u.s. green building council honors brad pitt for new orleans initiative

Read original article here.

This is a fantastic step in my opinion. Some people would critize the work that Brad Pitt is doing as being purely "cliche" and only reflects the current media buzz around Green Buildings, but I would have to say "poo" to that! They have 13 buildings already certified to the LEED Platinum (highest level) and 150 houses still left to build. I assure you that Platinum is no simple task on any level.

I am interested to know if the homes have been designed to accomodate the new LEED levels moving forward, because there were some significant changes in the way LEED evaluates and awards points to new homes.

Keep on going Brad!

World Trade Center - Back in action?!

After a long-term hiatus, due to a burnt out motherboard, I have returned with a brand new re-built computer set-up which inevitably took longer than I anticipated. I feel this is an appropriate opportunity to discuss a topic that is constantly on my mind, Construction scheduling.

Many of my friends and clients are always concerned about how long the process will take and when they can open-up. I rarely have trouble projecting the general schedule and helping to organize projects that are 500,000 SF (square feet) or less, but how does one manage a project as large as the World Trade Center Towers; over budget and way over it's due date.

When I was in school I interviewed with the architecture firm working on the building, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, and was impressed with the level of technology they had at their disposal to help realize the project. However, years later it seems that no amount of programming or technology can help pull this project out of the pits.

Project/Construction scheduling takes a certain type of person/group who can not only understand the needs of the client, but also maintain and organize the approach to which the Contractor will inevitably execute. Organization is a constant battle for me, because as a "professional" the Contractor is responsible for how he will schedule the project. However, the way architects/engineers present the information will inevitably dictate how a contractor will interpret and develop his/her own schedule.

So, I want all prospective home-owners/builders to understand the value an architect should bring to the table in "advising" you onto the appropriate course of action in realizing the dream you have for whatever the scope project it is you have in mind. If you feel you are not being approached with solid feedback then you have a "lemon" for an architect, and need to pursue other sources to help you push your way to a successful project. When you hire an architect you are hiring a resource whom has had "experience" in developing a project similar to yours. They should be enthusiastic and proactive in their conversations with you. As of late, I feel that this has not been the case and for that I must humbly apologize to those out there that don't trust to understand what this profession has to offer.

If we cannot get right the small scale projects then how can the design profession hope to appropriately realize the large scale projects to meet the needs of its clients.

Drywall causes Odors and Corrosion in U.S.

Be careful, there has been a recent outbreak in the Gulf Coast area with homeowners complaining about Odors in their homes. The federal and state authorities have found a radioactive substance called "phosphogypsum" in drywall that was imported from China.

The reason for drywall imported from China has been due to the hurricane destruction these pasts years since 2006 and the U.S. Gypsums companies being unable to keep up with demand.

Among the list of risks that this substances causes are lung cancer, corrosion of metallic substances and nose bleeds. However, there is not conclusive proof that this product in fact causes cancer there are a lot of concerns.

This substance was banned by the EPA back in 1989, but is only monitored in locally produced products. There isn't really any plan in place that monitors a variety of foreign imports. As I have found on a few of my projects which materials were sourced from Chinese imports, the quality of their products typically do not stand up to locally produced brands (doors, windows, wood products, fiber-glass based products) and stress that all consumers begin to ask questions about the types of materials that you purchase.

Everyone must remember that your money is a "vote" for everything you purchase, and you should not enter lightly into that when it comes to your living environments. As a professional it is my responsibility to pay attention to the types and quality of products that I use on my projects. I will not plug any one provider over another, but I want to make sure that people are very careful and am constantly in search of new opportunities to find sustainable solutions for your living environments. Always ask "what am I getting" whenever you engage into purchasing the next material for your home, because your decisions do have a direct impact on yours and your families health.

If you still have questions regarding potential problems, take a look at the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) website regarding myths of carpets as one resource. To read the original source for the information I provided above click here.