Code Council Releases New IGCC Public Version 2.0

The International Code Council today unveiled its latest edition of the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), known as IGCC Public Version 2.0, at the annual U.S. Green Building Council’s “Greenbuild” conference.

At the Greenbuild announcement Code Council Chief Executive Officer Richard P. Weiland said, “IGCC Version 2.0 is provided as a resource tool for jurisdictions considering adoption or amendment of regulations for green and high-performance construction. The document is available as a free download on the Code Council’s website at http://www.iccsafe.org/igccv2. Public Version 2.0 reflects the work of the IGCC Public Hearings Committee, which conducted a review of 1,500 comments and nearly 120 hours of testimony during eight days of public hearings in Chicago last August.”

The IGCC applies to new and existing, traditional and high-performance buildings. It includes ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1 as a jurisdictional compliance option. Coordinated with the ICC family of codes, the IGCC is designed to go beyond traditional code requirements for communities that are pursuing a sustainability goal.

The most significant revision made by the Committee occurred in the area of energy conservation. References to Total Annual Net Energy Use (TANEU) in Version 1.0 were replaced with a Zero Energy Performance Index (zEPI), requiring buildings to use no more than 51 percent of the energy allowable in the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code. In addition, the Committee revisited the formula regarding jurisdictional project electives, now requiring jurisdictions to enforce at least one and up to 14 electives, instead of allowing a jurisdiction to opt out of enforcing any project electives by choosing zero.

Of particular interest to the code enforcement community are the provisions addressing commissioning. Appliance information, radon mitigation and documentation requirements, were added to the commissioning provisions to ensure the health and safety of building occupants.

Other key changes in Public Version 2.0 include:
 A 20 percent water savings beyond U.S. federal standards for water closets in residential settings;
 New requirements for identification and removal of materials containing asbestos;
 Land use regulations including new provisions addressing flood risk, development limitations related to “greenfields,” use of turf grass and minimum landfill diversion requirements;
 Clarification of responsibilities from the registered design professional to the owner to prevent potential conflicts with state and local requirements; and
 Greater consistency with industry standards for air handling systems. Weiland hailed the release of Version 2.0 as “another step in providing tools now for jurisdictions to integrate their sustainability programs with the tested safety language of the family of International Codes. The diversity of the participants in our development process has yielded a creative and unique document that is immediately applicable.”

The IGCC development process now moves to two hearings in 2011. Code change proposals for Version 2.0 are due to the Code Council by January 3. Those proposals will be heard at the Code Development Hearings in May, to be held in Dallas. More information on submitting proposals can be found at http://www.iccsafe.org/IGCC/PV2Development. The actions at that hearing will form the basis for Final Action Hearings to be held in October 2011in Phoenix. The final version of the IGCC will be issued in early 2012.

Organizations, jurisdictions and individuals wishing to state their public support for the IGCC may register on the IGCC website at http://www.iccsafe.org/igcc. Ongoing participation by interested parties is encouraged throughout the development process, including providing testimony at hearings and submitting comments for consideration.

Cooperating sponsors of the IGCC are the American Institute of Architects, ASTM International, the American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

Architects Can Be Approved 203(k) Consultant

Architects are among those listed to be qualified to be HUD 203k consultants. The requirements listed below can be found on the HUD website:

1. A minimum of three years experience as a remodeling contractor, general contractor or home inspector. A state license as a state certified engineer or architect may be submitted in lieu of the documentation of the three years experience;

2. Licensing (general contractor, home inspector, etc.). In those states where a Home Inspector is required to be licensed, the Department requires the applicant to be licensed and to provide proof of that licensing;

3. consultant’s ability to perform home inspections, prepare architectural drawings, use proper methods of cost estimating and complete draw inspections; and,

4. The applicant must also submit a certification verifying that the consultant has read and fully understands the requirements of HUD Handbook 4240.4, REV 2 (203(k) Handbook) and all related materials listed in Mortgagee Letter 2000-25.

This could be an opportunity for Architects to get more work related to FHA loans specifically for residential construction.

If you are interested in learning more or applying to be a 203k consultant, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203khow.cfm for all the details.

Change the Fate of Places that Matter to You: 10 Most Endangered 2011

There’s that vacant historic building you drive by on your way to work each day. Or that new development you just heard about- the one that’s planned to wipe out a historic farm . Or what about all the historic resources of your town that aren’t protected because you don’t have a historic preservation ordinance?

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why isn’t someone doing something to protect these important places?” YOU can be that someone.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2011 list of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Places in New Jersey . 2011 will mark PNJ’s 17th year of using this tool to publicize the plights of New Jersey’s threatened historic resources and the overarching conditions- diminished funds, a lack of effective legislation, neglect, indifference, and more- that keep our historic treasures under constant threat. The fates of countless landmarks have been affected when local advocates have used the 10 Most Endangered list to spread the word about a property’s plight.

But history is in your hands. PNJ depends on local advocates to make us aware of important places that need attention. Do you know of an endangered historic property? Tell us about it! Nomination forms are available on our website.

Nomination period closes DECEMBER 7, 2010. Don’t delay- help us help your heritage today!

