IES Blog

Well, we made it to Chicago. We weren’t going to let a little “winter storm warning” stop us from the biggest HVAC show of the year!

The energy has been great at the show so far – lots of excitement for the industry. Prior to the floor opening, there was big news from ASHRAE. The go-to source for standards and education for this industry, ASHRAE got a facelift, complete with a new logo and a new tagline…

Shaping Tomorrow’s Built Environment Today

Given our focus at IES this year, we are thrilled to see ASHRAE’s commitment to pushing the built environment in the 21st century. As ASHRAE President Ron Jarnagin stated, “integrated design is the cornerstone of sustainable buildings.” As the ‘Hub’ for sustainable design advancements, we look forward to joining ASHRAE in the conversation, promoting the importance of utilizing quantifiable performance information to design truly sustainable buildings.

We’ve also been following the conversation on Twitter. Kimberly Schwartz, managing editor of The ACHR News, tweeted a great picture (http://pic.twitter.com/6u2IsRSd) from the show floor yesterday afternoon, adding “…the aisles are still crowded! There’s a good buzz in the air.”

But the highlight of our day yesterday? Well, we’ll just let the image speak for itself…

See you on the show floor!

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Tags:AHR, ASHRAE, Building, chicago, design, energy, Environment, event, HVAC, IES, Sustainability, Twitter

2011 was a busy year for IES! We made some upgrades to our award-winning software, consulted with a number of architects and engineers on some exciting projects, and we launched a series of training sessions and architectural seminars throughout North America. These Road Show events proved to be successful, and something we plan to continue in 2012. But for now, a recap…

Starting off in Chicago and Denver in August, our Road Show carried on to Portland, Vancouver, San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, Houston and other great cities across North America through the rest of the year. Our Road Show gave us a great opportunity to connect with both existing and new IES users face-to-face. We were able to show them capabilities of the software, including many of the new features launched this year, and answer any questions they might have about our suite of products. We were also able to establish relationships with various local groups, and we love all the contacts we’ve made throughout North American this year!

Our final training event of the year was in Washington, D.C. last week. There were a lot of new faces, and we had a very successful event. Thanks to our hosts at AECOM!

Also in D.C. last week was our final architectural seminar of the year. Approved by the AIA for Continuing Education System credits, our seminars offer hands-on training focusing on conceptual analysis in sustainable design. Participants who are AIA members receive 2.5 learning unit hours.

Thanks to everyone that joined us this year, and to all of our customers and partners who helped us out with venues and our presentations. We’re looking forward to meeting more of you in 2012 as we continue to hit the road. Next year, we’re heading to Omaha, Seattle, Kansas City, Nashville, St. Louis, Birmingham and more. Stay tuned for more details about when we’ll be in a city near you!

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Tags:AIA, Architects, design, education, Engineers, event, IES, Seattle, Training, Washington

I’m at Autodesk University this week. What is Autodesk University? It’s an annual event that ‘provides Autodesk enthusiasts from around the world the opportunity to learn, network and celebrate the power of Autodesk technology and the international AU community.’ Probably one of my more favorite events each year…

On night one, the International Community Reception recognized the international presence of attendees and companies at AU this year. Quite the group of people, which was great to see!

At the IES booth, we are focusing on VE-Gaia for architects and PRM for engineers. Lots of great discussions so far. We are also spreading the working about our roadshow, which continues to get great response.

I pulled this from Jeffrey McGrew’s keynote presentation. I think it shows where the industry has been, and where we see if going in 2012. And it’s exciting!

Now I originally became an architect because I wanted to build great things. But I got stuck, pushing CAD lines around to draw yet another bathroom plan, or debating BIM standards endlessly, watching myself growing more and progressively bitter. We all went into this industry wanting to make stuff, just to come out not making much of anything. But then along comes digital fabrication. This powerful, affordable, disruptive technology. Suddenly we can all make stuff, all the stuff we’ve always wanted to make. And find lots of people to make it for.
{Courtesy of Core 77}

I’m heading to the exhibit hall now. And if you are reading this and you aren’t in Las Vegas, you can participate via your computer this year, thanks to a Facebook app.
https://apps.facebook.com/autodeskuniversity/

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Tags:Architects, Autodesk University, BIM, Engineers, event, VE-Gaia

October was a busy month for our North American training road show! Toronto, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, and Minneapolis! Over the course of the two-day programs, our IES experts have helped attendees across the country to learn first-hand how to use our sustainability solutions to design more energy-efficient buildings and achieve LEED credits.

