Architect David Peabody spoke to a packed house at the Green Building Network Event on June 2 when he spoke about the Passive House Movement.  Response was so overwhelming that GBI has contracted with the Passive House Institute US to hold Certified Passive House ^TM Consultants' Training here in Jessup.

This building concept, known as Passivhaus in Europe, was conceived in Germany about 10 years ago.  The movement was brought to the US about 5 years ago and is now taking hold as the next generation of forward thinking building and design professionals begin to embrace this new concept.  The PH building standard requires very aggressive shell strategies such as highly detailed air sealing and thermal break techniques along with a super insulated envelope.  By focusing project resources on the envelope, this extreme level of detailing eliminates the need for a conventional HVAC system.  Instead, the structures rely upon a sophisticated energy recovery ventilator system to provide clean, conditioned air and thermal comfort to its occupants.  As a result, the typical PH structure consumes about 85-90% less energy than others of similar size.  Passive House has advanced far beyond the experimental stage with more than 15,000 PH structures built throughout Europe and other countries and is now on track to becoming standard code in Europe.  Click here to visit the Passive House US website.

Training takes place in three Phases.  The trainings are progressive, so Phases must be completed consecutively.  All training will be held at the EnviroCenter in Jessup, Maryland.

Phase I            September 24-26, 2009

Phase II           November 12-14, 2009

Phase III          January 7-9, 2010

 

Registration is $650 per Phase.  GBI Members have a special reserved registration period through July 20.  After that, registration is open to the general public.  Classes are limited to 25 and sell out quickly, so start the registration process early!  Please note that registrants must be pre-qualified.  Click here for more details on class content and the registration process.

The Passive House Institute US is the only body in the US that is authorized to administer Certified Passive House TM Consultants' Training, and the only organization outside of Europe that is currently doing so.

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THE TAX BENEFITS OF GOING GREEN

GBI Board Member, Barry Fields, spoke to a full house at the EnviroCenter on July 9 about the growing number of tax credits and other incentives becoming available to support green building initiatives.  Barry is a CPA with Bormel, Grice & Huyett, PA and has developed a specialty in green tax incentives and their practical application in today’s building industry.  His presentation was geared towards everyday consumers and business owners.  To quote one audience member, “He helped break down the mystery of this topic.”  Another said, “He translated tax language into information everyone can understand.”  Click here to see the PowerPoint presentation.

Upcoming Courses		GREEN BUILDING NETWORK
Courses at the Enviro Center 7761 Waterloo Road Jessup, MD 20794   Builders' Breakfast Series - Navigating Green Class Dates: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Wednesday, August 5, 2009 More Info |  Register Now ***************************   LEED ® for Homes This exciting continuing series offers a hands-on and insider’s view to the process of designing and constructing a Zero Energy Home in Bethesda, being built by Meditch Murphey Architects.This series is Co-Sponsored by Bethesda Green. Next Class: Date: TBD Final Walk-Through More Info | Register Now   *************************** Going Green in Charles and St. Mary's Counties A 6-class series starting January 15th Class Location: Charlotte Hall Branch Library 37600 New Market Road Charlotte Hall, MD 20622 Next Class: Home Energy Efficiency POSTPONED More Info | Register Now     ***************************     View Course Schedule		The Green Building Network is an ad-hoc, informal group of professionals and interested individuals. Next meeting: August 4, 2009 Network meetings and information.
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