ten daylighting myths

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sunscreens

what is GOOD daylighting?

good daylighting creates beautiful, appropriately lit spaces while saving energy. A successfully daylit building is the result of a combination of art and science, of architecture and engineering. It is the result of an integrated design process, and is not simply a technology that is installed once the building is complete.

daylighting myths

don’t let myths obscure your view. Learn how successful daylighting works today. See ten daylighting myths—unclouded:

daylighting myths

about the daylighting collaborative

the Daylighting Collaborative was initiated by the energy center of Wisconsin and its sponsoring members as a source of why-do and how-to information for daylighting using windows.

vision

light every building using the sky.

mission

empower all building designers and owners to incorporate daylighting into every project by providing with them with a single source to locate all information they need: the Daylighting Collaborative advanced design that respects the natural environment and creates energizing spaces for people.

nature challenge

The David Suzuki Foundation has researched the best actions you can take to protect nature and improve your quality of life for the future. The good news is that simple changes can make a real difference! Sign up for the Nature Challenge and see how many of the following actions you can do!

1. Reduce home energy use by 10%
An energy-efficient home will lower your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. Heating accounts for nearly 60% of energy use in the average Canadian home.

2. Choose an energy-efficient home and appliances
R-2000 homes use 30% less energy than standard homes. Modern appliances are better for the environment.

3. Don’t use pesticides
Small children and pets are especially vulnerable to the dangers of chemicals.

4. Eat meat-free meals one day a week
The production and processing of grains requires far less water and land than does meat.

5. Buy locally grown and produced food
Try buying local food for one month a year. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from food transportation.

6. Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle
A typical SUV uses almost twice the fuel of a modern car, although both seat the same number of passengers.

7. Walk, bike or take transit to work
The air we breathe inside our cars can be up to 10 times more polluted than the air outside.

8. Choose a home close to work or school
If you live in a convenient location, you’ll lower your emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

9. Support alternative transportation
Transit lines and bike paths mean less pollution, less gridlock and urban sprawl.

10. Learn more and share with others
We can inspire our elected leaders to incorporate environmental conservation into public policy.

We invite you to sign up for the Nature Challenge and you’ll receive our monthly newsletter full of news and handy tips to protect the environment.

 

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/NatureChallenge/


global warming

 “Man created the problem and therefore man should solve the problem,” Virgin’s Branson told a news conference  today where he presented his $25 million incentive program.  “Unless we can devise a way of removing CO2 (carbon dioxide) from the earth’s atmosphere we will lose half of all species on earth, all the coral reefs, 100 million people will be displaced, farmlands will become deserts and rain forests wastelands.”

  
Scientific American: Virgin’s Branson offers $25 mln global warming prize

sustainability- LEED for homes workshop

November 1st 2006, attended LEED for Homes workshop

Summary: Work toward efficiency. Avoid unnecessary waste. Keep our environment clean. Seek creative solutions.

This workshop focused on the fact that as architects we play a large role in the stewardship of our environment, and we have a responsibility to act as a resource to homeowners, builders, and the community on how to preserve and protect this environment. Topics covered key sustainability issues involved in the siting, design and construction of new homes. (To view a copy of the LEED for Home Checklist, see  LEED )

Currently, a whopping 40% of the worlds energy and resource are linked to the construction and maintanence of buildings! We should be looking for any way possible to reduce this figure.

If you share our concerns about environmental waste, related health concerns, global warming, and the massive problems we are facing as a result of our reliance on foreign oil, here are a few websites to check out:


http://inhabitat.com/blog/category/greenbuilding-101/

http://www.greenhomeguide.com/

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-wordplay6jan06,0,11681.story (understand the terms being used)

Take action:

http://www.globalgreen.org/programs/climate/pledge.cfm ( The Pledge of Allegiance to American Energy Independence)

greenteedesign   wear a fun t-shirt that comments on ways to reduce waste

help save the rainforest   click daily

Sustainable Materials:

http://www.fscus.org/

http://www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/design/construction.html#purchasing

In the Boston area:

Recycle construction materials-

http://www.bostonbmrc.org/bostonbmrc/donate_3_guidelines.html