November 24, 2009
by: Emily Nemens

In this issue:
· AIA Proposes Big Changes for Commercial Buildings in IECC
· How Green Is It? The Industry Offers Tools to Tell
· Export Alliance Construction Provides Opportunities North of the Border
· Call for designers/exhibition designers


AIA Proposes Big Changes for Commercial Buildings in IECC
With the 2010 International Energy Conservation Code’s public comment session open, environmental advocates, including the AIA’s sustainability team, have been working hard to have their voices heard in defense of greener, more energy efficient buildings. In early 2010 the International Code Council will finalize the code. Changes include a major revision of the code’s chapter on commercial buildings, requiring them to be more energy efficient. The proposed revision also includes changes to the code’s mechanical system requirements, and improvements to fenestration and opaque walls. The IECC committee narrowly approved these changes, and AIA is readying itself for the final action hearings. The deadline for public comments is February 2010, and the first action hearings will be next May, in Dallas. Visit the ICC’s website for more details.



How Green Is It? The Industry Offers Tools to Tell

A recent AIArchitect article offered a rundown of the different means of evaluating green building products. Because it is hard to tell how well a product actually performs from manufacturer’s label alone (many of those manufacture-determined ratings can be found at ecoScorecard), Building Green, an industry leader in the effort to sift through products has developed a subscription service, the GreenSpec directory. Building Green is far from the only resource in the pack. Check out The Construction Specifications Institute’s GreenFormat product rating tool, the ICC’s Sustainable Attributes Evaluation and Verification (SAVE) program, the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, and two resources from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL): the Environmental Claims Validation program and the Database of Validated and Certified Products.


Export Alliance Construction Provides Opportunities North of the Border
American architects and general contractors are invited to participate in the “Export Alliance Construction” annual trade event for Canadian product and manufacturing companies. Next year’s conference will meet in Montreal, Canada, 01.31-02.01.10. Export Alliance Construction, which is organized by a number of Canadian partners including the Ministry for Economic Development, the World Trade Centre of Montreal, and Foreign Affairs and International Trade Commission of Canada, gives Americans the opportunity to meet with Canadian manufacturers (see a list of manufacturers here). Through the Ministry of Economic Development, a number of U.S. participants will be able to attend the conference, expenses paid. To apply for this opportunity, contact Laurent Waessa at the Quebec Government Office in New York, at 212-843-0973 or laurent.waessa@mri.gouv.qc.ca. The registration deadline to be considered for funding is 12.11.09.


Call for Graphic & Exhibition Designers
The Center for Architecture is excited to be creating two new “shortlists” for designers. The call for exhibition designers is in its second iteration, after a successful 2009 Not Business as Usual Exhibition Designer Shortlist, which generated three of this year’s exhibition designs: A Space Within: The National September 11th Memorial and Museum (Incorporated Architecture & Design); New Practices San Francisco (Matter Practice); and ContextContrast: New Architecture in Historic Districts, 1967-2009 (Moorhead & Moorhead). This year, the Center for Architecture is also launching a graphic designer shortlist, for individuals who will work with the Center staff to generate print and electronic materials. In both cases it’s a priority for the Center to highlight the work of AIANY Chapter members. Current members are invited to apply, and AIANY encourages non-members to submit and join. New members will receive member benefits for 2009 and all of 2010.

To have your work considered, submit an expression of interest, qualifications, and a PDF portfolio (max 10 pages) to Jonah Stern, Exhibitions Coordinator (jstern@aiany.org) by Monday, 12.21.09. Late submissions will not be accepted. The 2010 Shortlist will be announced in January, and selected firms will be included in a library exhibition in February 2010.

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