In this special report, The Daily Transcript takes a look at how San Diego is incorporating green building into its communities.
La Mesa's 100th anniversary of incorporation is set for 2012, so, at least compared with some Southern California cities, La Mesa could be classified an "older" city. La Mesa also could be classified a pioneer in "smart growth" values as well, because mixed-use and transit-oriented developments (TODs) have been the standard since 1987. Incorporating smart-growth principles for the past 20 years has produced no fewer than six developments that mix housing with commercial and retail uses and that foster transit and pedestrian uses.
Day in and day out, millions of tourists and locals flock to San Diego's main attractions. From Petco Park to Sea World to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, many do not realize that the grass is not just greener -- it is fake. In fact, an increasing number of companies in the region are "faking it" with synthetic turf as an environmentally responsible alternative to natural grass.
As an active U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) member dedicated to sustainable building and design, San Diego-based Reno Contracting is committed to preserving the environment and keeping abreast of the latest green design technology and practices.
Using daylight to illuminate commercial interiors is far from a new concept. Until the Industrial Revolution, daylight was the primary light source for buildings. With the advent of electric lights in the 20th century, however, less emphasis was placed on natural light as a primary source of illumination. Windows became smaller and were sometimes eliminated. Energy-draining florescent lighting became commonplace, and workers soon found themselves spending as much as 90 percent of their time away from natural light.
Nationally, Turner is dedicated to green-building practices. Throughout the country, Turner has completed 34 LEED-certified projects and has completed or is currently working on more than 65 projects that are registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, Turner has completed or has under contract more than 195 projects with green-building elements, making Turner one of the country's green-construction leaders.
Clouds of doom surrounded the San Diego Crime Lab as its chiller plant was 18 years old, using two outdated 130-ton air-cooled reciprocating chillers that were wasting energy and causing high demand charges. On top of those problems, more cooling capacity was required for its laboratory expansion. The standard practice called for installing a new chiller plant using air-cooled screw compressors. This addition could supply the needed capacity, but it would only achieve moderate energy and demand savings.
As one of San Diego's most respected and established home builders, Pardee Homes has been committed to quality, value and service since 1921. That commitment hasn't changed, but throughout the years, much about the home building industry has. Pardee has remained steadfast as a homebuilder for the future, embracing an added focus that includes the need for green building techniques. Pardee Homes has long led innovations in sustainable and green building efforts, especially in San Diego.
Del Sur, a newly opened development of 2,500 homes in north San Diego, represents the next era of responsible community planning for California and the nation: an ultra-progressive, eco-friendly community that blends environmental accountability with architectural heritage.
WASHINGTON -- Thirty years ago, Rep. Jim Oberstar testified in favor of his legislation to install solar panels at federal buildings. Now, as chairman of the House Transportation Committee, he's got the juice to make it happen -- at least on a small scale.
Faster processing speeds have made way for advancements in science and medicine, as well for the elevated popularity of consumer products such as iPods and BlackBerries. But this speed comes with a price, ultimately affecting the bottom line of companies and the environment.
Energy efficiency has come a long way from flickering fluorescent lights.
Back in the good old days, window film was invented to reduce temperatures in buildings and homes. Too much solar energy entering windows increased heat, making occupants uncomfortable and air conditioning more expensive to operate. Window film was a simple solution for a simple problem.
In today's environmentally conscious society, hybrid cars, biodegradable laundry detergent and re-usable organic cotton grocery bags are becoming more mainstream. Curbside recycling programs are the norm in most cities in California, as are beach cleanups. But how many of these reduce, reuse, recycle habits are transferred into the workplace?
At the intersection of Park Boulevard and Broadway in downtown, with trolley bells ringing and power tools buzzing in the background, San Diego officials cut the ribbon Wednesday for a re-routed transit stop outside one of this city’s most prolific mixed-use developments, Smart Corner.
Turner Construction has built head-turning projects around the country for more than 100 years, but particularly in San Diego, the projects are turning green.
Get a closer look at green building and its impact on the region with an update on building laws, sustainable projects and local pioneers.
How is San Diego incorporating green building into its communities? Who are some of the local pioneers? In this special report, we take a closer look at green building and is impact on the San Diego area.
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