K+BB Green

A Long, Hot Shower—Guilt-Free

Brrrrrrrrr. It has already been a cold, cold winter for much of the United States—and it's not even February yet. There is no better way to warm up than luxuriating under a steaming hot shower, removing the chill from your bones. But with worries about water and energy conservation, can you really do so guilt-free?

Pensar Development has come up with a green shower concept, the Indulgence, that could save 3,500 gallons of water per year, based on a daily seven-minute shower. The shower alternates low-flow rinse cycles of water with mist cycles designed to keep you warm while you wash and shampoo. The innovative mist cycle uses 56 percent less water and energy than a standard shower. The Indulgence features a hidden shower head and a control panel that lets the user customize and save his shower settings. In addition to being eco-friendly, the Indulgence etched-glass shower enclosure is stylish.

—Ellen Sturm Niz

How Will the New Administration Affect the Environment?

Today, President-Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. According to Obama's and Vice-President Elect Joe Biden's campaign platform, energy and the environment are one of many issues the administration will address during their term in office. During the campaign, Obama and Biden proposed creating five million "green" collar jobs, developing a new national goal on energy efficiency and focusing on American energy. 

Among its proposals, the administration said it will help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future. In addition, Obama and Biden will work to ensure that 10 percent of our electricity comes from renewable resources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025. The environmental plan also includes implementing an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. Plus, it will weatherize one million homes annually.

How do you think the new presidential administration will benefit the environment? Do you expect President-Elect Obama's energy and environmental policy to benefit green building in general, or your business's efforts to build green? Leave a "comment" below, and let us know what you think!

—Ellen Sturm Niz

Breathe Life Into Your Designs—Literally

What if you could create designs that act like organisms—make oxygen, sequester carbon and produce energy? That’s exactly what architect William McDonough is doing. A recent article in Discover magazine, “The King of Green Architecture,” features the forward-thinking architect, who has his own architecture and community design firm, William McDonough + Partners, based in Charlottesville, VA. In the Q&A with Discover, McDonough discusses the green future of architecture and design and how it could create a new Industrial Revolution. His design philosophy is defined in his book, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, a vision of a continuous cycle of use and reuse of materials without any waste.

In addition to designing “living” roofs blanketed with sedum and a building that functions like a tree, McDonough is involved in redesigning goods for reuse. He cofounded MBDC (McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry) with German chemist Michael Braungart, a company that consults on the creation of healthy products and processes. By deriving materials from healthy sources and simplifying the construction of products, McDonough believes recycling could increase as materials become easier to reuse and recapture.

McDonough hopes his design ideas could lead to positive changes in the effort to reverse global warming. “I think we have to stay optimistic if we’re designers, because designers wake up every morning trying to make the world a better place,” he says “So the idea is to say, ‘Things could be better if we apply ourselves in different ways.’”

—Ellen Sturm Niz

How to Buy Bamboo Flooring

More and more designers and homeowners are choosing bamboo flooring as an eco-friendly option for their kitchen and bath designs. As a relatively new trend in flooring, not everyone knows what to consider when buying bamboo. Teragren, a U.S.-based manufacturer of bamboo flooring, panels and veneer that practices environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing and business practices, has put together a list of the top questions consumers should ask when purchasing bamboo flooring. Check them out below.

We'd love to hear about your experiences using bamboo flooring in your kitchen and bath designs. Post a comment below!

—Ellen Sturm Niz

Teragren's Top Questions to Ask When Buying Bamboo Flooring
1. When was the bamboo harvested? Moso bamboo, the best choice for flooring, takes 5-1/2 to 6 years to reach maturity—and when properly harvested it can be 25 percent harder than red oak and 12 percent harder than North American maple. Some companies, however, harvest prematurely at three years or less, resulting in flooring as soft as fir—which can scratch, dent or warp easily. Harvesting too early also causes damage to the plant.

2. What species was used? Moso bamboo is the best choice for flooring. Bamboo flooring may be soft and appear gray or dull if the wrong species was used or the bamboo was harvested too early.

