| GreenClips.239 04.28.04 WEB TOOL HELPS SMALL TOWNS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES MANAGE SPRAWL The Vermont Forum on Sprawl, in partnership with the Orton Family Foundation, has developed a free online tool called "Pathways to Planning." Its aim is to help local planners, citizens and other groups address community issues, learn about sprawl and smart growth, and develop strategies for action. The tool is organized into sections that each take 5 to 10 minutes to complete; users can complete all sections or only those of greatest interest. The tool then generates a list of resources that can be printed or "bookmarked" for later use. "Our hope is that this tool will be applicable in any state or region," says Karen Yacos, program manager for the foundation. Although it was designed for use in rural communities, it can be modified to meet the needs of a variety of users, including those in urban areas. More: http://www.vtsprawl.org. New Urban News, Apr-May 2004, p 24, and Vermont Forum on Sprawl press release. RIGHTSIZING HVAC SYSTEMS PAYS OFF Many HVAC systems are substantially oversized, according to the U.S. EPA'S ENERGY STAR Buildings program. "There are several problems with oversizing," says Jean Lupinacci, chief of the ENERGY STAR commercial and industrial markets. "First is the capital outlay for the larger chillers... The second problem is that energy expenses are higher than they need to be. The third problem is that if a system is oversized, then it isn't taking moisture out of the air properly." The way to avoid oversizing the HVAC system is to use integrated, or whole-building, design by identifying and modeling the facility's real needs for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. This means moving away from building codes or rules of thumb as the basis for specifications. Integrated design will cost a little more during the design phase, because of the additional engineering fees associated with detailed building modeling. But the resulting HVAC system may well be smaller, reducing first costs, and it will operate better if used close to its full potential. In addition, the mold and moisture issues associated with chillers operating at part-load conditions are eliminated when proper dehumidification can occur. There is less wear and tear on boiler elements that don't cycle up and down rapidly. Fans are not cycled on and off constantly because the loads are handled more evenly. Quite often, these elements result in a rapid payback of the additional upfront engineering fees. Building Operating Management, Apr 2004, p 13, by Rita Tatum. [Full text: http://www.facilitiesnet.com/bom/Apr04/Apr04hvac.shtml] SUSTAINABLE DESIGN THAT PUTS PEOPLE FIRST In 2000, architect Randolph Croxton and interior designer Kristen Childs formally introduced the United States to the concept of human-centered sustainable design (HCSD) in an essay in Earth Pledge Foundation's widely read "Sustainable Architecture White Papers." HCSD practitioners believe that buildings positively impact human health if they incorporate aspects of the natural environment that confer fitness to humans during their physical evolution. HCSD is closely related to the idea of biophilia -- the human affinity for natural things. In addition to naturalistic forms, plantings and water features, biophilic building elements include extensive visual access to the outdoors, multiple enclosures and refuges, overhead built "canopies" to give a sense of protection, and changes in elevation to allow surveillance. Studies have shown that such features reduce stress and improve mental functioning. Working with the architect Cecil Baker & Associates and landscape architect Andropogon Associates, Croxton's firm, Croxton Collaborative Architects, put the principles of HCSD to the test for the city of Philadelphia's new Forensics Science Center. Occupying a 1920s school structure, the Center's 46,000 square feet of laboratories incorporate daylighting, efficient systems and numerous sustainable design features. The building is green, but is it more human-centered than any other crime lab? As the originator of the term HCSD, Croxton thinks so, but only time will tell if it works. Architecture, Apr 2004 p 39, by Jonathan C. Weiss, Kath Williams and Judith Heerwagen. [More: http://www.croxtonarc.com/. Full text: Go to http://www.architecturemag.com and search on "Design for humans"] GOING TO NEOCON? CHECK OUT THE GREEN GUIDE. If you're in Chicago on June 14-16 for the NeoCon World's Trade Fair, be sure to pick up the "Green Guide to NeoCon." Published by Interiors & Sources, this reference guide will highlight the GREENlife exhibit designed by TVS, and will contain listings by floor to guide attendees through the Merchandise Mart, making the search for green commercial furnishings easier. And don' miss the informal Green Walk, which will allow attendees to learn what suppliers are doing to positively impact the environment. For more about the "Green Guide to NeoCon," call 800.537.4271. Interiors and Sources, April 2004, p 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GreenClips is free of charge thanks to individual members and these sponsors: ARMSTRONG CEILING SYSTEMS http://www.armstrong.com/commceilingsna/article10790.html Armstrong offers an expanding portfolio of sustainable ceiling products. Through the Ceiling Recycling Program, an industry first and only one of its kind, old tiles are shipped to an Armstrong plant, not a landfill; 17 million square feet recycled to date. EPA'S ENVIRONMENTALLY-PREFERABLE PURCHASING PROGRAM Greening the government, one purchase at a time. http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp FIRST ANNUAL TETON GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE http://www.tetongreenbuilding.com/ Please join developers, planners, builders and architects June 2-4 at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park to learn from national experts about the LEED standard, building science, methods and materials for colder climates. This first annual event is sponsored by AIA-Wyoming, USGBC-Colorado Chapter, and Vail Resorts Development Company. 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Email chrishammer@greenclips.com for details. ABOUT THE PUBLISHER: Sustainable design consultant Chris Hammer publishes GreenClips in San Francisco. Ms. Hammer helps her clients with environmentally responsible approaches to urban planning and development, and to building design, construction, and operation. GreenClips is edited by Jennifer Roberts, author of "Good Green Homes: Creating Better Homes for a Healthier Planet" (http://www.goodgreenhomes.com). To CONTACT THE PUBLISHER: Email chrishammer@greenclips.com or call 415.928.7941. BACK ISSUES Two Internet sites host GreenClips archives for reference and research: http://listserv.energy.wsu.edu/greenclips/visit.html (keyword search) http://www.greenclips.com (browse contents) REDISTRIBUTION Please do not redistribute or post copies of GreenClips regularly. Encourage readers who receive GreenClips from you to subscribe directly. Continuing sponsorship depends on accurate reader counts. 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