Monday, December 7, 2015

Google helps launch Quartz Project

The Quartz Project is an online database of open source environmental product data. While not a full EPD, this gives some ballpark numbers and overall impacts. For example, rebar.

See the full database at: http://quartzproject.org/q

Sunday, November 22, 2015

November updates

November's committee meeting included a presentation by Erica Fischer on the connection between fire engineering (particularly for steel structures) and sustainability. Performance-based fire design is rare in the US but common in other parts of the world. Spray-on fireproofing has a high cement content that results in large amounts of embodied carbon emissions.

Other news items this month:

King County adopts new climate plan, including 25% building energy use reduction by 2030.
151-page Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP)

New resilient design pilot credits announced for LEED v4:
http://www.resilientdesign.org/leed-pilot-credits-on-resilient-design-adopted/


Friday, October 16, 2015

CLT post at the Urbanist

The Urbanist has a short article on cross laminated timber by Susan Jones, FAIA. The article contains some background on the blue beetle effect in Canadian forests as well as an update on domestic production of CLT.

See more at:


http://www.theurbanist.org/2015/10/15/clt-whats-all-the-excitement-about/

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize Competition Names Winning Designs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the award of funding to support development of two tall wood buildings in the U.S. Two teams will split $3 million in funding to support the research and development of their proposed projects.  The contest required buildings at least 80 feet tall using mass-timber (such as cross laminated timber) and other engineered-wood.

One winner is 475 W. 18th, a 10-story residential high-rise in New York. 
Architect: SHoP Architects,
Consultants: Arup, Icor Consulting Engineers, Atelier Ten
Developer: Spiritos Properties

The other winner is Framwork, a 12-story multi-use building in Portland Oregon's Pearl District
(residential, office, commercial, and community spaces)
Architect:  LEVER Architecture
Consultants: KPFF
Developer: Project

More on the projects:
http://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/us-tall-wood-building-prize-competition-names-winning-designs_o
USDA Press Release
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015%2F09%2F0259.xml

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

UW Disaster Resilience Series

The University of Washington is hosting a series of lectures on disaster resilience. The speakers are multi-disciplinary and there is a multi-hazard lists of topics to be covered. See more and reserve a place for the public lectures at http://www.washington.edu/alumni/hazards/

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Concrete in the news

Two stories from the world of concrete:

The DJC, as part of its "Building with Concrete" section, has recognized the Stone34 building for 'Sustainable Merit'. The building is certified LEED Platinum, and concrete-related sustainable aspects include stormwater reuse, exposed concrete for thermal mass, and a variety of other methods.
More information at: https://www.djc.com/news/co/12077658.html

Dutch researchers are exploring methods to add bacteria to concrete mixes. The bacteria produce limestone when exposed to oxygen and provided with a set of nutrients which are added to the concrete mix design. The bacteria are exposed to oxygen when cracking occurs, and the intent is that the limestone produced then heals narrow cracks. Cost is currently an issue with mixes about double the typical cost.
More information at: http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/?fuseaction=view&id=13183

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Carbon Leadership Forum provides updated concrete PCR

The Carbon Leadership Forum has updated their PCR for concrete. From CLF:




In response to request by LCA practitioners preparing Concrete EPDs, the attached clarification to the CLF Concrete PCR has been issued.


This provides guidance on how to allocate truck (transit) energy that is used to mix concrete for plants in which the concrete is mixed in the truck, not in the plant.  This clarification is posted on the CLF website http://www.carbonleadershipforum.org/epds-and-pcrs.html

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Disaster Resilience by SEI Committee on Sustainability

Disaster Resilience White Paper

Disaster Resilience Working Group Chair, Tonatiuh (Tona) Rodriguez-Nikl announced that the working groups white paper on the topic has been published:
I'm happy to announce that the Disaster Resilience White Paper is finally published online at http://tiny.cc/DisResSust. This white paper explains how disaster resilience is indispensable to sustainability and is a great resource for sustainability professionals who want to get started in resilient design. Please share this white paper with anybody who might be interested.
The white paper covers design guidance for resilient design, disaster mitigation, and quantification of disaster resilience benefits through life cycle assessment.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

April news roundup

Several new items from around the web. Have something you want to share with SEAW? Contact Kyle with links.

The SEI Sustainability Committee has released their white paper on Disaster Resilience (note the link with instructions to download the full paper):
http://structureandsustainability.blogspot.com/2015/04/disaster-resilience-and-sustainability.html


Tnemec proposes new coating for steel to reduce thermal bridging:
https://www2.buildinggreen.com/article/aerogel-coating-may-reduce-thermal-bridging

OSU begins initiative for forest science, including taller wood structures:

http://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2015/jan/osu-launches-initiative-forest-science-complex