Colker to Direct Institute’s Consultative Council
The National Institute of Building Sciences welcomes Ryan M. Colker, J.D., as director of its newly restructured Consultative Council. The Council serves as a forum where all sectors of the building community can work together to identify major issues and make recommendations to the President and Congress to improve the nation’s buildings and infrastructure. Colker is responsible for directing its day-to-day operations, from developing strategic plans to promoting its activities.
Learn more about Colker.
Consultative Council Plans for Future Activities
Organizations involved in the newly reconstructed Consultative Council began laying out plans for
potential activities and products during a recent meeting, held March 17 at the National Institute of Building Sciences Headquarters.
The Consultative Council was established by the U.S. Congress to provide information and recommendations to the President and Congress on behalf of the entire building community. Organizations not yet engaged in the Council but interested in participating may contact the Consultative Council’s new director,
Ryan Colker.
Learn more about the Council.
Stephen T. Ayers Nominated to be Architect of the Capitol
On February 24, President Obama officially nominated Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP, to be the next Architect of the Capitol. Ayers has served as Acting Architect since February 2007, heading up the 2,600-person Office of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
Ayers provided the keynote address at FEDCon 2009 last December. His presentation gave an overview of the AOC’s sustainability initiatives. Under his leadership, the AOC also provided support for the 56th Presidential Inaugural ceremony, completed construction on the National Audio Visual Conservation Center and Library of Congress Book Storage Modules 3 and 4 at Fort Meade; and opened the Capitol Visitor Center.
Read the AOC release.
Get the Ecobuild America Exhibitor Early Bird Rate
Planning to exhibit at Ecobuild America in December but don’t need any extra bells or whistles? Ecobuild America is offering an early bird rate of $2,950 to exhibitors who register by March 31. This rate is perfect for those exhibitors who don’t want any extra, added-value packages or promotional opportunities.
See the prospectus.
But wait, there’s more! Ecobuild is also offering a National Institute of Building Sciences special package, which includes a 10x10 booth, full-page ad in the show program, company name in boldface and logo in the program, logo link on the show website, 10% discount on any show sponsorship, 100 complimentary exhibit passes and two VIP passports. This package is valued at more than $8,000, but is available to Institute members for just $4,950. To reserve, contact Ecobuild America at 1-800-996-3863 and mention the Institute’s special package.
Eye on the Membership: Focusing on the Institute’s Volunteer Leadership
The National Institute of Building Sciences membership is at the heart
of this organization’s success. Our members are dedicated, hands-on
professionals who are often the primary decision makers in advancing
building technologies within their agencies. Involved in the Institute’s
numerous councils, committees and projects, our members participate in
the detailed processes of task forces and working groups. Beginning next
month, the newsletter will focus on the various committee leaders in
each issue. Our members devote so much of their time to work, it’s time
we put the spotlight on them and say thank you.
Preparations Begin for 2014 NEHRP Provisions
Members of the Building Seismic Safety Council’s (BSSC) 2009 Provisions Update Committee (PUC) met with newly appointed 2014 PUC Chairman David Bonneville in Burlingame, California, February 24 to discuss how best to organize the process for developing the
2014 NEHRP (National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program) Recommended Seismic Provisions.
The group considered a draft statement of goals and procedures for the 2014 Provisions update effort and prepared a slate of potential candidates for PUC membership. In addition, the leadership group identified topics that would be appropriate for in-depth investigation during the update project. The first meeting of the 2014 PUC will be scheduled for later this spring or early summer. View the final
2009 Provisions.
New Journal Will Focus on Advanced and High-Performance Materials
Work on the inaugural edition of the
Journal of Advanced and High-Performance Materials (JMAT) is under way. The new periodical introduces readers to the recently formed Advanced and High-Performance Materials Program, which the National Institute of Building Sciences manages for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate, Infrastructure & Geophysical Division.
