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Greetings!
Welcome to the September 2003 newsletter for Design
Forward. Please take some time to enjoy this month's
features.
Quote of the Month: "There are no passengers on spaceship
earth. We are all crew." -Marshall McLuhan
| Saving
Water |
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It seems that water conservation has taken the backseat
to energy conservation these days. I thought is
might be time to remind us all about the important
and easy steps to saving water everyday.
There are many way to save water: low flush toilets,
low flow shower heads, only running the dishwasher
when it is full, and not running the water when
you brush your teeth. But there are so many more.
Read on to find out 49 ways to save water.
Article © Design Forward. Picture © www.sydneywater.com.au
49
Ways to Conserve... »
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| Paper
Recycling |
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In the U.S., paper accounts for two-thirds of all
the packaging material recovered for recycling --
more than glass, metal, and plastic combined! Find
out exactly how paper is recycled in a interesting
step-by-step explanation.
Picture © Paper University.
All
About Paper Recycling... »
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| New
Website! |
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Design Forward has a brand new website. We have
changed our look. Feedback is welcome, just send
us an email.
Check
Us Out... »
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| Feedback |
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Design Forward works toward promoting Sustainable
Design. If you know of a project that should be
featured, please contact us. Let us know why you
think it should be featured and give us a basic
intro to the project, the sustainable elements and
any websites or contact information.
If you would like to submit a fun and/or entertaining
quote about architecture, building, or such, send
it in! If it at all possible, include the author.
If you have any other feedback concerning this
publication, please feel free to send an email
or use the form.
Contact
Form... »
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| Building
with Insulated Concrete Forms |
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ICFs are not new-they've been around for the past
30 years. ICF construction takes the three-step
process of framing, insulating, and wrapping a home,
and ties it all into one. Constructed from expanded
polystyrene and stacked like building blocks to
form the exterior walls of a home, the forms are
reinforced with steel and filled with concrete.
The forms interlock and fasten one to the other
to provide seamless "foundation to rafter" fully
insulated, reinforced concrete walls. Window and
door openings of any size are possible.
Insulated concrete forms provide a lasting building
envelope, designed to withstand high wind, fire,
the elements, and the test of time. "I see a lot
of stick framing today that scares me," says concrete
foreman Jay Meunier. "I really have a hard time
believing these homes will be here 100 years from
now." Reinforced concrete, however, is meant to
last a lifetime, and then some.
Triple the Thermal Value: Because of the triple
insulative nature of these forms, ICFs are extremely
energy efficient. The R-value of the insulation,
coupled with the thermal mass of the concrete,
and the elimination of air leakage, makes for
an R-40 energy rating or higher. Exterior walls
on wood framed homes typically have an R-value
of 20 or so. Some companies even guarantee the
energy savings in writing and receive the Department
of Energy's Energy Star rating to wear on their
product. "The advantages are obvious," says Trudeau
of building with concrete. "The insulation factor
is incredible, so the return on the investment
is immediate for the homeowner." Power companies
like Nevada Power are even taking a closer look
at rebates for customers who build with energy
efficient components like ICFs.
Copyright BobVila.com © 2001
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