Joint meeting of the AIA Baltimore COTE & Maryland Green Building Network May 2, 2000 Minutes
Location: AIA BaltimoreIn attendance: Sherif Wahdan from DCI; Janet Harrison, Architect; Gary Bies from Insul-Kor; Al Hawkins from Encap Systems; Melanie Hartwig-Davis, Architect; Johns Hopkins from Md DHCD; Dace Blaumanis (email: dblaumanis@co.ho.md.us); John Beeson and Gautam Sultane from Kann Architects; Wendy Bratzel, architect and green building consultant; Michael Furbish of LCM; Julie Gabrielli, AIA
AIA COTE Business
Janet Harrison: a CSA farm co-op based in Upper Marlboro has asked for ideas for an urban drop-off point for their produce. Most of their subscribers are from the D.C. area. The location can not have been sprayed w/ insecticides, as schools often are, as this would negate their organic status. A church social hall might be appropriate. Anyone w/ ideas, please contact Janet via phone or email.***[SPECIAL NOTE from Chuck Kines: The DC AIA COTE Resource Directory will essentially include all areas within 300 miles (LEED criteria) of Washington, D.C., obviously including Baltimore and Annapolis. The DC COTE is currently looking for volunteers to begin mobilizing the Resource Directory Task Force. If ANYONE is interested in participating in this task force, and or wants more information about the project, please email Kim Schaefer at ecoarch@erols.com or Lance Davis at ldavis@CUH2A.com]***
Natural Step Workshop. On October 26, Mare Cromwell has arranged for two workshop leaders to come from Portland, which has a very active Natural Step Network. One is an architect who has been working to integrate the TNS process w/ design and construction decisions. Mare wants to turn over the organizing of this workshop to another group, and asked if Baltimore COTE wants to do it, possibly working with a group from D.C. such as the IIDA (Lydia Berger). She has laid some groundwork, including draft budgets, potential corporate sponsors, and initial contact w/ Catonsville Community College as the location. Sherif Wahdan expressed an interest in working on this. Julie will forward information about the workshop to him.
Main Speaker/Discussion: Maryland Smart Codes: Energy Efficiency and the Model Rehabilitation Code.
Johns Hopkins, Policy Fellow with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, gave an update on the Rehab Code which just passed the General Assembly. General information about Smart Codes is on the Office of Planning website: http://www.op.state.md.us/smartgrowth/smartcode/smartcode.htm. There, you will find background on why and how Smart Codes got started. Some items specifically related to environmental issues are:1) ICF Consulting from D.C. is doing a study of air-quality benefits / effects of Rehab Codes. They will study New Jersey and Wilmington, DE, among other places. They may also study Baltimore as a "before and after" case, since the Maryland code will be written and in effect by next year. They will look at savings on transportation emissions and construction pollution, as well as possible offsets such as the lower energy efficiency of older buildings. It was pointed out at this meeting that embodied energy is also worth consideration. They are working w/ Jeff Anderson of EPA.
2) Two ways for the members of the GBN can get involved: First, help in drafting and review of the Code. The bulk of this work will take place Fall of 2000. The Governor will appoint members, so if you are interested in participating, contact Johns Hopkins at DHCD. (Hopkins@dhcd.state.md.us) Also, as part of this process, all the state building codes have to be revisited so they are coordinated with the Rehab Code. This includes the state Energy Code, so here's your chance to make it better. Johns will likely spearhead this portion through DHCD.
Smart Codes also includes the development of model infill and redevelopment / zoning codes. These are being developed by the Office of Planning. See their website for details (address listed above).
Green Product Presentations
1) Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs (Gary Bies, Insul-Kor, Inc.); and2) "Encapseal," a product that rebuilds old deteriorated substrates and greatly improves the appearance of buildings (Al Hawkins, Encap Systems Corporation)
Next Meeting
June 6th at the offices of DNR in Annapolis, 6:30 - 8:00. Main Speaker will be Ron Gardner from DNR's Watershed Restoration Division who will talk about Low Impact Development (LID) and alternative stormwater management techniques and practices. Green Product Presenter: TBD.
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