Welcome to this month's edition of ED+C's eNews

I was watching CNN this morning, and they were reporting that the economy (or at least the stock markets) have been on a steady uptick since March when the decline from January and February finally ended. Of course, this could all mean nothing, and we could still see a nosedive. However, some people are already predicting the recession ends this year.

Even if the recession does get better, it's not going to get better overnight -- just like things didn't get bad overnight. It'll take some time for every sector to get back on track. For the AEC industry, it means waiting for businesses and individuals in the commercial sector to feel secure enough to start new building projects again. Until that happens, there will still be a void.

According to an article I read in a local newspaper, businesses (construction companies, interior design firms and so on) are filling that void by trying to take on government contract work. Seminars and sessions offered by local chambers of commerce on how to go about getting state and local jobs have been packed.

What about you? Are you, or is your firm, going after more government work? What about those of you who already do a lot of contracts for the government? Are you seeing an influx of new companies in this arena? Then again, an ED+C poll done some months ago indicated that many of our readers really weren't experiencing a slowdown at all. Is that still the case? If so, has it been your work with sustainability that has given you the edge?

I'd like to hear from you, so please e-mail me at teald@bnpmedia.com, and let me know!

Cheers,

Derrick

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Securian's 401 Building Earns LEED EB with No Retrofits 
Securian Financial Group's nine-year-old 401 Building in downtown St. Paul, Minn., has earned the prestigious LEED EB certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The LEED certification is based on exacting scrutiny of engineering standards, energy usage, and environmentally-friendly maintenance and recycling programs. LEED sets a high bar and is especially difficult for existing buildings to obtain. ...

AIA Selects 2009 Top Ten Green Projects
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment (COTE) have selected the top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design solutions that protect and enhance the environment. The projects will be honored at the AIA 2009 National Convention and Design Exposition in San Francisco. ...

FREE DProfiler for Unemployed Americans
Beck Technology Ltd. announced an assistance program to help AEC professionals who have lost their jobs become trained and licensed in the DProfiler building information modeling (BIM) application. DProfiler is the first of its kind macro BIM solution, and is used in the planning and conceptual design phases to produce an accurate cost estimate of a proposed design. ...

Michigan's First LEED Gold-Certified State Building
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG) cut the ribbon today on the first state government office building in Michigan to receive LEED Gold certification from the United States Building Council (USGBC). The building was designed using a building information modeling (BIM) process ...

Cooper Lighting Announces SOURCE Awards Call For Entries
The competition, which focuses on furthering the understanding, knowledge and function of lighting as a primary element in design, is open to all lighting designers, architects, engineers, professional designers, and consultants who use Cooper Lighting fixtures in an interior or exterior design project. ...

EFCO Series 402 Storefront Framing
Designed by HOK Architects as a visible icon of Auburn University's quest for engineering excellence, the college's Center for Transportation Technology includes EFCO Series 402 Storefront Framing as part of its classic appearance.  This economical flush glaze system is available in both shear block and screw spline fabrication methods and can accommodate all standard entrances as well as WV410 vents. For more information, call 1-800-221-4169 or visit www.efcocorp.com.

National Green Builders Products Expo, May 28-29, Las Vegas.
The NGBPE is a focused event bringing in every category of product supplier/manufacturer to exhibit and the builders, developers, product dealers, project managers, subcontractors, remodelers, architects, government planners, specifiers, & engineers, environmental, safety, energy, and operations managers, plant and facility managers, etc. all who are looking to buy sustainable, energy-efficient, green and eco-friendly building products. Buyers will be looking for all goods and services related to energy efficiency and sustainability upgrades for existing facilities, new and initial building, remodeling, restoration, or renovation of standard and green/green initiative commercial and industrial facilities as well as single- and multi-family residential homes! This is a focused business-to-business expo where the attendees come to find and buy what they need. www.ngbpe.com 

7th Annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards and Trade Show, June 3-5, Atlanta, Ga. 
The most innovative, pioneering and inventive green roofs in the world. For industry specifiers and other practitioners, we've added new sessions and events along with countless networking opportunities to help you push the boundaries of your current knowledge. Innovative case studies and renowned speaker presentations highlight the conference tracks and topics. And, don't miss out on the largest industry Trade Show in North America! Talk to the experts about their products, benefits and solutions for common green roof challenges. Finally, be one of the initial 100 industry leaders and become an accredited Green Roof Professional by taking the inaugural exam on Friday, June 5.  For an overview and to register, visit www.greenroofs.org. 

