The Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) will present “Better Site Design: Changing Development Rules in Our Community” on October 15 at Sharon Centre at Sharon Woods. Better Site Design was […]
More than 300 people attended the first Energyze Ohio summit and the energized organizers are thinking about making it an annual event, rotating it among Ohio's major cities. The conference was put together by Melink Corp., a Milford company specializing in energy efficient building, and its CEO, Steve Melink.The conference was meant to build awareness and momentum among key players in the state around the question, "Is Ohio going to be a serious contender in the new energy economy?" Melink says. Those attending included engineers, advanced energy advocates, manufacturers, environmentalists, regulators, planners, and business, educational and government leaders from across Ohio."The idea was to get a feel for what the external energy market for Ohio could be," Melink says. "A lot of people were made aware and seeds were planted across the region with the notion that Ohio can be a leader in the new energy supply chain."The Melink Corp.' s LEED Gold-Certified facilities, opened in 2006, are themselves examples of energy efficient green building, with photovoltaic panels collecting solar power, water-source heat pumps providing efficient heating and cooling, a geothermal closed loop system and an emphasis on natural light.
Tetra Tech is expanding its presence in downtown Cincinnati, consolidating its Sharonville and Price Hill offices into its 250 West Court Street location. The move will bring its downtown employment to about 65. The company is also interested in targeting the market for green and sustainable building and is bringing together its expertise in one location to do that in the Cincinnati market. "Tetra Tech is committed to the growth and revitalization of Cincinnati’s urban core," says Douglas McIlvain, a manager in the Cincinnati office. Tetra Tech is an engineering, and technical services consulting firm employing 8,500 internationally. Writer: David HolthausSource: Douglas McIlvain, Tetra Tech
The University of Cincinnati has launched a minor in Sustainable Urban Engineering, responding to interest from students. The multi-disciplinary minor will urge students to understand how urban infrastructure and environmental policies affect the long-term health and wealth of cities. Led by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the 30 credit hour minor will let students share an experience in core courses, give them some technical depth in engineering and health and broaden their experience in urban planning and management. A capstone course experience will seek to bring together teams of students from across the university and could include projects such as planning and building a Habitat for Humanity house or working on a project for "Engineers Without Borders." Writer: David HolthausSource: Wendy Beckman, UC
Marsh Inc., an independent design consulting firm, has launched Marsh Eco to to specialize in brand identity, packaging and promotional design for companies that create consumer products supporting eco-friendly lifestyles. Ken Neiheisel will lead the Marsh Eco team from the Marsh Inc. headquarters in downtown Cincinnati, producing the creative work, and providing other project support. Sherri S. Henry will focus on new business for Eco in the Austin, Texas market and surrounding areas in the Southern U.S. She'll be based in Austin. In recent years, Marsh has worked with leaders in health and eco-conscious living such as Whole Foods, Save Your Skin and Nest Fresh Eggs. "Consumers are embracing the importance and value of eco-friendly, healthier products, and as a whole are rethinking their lifestyles," Neiheisel says. "This paradigm shift represents an extension of our business – that also marries with our personal convictions." Writer: David HolthausSource: Ann Keeling, Marsh Inc.
Chuck Lohre, president of Lohre & Associates, has received LEED AP status from the U.S. Green Building Council.LEED APs (Accredited Professionals) must demonstrate a thorough understanding of green building practices.As a Cincinnati-based marketing and communications consultancy, Lohre’s firm serves engineers, architects and the building and materials trades.Lohre studied for the LEED AP examination earlier this year for the benefit of his clients."Even though building products are not eligible for LEED certification, there's a tremendous opportunity for manufacturers to get their green message across to architects and developers," he says. "Manufacturers can provide the necessary information about the recycled content, location of manufacture, VOC content and other details builders are looking for when specifying products for their green projects."His certification means that he can also consult with architects and firms needing knowledge on achieving LEED status for their projects.Lohre’s certification comes at a time of increased awareness of green design and construction methods.Of Ohio’s 36 LEED-certified buildings, 12 are located in the greater Cincinnati area with another 30 already in the works.In 2007, a Cincinnati ordinance created significant financial incentive through 15-year tax abatements for commercial and residential developers to build to LEED standards. And recently, the state of Ohio has mandated that schools must be LEED-certified to receive funding from the Ohio School Facilities Commission.More than 43,000 people have received the LEED AP credential since the program was launched in 2001.Lohre & Associates, celebrating its 70th anniversary, is the only marketing communications firm in the region whose principal has achieved LEED AP status.Writer: Kevin LeMasterSource: Chuck Lohre, president, Lohre & Associates
Hamilton County is currently in third place in the large counties category in the National Association of Counties' Green Counties Competition.The competition encourages county employees and residents to take the Energy Star Campaign pledge to save energy and help fight global warming.By joining the pledge, employees and residents will receive a 10 percent discount on Office Depot's Green Brand Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs, and the county with the most pledges will receive 1,000 free lightbulbs.The competition runs through November 30.Read the full release here (PDF).
Students in the Extreme Environments design class in the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning are meeting and working at the bottom of an Olympic-sized pool.The idea behind the program is to have students first experience an environment before designing for it, and, last month, they submitted designs to France's Archipelaego competition.Brian Davies, associate professor of architecture, tells Archinect that their "foray into underwater architecture is motivated by a conviction to inspire greater respect for the planet and by opportunities to enable exploration and science that will contribute broader understanding to fuel such respect.""As designers it is our job to be knowledgeable and respectful of the impact structures, be it land, water, or space, have on the environment," says Emma Scarmack, third-year architecture student. "The technology is here currently for us to be more conscious of built structures on land, but maybe not entirely there for underwater structures."Read the full article here.
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