JMAT is one of three periodicals, along with the
Journal of Building Enclosure Design (JBED) and Journal of Building Information Modeling
(JBIM) that Matrix Group Publishing publishes for the Institute. JMAT will contain articles written by a cross section of contributors, such as national laboratories, university researchers and private sector experts. It also will include a description of the Advanced Materials Database currently under development. The inaugural edition
will roll off the presses in July 2010.
HAZUS Database to be Used in Nuclear Detonation Model
A nuclear detonation in a U.S. city is one of the most catastrophic incidents that could befall the United States, potentially causing enormous loss of life and property and severely damaging economic viability. Nuclear explosions present substantial and immediate radiological threats to life. Having local and state communities prepared to respond to a nuclear detonation could result in the saving of tens of thousands of lives. The Institute is helping to address this potential threat.
Find out how.
Institute to Assist NC with Risk Management Program
The Institute will help North Carolina with a new Integrated Hazard Risk Management (IHRM) program. North Carolina established the new IHRM initiative to help improve the state’s natural hazard prevention, response and mitigation activities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Geological Survey are stakeholders in the program.
Read more.
Seismic
Assessment of VA Hospital Facilities Nearing Completion
The Institute’s seismic
evaluation work with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is nearing
completion. Last year, the VA contracted with the Institute to evaluate 52 VA
hospital facilities located in areas of high seismicity. The VA’s primary goal
was to determine collapse probability in VA facilities as an indicator of life
safety or casualties. Get the
project update.
Less is More, But Les is Best!
GSA's Shepherd to Present BEST2 Keynote Address
Don’t miss the chance to hear Leslie L. Shepherd, AIA, Chief Architect of the U.S. General Services Administration, deliver the opening keynote address at the BEST2 Conference, April 12, in Portland, Oregon. With more than 20 years of experience at the GSA, Shepherd oversees some $12 billion of GSA building projects and has worked tirelessly throughout his career to raise the bar on federal facility design.
Learn more about Shepherd.
Time is Running Out to Register for BEST2
BEST2 is less than a month away! Get the BEST information on designing building systems for higher energy efficiency, good indoor climate and long-term performance at BEST2—“A New Design Paradigm for Energy Efficient Buildings,” April 12 -14 in Portland, Oregon.
Sponsored by the National Institute of Building Sciences and 2010 host Building Enclosure Council-Portland, along with the Building Enclosure Technology and Environmental Council (BETEC), National Building Enclosure Council, American Institute of Architects, U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Construction Specifications Institute, this biennial event offers participants an expert focus on specific aspects of the performance of building systems with a view to high-energy efficiency, good indoor climate, and long-term performance. Choose from more than 20 sessions and earn continuing education units (CEUs).
Register now.
Beyond GreenTM Awards Recognize High-Performance Buildings
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) announced the results of its 2009
Beyond GreenTM High-Performance Building Awards on Capitol Hill last month. The event was held in partnership with the High-Performance Buildings Congressional Caucus Coalition (HPBCCC) and showcased high-performance buildings and initiatives. The event also kicked off an educational outreach program for policymakers, building trade professionals and the general public. The 2009 jury, which was comprised of industry members, included Institute President Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA.
View the award winners.
Concrete Industry Associations Convene to Address Sustainability
 Henry Green provides an overview of Institute programs to members of the Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative.
The Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative, a coalition of industry associations representing companies who make or maintain concrete structures, met at the National Institute of Building Sciences in late February. Institute President Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA, addressed the group and provided an overview of Institute programs to better familiarize attendees with Institute activities.
Founded in early 2009, the Initiative represents more than 20 industry associations. It has no staff. Member task groups develop and implement program objectives. Its three charter organizations, American Concrete Institute, Portland Cement Association and National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, function as its steering committee.
WBDG to get a Facelift
Bob Payn presents an upcoming site redesign to members of the WBDG Board of Direction and Advisory Committee during a recent meeting in Washington, D.C.
The Whole Building Design Guide Board of Direction and Advisory Committee convened in Washington, D.C., earlier this month to review and discuss new and updated features on the WBDG Whole Building Design Guide® website.
