october 19, 2007
  Germany’s Technische Universität Darmstadt Aces Solar Decathlon Architecture Contest
Students from the Technische Universität Darmstadt leaped to an early lead in the U. S. Department of Energy’s third Solar Decathlon on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., when they handily captured first place in the Architecture contest on October 15. The architecture contest, which judges how well each of the 20 competing teams met requirements to “design and build attractive, high-performance houses that integrate solar and energy-efficient technologies seamlessly into the design,” is the contest worth the most points in the 10-contest competition.

Siting, Access to Transit Play an Important Role in Sustainable Design
Although buildings themselves are responsible for the lion’s share (48 percent) of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually, the impact of building design and siting on transportation patterns should not be taken lightly. A study limited to office buildings and commuters from BuildingGreen.com by authors Alex Wilson and Rachel Navaro proposes planning and design solutions.

AIA Supports New Bill to Promote Sustainability in Higher Education
On September 24, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) introduced legislation, The Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2007 (H.R. 3637), to create a new grant program for colleges and universities to promote sustainability. Under the bill, institutions of higher education may apply for federal funding for the development of programs and initiatives that address sustainability, specifically in the areas of green building, energy management, and waste management.

 

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This is where you will find the latest happenings in the Institute, the profession, and the wider world of building design and construction. The News Zone also carries commentary from AIA elected representatives as well as major new commissions, completions, and openings.