In April the American Institute of Architects announced their "Top Ten Green Projects" for the year. A multifamily condominium project in Boston is one of the winners proving green building in the multifamily sector is achievable.  Macallen Building Condominiums

What stands out for me is a local project that steals it's thunder. Mississippi Avenue Lofts is state of art using 40% (or more) less water and energy than a conventional project of it's size. It's already a LEED Gold standard and the developers are diligently working toward Platinum. There are more innovative green features on this site than I could list here -- really, it's amazing.  You can't visit the lofts yet, but the website is designed with extreme transparency in the building process. It's an excellent learning tool for anyone interested in cutting edge green technologies in the mixed-use sector.  www.mississippiavenuelofts.com

Sustainable development is about more than just supporting the triple bottom line. It's about transparency, collaboration and shared knowledge. It's about moving us all forward while still making a profit for ourselves, our families and our coworkers. The developers of this project really sustainability. They are just one of the many reasons why I'm so proud to live and work in Portland.  

This event is the West Coast's version of Green Build, but it's local and more stringent in criteria for exhibitors.

If you visit the exhibitors page, there are many local and regional businesses worth learning about.

www.westcoastgreen.com

In the spirit of Earth Day, we took a moment to consider our dailiy actions and honor the Earth. Then, we did what we normally do on Tuesday -- move forward with our busy careers. The beauty of it all is that what we do really makes it Earth Day every day for GreenRenter!

"In-joy" Earth Day.  

These two speakers are both thought leaders and doers in our community. Whether you rent or own, this lecture would be worth your time.

 'Last Wednesday' Monthly Meetings
April 30, 2008 * 6:30--9:00 PM * Refreshments
Ecotrust Building, 721 NW Ninth Avenue, Billy Frank Conference Center
Free to Guild members * $5 donation suggested

Meet and visit with Eli Spevak, a pioneering developer of ecological housing, and Bill Cunningham, a planner who is opening the way for innovative housing within the City's regulatory framework.

Eli Spevak's company, Orange Splot LLC, is a housing development company and general contractor with a mission to pioneer new models of community-oriented, affordable, green housing developments in Portland.

Eli believes that one of the most important things we can do to minimize our ecological footprint is to live in less space, and to do so within a larger community in which it's easy and fun to share resources. His projects, like Sabin Green and Peninsula Park Commons, have sparked strong interest from Portlanders seeking a sustainable lifestyle.

Bill Cunningham led the City's recent courtyard housing design competition, which generated hundreds of entries and ideas from designers in response to this challenge:

* How can courtyard housing be designed to serve as an attractive option for families with children?
* How can courtyards serve as useable outdoor space while also providing environmental sustainability benefits, act as a setting for community interaction while also respecting privacy needs, or serve as a pedestrian-oriented space while also accommodating cars?

* How can courtyard housing avoid a purely inward focus and contribute to Portland's tradition of street-oriented urbanism?

Portland General Electric, Energy Trust of Oregon and Metro Multifamily Housing Association are hosting a free class called "Smart Investments in Energy Efficiency".  If you are a multifamily property owner who uses PGE for your electricity you can attend. I used to work as a subcontractor for the Energy Trust and can attest to the helpfulness of these classes. They are really informative and the Energy Trust cash incentives have never been higher.

Date: Wednesday, April 23

Time: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm 

Place: 121 SW Salmon, Portland

More info: 503-464-8020 

Darcy is a local consultant that provides great book reviews. I thought this one might be of interest to Green Renters.

Jerry Yudelson. The Green Building Revolution (Washington DC: Island Press, 2008).

If you want a quick update on the state of the green building industry and why it's growing 50% per year-what's driving it and also holding it back, which sectors are pursuing green building the most, and a primer on the ever expanding number of LEED-xx standards -this would be an excellent place to begin. The book includes a number of black and white photographs of projects. I only wish Yudelson had included more detailed descriptions of the most innovative features of the projects he highlights.

Darcy Hitchcock

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