Profiles of three iconic American skyscrapers highlight the latest efforts to make buildings more energy efficient.
The Empire State Building in New York City is implementing a new sustainability plan that includes insulating windows, maximizing daylighting, and upgrading its chiller. Additionally, tenants will take on some of the responsibility for energy savings through sustainability incentives within lease agreements. (more…)
To better understand and discern between environmental product claims, A&D professionals need to stay apprised as to the latest developments in EcoLabeling.
EcoLabels in the interior design industry are following a trajectory similar to that of other industries. Starting with single-criteria labels, product labels progress to multi-criteria labels and eventually shift to comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based labeling. While SCS Indoor Advantage and GREENGUARD have proven to be effective single-criteria EcoLabels, and level expands the criteria through the supply chain, the author believes that LCA is a logical future step for product labels in the furniture industry. LCA more effectively addresses a comprehensive set of environmental impacts and any associated trade-offs by evaluating a product’s consequences from “cradle-to-grave”. (more…)
These eleven new materials and technologies offer a glimpse into where innovation is taking us, both in terms of sustainability and simply as cool ideas:
This article informs readers about the ways in which the right office furniture can help companies reduce their carbon emissions. The author notes that upscale, professional offices seldom purchase second hand, recycled office desks and chairs, but offers advice on how to find new furniture produced with recycled and select sustainable materials. Readers are encouraged to choose local suppliers to further reduce carbon emissions and the article offers suggestions on how to resource green office furniture and organize company refurbishing and recycling efforts.
Source: Anonymous, PR Newswire (New York), March 17, 2010