NeoCon World's Trade Fair, June 15-17, Chicago.
NeoCon, the largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors in North America is taking place at Chicago's historic Merchandise Mart. Encompassing 1.2 million square feet of exhibition space and 10 floors, NeoCon boasts more than 1,200 exhibitors showcasing thousands of cutting-edge product introductions. Over 150 CEU, LU and CFM/MFP accredited seminars, keynotes, luncheon programs and panel discussions will take place not to mention exciting networking events to celebrate the design industry. We hope to see you there! Visit www.neocon.com to preregister now and save time and money!

Dow Chemical Co.
The THERMAX Wall System from Dow Building Solutions is a systematic approach to achieving efficiency at every level: simplified design, streamlined construction and optimized energy consumption for a reduced carbon footprint. Dow's three-in-one system with THERMAX (ci) Exterior Insulation, WEATHERMATE Straight Flashing and STYROFOAM Brand Spray Polyurethane Foam (CM Series) meets all applicable IBC and ASHRAE requirements, and may contribute to significant USGBC LEED credits.

Reward Wall Systems Inc.
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) by Reward Wall Systems produce sustainable building enclosures that are energy efficient, durable, and require little maintenance. The lightweight forms reduce waste, are 100-percent recyclable and contribute to LEED in 4 of 6 categories. No ozone-damaging CFCs or HCFCs are generated during the manufacturing process and the forms contain no formaldehyde. Reward walls provide contaminate-free interior air, fire and storm safety, uniform temperatures, and superior sound attenuation.

AEC Store's Newest Addition

Green Guide to Specification, 4th Edition -$147.95

Published March 2009

The Green Guide to Specification provides designers and specifiers with easy-to-use guidance on how to make the best environmental choices when selecting construction materials and components. It is more comprehensive than its predecessors; it contains more than 1200 specifications used in six types of building: Commercial buildings, such as offices, Healthcare buildings, such as hospitals, Retail, Residential and Industrial. CLICK HERE for more information on this item. 

Visit AECStore.com to view all of our resources for the Environmental, Design + Construction Industry. 

Finish Contains Recycled Material and Offers Superior Crack ResistanceWest Warwick, R.I. - Mojave E, from Dryvit Systems, is a new premixed, lightweight finish that provides better performance characteristics than standard elastomeric finishes, the company reports. Mojave E Finish weighs less, is 100 percent acrylic-based, contains 8 percent post-consumer recycled glass and offers improved flexibility, ease of application and superior crack resistance. www.dryvitisgreen.com.

PV Glass for Photovoltaic Market
Pittsburgh - PPG Industries has introduced Solarphire PV glass, a product designed to maximize solar energy transmission for photovoltaic modules. According to the company, Solarphire PV glass delivers enhanced transmittance in the ultraviolet/visible portion of the solar spectrum, between 350 and 1100 nanometers, where crystalline photovoltaic cells are most responsive to the sun's energy. Solarphire PV glass is the cornerstone of a series of photovoltaic glass products PPG will be introducing to the solar power industry. www.ppgsolarphire.com.

Distribution System Consumes Less Resources than Traditional Wiring Methods
Bay Shore, N.Y. - Snake Tray announced that a recent engineering study showed the Snake Bus pre-configured bus bar track power distribution system uses almost 30 percent less copper resource than traditional wiring methods to distribute power under access floors. Snake Bus is a pre-configured power distribution system for workstations, trading floors, call centers and data centers that provides up to 15 kilowatts of power in one easy-to-install track. www.snaketray.com.

Energy-Efficient Strip Lights Offer Numerous Design and Installation Options
Burbank, Calif. - Delray Lighting's Stick line of T5/T5HO strip lights may be installed as stand-alone pendant or surface mount fixtures for workstations or task lights; or in continuous runs for general illumination. Units may be installed as a bare lamp fixture, or refined with a variety of trim styles that include perforated diffusers, prismatic lenses, and asymmetric wall-washing reflectors that direct light where desired. www.delraylighting.com.

Disaster Response Sessions Provide New Business Opportunities  

The just-announced seminar program for the National Disaster Reconstruction (NDR) Expo & Conference offers business-expanding options for contractors, consultants, distributors, and facility service providers. The event, co-sponsored by Imago Trade Shows and BNP Media, takes place June 17-18 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.  

The NDR Expo & Conference features 75 exhibitors and more than 30 sessions covering a range of disaster-related topics, including prevention, remediation, restoration, and rebuilding.  Session topics include:

• FEMA's Change in Direction Under New Leadership: What This Means for Private Disaster Contractors
• Opportunities for Contractors in the Gulf Coast Rebuilding Efforts
• Mold: Growth, Measurement, and Health Effects
• LEED Certification for the Reconstruction Contractor
• Air Quality Sciences - Building Consulting
• Interpreting EPA Labels  

To register or get information on the NDR Expo & Conference, visit www.ndrexpo.com, call 770-645-0046; or email jumouton@imagotradeshows.com.