Not familiar with our training programs? Starting back in August in Chicago and Denver, we set out on a Road Show across the United States and Canada to conduct two-day training events. Designed for engineers and sustainability consultants, our events aim to give attendees the opportunity to learn simulation techniques and methods to enable more sustainable design practices. The first day focuses on intermediate simulation analysis, followed by advanced and building integrated systems modeling on the second day. In your city, if you’re only available or interested in registering for one of the two training days, that’s not a problem since they can be taken together or separately.

So where are we headed next? After Thanksgiving, our Road Show wraps up the month in Orange County / Los Angeles on November 29th and 30th. On December 13th and 14th, our last two-day training program of 2011 will take place in the Washington D.C. area.

To register or learn more about when we’ll be in a city near you, contact erin.lofstrom@iesve.com and check out http://www.iesve.com/training/events.

We look forward to seeing you!

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Tags:design, Engineers, event, IES, LEED, Modeling, North America, Sustainability, Training

This year, USGBC and Regenerative Ventures hosted the 1st Annual GreenTech@Greenbuild event. In an effort to increase awareness and accelerate the mainstreaming of emerging disruptive technologies in the cleantech industry, 30 companies were selected to present their solutions for the building industry.

David Gottfried, CEO of Regenerative Ventures, kicked off the event with a recap on the green building industry – where it’s been and where it stands today.  He talked about the different phases the industry has gone through – from defining green building (what is it?) to developing/defining LEED to green building education, creating a profession to moving toward net zero buildings. The progression incorporates technology. How do these materials and technologies come together to provide these new buildings?  His introduction really showed the importance the companies are to developing the profession.

Chris Pyke, VP of Research for USGBC, talked about the business that USGBC is in – experts in market transformation, with tech innovation and on the ground practice being the two important elements.  And again, on the ground practice = projects. And these projects are taking up the technologies represented at the event at an increasing rate.

The takeaway? The industry is transforming the built environment across the globe using these technologies.

Each company had 5 minutes to present their case. Our founder Don McLean spoke about the sustainability hub and how this is contributing to the overall transformation of the market. Don talked about how rewarding it is to help customers realize the benefits of sustainable design, and the efforts we all must take in order to drive sustainable design. (You’ll likely hear Don and the rest of us at IES talking about this in 2012. A lot. So get ready!)

I overheard this yesterday, and thought it was a good way to sum up the event. “This is the future…all the companies here represent the future of green building.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

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The theme of Greenbuild 2011 is ‘What’s Next?’ It couldn’t be more timely for our company.

What’s next for IES? Glad you asked. Our Founder and Managing Director Don McLean was talking at the booth all day yesterday about our vision – a better vision where IES can impact not only the architectural market, but a range of markets – from VCs to manufacturing, etc. This is certainly an exciting time for us.

As for the show itself, this is the first time USGBC has hosted Greenbuild outside the U.S.  People here seem to think this represents a big move for the USGBC in terms of working with other countries toward a bigger green movement.  And the one thing that everyone here is saying is “Wow, Toronto’s amazing!” The architecture here is pretty cool, a mix of modern and metropolitan. A lot of glass buildings – and in a city that gets such cold winters, energy performance is definitely a relevant topic and good market for Greenbuild.

The halls are split this year – and very far from one another! (My feet can vouch for that!) The North hall has been much busier than the South hall, but the energy in both halls has been high. The show is packed, and that’s exciting to see!

Traffic at the booth has been very busy. We’ve been doing trainings which have attracted some nice crowds. Nathan did a presentation with Peter Doo of Doo Consulting and Ron Moore from Perkowitz-Ruth Architects, where they talked about the Brickstainable Competition and talked about the winning design. (We’re so happy to be involved with Brickstainable – what a fun competition!) The winning design had a zero net energy goal, which is fantastic to see!

So far, so good here in Toronto! For another perspective, take a look at Daily Commercial News and Construction Record’s first-hand account of the show – ‘U.S. Canadian green building councils kick off Greenbuild conference in Toronto.’

I’m headed to the booth (2325N), so stop by and say hi today! And follow us on Twitter for live updates throughout the day.

