Green Building
An Oregon Perspective on Green Building
 Rob Bennett
Manager
Green Building Division
City of Portland's Office of Sustainable Development
Historically, buildings have existed as an expression of a particular culture in conversation with its environment. Totems, longhouses, Timberline Lodge, bungalows - all represent different periods of northwest history and their particular cultural "design assignments" to capture sunlight, shed water, encourage spirituality, and provide shelter. Indeed, buildings represent the culture that creates, where intentions and values are literally made concrete.
This dialogue between cultural expression and environmental conditions in architecture and construction has changed considerably in recent years. Today, building development is driven almost exclusively by economics. Proformas, return on investment, and value engineering is the language of development, a focus that marginalizes thoughtful, integrated design and
resource-efficient building practices for short-term profit.
[full essay]
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Next Green Building Event
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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LEED for Homes Technical Review
Sponsored By: USGBC
Time: 8:30 AM
- 5:00 PM
Location: Tualatin Valley Water District 1850 SW 170th Ave. Beaverton, OR
Description: Are you ready to enter the rapidly growing green building market?
Attend the LEEDŽ for Homes Technical Review presented by the U.S. Green Building Council. Gain the knowledge needed for successful participation in the LEED for Homes initiative.
Web Site:http://www.cascadiagbc.org/events/2008/may/leed-for-homes_05-13-08.pdf
Contact Information:
202-742-3820
workshop@usgbc.org
Not available
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Featured Case Study
Neil Kelly Naturals Collection
The Neil Kelly Naturals Collection is the first line of cabinetry in the U.S. that addresses both sustainable forestry issues and hazardous emissions issues associated with cabinet making.
Source: Sustainable Northwest
[Full Case Study]
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Featured Oregon Organization |
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Zero Waste Alliance
http://www.zerowaste.org
The Zero Waste Alliance (ZWA) is a Portland, Oregon-based non-profit
alliance of universities, government organizations, businesses and
individuals who are committed to work toward a more sustainable future. It
assists organizations in obtaining cost savings, competitive advantages and
reduced environmental impacts through the application of the tools of
industrial ecology coupled with the use of Zero Waste visionary goal.
Emphasis is placed on full systems-thinking, management systems and green
chemistry. The ZWA provides management support, training and education, and
technical services including a research and a resource clearinghouse that
identifies resources to help organizations wishing to reduce their
environmental impacts. |
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