AIArchitect This Week | Practice Zone Summary Page

November 2, 2007


	Pioneering Zero-Zero Building Creates Ultra High Energy Efficiency Extraordinary building uses zero energy, produces zero emissions In a former 1960s-era bank building in San Jose, Calif.—once windowless and resembling a solid concrete block—a forward-thinking electrical engineering firm is creating a high energy-efficient sensation. From below ground to the roof, Integrated Design Associates Inc. (IDeAs) has designed a structure that, if it performs according to their calculations, will produce zero carbon dioxide emissions and use zero electrical energy, to be what is believed to be one of the first “z-squared” commercial buildings in the country. Stop Curling Up Like a Porcupine! Get Accountable! Roger Hall, founding partner of Porcupine Communications says that you can call it “the blame game,” “skirting responsibility,” or even “CYA.” But whatever you call it, the results are the same: Since no one wants to be accountable, the firm isn’t sharp and doesn’t respond quickly enough to market shifts or customer demands. As a result, opportunities are missed, and profits gradually decline. Fortunately, you can take steps to bring accountability back to your organization and end the blame game once and for all. Read on. HEADS UP AIA Contract Docs Hosts 2007 Owner/Contractor Agreements Webinar on December 4 AIA Contract Documents will host a Web seminar, “2007 AIA Contract Documents: What’s New?” on December 4 from 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET to provide an overview of the AIA Contract Documents program and the new digital practice documents, and then delve into the revisions to the A201™-2007 and the 2007 Owner/Architect agreements.
Copyright 2007 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page

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