Green Building Expo

If there was any question that green building is rapidly going mainstream, 10,000 plus people gave their answer on an early October weekend at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The 10th Annual Green Building Expo, organized by a group of dedicated citizen volunteers and by staff members of the Cities of Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix on October 5th and 6th, offered a cornucopia of green building education to interested professionals and the general public. More »

Green Building Expo Nabs High Honors in Valley Forward's 27th Annual Environmental Awards Program
Scottsdale AZ (September 30, 2007) -- Green Building Expo was awarded the esteemed Crescordia for highest honors in the Environmental Education/Communication category in the Valley Forward Environmental Excellence Awards. The award was accepted on behalf of the Expo by Mayor Mary Manross at the Westin Kierland on September 29th. Before she began her remarks, she brought the entire Green Building Expo Committee up on the stage and then also asked Councilman Greg Stanton of Phoenix and Mayor Hugh Hallman of Tempe to join her and the excited group. With this demonstration of the collaborative nature between the Cities and the many planners of the Expo, Mayor Manross praised the efforts and continued commitment of the group to raising environmental awareness and providing a wide array of information to the general public and building industry.

Governor Napolitano Names Friday October 5th "Urban Sustainability Day"
Phoenix AZ (September 25, 2007) -- In support of the Green Building Expo, Governor Janet Napolitano has named Friday, October 5th, "Urban Sustainability Day." She acknowledged the 10th Annual Green Building Expo’s dedication to improving building and design practices in Arizona through educating both public and private sectors about the importance of Green Building techniques. She noted the importance of these techniques to encourage energy efficiency and building development that protect the environment and provide healthy places for Arizonans to live and work. The Proclamation will be presented at the opening session of the Green Building Expo on Friday, October 5th at 11 a.m. at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Sue Roaf Added to Green Building Expo Program
Scottsdale AZ (September 20, 2007) Dr. Sue Roaf has just been added to the Green Building Expo program. Dr. Roaf is an internationally-known teacher, architect and author. She is Professor of Architectural Engineering at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, and a visiting professor at Arizona State University and the Open University in the UK. She will discuss a range of building and climate-related risks that we are facing in the future and will outline action plans future-proof our lifestyles. Dr. Roaf is best known for design and living in the Oxford Ecohouse, which features various energy conserving strategies. Sponsored by ASU's Herberger Center for Design Research, Dr. Roaf will speak at 4:30 pm Friday and again at 12:30 pm on Saturday at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. These and all events are free and open to the public.

Green Building Expo Offers Numerous Special Events
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Aug. 12, 2007) – The annual gathering for those passionate about the environment, Green Building Expo has announced its lineup of special events during the 2-day event, occurring October 5th and 6th, 2007. More »

2007 Expo to Feature Internationally Acclaimed Architect Edward Mazria
Mazria photo

Edward Mazria, an internationally recognized architect, proudly shares highlights of his long and distinguished career. Spanning more than 35 years, his architecture and planning projects have each employed cutting-edge and environmentally progressive advances in design. His published material includes The Passive Solar Energy Book, It’s the Architecture Stupid!, Turning Down the Global Thermostat, Blueprint for Disaster, The Building You’re in Fuels Global Warming. His most recent undertaking, The 2010 Imperative: A Global Emergency Teach-in, brought together a quarter-million people from 49 countries to discuss, create and implement strategies for addressing global warming and the built environment. More »

Scottsdale embraces a natural look

From the East Valley Tribune: "Few municipalities in the Valley embrace nature like Scottsdale. From the McDowell Sonoran Preserve’s heights down to the dirt where native plants are protected, this is a city where the environment is more than just simply scenery."

American Institute of Architects Recognizes Lost Dog Wash With its Highest Honor

The Arizona Component of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) selected Lost Dog Wash for its 2006 Honor Award.

The project was cited as "an example of commitment to environment apparent through its preservation of native desert habitat, choice of appropriate building materials and natural resource conservations."

The Lost Dog Wash access area was also the recipient of the AIA Salt River Project 2006 Sustainable Award. The entries were submitted by Weddle Gilmore Architects, the designer of the access area.

The Expo committee would like to congratulate Phillip Weddle architects and Quintin Branch owner of Rammed Earth Homes for receiving this top honor. Both of these companies, Weddle-Gilmore Architects and Quintin Branch of Rammed Earth Solar Homes are sponsors for the Green Building Expo.

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Top Five Strategies in Greening for Businesses

When purchasing new company cars, make them alternative-fuel vehicles.
Buy “smart surge protectors” or "smart strips" that automatically shut down computers, power, etc. when not in use.
Add motion sensors and automatic wall switches that shut lights off when people leave the room.
Install waterless no-flush or ultra-low flush urinals for men. Most use a safe chemical instead of water.
Choose “duplex” as the default setting on office copy machines.

Top Five Strategies in Greening for Parents or Expecting Parents:

Recycle baby/child items by visiting freecycle.org, where you can literally post giveaway items you no longer need.
Install alternatives to conventional water softeners, such as chlorine-free systems or filtration systems
Use natural cleaning products instead of toxic solutions. Mix 1 part water with 1 part vinegar you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home.
Buy rechargeable batteries for electronic toys.
Engage children in greening practices at an early age – teach kids to turn off lights and faucets, keep exterior doors closed, recycle, etc. Also, emphasize hands-on learning with a camping trip, visit to the Zoo or Botanical Garden to connect them with nature at an early age and save money over more commercial forms of consumptive entertainment.

Top Five Strategies in Greening for Residential Homes:

Install alternatives to conventional water softeners, such as chlorine-free systems or filtration systems.
Use renewable products such as cork instead of hardwood for flooring.
Install a hot water demand controlled recirculation pump for water heaters for a 20 to 30 percent reduction in water use.
Install a dual-flush option on your toilet. One button for liquids, another for solids!
Get your air ducts tested for leaks. Leaky ducts are one of the largest sources of energy loss in your home.