Designlog

Hey Toto! Did you see that Green Town?

On the night of May 4, 2007, 95% of homes and businesses were destroyed by a massive EF5 tornado that was nearly 2 miles wide in Greensburg, Kansas. Although this storm was devastating to the community, they are now presented with an incredible opportunity to show the world their strength and to create a new future for those who will live there. Greensburg City Council has approved a resolution that all city building projects will be built to LEED Platinum level standards. This makes them the first city in the United States to do this and it shows the world "how green a town can become."

The Discovery Channel is filming a series about Greensburg that will air starting in June on their new network, Planet Green.

How does your FloorScore?

Our Amtico Rep came by this week and mentioned that their product has been certified by Greenguard and FloorScore.  We had heard of Greenguard before, but not FloorScore.

So what is it?  "The FloorScore program, developed by the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) in conjunction with SCS tests and certifies flooring products for compliance with indoor air quality emission requirements adopted in California. Flooring products include vinyl, linoleum, non-PVC resilient flooring, wall base, and associated sundries." Source: http://www.scscertified.com/iaq/floorscore.html

Many of the other resilient flooring companies have the certification within their product lines... Armstrong World Industries, Jonhsonite, Mannington Mills, Congoleum Corporation...   

Another way to improve indoor air quality! 

Watch out! CFL's are coming!

Start saying goodbye to your wonderful incandescent bulbs, folks!  By 2012, they will all have to be replaced by more efficient lighting products.  The bulb being pushed in it's place is the compact fluorescent, or CFL (the one that usually looks like the top of a Dairy Queen confection).  While it only comes in a few sizes and shapes right now, it will certainly begin to be produced in more forms in the next few years.  After all, it will have to fit into candelabra-type chandeliers, ceiling fans, accent lamps, night lights. . .well, you get the idea!

As a long-time fluorescent-hater, I am really having a hard time letting go of my favorite bulbs!  I do want to save the environment, use energy responsibly, and save money - but I am not willing to give up the soft light and flattering color rendition afforded us by my friend, the incandescent bulb!  Fortunately, the CFLs are now being produced in a warm color temperature as well as the old standard, cool white.  That is progress!  Perhaps by 2012 I will have adjusted my thinking, and the industry will have come up with innovative, interesting and aesthetically pleasing efficient bulbs which will look nice enough to make us forget the light bulbs we grew up with.  I hope so!

Green Design

What do you do when a client comes to you and ask for a "Environmentally Friendly Roof"?  Well, you come back after days of research and you recommend to them Green Block Roofs. This company is on the cutting edge of Green Roof Design. Green Roof Blocks is out of Missouri and they have worked on many commerical buildings and homes in the Midwest, they were even used on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover.

There are so many benefits to using Green Roof Blocks....Simple Installs, Great for Sound Proofing, Lower Heating /Cooling cost, and increase to roof life. The blocks come in custom sizes and shapes. Most of the time they come in 2x2 blocks that come in 4", 8" and 12' depths, these blocks have live plants and growth media in them. The blocks are heavy gague aluminum construction that is andonized for additional corrison resistance. Click on the link Green Blocks for your FREE DVD.

DTE is currently working with a client to install a Green Block roof. We will keep you posted on the progress!

Stay Tuned!!