Green – Denver Urban Review

Patti Mason named Executive Director of Colorado USGBC

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:24:49 +0000

The Colorado U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the selection of Patti Mason as Executive Director. Mason has worked for the USGBC since May of 2008, and most recently served as Associate Director. Sharon Alton held the position of Executive Director and stepped down to accept a position with the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Colorado USGBC Executive Director Patti Mason

“Patti is well versed in green building and the policy landscape the industry works with in the Rocky Mountain Region, which makes her an ideal candidate to lead USGBC Colorado into the next era. I look forward to Patti’s dedication and consistency that will inspire, educate and connect us all to achieve great things for the built environment,” stated USGBC Colorado Board Chair Don Saal. “Patti’s vision will continue to build on the significant ground work Sharon developed for the chapter.”

Mason began working for the USGBC after completing a Master’s degree in Natural Resources from the University of Denver and before that she earned a BA in journalism from Colorado State University. While working for the USGBC Mason has worked to pass legislation that encourages school buildings to become more energy efficient. She also helped organize the Rocky Mountain Green and the Green Schools Summit.

“It is an exhilarating moment for the built environment in the Rocky Mountain Region. More than ever, people are discovering the gem of a region we live in, and are coming here in droves, strengthening our real estate and construction market in a way that we have not seen since before the Great Recession,” said Mason. “USGBC Colorado has a responsibility and a role to bring key audiences together to make sure development happens in a sustainable way. I look forward to working with the private sector and policy makers to bring all of the players to a stage where we can have a constructive narrative on a green path forward.”

For 2014 Colorado placed second in the U.S Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual list of the top 10 states in the country for LEED. The most commonly used and recognized building rating system is LEED.

The rankings are based on a per-capita bases where states rank higher for the strides made in sustainable building design. Buildings that obtain the LEED certification use fewer resources and have a reduced level of carbon emissions and ultimately create a healthier environment.

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Boulder’s innovative PearlWest makes headway

Fri, 29 May 2015 08:19:44 +0000

Currently under construction in Boulder at the west end of the Pearl Street mall is the PearlWest mixed-used development. Above grade work on this project recently began. This project will feature office and retail space. Tenants such as Galvanize have already signed leases in the office portion of the development.

The developer is Nichols Partnership, the building was designed by Denver-based architecture firm Shears Adkins Rockmore, and Gibbons White Inc. is providing leasing and marketing services.

Rendering of the PearlWest courtesy PearlWest development team.

Rendering of the rooftop at PearlWest image courtesy PearlWest development team.

Tenants such as Galvanize have signed leases to occupy office space. Galvanize provides educational services for students and entrepreneurs.

“We are thrilled to announce that Galvanize is the latest lease to be signed at PearlWest offering the project and the community some great benefits. They will be occupying the full first and second floors of the Walnut building totaling about 27,000 square feet,” said Lynda Gibbons of Gibbons White.

Galvanize joins Crestone Capital Advisors, LLC, a specialized wealth management firm offering services to ultra-high-net worth clients, and Eureka!, a burger restaurant featuring craft beer and artisan liquor in a rustic environment, who have also signed leases at PearlWest.

PearlWest will top out at four stories and will provide over 127,000 square feet of office space. The rooftop of the building will serve as space for a restaurant. This project is seeking LEED platinum certification.

The energy efficient features of the building include:

A charging station for electric cars
On-site renewable energy with solar panels on the roof
Bicycle parking to encourage cycling to work
Portions of the building were constructed using recycled materials
Low emitting sealants and coatings

Rendering of thePearlWest development courtesy PearlWest development team.

This development will feature an innovative and fully-automated parking garage; the first of its kind in the Western United States. This parking system is produced by New Jersey- based ParkPlus. Lasers are used to scan the cars and a robotic valet parks the vehicles. Four times as many cars can be stored in the same amount of space as a traditional garage of the same size. Drivers will swipe a card or enter their code at a kiosk to retrive their car. The automated system will then deliver the car within two minutes. A total of 300 hundred parking spaces will be available with 60 of them utilizing the automated technology.

Rendering of the PearlWest development courtesy PearlWest development team.

“PearlWest is the crown jewel of office buildings in downtown Boulder,” said Randy Nichols at The Nichols Partnership. “I’m not surprised at how high the leasing activity has been, as the location, large office floor plates, and amenities of this property are unparalleled in the area. In addition, we are seeking LEED Platinum designation, one of only a handful of private, commercial buildings in Colorado to do so and the first in Boulder.”

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Energy efficient awards bestowed to Colorado-based home builder

Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:31:38 +0000

New Town Builders, a Colorado-based homebuilder won two awards for its Net Zero Energy home design at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders’ Show (IBS). This year’s winners were announced in Las Vegas at the annual IBS event.

New Town’s ArtiZEN Plan – designed to be as energy efficient as possible – was named Best in Green among Single-Family Production Homes by NAHB. This is the first year NAHB has given Best in Green Awards.

“This year’s group of winners truly represents the best of environmentally friendly building and remodeling,” said NAHB Chairman Kevin Kelly, a homebuilder and developer from Wilmington, Delaware. “Not only are these homes beautifully designed, but they also take green building to the next level by using the most resource-efficient and innovative sustainable building practices available.”

New Town Builders’ ArtiZen home with solar panels. Photo Courtesy Center Reach Communications

The National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), a council of NAHB, also recognized New Town’s ArtiZEN Plan with a Gold Nationals Award for Best Green/Sustainable Home Design.

“We want to be a company that makes a difference,” New Town CEO Gene Myers said. “The ultra-high-efficiency home world is relatively small, and it is a privilege to be recognized by our industry as delivering the very best in environmental science and design. More importantly, we hope that our example can lead more builders to deliver high-efficiency design at an affordable cost.”

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