Residential Construction Still Looking Up in Dallas

Although most residential building is in decline, the demand for upscale urban living in Dallas is driving high-rise condo construction.

Texas Construction reports that there are at least 20 high-end residential towers in Dallas, with most of the development near the downtown Victory Park neighborhood.

The latest addition to the Dallas skyline is Cirque, a 28-story condo tower resting on a six-story base with 10,000 square feet of retail space. The 532,000-square-foot tower has 252 units.

The Cirque features a curved glass facade wrapped with precast panels. The structure has a concrete flat-plate system, a economical choice with the 10-foot ceilings of the condo units. The Cirque is scheduled for completion this year.

The Cirque is pictured above right along with the W Victory, which joins the Ritz Carlton, Azure, and Mosaic as high-profile high-rises near downtown Dallas.
Contact Amy Trygestad

Concrete Thinking Offered at Greenbuild 2007

Last week PCA, members, and allies gathered in Chicago for Greenbuild, the international conference and expo of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Greenbuild sets the stage for thousands of green building industry professionals to come together to learn about the latest advancements in green building design, construction, project financing, and building management.

Visitors to the PCA booth, located adjacent to the National Ready Mix Concrete Association, learned about the sustainable applications of concrete and had the opportunity to view pervious concrete in action.  The PCA booth acted as host to the show's Concrete Thinking Pavilion, a gathering of concrete and cement-based manufacturers and associations.  Three PCA members, Holcim (USA) Inc., Essroc Cement Company, and Lehigh Cement Company participated.

At a press conference, David Shepherd, director of sustainable development for PCA, and Martha VanGeem, CTLGroup, presented the results of new research on the solar reflectance of concrete and its positive impact on limiting the heat island effect.  The research, commissioned by PCA and conducted by the CTLGroup, reviewed 45 sets of concrete samples.  All samples, regardless of the mix, met the required criteria for a LEED credit. This is the first time the solar reflectance of concrete has been examined in relation to LEED points and is the most comprehensive study of the solar reflectance of concrete to date. 

Also at the show, WBBM-TV (CBS-Chicago) interviewed Mike Collignon, PCA residential program manager, on the benefits of pervious concrete.
View PCA's Greenbuild press kit online
Contact David Shepherd

LEED for Homes Launched at Greenbuild

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched LEED-for-Homes last week at its annual conference in Chicago. The launch caps a two-year pilot program to adapt the LEED rating system to residential building.

Some 336 houses have earned LEED certification since USGBC began piloting the residential ratings program in August 2005, and 8,000 more are in the pipeline. The certification covers production houses, custom-built residences, and low-rise multi-family buildings.

Created exclusively for new commercial construction when it was launched in 2000, LEED in recent years has taken on more building-type-specific programs to broaden its influence. There will be seven programs beyond the original new construction category: commercial interiors, core-and-shell, schools, and existing buildings. LEED for neighborhood development and retail are in their pilot phases, and USGBC expects to roll out its next pilot program, LEED-Healthcare, in 2008.

Salt River Materials Group
Launches Sustainability Initiative

Scotsdale, Ariz.-based Salt River Materials Group (SRMG) has announced a broad-based sustainability initiative that formalizes the company's commitment to conduct all operations in an environmentally sound manner.

The centerpiece of the program is an incentive program that rewards employees for reducing energy and fuel use. Under the "Change a Light" program, SRMG reimburses employees for replacing traditional light bulbs in their homes with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75% less energy.

In addition, SRMG's "Green Vehicle Program" subsidizes employees based on the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.

According to SRMG President and CEO Roger Smith, “Salt River Materials Group and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community recognize the direct financial, social, and environmental benefits to be achieved now and in future generations through the establishment of this Sustainability Initiative. We intend to make a major positive impact on our two greatest resources: our people and our environment.”

Holcim Profiles Sustainability

Programs at Greenbuild

At press conference at Greenbuild last week, Holcim updated the media on several of the company's sustainability initiatives.

Holcim is committing $2 million in prize money to recognize sustainable construction projects as part of the Holcim Awards. The competition encourages any member of the building team—architects, engineers, planners, or owners—to submit projects.

Holcim also gave a progress report on construction of its new Ste. Genevieve facility in eastern Missouri. When complete, it will be the largest single-line cement kiln in the world and one of the most environmentally efficient.

Holcim subsidiary Aggregate Industries announced two new sustainability programs. The ready-mixed concrete supplier joined EPA's Climate Leaders program and pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The firm also announced a partnership with Cool Climate Concrete program, which provides carbon offset credits gained from the use of supplementary cementing materials.

Homebuilders Announce National
Green Building Awards

Entries are now being accepted for the 2008 NAHB National Green Building Awards. Each year, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recognizes individuals, companies and organizations for excellence in residential green design and construction practices and for green building program and advocacy efforts.

The awards will be presented as part of the 10th anniversary of the NAHB National Green Building Conference in New Orleans, May 11-13, 2008.

Award categories include:

• Green Building Program of the Year
• Green Advocate of the Year
• Outstanding Green Marketing Program
• Green Project of the Year, awarded in four categories: Single-Family, Multifamily, Development and Remodeling

Applications are due Jan. 30, 2008, and all entrants must be NAHB members.
More at www.nahb.org