The headquarters of the National Association of Realtors in Washington, D.C., is the first mewly constructed building to meet the green standards of the U.S. Green Building Council. (See today's lead story for more on green building.) The 93,000-square-foot building was built on a cleaned-up former gas station site. Built at a cost of $46-million, the 12-story building uses recycled materials, native landscaping and a high-performance glass curtain wall to reduce energy use; recycled building materials, efficient heating and air-conditioning systems and air filters; natural light and low-emission materials.
Goal: Teamwork amid rivalry
One local home builder has been torn between loyalties in this hockey-crazed week of Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames competition for the Stanley Cup. Cardel Master Builder has offices in both Calgary and Tampa (it builds in FishHawk Ranch, Covington Park and West Meadows). The day after each game, Cardel sales staff in the losing city have to wear the winning city's team jerseys to work, says Damon Ockey, vice president of marketing. "Lose the series and you wear the winning team's jersey for a week." Cardel staff in both cities are pledging $1,000 to charity for each goal their team scores. When the series ends, the losing city will donated $5,000 to the charity of the winner's choice.
Green light to conserve energy
If the idea of a green home appeals (see today's lead story), turn to The New Ecological Home, by Dan Chiras (Chelsea Green Publishing, $35). This is a resource for the latest in energy-efficient design, passive solar heating and cooling, environmental landscaping, and nontoxic and natural building materials. Read about earth-sheltered homes, straw bales, adobe and rammed earth, as well as techniques for building homes that look no different from others up and down the street but perform less expensively and more sustainably.
The decking debate
Consumer Reports, in its July issue, on newsstands now, rates alternative decking materials made of plastics or composites of plastic and wood fiber, mentioned in our lead story today. "Solid wood still rules . . . but our tests clearly show that it's time to take synthetic decking seriously." The magazine also offers advice on stains and sealers for wood decks.
