Extension offers the green building industry additional time to prepare for the newest version of LEED WASHINGTON, DC (Oct. 29, 2014) – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today that it will allow LEED users to register projects under the LEED 2009 rating system until Oct. 31, 2016. The original date for LEED 2009 registration to close was June 15, 2015. Extending to October 2016 gives LEED users and members of the green building industry additional time to prepare for LEED v4, the latest version of LEED, which features increased rigor and multiple updates. “When USGBC launched LEED v4 last year, we set out with one goal in mind – to raise the bar in a way that challenges the building industry to reach higher than ever before. This is our nature and USGBC and its members’ collective mission,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “However, the market has requested additional time to prepare for LEED v4, so we are responding.” In a survey conducted at last week’s Greenbuild conference, 61 percent of respondents said they are “not ready” or “unsure” if they are ready to pursue LEED v4 and require additional time to prepare. Extending LEED 2009’s availability enables USGBC to work with the broader industry within a longer time frame to drive meaningful and comprehensive change. “Our international LEED users, which account for some 50 percent of new LEED registrations, have also indicated they would like to have more time to move onto the new rating system,” Fedrizzi noted. “This extension will be especially helpful to them.” LEED v4 has been in the market for nearly one year and will remain available for those market leaders who are ready. “LEED v4 wasn’t designed to be easy. It is the next generation of green building, and we are confident the market will meet us there as they have in years past,” added Fedrizzi. “When USGBC first pilot tested LEED in 1998, there weren’t many buildings that could qualify for LEED certification at the Platinum level. Now, more than 1,000 buildings have achieved it. With LEED, we have a responsibility to set a high bar and we know that many leaders are capable of reaching it, presently or in the very near future. We want to support our LEED users as they move the market forward with us, and allowing them to utilize the LEED 2009 rating system for a little longer will help facilitate that.” “USGBC continues to develop new resources that support the market’s adoption of LEED,” added Fedrizzi. “The LEED Dynamic Plaque provides a vivid, real-time visualization of building performance data spanning water, energy, occupant satisfaction and more, giving building owners critical insight into how their building is performing. Every day, LEED is contributing to scores of new, innovative building technologies in the design, manufacturing and construction process, and has brought new, healthier building materials to market." LEED has facilitated spectacular advances in building technologies, integrated design and operating practices. LEED is also largely responsible for the explosive growth of the green building sector, which supports or creates 7.9 million jobs across all 50 states and contributes $554 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

Surrey, BC- October 1, 2014 - Duradek, the original Walkable Roofing Membrane expands its response to market demands for naturally inspired textures and colours for outdoor living space and now, in its 40th year, launches a brand new line in its extensive collection of 60 mil vinyl colours and patterns. Discover Duradek Ultra Legacy... The Look of Aged Wood...The Performance of Vinyl Your deck can have a comforting look similar to that of aged wood without sacrificing safety, security or waterproofing peace-of-mind. Up close, you can recognizes the characteristics of the vinyl membrane with its slip resistant, textured surface; but when laid out on a deck, the colour blends and pattern allow your eyes to pick up the traditional appearance of natural wood grains...but without the disadvantages of authentic aged wood. Duradek Ultra LEGACY BARNWOOD In welcoming brown hues, this faux wood finish brings a warm, retro look to your contemporary deck, but without any of the maintenance real wood requires. Duradek Ultra LEGACY DRIFTWOOD In cooler grey tones, this vinyl finish emulates the appearance of a natural driftwood, sun-bleached and weathered by the elements...but keeps your deck protected from them.

WEST CALDWELL, N.J. (October 7, 2014) – Adding to its extensive lineup of prestigious industry accolades, MaxLite receives the Lighting for Tomorrow 2014 Award for its 17-watt Omnidirectional LED A21 lamp. Launched in 2002, the Lighting for Tomorrow awards are organized by the American Lighting Association (ALA), the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Approximately two dozen energy efficiency organizations in the US and Canada participated in supporting this latest competition. The awards were presented at the ALA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee on September 16, 2014. MaxLite’s 17-watt Omnidirectional LED A21 lamp, which is ENERGY STAR-qualified and features second generation LED technology, replaces a 100-watt incandescent bulb and yields more than 80 percent savings in energy throughout its L70-rated lifetime of 25,000 hours. Strictly matched for color quality and consistency, the lamp is available in 2700K, 3000K and 4100K correlated color temperatures (CCTs) and delivers up to 1600 lumens with an efficacy up to 94. It offers a 300-degree beam angle that produces even, consistent light in all directions. MaxLite's LED Omni A-line lamp is dimmable down to 10 percent on a wide variety of dimming control systems. It is available in a standard medium base, which enables convenient screw-in as well as GU24-base installation into existing chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces and table/floor lamps that are used for both residential and commercial applications.

