|
Hello AIA Members!
 |
Top: Karan Grover
Bottom: Llewellyn Van Wyk and Melissa McGregor |
Architects leading the movement…
WOW! I am still on a sustainable/green high after three days of the Green Building Focus Conference. We are left with a challenge not to lose this excitement. I am excited about being the Executive Director of the organization that can keep this excitement alive and make a change happen. You guys are the only ones who can change the built environment the RIGHT WAY. This is an opportunity to regain your territory and take back the leadership role. Other professions know pieces of the design process, but architects are the only professionals who know all the pieces of the process.
You have this rare opportunity where everything is in place: built environment has to change, construction waste awareness, environmental responsibility, energy and water conservation and it is trendy to be green.
The second opportunity is political. Why can’t we create the political platform for the next governor’s race and even the city councils election? With this sustainable design platform will come sustainable manufacturing companies. When a 500 mile circumference is drawn around Birmingham, that circle extends into 7 other states = LEED points. Birmingham also has brownfield’s available/urban lands, railroads, rivers for transportation, interstates, talented architects who know how to retrofit an existing building or design a new building.
Maybe AIA members should write an AIA Birmingham Manifesto to create that platform…..
Peace,
Rhea Williams,
Executive Director
P.S. Attend the August local chapter meeting to hear what other organizations are doing to protect our local resources.
|
| |
August 18th
Local Chapter Meeting 3 SDU Black Warrior River Keeper–
Nelson Brook
Urban Gardens–Edwin Marty
ECOscapes–Roald Hazelhoff
Pervious Pavers –
Alabama Concrete Assoc.
Catering by Little Savanna
|
|
|
Green Building Focus Conference Numbers
220 exhibition stands (some were
not for profits, like AIA)
175 companies exhibiting
1772 attendees
|
|
Bruce Herrington with volunteer Lucy Burchfield
|
|
| |
2009 SAVE THE DATES
August 18th Green Seminar 4HSWs/SDU
Chapter Meeting (during lunch program)
Black Warrior River – Nelson Brook
Urban Gardens – Edwin Marty
ECOscapes – Roald Hazelhoff
Pervious Pavers – Alabama Concrete Assoc.
8:45 –2:00
$25 members $20 Emerging Professionals $40 non members
$20 Chapter meeting/lunch program only
Southern Environmental Center, Room 205
Birmingham Southern College
Rsvp by August 13th
The Smorgasbord
Highlights from the 2009 Green Building Focus Conference & Expo
The 2009 Green Building Expo was a success. More than 1500 people walked the floor of the BJCC exhibit hall to view over 200 green building products and services exhibited. 1,772 delegates attended two days of seminars given on various green topics. Karan Grover’s presentation brought tears to those who attended his lecture. Llewellyn Van Wyk shocked the crowd with the astonishing numbers regarding South Africa’s housing situation. All speakers during the conference brought more than education to Birmingham; they brought a feeling of urgency to change the way the built environment is designed and how it effects the natural environment. If you attended the 2009 Green Building Conference, please send us your feedback.
Thank you Green Building Focus Staff for a GREAT CONFERENCE!
Thank you for having the faith in our city to hold this conference in Birmingham!
The Green Building Focus Conference was such a success. The general sessions were powerful. I had the fortune of spending time with each speaker and each of them felt something at this conference. We had three days of over 1700 people in one space who were all talking about the same things– sustainability, green, eco friendly, change, global warming, environmentally responsible, LEED, responsible design, recycling, people or planet and quality of life. This conference created a movement. A movement of change in the way we live and work.
The after conference consensus is Birmingham is green and ready to be a ‘green supply hub” for manufacturing. There were 220 exhibitors. It is time for Birmingham to be the place to have a green company/manufacturing. Exhibitors were pleased with the response from the state and are looking forward to 2010. This conference will help spread the word, Birmingham is the place to launch your green company.
Brief Overview
Charles Kibert – LEED Buildings are not enough. Moving beyond LEED.
Ed Begley – Set green/sustainable goals to achieve.
~ replace your light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs as you replace them
~ride a bike when you can
~harvest rain water
~plant a garden or have a container garden
Once those goals are achieved set new ones. Mt. Everest was not climbed in a day.
Karan Grover – First do No harm. Every design has a direct impact on the planet. Your design in Birmingham has a direct effect on our neighboring states and countries.
Llewellyn van Wyk– First do no harm is not enough. You have to take the next step. Each design should contribute back to the infrastructure of a city. There are too many people living without potable water and electricity.
People are more important than politics/politicians.
Dominic Sims – ICC Building codes adapting to sustainable design and construction.
David Eisenberg – Not your father’s building codes. Codes are changing due to demand. Think of your children and grandchildren when planning.
One message resonated during the conference – CHANGE!!!
Continuing Education
AIA Birmingham is working with the Green Building Focus Conference staff to ensure all CEU’s are reported correctly. More information will be in the August newsletter.
Wall of Great Designs – 2009 Design Awards Boards
The 2009 Design Award Boards were along the wall right as you walked into the Green Building Focus Conference at the BJCC. This was a popular wall. Everyone looked at the boards. Many of the exhibitors had products specified in the projects and they really enjoyed viewing the boards.
It would be nice to have them exhibited at the airport for locals traveling out of town and for tourists. This would be great marketing for AIA members.
If anyone has a contact at the airport that could help us with the 2009 Design Award entries board exhibit, please email me at aiabirm@aiabham.org
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the AIA exhibit booth at the Green Building Focus Conference. National AIA provided the booth, we paid for the shipping. It is important for AIA Birmingham to have a presence in the community and city.
Commercials Promoting Design Award Winners and Green Expos
Did anyone see the AIA commercials promoting the Green Building Focus Conference and 2009 design award winners? One more way AIA Birmingham is promoting hiring an architect. These commercials aired over the last 12 days.Click play to see/hear each commercial.
Announcing Green Roof Consultation Services
Interiorscapes, Inc. is delighted to offer green roof consultation, design and maintenance. We follow the latest technology in green building. Green roofs positively impact the surrounding environment by improving air quality, reducing the urban heat island effect, filtering storm water and improving the aesthetics of urban areas.
We have entered into a partnership with UAB and we are closely involved in a twelve-month research project that will be collecting data on energy efficient roofs and green roofs. We are currently testing different products in our region to better understand how species and soil aggregate mixtures will react in our specific climate.
The Interiorscapes staff have traveled the country looking at both intensive and extensive green roof systems. With our expertise we are able to handle both retrofit and new construction green roof projects and we have access to the best plant material for each job. For more information on green roofs, please visit our website, www.interiorscapesinc.com.
|