 

A Time to Give Thanks:

President’s Corner – Nov. 2010

As the Thanksgiving Holiday approaches it only seems appropriate that I take this opportunity to express my thanks for all the good things happening this year. This Holiday is perhaps my favorite one. There are no gifts, no gimmicks, no crazy decorations to deal with, just good food, the company of family and friends, and a moment to relax amidst the challenging times we are all dealing with. While you may think, with this economy and those trying times it continues to cause, there isn’t much to be thankful for, I actually believe there are many and Here are just a few items:

– That our family and friends are healthy, happy, and safe (I hope this is true for you all)

– That AIA-NJ continues to be strongly supported by its members, making it one of the only Chapters in the country to actually have increased its membership in the past year

– That the staff and volunteer committee members of AIA-NJ continue to work tirelessly promoting the benefit and place of architects in society

– That despite tough budgetary times, AIA-NJ has been able to remain stable because of the prudent, long term planning and management of the last fifteen years

– That for those finding themselves in transition in the profession, there is a network of your peers, new opportunities from AIA-NJ’s “Members in Transition” web page coming, and State/Federal support to see you through those times

– That AIA-NJ and its Sections continue to serve the membership well by providing a vast array of benefits such as an E-newsletter, E-Blast, Alerts, relevant and timely educational programs, networking opportunities, a strong voice at the State House and nationally, and quality conferences such as Design Day and East Coast Green

– That the architect’s role in creating sustainable, livable communities has been more understood and realized by the public and government in the last several years than ever before in history, that I can recall

So, please join me in giving thanks for these amazing happenings. As we continue to try and improve and evolve as a profession and organization, I welcome your comments and suggestions for things we can do more of, better, or different now and in the future and what we’ve done well that you may be thankful for!

One thing we did a little different this year, for sure, was our Design Day Conference. With sustainability, carbon emissions, and green building on the tips of the media and public’s tongue we created and hosted a newly created two day conference dubbed “East Coast Green:

Meeting the Architecture 2030 Goals” and combined the location and venue with Design Day. AIA-NJ has not hosted a two day conference this ambitious nature in a decade. With more than 50 vendors and over 200 in attendance throughout the two day event, the superb educational content and high quality keynote speakers, such as Robert Kennedy Jr., attracted new sponsors like Verizon, United Water, and Advanced Solar Products to our organization. The quality of design submissions received this year was also impressive as was the keynote speaker list for both events.

We did record the Keynote sessions of East Coast Green and are posting all presentations from regular sessions, totaling nearly 14 CEUs, on our website for attendees of the event to have access. We are working on making these excellent resources available to our entire membership, as they are all co-approved for both AIA HSW/SD credits AND USGBC credential maintenance. This was one of the only conferences in the country able to accomplish this dual approval of courses, not to mention a few that also received IDCEC credit. Stay tuned for more information on available courses online from the convention. In case you missed East Coast Green, a brief summary can be found here.

Sincerely,

Jason Kliwinski, AIA, LEEDap

President AIA New Jersey

In Case You Missed – East Coast Green 2010

East Coast Green 2010:  Meeting the Architecture 2030 Challenge
Bally’s Atlantic City
Thursday September 16 & Friday September 17, 2010

East Coast Green attendees

Thirty two educational sessions, three keynote presentations, and three design day lectures drew a crowd of nearly 200 attendees to the Jersey Shore, September 16 – 17, 2010. Among the attendees were architects, planners, engineers, educators, and lawyers interested in sustainable design.

 

Members In Transition Committee

The Members In Transition Committee is looking for participants.

Historic Properties Revitalization Act

Last week Michael Calafati, chair of our Historic Resources Committee submitted the letter below to the Assembly Committee in support of  the Historic Properties Revitalization Act, Assembly Bill 1851.  The bill is schedule for a floor vote on Monday and we urge you to contact your legislator in support of this bill.  Below is  the body of the letter from Mr Calafati on behalf of AIA/NJ as well as a link to find your legislators contact information.

Click Here to Find Your Legislator

The letter sent on November 11, 2010, read as follows:

Assemblywoman Nellie Pou, Chairwoman, and

Members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee

New Jersey Statehouse

Trenton, NJ  08625

Re:  Historic Properties Revitalization Act, HPRA, A1851 (S659)

In Support

Dear Assemblywoman Nellie Pou:

HPRA has been an idea for legislation for more than a decade. Unfortunately, I

believe its lack of success is rooted in misconceptions.

Too often “historic” is taken as code for the sweet bed and breakfast inn at a

Victorian seaside resort or the individual house museum.  Rather, historic would

better apply to literally thousands of structures across the state in urban centers

and elsewhere that exist already in established historic districts such as

Paterson’s Downtown Commercial and Eastside Park Historic Districts, Newark’s

Lincoln Park and North Broad Street neighborhoods and Camden’s Coopers

Grant and Fairview neighborhoods, as well as numerous other older buildings in

need of rehabilitation in districts and in individual settings.

