What I saw at West Coast Green that intrigued me was... -Will these EVER see the ligtht of day? 10/08/2010
 West Cast Green (WCG) was interesting, as usual, but I didn't see too many "this will revolutionize the AEC!" products. Sure, there were solar companies, and a few other related firms, the recycled wood and the FSC Certified wood people. The only product that really caught my attention was the Straw-Board product. If this really goes into production here, gains an ICC number and an LARR number, then it has a chance of getting some traction and who knows, possible adoption in the marketplace. The strawboard product put out by Strawmit USA, is another idea I think is ripe for the time. Will the "powers that be" allow it to get through the ICC and LARR processes so that it can be used in new construction projects? So far, I know of TWO companies that have a far superior impact-product that is finding the going tough when trying to get through the ICC/LARR MESS! Makes me think there are palms being greased, friends/connections livelihoods being artificially propped up, all to stave off new technology being brought into this STALE, OLD industry, -The AEC. We cannot have TRUE revolution in the Green Materials market unless there are those in these "stamping" positions that will allow NEW technology to be brought to market. I know of one ICF maker who told me that it took 10 years to get the approval from both ICC and LARR, -9 YEARS AFTER THE TESTING WAS ALL COMPLETED!!! I hope that these new materials can have a "green fast-track" applied to them, as other entities do. But there is no such fast-track to apply for even. They say there is, but that's not my observation. What do the ICC and the LARR entities have to lose by wasting so much time? Nothing! Therefore, there has to be some ulterior motive type scenario(s) being played out. Nothing else explains it. Some jurisdictions will allow such new products to be used, even without testing to be done, as long as the Engineer of Record and the City Engineer will sign off on it. Which should be good enough for most products. However, here in California, where we need to worry about earthquakes, some of the excuses given are earthquake related, -is possibly why it takes so long. So it takes time to do those extra steps for earthquake related verifications. However, 10 years? I do not think so! So, will revolutionary products shown at WCG this last week, ever make it to the light of day and to be used in a project? I would like to hope so, but will that happen anytime soon is only the ICC/LARR's guess! The Strawmit USA product was the only one that I saw that was a REAL possible game changer, though. Sure there were others, even with a commercial application for a solar thermal solution, but only that one stood out. I am anxious to get its' performance numbers to see what it is really capable of. I could see them being used as an exterior and interior and ceiling, solution. My impression was that it is not a structural member, but can be used to replace the wall portion of the envelope, for both the interior and exterior. At this point, it's hard to tell just what it can actually.do. More on this as I get information. Well, we have the Fleet Week Air Show practicing above the City today, and it should be fun! Add Comment Go Green - Design.Materials.Build. 05/31/2010
 Bahamas House - Our Net Zero, fully Self-Contained, Custom Home! -All under $200/sf! Go Green - Design.Materials.Build. -What does that really mean? We basically believe it is a lifestyle change to each of our daily lives, and of our lifelong activities. One way to Go Green is to revert back to "living with the Sun", as I call it. It is only in the last 150 years or so that man has progressively moved towards working in periods of dark, when one should be resting. I am not instigating that 1st world countries go back to being of the 3rd world countries of 150+ years ago; -No. I am saying that the old adage of: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man (or person) healthy, wealthy and wise." There is profound wisdom in that statement. To me, it is implying that we DO wake up with the Sun, and go to bed with it, or as close as possible. We use less artificial means of light and studies show we are more productive, too. This kind of thinking is, what some might say "is a bit astrophysical" to: "be at one within the natural flow of Earth's (and Universe's) natural systems". But I beg to differ. We are all a part of this living organism called Mother Earth. While there is data and evidence for both camps regarding "Climate Change", the one thing we pretty much agree on is that we need to take better care of our Blue Marble so that future generations will be able to enjoy it in the way that we do today. -And if possible, leave it in a better state. This is all a part of how to: Go Green. Now, how to do that effectively, efficiently, economically in my industry on our projects is what we will bring to you in this blog: Green Blog. We look forward to working with you on your projects to help you to Go Green, and in providing you with the latest in Go Green information. Thank you, Michael GTH | AuthorMichael Williamson is the President of the San Francisco based Design / Materials / Build firm: Green Tek Haus. ArchivesMarch 2012 CategoriesAll |
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