The saga of Greenbuild from LA to Chicago is not really a pleasant one. Needless to say, it's not in LA this year, but Chicago and once again the car (in the form of the LA Autoshow) triumphs over green!
Well at least we'll get to see Chicago.
People have asked me more than a few times: "What do you think of LEED?" "What do you think of Greenbuild?".
The short answer is: LEED is a vehicle that has carried in a dialogue on sustainable building that seems to permeate the industry. It's been an excellent marketing tool that has allowed owners, architects, consultants, builders and manufacturers to engage in a discussion about what it means to have a green building. It provided us with metrics that could be measured to help gauge the "sustainability" of a project. There are many issues with the program, but it was never meant to be a fix all solution. As a program it will evolve and adapt to the market.
It is important to think about and understand how difficult it is to "gauge" sustainability, and determine what metrics best describe what it means to develop a sustainable built environment.
So to the Windy City we go! Now where can I buy some carbon offsets?!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Hip to be green?
Has the environmental movement graduated to mainstream, and for once it might not be soo bad that they sold out!
Back when started Reach Ix, not so long ago, it seems that environmental awareness and sustainability were still only everyday words to a select few people. Since then it appears, that it has moved firmly into the main stream and has gained a momentum that is much more than a fad.
Al Gore was practically a celebrity at the Oscars, everyone and their celebrity uncle is talking environment, the supreme court ruled carbon dioxide can be regulated, the Governator graced the cover of Newsweek spinning the world on a finger under the title “Leadership and the Environment” (he was in this month's issue of Wired too receiving the Rave award in Politics) and it doesn’t seem that I can walk into a meeting without someone saying something about carbon footprints, energy conservation or just today about the lastest group to testify in front of a Congressional committee. Did I mention that nearly every 4th ad in nearly any mainstream media print is about some company boasting about their latest environmental initative?
I’ve been viewing it all with tepid enthusiasm, wondering how long is this going to last. But with presidential primaries still 9 months away, and environmental platforms an apparent hot button issue it appears it may be around to stay… at least until Nov. 2008.
Why tepid you ask? Well, it’s not a so simple answer, in general the people I work with and the projects I work on are very conscious of the environmental impact the buildings we live, work and play in have, but then I design building systems in one of the most environmentally progressive states in the country, possibly the world and every now and then I’m reminded that this isn’t nearly the case everywhere.
So where do I think we are now? I think we’re starting to come to an understanding that regardless of what is causing global warming, we’re coming starting to think about doing less harm, and that “green” may actually be cool; hopefully we’re quick thinkers that can turn this all into action because the more I think about it we’d better starting thinking about all those other inconvenient truths and start to manage what may be the unavoidable.
Back when started Reach Ix, not so long ago, it seems that environmental awareness and sustainability were still only everyday words to a select few people. Since then it appears, that it has moved firmly into the main stream and has gained a momentum that is much more than a fad.
Al Gore was practically a celebrity at the Oscars, everyone and their celebrity uncle is talking environment, the supreme court ruled carbon dioxide can be regulated, the Governator graced the cover of Newsweek spinning the world on a finger under the title “Leadership and the Environment” (he was in this month's issue of Wired too receiving the Rave award in Politics) and it doesn’t seem that I can walk into a meeting without someone saying something about carbon footprints, energy conservation or just today about the lastest group to testify in front of a Congressional committee. Did I mention that nearly every 4th ad in nearly any mainstream media print is about some company boasting about their latest environmental initative?
I’ve been viewing it all with tepid enthusiasm, wondering how long is this going to last. But with presidential primaries still 9 months away, and environmental platforms an apparent hot button issue it appears it may be around to stay… at least until Nov. 2008.
Why tepid you ask? Well, it’s not a so simple answer, in general the people I work with and the projects I work on are very conscious of the environmental impact the buildings we live, work and play in have, but then I design building systems in one of the most environmentally progressive states in the country, possibly the world and every now and then I’m reminded that this isn’t nearly the case everywhere.