Moreover, the word “historic” belies the importance of rehabilitation activities in

the construction industry and, therefore, the economy statewide.  Work on

existing structures accounts for a very high percentage of construction wages

earned in the state.  Similarly, design services that entail work on existing

buildings account for the highest percentage of income by category for architects

and their staff.  Promoting the rehabilitation and revitalization of our aging

building stock is green and enacting HPRA would help in efforts to make wage

earners again out of the thousands engaged in construction and architecture who

have been idled by the current Great Recession.

Lastly, this legislation been given a bum rap because it entails a tax credit.  Our

data shows that more than three dollars in new revenue will be collected for

every tax dollar forgiven and the new revenue flows in before the tax credit is

fully disbursed.

The time has come to advance this legislation.

Sincerely,

Michael Calafati, AIA, LEED AP

Chair, AIA-NJ Historic Resources Committee

 

Gustav Stickley Nominated For NJ Hall of Fame

Michael Graves, FAIA, became the first Architect member to the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2010, another architect is on the nominees list for 2011.  This year Gustav Stickley, renowned architect and furniture maker who became the leading spokesperson for the American Craftsman movement was nominated for the NJ Hall of Fame this year. Vote for him now at www.njhalloffame.org.

Former governors Tom Kean and Brendan Byrne are among the nominees for the 2011 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame.  They face some stiff competition.

In the hall’s “general” category, Kean’s and Byrne’s fellow nominees are author Mary Higgins Clark, beat poet Allen Ginsberg, World War II-era Admiral William “Bull” Halsey and famed architect Gustav Stickley.

The overall list is impressive. U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone, a hero of World War II, is featured, as are President Grover Cleveland, Thomas Paine, Molly Pitcher, Leon Hess, Martha Stewart, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Bruce Willis and John Travolta.

In the arts and entertainment category, Jazz guitarist John “Bucky” Pizzarelli, singer Tony Bennett, actor Michael Douglas and recording artist and actress Queen Latifah have been nominated, along with Willis and Travolta.

In sports, NBA star Rick Barry, figure skater Dick Button, NFL running back Franco Harris and NFL quarterback Joe Theismann were all nominated.

Representing New Jersey’s infamous side is Vice President Aaron Burr,  who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel right here in the Garden State. His Hall of Fame biography, however, makes no mention of that event. Burr is nominated in the historical category, along with Basilone, Cleveland, Paine, Pitcher and Stanton.

Voting is done online and ballots must be filled out by Jan. 3. The induction ceremony will be held in June.

For a full list of nominees, go to:   www.njhalloffame.org/nombios2011.html

Cast your vote today!

2012 NJ Historic Preservation Conference

2012 NJ Historic Preservation Conference

Call for Sessions: 2011 NJ Historic Preservation Conference
The 2011 conference planning committee is seeking proposals for the annual historic preservation conference.  The conference will be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at Monmouth University.  Proposals may be submitted for an individual presentation, a panel session or in workshop format and are due December 2, 2010. All submissions will be notified by January 17, 2011.

The conference planning committee will consider exciting proposals that reflect the complexities and challenges of preserving our heritage and that would be relevant to a diverse audience.  Some examples include, but not limited to, the following topic areas:

• Case studies illustrating conservation and craftsmanship
• Preservation approaches that incorporate sustainable techniques
• Case studies that illustrate innovative planning documents for historic sites and/or history museums
• Examples of innovative stewardship and/or reuse of historic sites
• Innovative archaeological investigations
• Public policy, advocacy, demographic change, planning tools and techniques
• Economics of preservation in the current climate
• Heritage tourism

Proposals must be submitted electronically in the desired format and designed to fit into one of the following time slots:

• 15 -20 minute presentation slot
• Panel session of 75 minutes in length
• Designed to fit into a workshop slot of 135 minutes in length

All facility rooms will have power point capability. Alternative AV requirements should be identified in the proposal. The conference planning committee retains sole discretion in the selection of proposals.  Registration fees will be waived for selected moderators, presenters and panelists. 

Submit Your Proposals Online
Register and submit your presentation, session, or workshop proposal: www.formsite.com/dcanet/form8818985301/form_login.html

Save the Date
The 2011 NJ Historic Preservation Conference
June 3, 2011
Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ
and hosted by
New Jersey Historic Trust
New Jersey Historical Commission
Department of Environmental Protection/Historic Preservation Office
The annual conference brings together historic preservation professionals, historic site managers, architects, planners, archaeologists, as well as historic preservation commissions members and municipal officials.

For information about previous conferences, visit: www.njhistoricpreservationconference.org

High School Design Competition

NJIT is resurrecting their High School Design Competition for submissions by the end of March 2011. It is an open competition encouraging creativity in the design profession (both architecture and design). They will have awards that include paid tuition for their summer architecture and design program.

AIANJ is helping to get the word out about the competition throughout NJ encouraging students to enter. If you are an AIA-NJ member, please contact all people (principals, architectural drawing teachers, graphic design & industrial design teachers, art teachers, etc) you know who may be affiliated with high schools or high school students to encourage their participation.

If you are a student, and interested in participating in the competition, please tell your teacher and school.

All of the information on the competition as it becomes available will be posted on the website, the address is: design.njit.edu/ddc2010