Matt Gray of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program provided an update on efforts of the Interagency Sustainability Work Group to facilitate implementation of 2009 Executive Order 13514 on high-performance, sustainable federal building design, construction, operation and management maintenance and deconstruction. Dr. Alexander Zhivov of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center gave a presentation on USACE’s Energy and Water Conservation Design Guide for Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization of Military Construction projects.
In addition, Bob Payn of db interactive, Inc., who maintains the WBDG website, presented an upcoming site redesign, which will roll out later this year.
Visit the WBDG site.
NCEF Launches Green Schools Webpage
The National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) has launched a new webpage devoted entirely to the topic of Green Schools. Find a compilation of the most current news from newspapers across the country, upcoming green schools-related events, recent journal articles, and a selective list of recommended publications. In addition, find a path to even more comprehensive NCEF resource lists on topics related to green schools, such as daylighting, green cleaning, indoor air quality, life cycle cost estimating, building commissioning, energy savings, thermal comfort, and water conservation.
Visit the Green Schools Webpage.
SPie Workshop Brings Together Leading Trade Organizations
Attendees at the Specifiers Property information exchange (SPie) Workshop
discuss property sets during the two-day workshop with industry trade
associations. Pictured, clockwise from left: Mark Kalin, SCIP; Bill East, USACE;
Dominique Fernandez, National Institute of Building Sciences; Nick Nisbet, AEC3;
Roger Grant, CSI; and Bill Jannot, ARCAT.
Representatives from leading industry trade associations gathered in Washington, D.C. March 10-11, to participate in a workshop on Specifiers’ Property
information exchange (SPie). Held under the auspices of the National Institute of Building Sciences and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the two-day event was a joint effort of the USACE, the Institute, Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP), Constructions Specifications Institute (CSI) and NASA.
SPie is an open standard for exporting standard product properties in an electronic format that can be used by designers, specifiers, builders, owners and operators. The purpose of the workshop was to engage participating associations in facilitating the development of minimum property sets for building model objects with consistent materials, products, equipment, systems and assemblies, for their manufacturing sector. Once complete, the Institute will publish the industry open schemas through the online Whole Building Design Guide’s Product Guide database, free of charge.
Find out more.
NCEF Helps with California C.A.S.H.
Thousands of California designers, consultants, local school and state officials, and manufacturers who work to improve school facilities convened at the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.) Annual Conference in Sacramento, February 22-24. The major topic of the conference: California’s severe school construction funding crisis. The big question attendees had was whether there will be enough funding to move ahead with school construction projects in progress, as well as funding for new projects.
NCEF, which has contributed to the C.A.S.H. conference since 2000, directed attendees to a number of helpful resources on such topics as financing alternatives, funding partnerships, joint use, stimulus sources of funding, cost-efficient building techniques, and analysis of whether to build new or renovate, all of which are available on the
NCEF website.
More Vendors Take the COBie2 Challenge
Photo
left: Bill East (at podium) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers introduces
vendors participating in the COBie2 Challenge at the NFMT Conference in
Baltimore, Maryland. Seated from left: Kimon Onuma, Onuma; Mike McSween, Bentley
Systems; Igor Starkov, TOKMO; Josh Kanner, VELA;
Photo right:
Brian Everly, Archibus; Will Kline, AssetWorks. Harry Kohal, Eagle Technologies and
Kerry Joels, TMA Sytems.
Eight vendors participated in the Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie) Challenge March 17, in Baltimore, Maryland. Held during the National Facility Maintenance and Technology tradeshow for the second year, the Challenge gave vendors the opportunity to demonstrate their software systems’ compliance with COBie. COBie is an international open standard for the delivery of facility operations, maintenance and management deliverables. The focus of this year’s NFMT COBie2 challenge was the delivery and use of COBie information during design, construction, maintenance and facility management.
This event had the highest number of vendors and attendees of any challenge yet.
Learn more about COBie.
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