have had nothing but praise," states Bill Brown, Owner, Eco Attic Guard. "I have this in my home and the difference is amazing! It’s the single most cost effective solution towards reducing your energy bills. You could invest 25k on energy star windows or invest in a radiant barrier for a fraction of the cost and get the same results."

The radiant barrier technology lends a giant umbrella effect shading your home during the summer. During the winter, the insulation keeps you warm and comfortable by reflecting the heat generated within the home back down to your living space. Give Eco Attic a call to take advantage of the 30% Government Tax Credit for 2010.

FREE INSULATIVE WATER HEATER JACKET WITH EVERY PURCHASE.... a $50.00 value.

Call Eco Attic Guard today at 860-967-3988 for a free estimate and demonstration.

About Radiant Barriers

Radiant technology was developed by NASA to protect spacecraft and astronauts from extreme temperatures in space.

Since then, RB have been widely used throughout the U.S. and are ideal for New England climates.

Radiant Barrier foil is a highly reflective reinforced breathable aluminum that is 97% reflective on both sides. Unlike fiberglass insulation, that merely slows down the transfer of heat, a radiant barrier BLOCKS the transfer of a large percentage of radiant heat at a minimum of 90% prescribed by the Department of Energy.

Testing and Approvals
• Building Officials and Code Administrators
• International Conference of Building Officials
• Southern Building Code Congress International
• Metropolitan Dade County (FL) Building Code Compliance Dept.
• United States Testing Company
• Tennessee Valley Authority
• Tennessee Technological University
• State of California
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Texas A & M University

April, 2010

Hidden Ways to Go Green At Home

A White Paper produced by Eemax, Inc.

By definition, “Going Green” relates to the pursuit of knowledge that can lead to environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible decisions and lifestyles, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.

Individuals and businesses everywhere are being encouraged to reduce their “carbon footprint.” A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular, its impact on climate change. Each of us leaves a carbon footprint through the products and services we use and consume in our daily lives. What are some new ways to reduce carbon footprints? This white paper outlines a few simple solutions that are sometimes overlooked that can help you achieve the ultimate greenness in your home, especially when it comes to saving water and energy.

Use Water Wisely

Of all the water on earth, 97% of it is salt water that is unfit for human consumption, unsuitable for washing cars, unhealthy for preparing and cooking food, and unsafe for watering lawns. The remaining 3% of the water on earth is fresh water, of which 2% is frozen in the polar ice caps leaving just 1% of the most precious resource on earth for our use. Communities across the country are starting to face challenges in maintaining healthy and affordable water supplies. The U.S. Government has estimated that by the year 2015, 36 states will face serious water shortages. That's why it's more important than ever to use our water wisely and not waste it.

Cool It When Doing Laundry

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes in a conventional top-load washer is for heating the water. There are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used for washing clothes -- use less water and use cooler water. Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible. Unless you're dealing with oily stains, the warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes. Even just switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy use in half.

Hot Water On-Demand

You don’t keep your car running 24/7, so why would you heat your household water when you don’t need to? There is an affordable solution -- Electric Tankless Water Heaters. These space-saving devices allow you to keep water hot when and if you need it. On-demand water heating is one of the most effective ways to conserve energy.

Saving energy means saving money too. You will reduce your electric bill because the greatest savings will occur when replacing an oversized electric tank (80 gallons) in a home with minimal hot water on demand electric tankless water heater. Think about your typical hot water usage: 10 to 12 minutes in the shower, a minute washing your hands in the sink, washing the dishes by hand or running the dishwasher, and the occasional load of laundry on the HOT setting. You will quickly see there isn’t a lot of hot water demand in a typical day, but your hot water tank has to be ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

All the energy spent on keeping the reserved tank water hot is wasted energy. Tankless systems are up to 50% more energy efficient than standard tank systems because they don’t heat reserve water. An Electric Tankless Water Heater only turns on when there is a demand for hot water, and it virtually heats water instantly to meet that demand, and no more. When there is no hot water demand, there is no hot water expense. There is no stand-by heat loss, meaning you save energy and money.

Instead of having a tank style water heater in the basement, tankless heaters can be installed close to where the water is used like in bathrooms or kitchens. By placing heaters near the point of use, the hot water doesn’t waste time traveling through pipes, losing heat along the way. It’s almost instantaneous, and you never run out of hot water. Get the precise temperature you want exactly when you want it. There is no scalding and no wasted water waiting for it to heat up.

