EPA Launches Comprehensive IAQ Homes Program

Massachusetts Super-Insulation Project Reveals Impressive Results

Weatherization Programs Get a Slow Start

Steady Growth in Residential Construction, Upkeep Spending Forecast Thru '14

Expenditures for residential building construction and improvements nationwide will rise between 6% and 16% per year through 2014, climbing in constant dollar value from $274.57 billion this year to $416.01 billion in 2014, the management consultant and investment banker FMI Corp. predicts.
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How To Buy Lumber Today

The lumber market has changed, but that doesn't mean you should change your buying style, ProSales online columnist Wally Roderick says. “Three years ago, we could buy a little high and not worry about it because business was booming and we could turn our inventory fast enough to move out the high-cost stock. Most of us don't have that luxury today,” he says. “A truckload of lumber that used to last two weeks may be here for two months now. So how do we deal with the problem? I say: keep doing business as usual.”
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Rader's Edge: Three Options Equals Three Points

“Too often in our businesses, we are attracted to providing the lowest-price solutions for a customer in order to make the sale,” says Chris Rader, the author of ProSales’ “Rader’s Edge” online column. “Today I want to introduce you to choices. I want to present you with a sales technique that will not only help you land more sales, but land higher margins and gross profit dollars.”
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Urban Core Growing Faster Than Outer 'Burbs

Smart growth proponents have long predicted that the ever-greater expansion of suburbia would one day reach its limit, prompting a renewed interest in central city living. Now “Residential Construction Trends in America’s Metropolitan Regions," a new report from the Environmental Protection Agency, suggests that this trend is well under way, with residential permits in downtown areas and close-in suburbs more than doubling since 2000 in 26 of the nation's largest metro regions. (BUILDER)
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Americans More Cautious About Homeownership

A new Fannie Mae survey of renters and homeowners about homeownership offers both good and bad news for builders waiting for a housing rebound. On the positive side, 70% of those interviewed believe that buying a home is one of the safest investments they can make. But responses to other questions indicate they are showing increased cautiousness, regardless of whether they rent, own their homes outright, or have a mortgage. (BUILDER)
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As architecture and engineering firms branch out, their risks increase
Some architects and engineers are taking on projects outside their traditional scope or letting contract language slide in order to win business. That's problematic, says Jerry Sullivan, an insurer with Beazley, because such companies may be unwittingly increasing their liability exposure. A Beazley poll showed that 60% of respondents named maintaining sufficient revenue to avoid staff layoffs as their biggest problem this year. National Underwriter, April 12 more » » »

FMI: Expect decline in nonresidential construction in 2010
Nonresidential construction, which fell 9% in 2009, will decline another 16% in 2010, according to FMI's Q1/2010 "Construction Outlook." Total construction in 2010 will be down 5% after declining 13% in 2009. Residential construction is expected to begin recovering in 2010. FMI, April 8 more » » »  

Deutsche Bank towers set to become sustainable skyscrapers
BD+C Senior Editor Jay Schneider is currently taking a tour of Germany's most sustainable buildings. One of the projects he visited was the Deutsche Bank Headquarters, Frankfurt, Germany, one of the world's largest sustainable retrofits. The Deutsche Bank's twin towers (one 34 stories, the other 36 stories) are undergoing a massive $271 million retrofit that will turn the complex into the world's most environmentally friendly skyscraper, which will be renamed the Green Towers. BD+C, April 14 more » » » 

Green Building Myth #7: Green Homes are UglyURL: http://www.buildinggreen.com/live/index.cfm/2010/4/13/Green-Building-Myth-7-Green-Homes-are-Ugly

Construction Market Forecast: Declines to Continue

Unfortunately, the outlook for put in place construction for 2010 remains bleak, according to FMI’s quarterly report. Total construction for most industry sectors in 2010 will be down after also declining in 2009. However, FMI sees positive economic signs and a recovery in residential construction. A link to the full report is included in the article. HousingZone.com
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AP Survey: Recovery to Remain Sluggish into 2011

Cheaper, Greener, More Focused

Three product trends rule as manufacturers look to busier times in 2010

Trends in Outdoor Living Across the U.S.