3. How hard is it on the Janka ball test? The Janka ball test is designed to measure the hardness level of wood floors and the higher the number, the better. For example, Teragren’s bamboo products show an average hardness of 1820—making it 25% harder than White Oak (1360) and 12% harder than Rock Maple (1450)

4. Is the bamboo flooring coming from a reputable manufacturer, or from an importer or trading house purchasing from any factory or multiple factories based primarily on the lowest price? Much of the bamboo sold in North America is grown in China. However, quality control standards in China, where most bamboo flooring is produced, are inconsistent. There is little industry oversight, and neither China nor the U.S. has created an independent grading system. Consumers should ask retailers or other suppliers if the manufacturer uses a system of quality control and grading standards.

5. What will I get in terms of customer service? It is important for customers to know that the company supplying their bamboo flooring can offer a high level of technical support and customer service. Discounters, importers and web-direct vendors may have more difficulty providing this. Superior customer service and technical support are crucial should any problems arise, as is determining from the outset how claims are handled.

6. How truly environmentally-friendly is the flooring? Environmental friendliness is a big draw for many consumers—but not all bamboo is truly kind to the environment. Bamboo should not only be sustainably harvested (and manufactured in an ISO-9001 and 14001 certified factory) but also feature components such as a water-based, solvent-free, non-off gassing finishes and a manufacturing adhesive that meets or surpasses stringent U.S. OSHA and European standards for off-gassing formaldehyde.

Eco-Friendly Armstrong Lineoleum Celebrates 100 Years

With its 100th anniversary approaching in 2009, Armstrong linoleum is still made of the same all natural, primarily renewable ingredients as it was 100 years ago—linseed oil, mixed with powdered wood and cork, ground limestone, resins, drying agents and pigments, all affixed to a backing of jute fiber. Although Armstrong ceased production of linoleum in 1974, today’s generation of architects and designers, inspired by the movement toward green building, helped to bring linoleum back into the spotlight in the U.S. after its hiatus.

Linoleum’s high proportion of naturally renewable and high recycled content are in demand. Linoleum also fulfills the green building requirements for such goals as increased health and well being of occupants; better indoor air quality; lower operating costs; reduced maintenance and longer product life. The recent addition of its NATURCote coating eliminates the need for waxing, requires less chemicals for cleaning and has fewer microscopic places for dust or dirt to hide than unprotected linoleum. Armstrong’s S-761 Installation System reduces installation time and costs and eliminates the need for heat-welding the seams. All Armstrong linoleum floors are FloorScore certified for low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and eligible for LEED points for EQ4.3. Products with the FloorScore seal have passed a third-party certification process and are recognized as contributing to good indoor air quality.

Although primarily considered a commercial product because its durability is ideal for high-traffic environments, growing families and those with active lifestyles are often choosing linoleum for their homes because of its wear-and-tear performance. Known for its saturated colors, linoleum is available in traditional marbled patterns, solid colors or contemporary flecked designs in colors that range from earth tones to primary reds, blues, and greens. (Pictured:  Armstrong Linoleum Flooring [Residential], MARMORETTE parchment beige 19045, parrot green 19000 & mango 19009)

—Ellen Sturm Niz

Dept. of Energy Addresses Underreported Refrigerator Energy Consumption

On November 14, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced an agreement with LG Electronics, USA, Inc. (LG), resolving concerns related to energy usage measurements reported on LG French Door refrigerators with through-the-door ice and water service.  “DOE believes that the actions LG plans to take will benefit consumers and help ensure that the Nation's energy conservation goals are met,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy John Mizroch. “It is critical that we work together with our industry partners to maintain the integrity of the ENERGY STAR brand to make sure that consumers are able to make the most efficient purchasing decision. We appreciate LG’s cooperation in settling this issue.”

The following models are affected by this agreement: LFX25950, LFX25960, LFX25971, LFX23961, LFX21960, LFX21971, LFX21980, LFX25980, LMX21981, LMX25981 as well as comparable Kenmore-brand "TRIO" models designed and manufactured by LG. This only affects Kenmore French Door models with ice and water dispensing through the door having model numbers starting with 795.