So where do I think we are now? I think we’re starting to come to an understanding that regardless of what is causing global warming, we’re coming starting to think about doing less harm, and that “green” may actually be cool; hopefully we’re quick thinkers that can turn this all into action because the more I think about it we’d better starting thinking about all those other inconvenient truths and start to manage what may be the unavoidable.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Here we go….. again.
We’re going to go around one more time and give this a go. Put the fingers to keyboard and let it all whirl.
I’ve discovered, as many of you probably already know, that blogging is a commitment; if you want to do it right, keep readers and keep yourself entertained you have to do it regularly and well I haven’t been doing such a great job of that. I could come up with a whole host of excuses, I was busy with work, I was too tired, I didn’t know what to write, but they’d all be just that: excuses. So as I said at the beginning: here we go…. Again. Enjoy.
I’ve discovered, as many of you probably already know, that blogging is a commitment; if you want to do it right, keep readers and keep yourself entertained you have to do it regularly and well I haven’t been doing such a great job of that. I could come up with a whole host of excuses, I was busy with work, I was too tired, I didn’t know what to write, but they’d all be just that: excuses. So as I said at the beginning: here we go…. Again. Enjoy.
Friday, November 24, 2006
I am an Airport Energy Junkie
I wouldn't say I travel a lot, but I'd say that I travel enough to have become a hotel snob, an airport critic, a pro at clearing security and an airport energy junkie.
Airport energy junkies can be found clustered around the nearest outlet, which in most airports are few and far between, leeching energy from the airport for anything from laptops (the most common), a portable DVD player, iPod or maybe even cellphone.
If you aren't an airport energy junkie, you'd probably never even really notice them, or give it a second thought. It's one of those things you think that if you only use it once, it'll be fine, you can cut yourself off at any time. But as with any addiction you can't. Soon you're walking around the terminal gates looking for outlets, checking at the base of columns, around the perimeter by the windows, maybe even settling to hid behind the gate agents kiosk, if it means you can get your fix of 115V single phase, 60 hertz electrons for whatever gadget satisfies your hunger.
So, the next time you're in the airport, if you look for them carefully, you'll find them nestled almost casually around their feeding grounds.
Airport energy junkies can be found clustered around the nearest outlet, which in most airports are few and far between, leeching energy from the airport for anything from laptops (the most common), a portable DVD player, iPod or maybe even cellphone.
If you aren't an airport energy junkie, you'd probably never even really notice them, or give it a second thought. It's one of those things you think that if you only use it once, it'll be fine, you can cut yourself off at any time. But as with any addiction you can't. Soon you're walking around the terminal gates looking for outlets, checking at the base of columns, around the perimeter by the windows, maybe even settling to hid behind the gate agents kiosk, if it means you can get your fix of 115V single phase, 60 hertz electrons for whatever gadget satisfies your hunger.
So, the next time you're in the airport, if you look for them carefully, you'll find them nestled almost casually around their feeding grounds.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Sleepless in Seattle
Well I wouldn't exactly say that it was a sleepless night, I was staying at the W and their beds are amazing.
I'm in Seattle for a design kickoff meeting for a new high rise residence that will hopefully define sustainable living for the Seattle area. The primary purpose of the trip was to attend an ecodesign charrette, to flesh out the overall intent for the building as a whole. It may sound easy, fun, treehuggerish, but truth be told it can be difficult to shed your normal modes of thinking to push beyond and normal and acceptable to explore new regions, but it is what I live for.
On Seattle, what can I say, it was wet they say they see the sun here, a lot in fact, something about a well kept secret, but sure as heck didn't see it. I've spent a year in England, days in the rain at camp, braved four rain seasons in LA (hey it's LA, rain is a big deal), but it was Seattle that finally broke me: I now own an umbrella. It was this blowing localized rain, it seemed as if on one block it was raining, not the next, and the following it was coming down horizontal. After walking around for almost an hour in the rain, taking shelter in one of many Starbucks which seem to adorn every corner, I caved, walked into a Walgreens and bought an umbrella for $15.
