by John H. Cluver, AIA, LEED
e’re about to get another code. To the ranks of the zoning code, building code, fire prevention code, property maintenance code, private sewage disposal code (yes, there is such a thing), and many others, we will soon be able to add a Green Code. The International Code Council, publisher of model codes used by many states and local municipalities, is currently working with several other organizations to create the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), with the intent of adding it to their other offerings with the triennial release of the 2012 family of codes. The IGCC looks at issues of site development, material resource conservation, energy conservation, and water use, and sets minimum requirements for provisions within these categories. In addition, it lists other potential requirements and compliance thresholds that adopting agencies (state and local governments) can set, along with requiring a minimum number of project compliance electives. This approach provides a degree of customization not found in other components of the construction code, giving the states and local governments that choose to adopt it with a surprising degree of flexibility. This is a good thing, because I anticipate that there will be many areas that add the IGCC to its quiver of codes given the push we are seeing in many areas to make sustainable design practices mandatory…
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Posted 07.01.2010 in Preservation
by John H. Cluver, AIA, LEED
What does the Recovery Act and Save America’s Treasures have in common? The answer: economic stimulus and jobs. Unfortunately, those responsible for setting the 2010 federal budget haven’t seen the connection, and the budget recently sent by the White House to Congress has eliminated funding to the Save America’s Treasures program. And that is a travesty, especially at a time when the government is trying to encourage spending that will generate jobs. Consider the following:
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Posted 03.25.2010 in Preservation
by John H. Cluver, AIA, LEED
Old buildings have a bit of an unjust reputation for being energy hogs. And, unfortunately, this misconception can be misused to justify “improvements” that do little to save energy or money, while doing real damage to a historic building. Very often, the most cost effective measures are overlooked because they are so simple and mundane that they don’t seem like they should be able to make a difference, or because the larger and more expensive projects get all of the attention in advertisements and articles. But the simple fact is that the easier and cheaper an energy improvement is, the sooner real financial savings can be realized. For those of us who own or manage historic buildings, however, should not be the only consideration. We have to guard against losing the historic character that makes these buildings so special, and to make sure that we are not introducing new elements that could create future problems where none previously existed. To best determine the appropriate steps to take with your property, the best step is to hire a professional to do an energy audit or energy model of the property. The former shows you where you are losing energy, while the latter allows you to try out numerous “what if” scenarios to determine what improvements will produce the best results.
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Posted 03.25.2010 in Preservation