The concept of extending a home’s living area to the outdoors is nothing new. But surveys from the National Association of Home Builders and reports from organizations like Service Magic show that the trend is still going strong. Here’s a look at the types of outdoor living projects that have been keeping remodelers busy. ProRemodeler.com
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Home Builder Sentiment Index Jumps In April

U.S. homebuilders are seeing a pickup in sales and customer traffic as homebuyers rush to qualify for tax incentives set to expire at the end of the month, and that's made them more optimistic.
(Associated Press/AP Online)
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Flood Proof Green Home on the Beach

I was excited to get an email from Matthew Peek, principal at Studio Peek Ancona, regarding this prototype built in a flood and seismic zone in Stimson Beach, California.  The flood-proof home has been Platinum certified by the Marin County green building program and meets FEMA standards of the area, according to Peek

 

ReporterHerald.com Save the planet, save money ReporterHerald.com Jammie Sabin, president of Aspen Homes of Colorado Inc., described how his company has occupied the green building niche, moving ever closer to a goal of ... See all stories on this topic

Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for Building Sustainable Food ... By Michael Levenston Agricultural Urbanism: Handbook for Building Sustainable Food Systems in 21st Century Cities. Linked by Michael Levenston. agurbanism. Agricultural Urbanism – new book. by Janine de la Salle and Mark Holland (Editors) ... Green Frigate Books?200 pages, paperback?100 photographs and illustrations?20 tables and diagrams? Awareness of the significant challenges our food supply system faces in the 21st century is growing rapidly. Agricultural Urbanism, rooted in a sustainable ... City Farmer News - http://www.cityfarmer.info/

Green gong for Penyrheol Comprehensive School - Welsh Icons News By admin Geraint Flowers, Project Manager with Swansea Council, said: “We're delighted to have achieved this high rating from BREEAM which sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design. “After the fire, the immediate challenge was to ... Building work on the new school block began in April 2008 and it was opened in time for the first week of this school year last September. It features high-tech facilities, cutting-edge design and classrooms bathed in natural light. ... Welsh Icons News - http://www.welshicons.org.uk/news/

Green Living Project Explores Central America's Cutting-Edge Eco ... By admin Urban Green Council , the New York Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is a nonprofit organization working to advance sustainable building in the New York City area. Urban Green seeks a Director of ... Rush Limbaugh Backs Out of His Promise to Move to Costa Rica [Political News]. On his radio show today Rush Limbaugh backed out of his promise to leave the country and move to Costa Rica if health care reform passed. Limbaugh said that he never said that he ... Avoid-Global-Warming.com - http://avoid-global-warming.com/

Building Society Eyes Going Green, Int'l Recognition | Local News He also said that Puja would like to promote "green and sustainable building development" and energy efficient designs. "We look forward to the formation of ... ip-174-142-62-49.static.privatedns.com/.../building-society-eyes-going-green-intl- recognition.html