I have to say my umbrella skills in the wind are pretty good, I only had it invert on me once, I didn't poke out anyone else's eye, though nearly my own and I skillfully lifted it up and over fellow walkers with the finesse of a master.
Seattle may have won this battle, but I shall return again, the war is far from over.
I'm in Seattle for a design kickoff meeting for a new high rise residence that will hopefully define sustainable living for the Seattle area. The primary purpose of the trip was to attend an ecodesign charrette, to flesh out the overall intent for the building as a whole. It may sound easy, fun, treehuggerish, but truth be told it can be difficult to shed your normal modes of thinking to push beyond and normal and acceptable to explore new regions, but it is what I live for.
On Seattle, what can I say, it was wet they say they see the sun here, a lot in fact, something about a well kept secret, but sure as heck didn't see it. I've spent a year in England, days in the rain at camp, braved four rain seasons in LA (hey it's LA, rain is a big deal), but it was Seattle that finally broke me: I now own an umbrella. It was this blowing localized rain, it seemed as if on one block it was raining, not the next, and the following it was coming down horizontal. After walking around for almost an hour in the rain, taking shelter in one of many Starbucks which seem to adorn every corner, I caved, walked into a Walgreens and bought an umbrella for $15.
I have to say my umbrella skills in the wind are pretty good, I only had it invert on me once, I didn't poke out anyone else's eye, though nearly my own and I skillfully lifted it up and over fellow walkers with the finesse of a master.
Seattle may have won this battle, but I shall return again, the war is far from over.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Why what you're eating could be killing you...
Or, how big pharmaceutical is turning being fat into a disease.
All I have to say is WOW. I mean I know that Coppertone created the hype and cultural buzz to be tanned, effectively pushing everyone into the sun, and now they sell sunscreen... I mean true they created their own market, but at least it was kinda over 20-30 years and things did really change... we did kinda put a big hole in the Ozone and made things worse.... but turning fat into a disease just so you can come up with a pill to cure it? C'mon.
Reference, the October Issue of Wired Magazine: The Thin Pill. Aight, now I can believe that some cases of obesity are related to true disorders, just as much as cases of extreme (read sickly) thinness are, and require appropriate treatment. But the idea of telling 84 Million people that they're fat because of a disease and that there's a little pill that can fix it is just... well crazy.
What happened to a balanced diet, and exercise? Oh that's right, the USDA has been feeding us the wrong pyramid for the last 20 odd years. Now that it's been 'fixed' why can't we return to the same idea, and hit across the broad spectrum of health.
Personally, I'd like to see tax breaks for exercise programs (especially for kids) HMO's and PPO's providing helping cover the cost of going to the gym, and moving to preventative health measures rather than reactive measures like the Thin Pill.
All I have to say is WOW. I mean I know that Coppertone created the hype and cultural buzz to be tanned, effectively pushing everyone into the sun, and now they sell sunscreen... I mean true they created their own market, but at least it was kinda over 20-30 years and things did really change... we did kinda put a big hole in the Ozone and made things worse.... but turning fat into a disease just so you can come up with a pill to cure it? C'mon.
Reference, the October Issue of Wired Magazine: The Thin Pill. Aight, now I can believe that some cases of obesity are related to true disorders, just as much as cases of extreme (read sickly) thinness are, and require appropriate treatment. But the idea of telling 84 Million people that they're fat because of a disease and that there's a little pill that can fix it is just... well crazy.
What happened to a balanced diet, and exercise? Oh that's right, the USDA has been feeding us the wrong pyramid for the last 20 odd years. Now that it's been 'fixed' why can't we return to the same idea, and hit across the broad spectrum of health.