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronically-tintable SageGlass®, a product of Saint-Gobain, was donated to and installed at the Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, helping a high-achieving school in one of the city’s more under-resourced school districts become a working model of green building efficiency. SageGlass dynamic glass is one of a number of advanced building technologies donated by Saint-Gobain and other companies as part of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Louisiana Chapter’s Louisiana Green School Challenge – a program that aims to educate the public about the benefits of green building and environmental stewardship by participation in hands-on, experiential projects. Benjamin Franklin High School, which was chosen as the Green School Showcase and suffered significant damage during Hurricane Katrina, was one of nine winning schools out of 40 who competed in the challenge. Located in the Gentilly area of New Orleans, roughly 50% of the school was damaged by two feet of water which stood for 30 days after the storm. SageGlass is part of more than $150,000 in green building products donated to the Benjamin Franklin school renovation. The school will be available for tours as a live featured “case study” this week as part of a “New Orleans Green Schools Event” during Greenbuild 2014, the world’s largest green building conference and expo dedicated to sustainable building practices, education and technology.

Join us for a Webinar on November 12 Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18122/www2.gotomeeting.com/register/855711610 Waterstops for Environmental Compliance of Liquid Tight Concrete Structures is a targeted course of instruction and professional development for engineering firms engaged in the design of chemical, industrial, and environmental projects such as secondary containment of hazardous waste, industrial wastewater, ozone contactors, and others. The course is technical in nature and describes waterstops role in fluid-proofing concrete joints, chemical resistant polymers and steels, and state and federal regulations of compliance. The course is presented in one (1) hour time frame. Additionally, course attendees are eligible for Continuing Professional Development credit, as David is an instructor with both the Louisiana Engineering Society and the Louisiana Professional Engineers and Land Surveying Board. Course is certified for one (1) Professional Development Hour credit. Title: Waterstops for Liquid Tight Containment Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PST After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Mac®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer Mobile attendees Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet

Danville, VA –BLUE RIDGE FIBERBOARD INCORPORATED won the Virginia NASCAR Green/E3 Challenge at Martinsville Speedway on October 1st for demonstrating outstanding commitment to sustainability and world-class business practices. The Virginia NASCAR Green/E3 Challenge was hosted by the federal initiative, E3: Economy, Energy, Environment; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NASCAR Green and recognizes participants in manufacturing who are a part for the Virginia E3 program (VA E3) who demonstrate data-driven impacts based on improving their triple bottom line. VA E3 participants engage in a series of assessments that help transform their business through recommendations that reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency and generate significant financial gains. E3 combines the resources of six federal agencies with the intent of fostering sustainable manufacturing with action-oriented initiatives. Involved agencies include the U.S. Commerce Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Department of Labor. BLUE RIDGE FIBERBOARD is helping to build a greener future with products not only designed for high performance and quality but with the needs of the environment as a primary focus. BLUE RIDGE FIBERBOARD products consist of pre-consumer content (wood chips). The binding agent used in the making of Blue Ridge fiberboard is also an all-natural product, consisting of vegetable starch containing no added formaldehydes. BLUE RIDGE FIBERBOARD’s manufacturing process is specially designed to be environmentally friendly and accommodating, minimizing post-industrial waste by actively recycling waste materials back in to the process.

ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Composites experts from Owens Corning (NYSE: OC), a leading global producer of glass fiber reinforcements for composite systems, will deliver nine technical presentations at CAMX, the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo to be held this week in Orlando. Additionally, the company's booth will feature products and solutions for a range of applications in the automotive, building and construction, and industrial sectors. The presentations reflect Owens Corning's continuous innovation in processes and composite products supporting a wide range of applications.

Native Trails’ Amelie and Halcyon bamboo bathroom vanities recently received the esteemed GREEN GOOD DESIGN award, which is recognized worldwide for honoring environmentally sound and innovative product designs. Native Trails introduced these award-winning pieces along with its Renewal Series, made primarily of FSC-certified Moso bamboo, in 2012. Halcyon, beloved for its bold yet compact design and sleek, wall mount installation, won the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association’s “Innovative Furniture Product of the Year” award in 2012 and the KBCulture Bath Cabinet award in 2013. Amelie Vanity features soft, soothing lines and a handcrafted “wraparound” integral top. Its soft-close drawer with dovetail craftsmanship and tempered glass shelf provide both storage and style. This is not the first time a Native Trails vanity has been recognized with a GREEN GOOD DESIGN Award. In 2013, the company’s Bordeaux Wall Mount vanity—part of the Vintner’s Collection, which repurposes wine barrels into bath vanities and mirrors—earned a GREEN GOOD DESIGN Award. The GREEN GOOD DESIGN Award is sponsored by the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. This year hundreds of entries poured in from two-dozen countries around the globe before the GREEN GOOD DESIGN Award jury identified the world’s most significant examples of sustainable modern design.