Saving the Planet

Electric Tankless Water Heaters are the perfect energy-saving solution for new construction and for green home renovations. They can provide decades of trouble-free performance, can last twice as long as tank heaters which can rust out and need replacing. Making better choices like using cold water for your laundry and installing an electric tankless water heater can help you achieve a higher level of greenness in your home. You’ll not only save water, energy, money, time, and space, you’ll ultimately help save our planet.

This article was produced by Eemax, Inc. Established in 1988, Oxford, Connecticut based, Eemax has quickly emerged as the market leader in electric tankless heaters for use in commercial, industrial, and residential applications. Eemax products activate instantly and deliver an endless supply of hot water at a preset temperature to any point of use with 99% energy efficiency. Eemax products are made in the USA, are lead-free and ruggedly constructed to last for decades. The company produces green products that save water, conserve energy, and reduce costs.

April, 2010

First Net-Zero Energy Home in Connecticut

Consulting Engineering Services (CES) is a MEP engineering firm that is wholeheartedly committed to sustainable design and has a very strong “practice what you preach” mentality. In December 2008, President and CEO of CES, George V. Keithan, Jr. decided to commit to fostering an entirely new life-style and design the first Net Zero Energy Home in Connecticut, which coincidentally would become his family’s private residence. With the hard work of CES employees designing the MEP systems, J. W. Huber Architect LLC and Essex Squared LLC and numerous contractors, the home was completed in November 2009 and is the first Net Zero Energy Home in Connecticut.

The modest New England farm house style home sits at the end of an 800-foot driveway on a secluded 14 acre lot in Killingworth, CT. Accompanying this home is a post and beam barn, chicken coop and detached barn style garage. The property will serve as a working organic vegetable farm and tree farm. The roof of the barn is where the 65 solar photovoltaic panels are installed that will provided all of the electrical power for the residence. On the roof of the main house are 10 solar hot water panels for heating the domestic hot water. Altogether these panels will generate 20,000 kwhr/yr of electricity. The house also has a water-to-water standing column Geothermal HVAC system that will also be used for the domestic water well.

The interior of the home has a soft elegance with its combination of modern technology and understated farmhouse details. When the rooms aren’t being filled with natural light they are lit with LED fixtures and the paint, woodwork, flooring and cabinets were all chosen because they emit low or no VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Many of the finishing details throughout the home come from recycled materials; reused countertops from old homes, an old barn door installed on a slider to hide the LED television, recycled doors for the interior rooms and recycled slate for the window sills.

Paperwork has been submitted to register this residence as LEED® for Homes Platinum certified - the highest of the nationally accepted benchmarks developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The home also meets the requirements of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Net Zero Challenge.

March, 2010

Tall Properties To Build New Green Office Condominiums

Tall Properties Development Company is moving ahead rapidly with Centerpoint Connecticut - green, Class A office condominiums for sale or lease, opportunistically located along the Interstate-91 corridor, this seven building campus offers units ranging in size from 700 to 12,000 square feet. Centerpoint Connecticut offers an exciting and much demanded opportunity for small business owners and professional practices: the premiere green office development that promotes a healthy environment and a healthy bottom line.

Founded on quality building design and environmental stewardship, this innovative green office project is a progressive model of commercial real estate development. Registered with the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® program at the Silver level, Centerpoint Connecticut has been designed by the architectural firm Tyre Studio to “integrate sustainable building technologies and practices to generate a project that offers extremely high energy efficiency and healthy working environments.” Each building will have solar panel arrays on the roof that produce 25 KW of power annually. The project will employ Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology for the heating and cooling system which provides exceptional energy efficiency while accommodating a wide range of occupants within a single building. Rain water from the building roofs will be harvested and used to irrigate all of the on-site landscaping. The collective green features of Centerpoint Connecticut provide an estimated 40% savings on energy consumption and 70% reduction in water usage.

As office condominiums, Centerpoint Connecticut provides an alternative for business owners who have been frustrated managing their never ending rent expense. Office ownership allows the business owner to build equity, enjoy significant income tax savings through depreciation write-offs, and benefit from real estate appreciation. Traditionally Connecticut small business owners have been excluded from these benefits - until now. Similar to the benefits of owning a home, business office ownership adds an important asset to a company’s balance sheet and offers numerous tax advantages.

