Today I found an interesting article relating to LEED projects and acoustics (sound quality), featured on another green website. It noted how acoustics are often overlooked or improperly addressed, even though Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credits are intended to improve them. (A webinar I participated in also reiterated this statement.)
So if you design or assist on LEED building projects, this article is definitely worth checking out.
Kirei, most commonly known for their highly recognizable sorghum board, has expanded their line to include other green materials. A recent visit to the manufacturer’s website brought a discovery of bamboo, wheatboard, and coconut shell green materials; all rapidly renewable products (grown, harvested and replenished within 10 years or less) which can help contribute towards LEED points.
Kirei’s bamboo line features the fairly commonly edge grain, horizontal, and strand grain versions. Also included is a proprietary “chocolate” bamboo, which is darker in tone than a typical caramel or carbonized version. The wheatboard is marketed towards as a green MDF substitute, as it is not overly stable as a countertop surface or cabinetry front. Is it suitable, however, as paneling or surface which does not receive high usage. Lastly, the Coco product, which is made from coconut shells, is tile form available in a woven or organic pattern. The sizes are 12″ x 12″ tile or panel size of 48″ x 48″, which could be used in multiple ways to create patterns and forms. Check it out.
It’s not too early to mark your calendar and make plans to attend Plain Green 2010 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on April 28 and 29, 2010. Check out the website at www.plaingreen.org to sign up for updates about speakers, workshops, tours, and registration.