The theme of 2014 World Architecture Day, October 6, will be “Healthy Cities, Happy Cities.” The UIA invites its members to organise special activities linked to the event, which will celebrate the role architects and architecture play in the vitality of the urban setting and in the well-being of its inhabitants. How can architects design and construct “healthy” spaces, facilities, housing and urban landscapes which foster happiness, health and quality of life for city-dwellers? By what means are architects able to bring life to cities, to infuse them with energy, to insure their viability, to anticipate and heal disorders, to forestall disintegration and to accompany their harmonious development? Responsible architectural design has spotlighted the role of the architect aobligation to design a sustainable environment by means of an ethical professional practice in the areas of energy, implementation and materials. This year’s theme for 2014 World Architecture Day was conceived by the UIA to illustrate the expansion of such practices and their impact on the urban space as well as on the entire city. The theme also is one facet of the UIA’s global commitment to international institutions who defend safeguarding the planet, the quality of the air, the water, the soil and all the elements contributing to the health of human settlements.

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MovinCool®, a brand of DENSO Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of air conditioners, announced a new Climate ProTM 18 portable heat pump, which combines both cooling and heating capabilities in a single, self-contained unit. The compact system is 13 percent smaller and 22 percent lighter than other comparable heat pumps, yet it offers significantly higher performance. The Climate Pro 18’s cooling capacity of 14,600 Btu/h, heating capacity of 13,700 Btu/h and minimum operating temperature with plenum of 24 degrees Fahrenheit make this unit the best-performing system in its class. A new controller features a larger LCD screen that displays diagnostics and step-by-step instructions to start, set up or restore operation. The system is fully compatible with most standard, off-the-shelf wireless thermostats. As with other MovinCool portable systems, highest-quality manufacturing details include hermetically sealed refrigeration units and fan motors, to ensure long-term reliability. MovinCool’s industry-leading warranty covers parts and labor on the entire unit for three years.

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company (Panasonic) and Coronal Group LLC (Coronal) announce the completion of nine solar projects in Tulare and Kings Counties in Central California. The projects provide 16.2 MW of energy to Southern California Edison’s grid to power approximately 14,500 homes annually. Panasonic and Coronal acquired the California Renewable Energy Small Tariff projects from Macquarie Capital in 2013. A $50 million funding commitment by Ullico Inc., a labor-union owned insurance and investment company, also contributed to the acquisition and completion of the projects. The projects were built by Panasonic and ImMODO Energy Services Corporation. Coronal’s exclusive relationship with Panasonic allows it the flexibility to acquire operating solar assets or partner with developers and engineering, procurement and construction providers in North America.

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, recently teamed with 3M and Sunray Window Films, who installed 3M Sun Control Window Film Prestige Exterior 40 on the exterior glass of this celebrated structure. While the unique architecture of the 150,000 square-foot glass enclosed museum employs natural light to illuminate the exhibits, it risks exposing them to ultraviolet (UV) rays and increases energy use for cooling. With the installation of Prestige Exterior 40, the windows can now reject both heat and UV rays, while reducing the visible reflectivity of the existing glass. With uncompromised aesthetics, the unmatched and distinct architecture of the museum and the specific angle of the building’s custom windows made traditional window covering and energy savings solutions difficult. Blocking excessive heat and UV rays from the outside in was the perfect solution and 3M window film made that possible. 3M Prestige Series window films use nano-technology without metal to create reflectivity that's actually lower than glass. These films selectively refract light from the spectrum and reject up to 97 percent of the sun's heat-producing infrared light and 99.9 percent of UV rays to keep tenants cool. With this technology, museum exhibits shine and views remain true to life, because the only thing patrons see day or night, inside or out, is a beautiful window.

Building on the foundation of our insulated metal panels, we bring you a complete platform of building materials, featuring sunshades, grilles, column covers, and beam wraps, by DAMS, Inc. and an extensive offering of custom fabricated products. View the LEED® value Envolution brings by downloading our Environmentally Connected Brochure and stop by Booth 2255 at the 2014 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo held October 22-24 in New Orleans, LA.

Designers examine future industry trends in a live Google+ Hangout on Air event October 9 Columbia, Md. (Oct. 1, 2014) – Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., a provider of intuitive, powerful and practical 2D/3D and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solutions, invites professionals and students from any design discipline to attend The Business of Creativity, an online, interactive panel discussion that will connect the dots between vision and reality. The event will take place on October 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EDT through a Google+ Hangout on Air. Panelists include Todd McCurdy, FASLA vice president, director of landscape architecture + planning at Morris Architects, Inc., Aurora Meneghello, marketing and social media manager at Novedge, Michael Klaers, lighting designer at The Small Group, Ron Kwaske, principal and architect at Office Ron Kwaske, Architect and Rob Glisson, AIA, principal and architect at Rojo Architecture.