Prior to this agreement, LG's measured energy usage was based on a common approach in interpreting DOE's test procedure. This test procedure, which has been used for decades and is based on a well-recognized and industry-wide adopted procedure, requires, among other things, that the ice maker be disabled but that all temperature controllable compartments, including ice storage bins, be set at their coldest temperature. LG's testing did not account for this latter condition but the company will make changes to its testing to account for this aspect of the procedure to all models. DOE's ENERGY STAR criteria for refrigerator-freezers require all qualified refrigerator-freezers to use at least 20 percent less energy than the Federal government energy consumption standard.

As a result of this agreement:

• LG voluntarily suspended these products from the ENERGY STAR program.

• Consumers will be offered a free in-home modification of the affected refrigerator models to make them more energy efficient.

• Consumers will also receive a payment covering the energy cost difference between the new measured energy usage of the product and the amount stated on the original Energy Guide label.

• LG will also issue payments to consumers for future incremental energy usage for the expected useful life of the refrigerator, up to 14 years.

• All models that have not been sold will immediately be modified prior to sale to ensure that these products satisfy the obligations of the agreement.

Consumers who purchased the affected models should contact LG for more information 1-888-848-1266 or online at www.LGrefrigeratoroffer.com.

Canstruction Exhibit Shows Power of Design Industry

Yesterday I took my two-year-old daughter Chloe to see the Canstruction exhibit at the World Financial Center's Winter Garden and Courtyard Gallery in New York City. A foundation of the Society for Design Administration (SDA), Canstruction is a design/build competition held in 129 participating cities across the United States, Canada and Australia. Teams of architects and engineers, plus students mentored by these professionals, compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food. Design- and construction-industry professional associations that have partnered with the SDA in organizing local competitions include the American Institute of Architects, the Society for Marketing Professional Services and the International Interior Design Association.

Teams are given just 12 hours to turn their design ideas into gravity-defying sculptures made from thousands of cans of food. The results are displayed to the public as sculpture exhibits in each city where a competition is held, and they are judged in a variety of categories. At the close of the exhibitions all of the canned food used in the structures—plus canned food donations from the public who viewed the exhibits—is donated to local food banks for distribution to emergency feeding programs that include pantries, soup kitchens, and elderly and day care centers. 

At the New York exhibit, my daughter and I, plus my friend Kara and her baby Zachary, marveled at each of the 40  "towers" (as Chloe called them) built of cans. They resembled everything from the humorous "Sarah Palin's Bridge to Nowhere" to a cute-but-giant "Mr. Potato Head" to the conceptual "Focus on Hunger" that featured a camera pointed at an empty bowl and spoon. It was truly extraordinary how the teams were able to support these amazing structures with nothing more than tape and cardboard. Chloe called them "awesome," "beautiful," and "so cool." I agree.

Since Canstruction's inception, 10 million pounds of food have been donated to aid in the fight against hunger. Initiated by the Denver, Seattle and New York Chapters of the SDA in 1992-1993, Canstruction now has more than 100 individual competitions scheduled to take place during the 2007-2008 cycle. The exhibits change lives by lifting the spirits of those in need, raising public awareness and filling the shelves of local food banks.

The Canstruction competition shows how great an impact the design and construction community can have on important issues affecting our world. It hasn't been easy working to make green building the norm rather than the exception, but the design industry has made tremendous strides already. If we mobilize together to make building more and more eco-friendly, even more significant change is possible.

—Ellen Sturm Niz
Web Content Manager
K+BB

Greenbuild Is Underway in Boston

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild   International Conference and Expo began yesterday in Boston. As the historic cradle of the American Revolution and home to innovations that have far-reaching impact, Boston is the perfect place to celebrate Greenbuild 2008’s theme of “Revolutionary Green: Innovations for Global Sustainability.” Greenbuild offers building pros the opportunity to connect with other green building peers, industry experts, and influential leaders as they share innovations in the green building movement. Greenbuild includes more than 100 educational sessions featuring world renown speakers, LEED workshops, off-site educational sessions, and Green Building tours of local Boston sites.

Greenbuild's first day included a keynote address from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the opening of the exhibit hall (view the Expo Guide), specialty updates like the "Bio-based Materials and Certified Wood Forum," educational sessions like "Bringing Green Homes to the Mass Market," and the Welcome Gala. The conference and expo continues today and tomorrow with more great events and speakers, many of whom can be watched via live streaming video, such as environmentalist and author Bill McKibben. Check the site for the conference program.