For an exciting tour of this project and contact information, please visit www.centerpointCT.com.

Tall Properties, LLC is an innovative development company focused on creating exciting and sustainable real estate solutions for Connecticut’s communities.

Above rendering courtesy of Tyre Studio

buildOn.org Partners with Moving Windmills Project

December, 2009 - Moving Windmills Project, the U.S. 501(c)3 co-founded by The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind author William Kamkwamba has announced that it will partner with buildOn.org, an NGO based in Stamford, CT and Kasungu, Malawi which builds primary schools in the developing world, coincidentally and fortuitously including William Kamkwamba’s home province.

buildOn.org empowers people and transforms lives by partnering their after-school service programs in the U.S. with communities in developing countries to build schools.  buildOn.org students add tremendous contributions of community service in their own cities and neighborhoods and buildOn youth actually build schools and bring literacy to children and adults in developing countries around the world.

Since 1992:

97% of students involved with buildOn programs in the U.S. go on to college.
U.S. student volunteers have helped build 332 schools in rural regions of developing nations (including Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Nicaragua and Senegal).
More than 136,000 children and adults have attended those schools and over 54,700 are currently enrolled.
Parents in developing countries have contributed more than 652,437 volunteer work days toward building schools.

The Moving Windmills Project was founded in 2008 to pursue rural economic development and education projects in Malawi, Africa. Its motto is, “African Solutions to African Problems.” Rather than invest in top-down, externally imposed agendas, Moving Windmills works with local leaders to determine, organize and implement the appropriate solutions. Areas of focus include: food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, health, education, clean water and community building. Moving Windmills Project works primarily in the Kasungu district in Malawi, Africa.

The primary school William Kamkwamba attended through standard 8 (U.S. 8th grade) was constructed by the Catholic Church in 1950 to educate 450 students. It encompasses three buildings with two classrooms each. Unfortunately, the currently student population is 1480 students and was even higher during William’s time. There are no desks for the children or teachers and they must sit on the floor. There is also no power, light, or clean water. The roof leaks through many holes and the cement floor, which is frigid during the winter and scalding during the summer, is pockmarked with holes. The Malawian government provides teachers’ salaries and textbooks.

The new building project encompasses a master plan for approximately seven new structures over the course of two to three years. Each new school building will sturdy construction, fully equipped classroom, boys' and girls' latrines, and, thanks to William Kamkwamba's design additions, carbon-free hybrid solar/wind power, battery storage systems, lights, ventilation fans and A/C electricity. The plan also provides for a much larger library than the one that inspired William to build his windmill. Books will be furnished in partnership with American NGOs. Each building can be used to educate 150 students during the day, and for adult classes at night. The buildings can also be used as community meeting spaces.

In the buildOn process, community stakeholders sign a covenant to participate in the buildings' construction, by making the bricks and providing the manual labor. The community also warrants equal education access and attendance for girls and boys through out every grade. Orphans must also be educated free, with uniforms provided. buildOn works with the community over three years, providing adult literacy programs and school support. buildOn has already built several schools in the Kasungu province.

"buildOn is pleased to partner with Moving Windmills Project to rebuild Wimbe Primary School, which "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," William Kamkwamba attended. We look forward to working closely with the community to build a modern school that serves their 1480 girls and boys," said Marc Friedman, COO of buildOn.

"Moving Windmills will raise the money, and with their precise expertise, experience and proven community methodology, buildOn will build the schools. Then we will add green power, water, and books." said Tom Rielly, MWP executive director.

AI Tech Center Green Plans Unveiled

November 23, 2009 - Earlier this month and against the backdrop of the demolished former Channel 3 building, Abul Islam, President & CEO of AI Engineers, Inc. of Middletown unveiled the latest plans for the future AI Tech Center at the corner of Constitution Plaza in downtown Hartford. When completed as planned, the structure will be one of the first U.S. Green Building Council LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certified commercial buildings in the State.

Before a room full of business, political and economic leaders of Hartford and the state, Islam unveiled detailed renderings of the 180-thousand square foot, 13-story office tower that will incorporate numerous green technologies including photovoltaic power, fuel cells, and a central solar light well that will maximize the capture of daylight. “This building will be able to produce at least 50 per cent of its own power”, said Islam who stressed the importance of incorporating technological advances as a way of generating new growth in the region.