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Tags:Architects, brickstainable, competition, design, Greenbuild, USGBC

I just recently returned from a trip where my husband and I did a road trip through Northern Spain. While we were driving, I was completely surprised and impressed by the amount of wind turbines that were scattered throughout the hills and countryside. It made me wonder when we will start to see more use of the wind turbines in the US. Luckily, my wondering came to quick end when my colleague passed on an interesting article from the Governor of Massachusetts official website about the expansion of a wind turbine company right here in Massachusetts.

FloDesign Wind Turbine Corporation was selected under the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Massachusetts Recovery Plan to expand its operations in Massachusetts. “FloDesign has been recognized for its ‘transformative’ technology by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and I am pleased to see this innovative Massachusetts company choosing to stay and grow right here, creating jobs and helping Massachusetts show the nation and the world the way toward a clean energy economy,” said Governor Patrick (Official website of the Governor of Massachusetts).

The expansion is estimated to create and retain 150 green jobs over the next few years and the wind turbines themselves bring a large amount advantages. Below is a list the US DOE has identified:

Advantages

• Wind energy is fueled by the wind, so it’s a clean fuel source. Wind energy doesn’t pollute the air like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas. Wind turbines don’t produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain or greenhouse gasses.
• Wind energy is a domestic source of energy, produced in the United States. The nation’s wind supply is abundant.
• Wind energy relies on the renewable power of the wind, which can’t be used up. Wind is actually a form of solar energy; winds are caused by the heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the rotation of the earth, and the earth’s surface irregularities.
• Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable energy technologies available today, costing between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, depending upon the wind resource and project financing of the particular project.
• Wind turbines can be built on farms or ranches, thus benefiting the economy in rural areas, where most of the best wind sites are found. Farmers and ranchers can continue to work the land because the wind turbines use only a fraction of the land. Wind power plant owners make rent payments to the farmer or rancher for the use of the land.
• These problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.

The first wind turbine that FloDesign assembles is intended to be here in Massachusetts. If you would like to read more on this article please click on the following link: PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF INNOVATIVE WIND TURBINE COMPANY

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Tags:reduce, Renewables

Last week Greenbuild announced that Carol Browner, Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy in the Obama Administration, will be speaking at the Greenbuild 2009 closing plenary session on Friday, November 13th.  Browner previously served as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during the Clinton Administration and has been making strides throughout her career towards a more sustainable environment.

I am truly inspired by her hard work and accomplishments over the years.
 

To learn more about Carol Browner please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Browner

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Tags:Carol Browner, climate change

After finally making a big decision to move from the west coast to the east coast, I realized how unfriendly moving can be on our environment.  So, I have started to do research ways to “relocate responsibly” and limit the negative impact on the environment.

Here are some of the tips that I have found and hopefully this will help others relocating to take into consideration:
• Limit the amount of items that are non-essential to lower the number of trips needed and less packing supplies and waste- Donate items at www.freecycle.org or sell items on craigslist
• Use eco-friendly packing materials
            Use recycled pacing paper instead of newspaper
            Reusable containers
            Recycled material boxes
            Make your own packing peanuts out of popcorn
            Get recycled boxes delivered to your door: UsedCardboardBoxes.com

• Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Supplies
• Reduce the Amount of Junk Mail – tip from “Green Moving Guide”: File a temporary change of address with your post office rather than a permanent one to cut down on junk mail at the new place. The U.S. Postal Service sells lists of permanent address changes to direct marketers, but doesn’t bother doing so with temporary addresses.
• Choose a moving company that uses Biodiesel fuel and follows a green mantra through their moving process
• Use a Green Storage Facility
• If you live in the Long Beach/Orange County area of California, there’s a great new company on the rise called Earth Friendly Moving - a company dedicated to creating greener moves

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Tags:Environment, recycle, recycling, reduce

As the dust settles from the recent US presidential elections, the US emerges with Barack Obama as the President Elect.  He will be officially taking office on January 20th, 2009 and will start to move ahead on some of his objectives that he supported during his campaign road.  One objective in particular is to focus on how the US can work towards a more sustainable environment.   The USGBC has taken this objective and started to structure and push forward an agenda for Washington.

The Business Week article, Obama’s Green Building Agenda, gives a brief overview of the plan which is based on four major targets and has an aggressive edge that I think will help push the US forward to the goal of a more sustainable environment and lifestyle.

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Tags:Green Building, USGBC