Green Code authors eye adoption speed, standardization ease

The U.S. Green Building Council, International Code Council and ASHRAE have released the 2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC), citing its potential to help state or local governments streamline code development, adoption and enforcement. The groups also envision improved industry standardization by integrating two previously separate guidance documents: ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES 189.1 – Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings and the ICC International Green Construction Code.

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2018 International Green Code: Adoption expedited, standardization eased

Source: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Green Building Council, International Code Council and ASHRAE have released the 2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC), citing its potential to help state or local governments streamline code development, adoption and enforcement, and improve industry standardization by integrating two previously separate guidance documents: ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES 189.1 – Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings and the ICC International Green Construction Code.

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Survey: Employees on board with LEED-certified work environments

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Employees who work in (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) LEED-certified green buildings are happier, healthier and more productive than employees in conventional and non-LEED buildings, according to a U.S. Green Building Council-commissioned survey of 1,000 full- or part-time workers, plus others self-employed but based in an office building setting.

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Surfaces Coalition targets urban heat sources, impervious pavements

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The U.S. Green Building Council, American Institute of Architects and 20 other sustainability or urban organizations have formed the Smart Surfaces Coalition to help cities adopt cost-effective solutions—porous pavements; cool roofs and pavements; trees and plants—for cutting excess heat radiation from buildings and surfaces; reducing flood risks; plus, improving livability, health and equity.

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Resilient buildings standard rises to LEED level

Sources: Perkins+Will, Chicago; CP staff

The U.S. Green Building Council formally adopted the Resilient Building and Design Standard, RELi, during the 2017 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston. Paralleling USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design series, the standard is billed as a prescriptive roadmap to help architects, businesses, city planners, developers and governments design buildings, neighborhoods, and communities to better withstand natural disaster shocks and stressors.

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Greenbuild 2017: Materials selection, carbon emissions reduction, Boston backdrop

Source: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.

The annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo will take place November 8-10 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Informa Exhibitions anticipates 25,000 attendees from the commercial and residential professional, architect, building owner and operator, student and educator ranks.

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‘Smart Surface’ report shows savings from pervious, porous pavements, cool roofs

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

A new report documents large-scale environmental, health and economic benefits that Washington, D.C., could realize from such “smart surface” technologies as pervious concrete or permeable concrete paver installations, cool or green roofs, and solar photovoltaic panels. “Achieving Urban Resilience DC” estimates the District, as a stand alone municipality, could save $5 billion over 40 years; enhance health and livability; and, temper peak summer heat.

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Founding U.S. Green Building Council chief passes torch

Sources: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The U.S. Green Building Council has completed a leadership transition with Mahesh Ramanujam succeeding President and CEO Rick Fedrizzi. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continually develop and enhance USGBC’s capabilities and performance to ensure we deliver the future our founders envisioned—transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated so they enable a healthy and prosperous environment,” says Ramanujam, who continues as president of the Council’s LEED rating system administrator, Green Building Certification Inc. “Our work has had a tremendous impact on millions of people. USGBC is not just about buildings. It is about bold leadership to create business and community transformation while driving sustainability for all.”

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