AI Engineers, Inc., a multi-discipline engineering firm, will occupy two floors of the proposed building. Islam introduced the first additional prospective tenant, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, which has signed a letter of intent to occupy another floor of the AI Tech Center.

The plans, created by the Boston architectural firm Childs, Bertman, Tseckares, Inc. (CBT), show dramatic renderings of a mosaic-like structure with glass situated to maximize the capture of solar energy and topped by a rooftop garden surrounding the light well roof that will flood the interior building with natural daylight. Jones, Lang, LaSalle, the world’s second largest commercial real estate firm, will be leasing the rest of the building including retail space and a rooftop restaurant that will offer spectacular views of the city. Suffolk Construction of Boston, Massachusetts, which has worked extensively with CBT around the country, will be erecting the building.

City of Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez lauded the efforts of Mr. Islam whose vision has generated so much excitement and interest for the project. “This building represents Hartford’s Future” said the mayor citing the increasing development along Columbus Boulevard which he referred to as “Science Row”. State Senator Gary LeBeau, Chairman of the state legislature's Commerce Committee, lauded the project as a bold and exciting step towards creating high-value job growth. “This project represents the future of innovation economies” said LeBeau stating that the project is additionally powerful because it is utilizing existing infrastructures.

For additional information please visit www.aitechcenter.com .

Other Recent Green Building News
November, 2009

Starwood Moving Headquarters to Connecticut

Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell recently announced that Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will relocate its global corporate headquarters to Stamford, bringing millions of dollars in investments and 800 jobs to the state.

“For months I have worked with Starwood executives and my economic development team to make this deal – and the jobs and investments it brings – a reality for the people of our state,” Governor Rell said. “I am thrilled to see a company of Starwood’s stature make the business decision to move here and invest here. It is a triumph for Connecticut – and it speaks volumes about what our state has to offer businesses.”

The company’s move from White Plains, New York, to Stamford’s waterfront Harbor Point development is planned for January 2012. Harbor Point is already home to major employers such as Pitney Bowes and Deloitte & Touche. The company’s new headquarters will be certified under the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards program.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is one of the world’s leading hotel and leisure companies, with 982 hotels in nearly 100 countries and nine renowned brands including Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis and W Hotels. Plans call for Starwood to partner with the landlord to invest $40 million into renovating the existing facility.

The company, which plans to occupy 250,000 square feet of space by January 2012, will create more than 800 full-time Connecticut-based positions within two years. Newmark Knight Frank’s Neal Golden, Ross Perlman and John Goodkind represented Starwood Hotels in the transaction.

The Department of Economic and Community Development will assist the project with a $9.5 million loan and up to $75 million in Urban and Industrial Site Reinvestment Tax Credits. In addition, Starwood expects to receive up to $5 million in sales tax exemptions on building materials through the Connecticut Development Authority. The exemption is subject to approval by CDA’s Board of Directors.

Norwalk Starts Building Green wastewater Treatment Plant

The Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA) for the city of Norwalk recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its $37 million - Phase 1 Upgrade to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. When fully completed, the Norwalk WPCF will be a leader in the State of Connecticut's goal of improving the quality of Long Island Sound through the substantial reduction in the discharge of harmful nutrients and improved water quality.

Mayor Richard Moccia opened the ceremony, stating, "This facility is the first phase of a multi-year project to upgrade our wastewater treatment plant."

"This is an increase in our pretreatment capacity of over 3 times what we currently have available and significantly improves our ability to treat wastewater during wet weather events" said Darren Oustafine, WPCA Chairman. "Although our plant runs exceptionally and well below permit limits, we - as a board and in partnership with our city staff - are continually seeking ways to improve this treatment plant's operation."

Collectively referred to as the plant's "headworks", this phase includes main lift pumping and grit and screens removal to treat a peak flow of up to 90 million gallons per day. The new facility will also provide improved treatment for the extraneous flow the plant receives during wet weather events. A major highlight of the project will be the construction of a 25-foot+ deep structure supported by hundreds of concrete piles in complex soil conditions. The project also includes a number of "green" initiatives including premium efficiency motors, high efficiency fluorescent lighting, a building structure that will meet or exceed the current insulation requirements set forth by the Connecticut State Building Code, and an innovative "Solarwall" that will use solar energy to reduce the building's heating requirements.

This upgrade is being financed through the State of Connecticut's Clean Water Fund. The city of Norwalk will receive over $14 million in grants and almost $22 million in low-interest loans for its construction.