Personally, I'd like to see tax breaks for exercise programs (especially for kids) HMO's and PPO's providing helping cover the cost of going to the gym, and moving to preventative health measures rather than reactive measures like the Thin Pill.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Movie Review: Death of a President
Director: Gabriel Range
Producing Studio: Universal Studios
Trailer
IGN.com review
I went into this film, not quite sure what to expect. I'd picked up the buzz about it from an article run on CBC.ca (the CBC.ca search server is down atm, will add the link later if I can.) during the Toronto Film Festival. The buzz/controversy of the film was generated since it involves the hypothetical assassination of a sitting president.
Just think about this for a second: This film depicts the assassination of President George W. Bush. I've lived in the US for the last four years, and I don't think I've even heard anyone even utter the idea of wishing Bush any ill will, they may complain, but no one's actually said I wish the guy wasn't around (in the corporeal sense).
The film is presented as a fictional documentary, something you might expect to see on the History Channel or Discovery, as we have seen in the wake of 9/11. The performances by the entirely unknown cast is completely believable, as is the mixture of real and fictional footage of the president, and rioters.
In spite of the fine performances, and the complete believability of the presentation, I felt that ultimately the film failed to deliver anything relevant or poignant worthy of the assassination of a sitting president. The only real shock in the film is the assassination of the president, the emotions it can draw out from you.
In spite of what you may think, this film was not an attack on the president, and actually casts him in a very favorable light. It was of course an attack on his policies and the discontent we have seen resonant across the country.
Personally, I wouldn't say that my political views come even close to being in alignment with those of the president, and it would seem, that we will find out in just over the next week whether this holds true for the rest of the country. Even though I don't agree with his policies, it ends there, I don't wish him as a man any ill will. He was duly elected by the people of the United States of America, and he is carrying out his duty as he best sees fit. For me, if as a film maker you are going to entertain the idea of assassinating Mr. Bush, you need to follow through on your delivery. The interviews, which follow several key players involved with the night in question and also the subsequent investigation follow a fairly predictable path, and lead to what is almost a foregone conclusion.
In the end, for all the buzz and shock this movie inspired, it failed to deliver. Wait for the DVD, add it to netflix somewhere near the bottom, and only if you get more than one movie a month.
Producing Studio: Universal Studios
Trailer
IGN.com review
I went into this film, not quite sure what to expect. I'd picked up the buzz about it from an article run on CBC.ca (the CBC.ca search server is down atm, will add the link later if I can.) during the Toronto Film Festival. The buzz/controversy of the film was generated since it involves the hypothetical assassination of a sitting president.
Just think about this for a second: This film depicts the assassination of President George W. Bush. I've lived in the US for the last four years, and I don't think I've even heard anyone even utter the idea of wishing Bush any ill will, they may complain, but no one's actually said I wish the guy wasn't around (in the corporeal sense).
The film is presented as a fictional documentary, something you might expect to see on the History Channel or Discovery, as we have seen in the wake of 9/11. The performances by the entirely unknown cast is completely believable, as is the mixture of real and fictional footage of the president, and rioters.
In spite of the fine performances, and the complete believability of the presentation, I felt that ultimately the film failed to deliver anything relevant or poignant worthy of the assassination of a sitting president. The only real shock in the film is the assassination of the president, the emotions it can draw out from you.
In spite of what you may think, this film was not an attack on the president, and actually casts him in a very favorable light. It was of course an attack on his policies and the discontent we have seen resonant across the country.
Personally, I wouldn't say that my political views come even close to being in alignment with those of the president, and it would seem, that we will find out in just over the next week whether this holds true for the rest of the country. Even though I don't agree with his policies, it ends there, I don't wish him as a man any ill will. He was duly elected by the people of the United States of America, and he is carrying out his duty as he best sees fit. For me, if as a film maker you are going to entertain the idea of assassinating Mr. Bush, you need to follow through on your delivery. The interviews, which follow several key players involved with the night in question and also the subsequent investigation follow a fairly predictable path, and lead to what is almost a foregone conclusion.
In the end, for all the buzz and shock this movie inspired, it failed to deliver. Wait for the DVD, add it to netflix somewhere near the bottom, and only if you get more than one movie a month.
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