green product - Jumptags.com GreenSource Magazine - Green-Building News - USGBC Members Approve LEED 2009 Revisions. GreenSource covers sustainable design, green building, LEED projects ... www.jumptags.com/topic/green%20product/ From Green Roofs to Clean Tech: How Chicago Is Preparing for the Sustainable ... Huffington Post (blog) More than 20 years ago, Mayor Richard M. Daley had a vision of a green Chicago, from trees and roofs to green buildings and alleys. ... See all stories on this topic TheNewsTribune.com Taking the LEED in housing TheNewsTribune.com “With the growth in interest in green building, we decided it was time to share our message with the general public and the construction industry,” guild ... See all stories on this topic Labour manifesto: responses PlanningResource (subscription) The British Property Federation (BPF) and the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) have responded to the Labour Party manifesto, launched today. ... See all stories on this topic Downtown Journal More than the grass is green at this ballpark Downtown Journal ... or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, the US Green Building Council's design standards for environmentally sustainable buildings. ... See all stories on this topic Peninsula On-line More green development likely in Qatar Peninsula On-line DOHA: Green and sustainable development concepts are gaining strength in Qatar and more serious efforts in the direction can be expected in the near future, ... See all stories on this topic Refrigerated Transporter Testa Produce turns a brighter shade of green with new HQ Refrigerated Transporter We've always been a green-focused company, and this project raises that existing culture to a whole new level.” Among the building's sustainable features ... See all stories on this topic Green News 4U: Georgetown Univ. Rafik B. Hariri Building has been ... By Mel Wylie Georgetown applied for LEED Certification, which is awarded to buildings that are sustainable, and water, energy, resource, and material efficient, during the fall semester. LEED certification is awarded by the U. S. Green Building ... Green News 4U - http://greennews4u.blogspot.com/ Puja celebrates silver jubilee | Brunei NEWS, Brunei HEADLINES ... By Siti Hajar He also added that Puja Brunei is looking to promote the areas of green and sustainable building development of energy efficient design. “We look forward for the formation of green building council and the setting up of a green building ... Brunei NEWS, Brunei HEADLINES... - http://news.brunei.fm/ Green Building: Intelligent Ways of Construction | Green Life ... By admin There has been an increase in the news referring to Global Warming, March 27, 2008 the world woke up with a shocking event: the detachment of an ice sheet measuring 41 km by 2.5 km in Antarctica. Scientists argue that climate change is ... This new form of construction is known as Green Building and is to “create healthier and more efficient, in terms of resource consumption, models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance and demolition. The elements of green ... Green Life Style Magazine - http://www.green-life-magazine.com/ C-Questor Carbon Markets and Climate Change News Letter: Going ... By Graham Crawford Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008, it encourages cities to adopt a general plan with a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) that requires new development to be near transit or clustered with existing development. Cities are not required to ... Faced with California's GHG mandate, many local governments have already implemented green building standards for public and commercial projects, as well as programs designed to conserve resources and reduce waste and GHG emissions. ... C-Questor Carbon Markets and... - http://cquestor.blogspot.com/ The New Business Model for Sustainable Food - Tonic By Ecosalon I spoke with a few to find out, and asked Production Manager Jeff Schrader how he felt when he heard the news. "I wasn't surprised," says Schrader. "We always knew he'd do something like that...it's never been about the money. ... How do you go green without sacrificing style? This is the question that defines EcoSalon. EcoSalon believes that environmental consciousness doesn't have to mean granola, that style and sustainability belong in the same sentence and that living ... News at Tonic.com - http://www.tonic.com/ Conference Offers Green Building Advice : UK Construction News Conference Offers Green Building Advice - The Green Register (TGR) is inviting northwest ... TGR has decided to run is highly-commended Sustainable Building ... www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=109662 GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Applauds Green Building ... New standard provides sustainable building community with multiple options to fulfill green building credits. ATLANTA, April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ ... news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20100412/pl_usnw/DC84291 GREENGUARD Environmental Institute Applauds Green Building ... New standard provides sustainable building community with multiple options to fulfill green building credits ... "This is an important milestone for the green building and design ... See your news in Bizjournals & other media. How? ... boston.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/Georgia/2010/04/12/DC84291 Leading green body supports energy bill | Sustainable Building ... The Green Building Council of Australia has given its support to the introduction of the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill, which is currently ... www.sustainablebuildingproducts.com.au/.../leading-green-body-supports-energy-bill Convensia Cited as Green Building Korea Times ... to achieve this prestigious certification of sustainable design. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, ... See all stories on this topic EU calls for 'eco-innovation' project proposals Sofia Echo The call covers four main areas, the EC said: material recycling, sustainable building products, the food and drink sector, and "green business". ... See all stories on this topic Design tilt goes green Manila Bulletin Entries for the architecture competition should be a built structure of a single detached green and sustainable residence in the Philippines. ... See all stories on this topic Laclede Gas Earns 2010 Home Builder Award for Its Green-Building Expertise PR Newswire (press release) The Home Builder Award honors those that have embraced sustainable and/or high-performance building. Nominees must demonstrate a commitment to the evolution ... See all stories on this topic SiliconRepublic.com: Brussels to fund €35m worth of green projects ... The European Commission has today announced a €35m call for eco-innovation projects, with priority given to SMEs, in the area of materials recycling, sustainable building products, the food and drink sector and green business practices. Silicon Republic - News - http://siliconrepublic.com/ NewNet News - US sustainable-focused Green Bank raises $115m By editor Green Bank works with middle market businesses and executive-level clients and is focused on sustainable practices, headquartered in an energy efficient building, supporting environmentally-based non-profit organisations and rewarding ... New Energy World Network (NewNet) - http://www.newenergyworldnetwork.com/ Experts for Earth Day 2010: Researchers Offer Environmental ... By The Office of Public Affairs Faculty experts from The University of Texas at Austin are available to discuss their research on topics ranging from building sustainable communities to plant ecology and environmental policies. ... News from The University of Texas... - http://www.utexas.edu/news/ Green Biodegradable & Compostable - Sustainable Packaging Made ... By Carolina Green FoodService Supply Launched in 1970, each bimonthly issue of Mother Earth News features practical and money-saving information on organic gardening; do-it-yourself projects; cutting energy costs; using renewable energy; green home building and remodeling; ... Green Biodegradable & Compostable... - http://greenbiodegradable.blogspot.com/ Green Lodging News ~ Wyndham Worldwide Earns LEED Silver for ... The company's headquarters meets LEED standards for energy use, lighting, water and material use and also incorporates a variety of other sustainable strategies including the use of recycled materials throughout the building, ... Green Lodging News: News & Features - http://www.greenlodgingnews.com/ Facilities Management News [2010-04-12]: U.S., China green ... FACILITIES MANAGEMENT NEWS U.S., China green building councils sign ... Green Product Association launched to advance sustainable building products ... www.fmlink.com/Home/News/news.cgi?catid=4&display=article&id=27292 YouTube - ICF Construction: ARXX Green Building System - NBC News-2 Our work is setting new benchmarks in sustainable green building, minimizing wasteful ... ICF Construction: ARXX Green Building System-Adelphia News-2 1:54 ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXPmzsAam-8&feature=youtube_gdata Sustainable Housing and Green Building News: Forecast for Cape Wind, unsettled: A federal advisory panel urged the US Interior Department on Friday to block ... http://bit.ly/drM5AZ. tweetmeme.com/story/900168444/sustainable-housing-and-green-building-news San Diego Gay & Lesbian News New chamber educates business owners on green-ing the bottom line San Diego Gay & Lesbian News When John Stein launched Kirei, an Encinitas-based line of eco-friendly, sustainable building materials in 2002, he had his work cut out for him. ... See all stories on this topic Publix Sarasota store gets gold LEED Tampa Bay Business Journal The US Green Building Council was formed in 1993 and adopted a program to define and measure sustainable buildings. Five years later, it launched LEED, ... See all stories on this topic Broadspire Medical Management Moves into New Green Location MiamiHerald.com ... a whole-building approach to sustainability. LEED recognizes performance in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, ... See all stories on this topic William and Mary News 'Eco-village' to serve as model of sustainability on campus, beyond William and Mary News Additionally, research may also be conducted on the social aspects of living in a sustainable building, tracking "how people live in these buildings, ... See all stories on this topic Cities going green Beach Reporter Chris Conaway, the chair of the Environmental Task Force's green building subcommittee will make a presentation on sustainable building at the city's Earth ... See all stories on this topic Discover Magazine (blog) Europe's Newest Green Energy Sources: Pedestrians and Body Heat Discover Magazine (blog) It's an idea that was first implemented in a Rotterdam nightclub by the Dutch company Sustainable Dance Club (SDC), where the company installed special ... See all stories on this topic Environmental, Health and Safety News: Federal Buildings Go Green ... By EHS Director The agency anticipates that all new and significantly upgraded federal buildings will achieve at least a LEED Silver certification, thanks to the GSA's use of sustainable design and technology. ... EHS News - Current ... Environmental, Health and Safety News - http://ehsmanager.blogspot.com/ Weyerhaeuser Sponsoring Continuing Ed Courses - FloorDaily.net April 15, 2010. Floor Daily. The Right News Right When It Happens ... "Hardwoods in Green Building: Plantation-grown Eucalyptus Makes its Mark as a Versatile, Sustainable Exotic Species," is available on demand at http://continuingeducation .construction.com. A similar course, "Sustainable Eucalyptus and Green Building," is available through in-person presentations by Weyerhaeuser to qualified firms. The courses, which qualify for 1.0 AIA/CES Health, Safety, ... FloorDaily.net News Articles - http://www.floordaily.net/ Wal-Mart's green balancing act | Australian Food News By nke Mr Scott said that while most of Wal-Mart's customers may not want to pay 30-40% more for a sustainable product, that doesn't mean they don't care about the environment. He pointed out that most of Wal-Mart's customers operate from paycheck to ... Wal-Mart is also looking into ways to reduce the impact of their 'big-box' store building practices, including finding new tenants for outgrown Wal-Mart buildings and including recycled materials in the construction process. ... Australian Food News - http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/ Association BIILDs on its green commitment - Yourhome.ca Association BIILDs on its green commitment. April 14, 2010 Stephen Dupuis SPECIAL TO THE STAR. More on Industry News. Competition Bureau rips... The Canadian Real Estate Association has implemented new rules that could open up the real estate industry to greater ... Around that time, BILD articulated a strategic objective to promote best practices in sustainable development and green building as one of just five focused objectives in our association's long-range plan. ... YourHome.ca - - http://www.yourhome.ca/homes