Green Building Events

A calendar of events, classes and seminars of interest to the Green Building community of North Texas.

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August 14, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, Dallas – “Introduction to Green Building” seminar by DFW Metro Green Consulting

The seminar is designed to give architects, builders, contractors, developers and engineers “insight into the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance, how to comply with the new building codes, and what green building is all about.” Presenters include yours truly, EcoBroker Beth Johnson, along with award-winning designer Roberto Castanheira and builder Don Ferrier.

Fee: $120 per person or $110 each for 3 or more registering together. Approval for TRCC continuing ed. credits is pending.

Highlights: “The seminar will cover the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance, which will be implemented in 2 phases starting in 2009. The first phase, starting in 2009, requires that homebuilders construct their homes to be 15 percent more efficient than the base energy code and meet four out of six high-efficiency water reduction strategies.

Phase 2, beginning in 2011, requires all homes to be built to either the LEED standard or the Green Built North Texas (GBNT) standard and include points toward a 20 percent water use reduction and a minimum 17.5 percent more efficient than the base energy code or the performance of an ENERGY STAR for homes with a HERS rating of 83 or less.

The seminar will also give an introduction to green building practices, materials and techniques, and answer some of your questions such as:

How does the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance affect me? What have other cities in the DFW area mandated or will be mandating on green building? What is green building and sustainable design? How do I comply with the new building codes? What is LEED, Green Built North Texas, Energy Star? If I implement these new City of Dallas green building codes, how much will that increase my construction costs? What is the minimum I have to do to get City code compliance and pass inspection? How does this change my building practices? Do I have to use different materials? Are there any incentives or tax breaks for building green?”

Click here for more info and to register.

August 14, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Plano – “Green Building – What’s Next?” Green Built North Texas/HBA course

Building Science course aimed at builders, hosted by Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas and its Green Built North Texas Council. Yours truly has attended approx. 16 hours of Cooke’s presentations over 3 different sessions, and I consider him one of the best speakers I’ve heard on any topic in the last 30 years!

HBA says: “All market indicators show clearly that the growth in green building will be an important part or our industry over at least the next 3 years. Perhaps you have taken training with the Green Built North Texas program or the NAHB Green Building program but now you need to know how to cost effectively implement and integrate the many possible ideas and strategies into your building process.

After attending this workshop, builders will have:
• An implementation plan to take green to the next level
• Advanced knowledge of critical elements of green building such as proper AC sizing, indoor air quality control, and durable, sustainable buildings for a hot humid climate
• A listing of the top 10 most cost effective green building items and how they can be implemented in a timely way
• Important information on how to market and sell green features to a wide range of clients who don’t want to pay more to be green
• Information for appraisers and lending organizations to properly value the green features.

Instructor: Gord Cooke
Building Scientist Gord Cooke continues to be an effective and passionate educator and advocate for better building practices, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. He has expertise in developing innovative HVAC systems and indoor air quality solutions. Gord brings to his training the logic and integrity of a practicing engineer and the passion of one committed to helping the residential construction industry build and sell better homes.

DETAILS: Thursday August 14, 2008. 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., at the HBA of Greater Dallas, 5816 West Plano Parkway, Plano, Texas. Fee: $200 per person for HBA Members, $300 per person for Non-Members. To register please contact Stephanie at HBA at 972-931-4840.”

August 25, time to be announced, Grapevine -- Green Built North Texas Council general membership meeting

Topic to be announced later. Location: Grapevine Convention Center (tentative).

August 30 - September 14, Metroplex -- "The Big Home Tour", scattered-site tour by Home Builders Association including greenbuilt homes tour

Stay tuned to The Big Home Tour and HBA's website and Green Built North Texas Council for info as it becomes available on these weekends of open houses at new homes and models across the Metroplex. The public will be able to search by category of home, including "green homes" that are Energy Star, Green Built North Texas, or LEED certified.

September 16, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, Dallas – “Introduction to Green Building” seminar by DFW Metro Green Consulting

The seminar is designed to give architects, builders, contractors, developers and engineers “insight into the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance, how to comply with the new building codes, and what green building is all about.” Presenters include yours truly, EcoBroker Beth Johnson, along with award-winning designer Roberto Castanheira and builder Don Ferrier.

Fee: $120 per person or $110 each for 3 or more registering together. Approval for TRCC continuing ed. credits is pending.

Highlights: “The seminar will cover the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance, which will be implemented in 2 phases starting in 2009. The first phase, starting in 2009, requires that homebuilders construct their homes to be 15 percent more efficient than the base energy code and meet four out of six high-efficiency water reduction strategies.

Phase 2, beginning in 2011, requires all homes to be built to either the LEED standard or the Green Built North Texas (GBNT) standard and include points toward a 20 percent water use reduction and a minimum 17.5 percent more efficient than the base energy code or the performance of an ENERGY STAR for homes with a HERS rating of 83 or less.

The seminar will also give an introduction to green building practices, materials and techniques, and answer some of your questions such as:

How does the City of Dallas Green Building Ordinance affect me? What have other cities in the DFW area mandated or will be mandating on green building? What is green building and sustainable design? How do I comply with the new building codes? What is LEED, Green Built North Texas, Energy Star? If I implement these new City of Dallas green building codes, how much will that increase my construction costs? What is the minimum I have to do to get City code compliance and pass inspection? How does this change my building practices? Do I have to use different materials? Are there any incentives or tax breaks for building green?”

Click here for more info and to register.

September 29, time to be announced, Plano -- "Green Vine Lecture Series", Green Built North Texas Council, Speaker TBA

Another in the ongoing series of very low-cost seminars offered to members and non-members of the Home Builders Association's Green Built North Texas Council. These very cost-effective and informative seminars are usually held at the HBA's headquarters at 5816 W. Plano Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75093-4636 • Phone 972-931-4840.

October 22-24, Phoenix, AZ -- Excellence in Building Conference & Expo (Energy and Environmental Building Association)

The well-respected Energy and Environmental Building Association “continues its 26-year tradition of offering the best in building science education. EEBA’s organizational mission is ‘to provide education and resources to transform the residential design, development and construction industries to profitably deliver energy efficient and environmentally responsible buildings and communities.’”

Full conference registration $500 and up. Click here for all info.

October 27, time to be announced, Plano -- "Green Vine Lecture Series," Green Built North Texas Council, speaker to be announced

Another in the ongoing series of very low-cost seminars offered to members and non-members of the Home Builders Association's Green Built North Texas Council. These very cost-effective and informative seminars are usually held at the HBA's headquarters at 5816 W. Plano Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75093-4636 • Phone 972-931-4840.

Nov. 19-22, Boston, MA –Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (U.S. Green Building Council)

U.S. Green Building Council’s 7th annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo brings together professionals from all aspects of the building industry: Architects, building owners, code officials, contractors, developers, educators, engineers, facility managers, financial service providers, government agencies, green power providers, home builders, interior designers, landscape architects, nonprofit organizations, product manufacturers, schools, universities, students and urban planners will all be at the conference to share ideas and promote greener building.

Greenbuild includes over 100 educational sessions and over 400 exhibitors, features world renown speakers (including keynoter Archbishop Desmond Tutu), LEED workshops, off-site educational sessions, and Green Building tours of local Boston sites. Last year approx. 23,000 attended from 66 countries.

Full conference registration $225 to $975. Click here for all info.