Let us know what you thought of Greenbuild 2008 by using the "comment" feature below.

—Ellen Sturm Niz
K+BB

The NKBA States Its Commitment to Sustainable Design

To communicate its commitment to sustainability and preserving the environment, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) recently released a statement on sustainability that conveys its position on green products and practices, while outlining some of the steps the NKBA is taking to lead the industry in this area.

The statement was developed by the NKBA’s Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee, which is chaired by 2008 NKBA VP Mark L. Karas, CMKBD, who said, “This statement on sustainability is just one step in the NKBA’s leadership of the kitchen and bath industry toward environmentally responsible building and remodeling practices.”

“The NKBA realizes the special importance that the kitchen and bath have in sustainable design, as each consumes more water and electricity and has a greater impact on health and safety than any other rooms in the home,” said 2008 NKBA President Sara Ann Busby, CKD. “As President of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, my primary goal has been to increase awareness of sustainability in kitchen and bath design, and I’m very excited that the NKBA is leading the industry toward ecologically sound products and procedures.”

The complete text of the NKBA’s statement on sustainability is as follows:

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the largest association exclusively dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. With eleven various industry segments, the NKBA’s greatest strength is the diversity of its members. The National Kitchen & Bath Association is thoroughly committed to sustainability and our responsibility to the global environment, and we actively encourage our members to contribute to the integration of green practices in the kitchen, bath and related industries.

The kitchen and bath are two rooms that consume much of the energy and water used in the home. The NKBA is committed to helping its members understand and learn the environmental impact that the creation and use of these rooms can have on energy, water, air quality, health, safety, and welfare in the home and the environment.

In addition, to realize a return on investment for practicing sustainability, the NKBA urges its members to look for shared values between business and environmental initiatives.

Understanding of Terms: Green is to be earth friendly. Sustainability, in the context of the environment, is to make use of processes and materials that can be maintained, reused, or recycled for an indefinite period in order to reduce and eliminate toxins while minimizing the negative impact on the environment. For a more extensive list of terms: see NKBA.org/Green.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association promotes sustainability on a number of fronts:

• Mission of the Board: To educate our members to be better stewards of the environment for today and for future generations.
• National Headquarters:
  • Adopted practices, policies, and training for employees to “live and work” in a sustainable organization
  • Working towards greening its major conferences, such as K/BIS, by recycling and exploring methods to conserve water and energy use
  • Encourages members to make every attempt to teleconference, carpool, and use e-mail notices in lieu of paper mailings
• Education and Networking: To provide current educational programs on sustainability. The NKBA provides networking opportunities to share best practices through chapter programs and meetings. For current educational courses and chapter meetings, visit NKBA.org/Courses.
• Members’ Responsibility: To educate clients on sustainable practices in the selection and specification of materials for every product within their homes.
• Partnering: To create alliances with like associations in order to provide resources and opportunities that help to educate our members

Dealer Showrooms Going Green

I recently came across an interesting post on K+B DeltaVee, a blog written by Ed Pell, manager of market research for the National Kitchen & Association (NKBA). According to a recent NKBA survey of kitchen and bath dealers throughout the United States and Canada, the majority feature sustainable practices and products and have instituted green practices in their businesses.

Nearly 95 percent of those dealers responding have a showroom, averaging 8.5 kitchen and bath displays and vignettes, of which about 4 feature sustainable design and products. More than half of respondents have changed their displays or vignettes to show sustainable products and principles in the past 12 months, and 68 percent plan to change or add “green” displays in the next 12 months. About six out of 10 dealers say their promotional literature mentions sustainable design principles and products, and 45 percent advertise or promote it to their local market.

Seven out of 10 dealers have instituted sustainable business practices at their dealerships. Eighty one percent use recycled paper, and 80 percent have cut down on paper use with e-documents. Seventy-three percent have cut back on energy use for air conditioning and heating, and 68 percent have switched to energy-saving lighting. Three out of four dealers recycle some or all of what they tear out when installing a new kitchen job, with 29 percent recycling almost all, and 4 percent recycling all.

What green practices have you instituted at your business? Leave us a "comment" below.

—Ellen Sturm Niz