Recent LEED® Registered Buildings

According to the U.S. Green Building Council's Web site, recent LEED® registered projects in Connecticut include the CBNA Building in downtown Bridgeport, which has also been certified along with Yale's Stoeckel Hall which houses the Yale Office of Facilties. SpencerStuart recently registered its offices at 281 Tresser Blvd in Stamford in the LEED Commercial Interiors program.

JB Moving Services Completes Solar PV System

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) announced this month that a 46.2-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system has been completed and is successfully operating at the Stamford, Conn., headquarters of JB Moving Services Inc. (JB Moving). The solar array, mounted on the roof of the company's storage facility, consists of 220 solar panels and is expected to supply approximately 55 percent of the facility's required electricity. The installation was supported with a grant from CCEF's On-Site Renewable Distributed Generation Program.

JB Moving, with offices in Stamford, Conn., and New Rochelle, N.Y., is a full-service provider of residential and commercial relocations. Since 1986, the company has provided relocation services for fine homes and office environments. Additionally, the company offers climate-controlled space for long- and short-term storage of household or commercial furniture.

The financing for the solar array was structured using an equipment lease agreement. This type of agreement enabled JB Moving to add solar PV to its infrastructure without incurring any upfront cost for the installation of the system. Under the terms of the 10-year agreement between JB Moving and Technology Credit Corp. of San Jose, Calif., Technology Credit Corp. will own the system and rent it to JB Moving. A grant of $177,966 from CCEF defrayed almost half of the total project cost. Mercury Solar Systems of New Rochelle, N.Y., installed the system.

Tunxis $11 million expansion

The expansion at Tunxis Community College is moving ahead with the design phase for a new classroom building on Route 6. DuBose Associates Architects, has been given the go-ahead to proceed with designing the building.

The new, $11 million building will be a 33,000-square-foot, three-story structure. The first floor will contain a dozen classrooms. The second floor will have 11 or 12 classrooms, possibly including one or two technology classrooms. The third floor is slated for office space.The school hopes to achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

The school is also working with Carrier Corp., to develop a master energy use plan for the entire campus.

Watkinson School Unveils First In New England Energy-Neutral Classroom Building

By Katie Novak

On Saturday, October 24th Watkinson School unveiled the much-anticipated energy-neutral, sustainable, and first-of-its-kind building in New England: The Center for Science and Global Citizenship designed by San Francisco's Project FROG. Members of Watkinson’s Science Department gave demonstrations of the “smart” building, describing the building’s form and function.

John Bracker, Watkinson’s head of school, announced, “The Center for Science and Global Citizenship represents an important step in our efforts to challenge the traditional orthodoxy of how a building comes together, the role it can play in teaching about sustainability and the curriculum material at hand. Just imagine what’s possible when a building is as smart and dynamic as the students and faculty who live in it” Every aspect of this new Center for Science and Global Citizenship is a teaching tool. Project FROG has set the industry standard for smart buildings – buildings that exceed strict criteria for energy performance, technology performance, user performance and the crucial nexus between them. To be truly “smart,” smart buildings must also be flexible, adaptable, affordable and quick to deploy – all while minimizing the building’s impact on the environment. All of these facts, along with the design elements of the building — such as geothermal power, solar panels, recycled redwood siding, photovoltaic panels, and advanced sensors — will provide extraordinary teaching and learning opportunities for members of Watkinson’s community.

Watkinson now has the classrooms of the future, incorporating the ideal learning environment into the greenest, most sustainable commercial building solution available. The three, 1,280 square foot smart classrooms feature 75 percent energy-demand reduction, abundant natural light and glare control, superior air quality, fungible user technology, microclimate customization and advanced climate controls in an easy to configure package. Constructed of renewable recyclable materials, the Center for Science and Global Citizenship generates more energy within its footprint than is required to operate its systems. To support the linked but diverse curricula of science and global studies, the three classrooms are adaptable to lecture, seminars, and lab-style instruction. Complete with intelligent technology systems and spaces that encourage collaboration, this is a space designed for growing ideas, an incubator for the future. Watkinson plans to host community events for students in the area to tour the building and attend workshops in the new space. Additionally, SPHERE, Watkinson's free summer camp for Hartford children, will utilize the building in their academic programs this summer.

Katie is Associate Director of Admissions & Communications at Watkinson School