Continuing on from yesterday’s session on European experience.

We find that in Europe the time frame for building planning is longer, maybe even centuries. In the US we think in decades. Europe also has codes informed by their culture. Codes require every worker having access to views outside, not just daylight. Culturally they expect that. It is a given in design to have narrower floorplates to allow this. It also helps with natural ventilation. The workers expect to be able to open windows. What a strange world they have in Europe. Some great examples of fully integrated design with advanced design strategies for energy efficiency were presented (from North America but with European designers or engineers). These were:

- Manitiba Hydro’s new headquarters by KPMB Architects, with Transolar

- Genzyme Headquarters in Cambridge, MA by Behnisch and Behnisch

- Loyola University Information Commons in Chicago by Solomaon, Cordwel Buenz with Transolar

All these used an integrated design process and had some form of adaptation to the local micro-climate, early and repeated modeling (physical and simulation) to make trade off decisions on strategies, use of natural ventilation, solar chimney, orientation-specific glazing and shading, separation of ventilation from heating and cooling, some from of occupant control, daylighting with controls, and so on. Some used double skin, some used interior atrium for pre-conditioning air and humidity. Most integrated structural elements with heating and cooling. In short, any of the things covered in BetterBricks education program and on BetterBricks.com.

This morning, Day 2, there was more of European good lessons – discussion of use of displacement ventilation in European hospitals. This led to a study by a consortium of engineers and researchers to validate it for US application. That group, the Healthcare Ventilation Research Collaborative consists of Mazzetti, Stantec, Purdue University and others with funding from Kaiser Permanente. They are now taking their findings supportive of displacement ventilation to ASHRAE to hopefully change restrictions in Guideline 170 that currently can be seen as limiting displacement ventilation use.

Last night was the big opening ceremony in the Diamondback baseball stadium. After the National Anthem, we had Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC CEO as the cheerleader for the status of Green building and green products and services (it’s a growth industry going from $17 Billion in 2007 to an expected $60 Billion next year). We also found out that 28,000 people came to this conference from 75 countries traveling 33 million miles, and all transportation carbon emissions have been offset. Rick proclaimed a new world order and that green building movement is at a tipping point and a leverage point “big enough to move the world”.

We then had a charismatic speech by Al Gore followed by a rockin’ set from Sheryl Crow.

Al Gore said we have all the tools we need. We lack the policies and laws (and codes) and the political will to enact them. He also urged us to resist and speak out against greenwashing, as that is one thing that can hinder progress.He urged us all to be activists in our own realms.

Now, I’m off to a book signing with Seattle Green advocate, architect and friend, Lucia Athens. Her new book is Building and Emerald City (Island Press) www.buildinganemeraldcity.com and its about he development of the green movement and industry in the Northwest, mostly Seattle.

Chao for now,

John.