THIS IS POTENTIALLY MONUMENTAL FOR THE INTERIORPLANTSCAPE INDUSTRY

CEO of USGBC seems to like the idea of green plants in interior spaces!

Rick Fedrizzi, CEO of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) spoke recently at the University of Arkansas, Clinton School of Public Service and in the question and answer segment, someone in the audience asked him a very important question on behalf of "McRae" and I'm assuming that's "our" McRae as that's not too common a name.

The question:
"Based upon the principles of evidence based design when can we expect that the USGBC will begin to include points for products that improve occupant health and well being, such as green plants and greenwalls...?"

After deferring the question to a colleague for discussion, Fedrizzi responded to the question with the following: "I have no doubt that there will be a very strong plant based ethic there at some point" and he even pointed out a live plant at the back of the room. He also mentioned biophilia and a study which indicates that hospital patients with a view to nature/plant life experience a faster recovery than those without.

This is indeed a movement in the right direction for our industry and I hope that we can maintain the momentum necessary to get the USGBC to include live interior plants in their point system.

Thanks to whomever it was for posing the question and thanks to McRae for "asking" it and while you're thinking about this, perhaps you should pop on over to the Green Plants for Green Buildings website and become an investor in the future of your industry.

Let's discuss this further on GreenChat.

If you'd like to watch the video of the entire speech you can view it at http://www.clintonschoolspeakers.com/lecture/view/ceo-us-green-building-council/
 

The GreenChat™ Members Participation Contest has ended and the lucky winners have been drawn.

Thanks to our very generous prize contributors:

First Prize: One hour telephone consultation with Interiorplantscape Industy Expert/Consultant Barb Helfman. ($300.00 Value) www.barbhelfman.com
Second Prize: $100.00 Gift Certificate toward a purchase from ASI. www.asiearthforms.com
Third prize: $75.00 Gift Certificate toward a purchase/consultation with Interiorplantscape Industy Expert/Consultant Kathy Fediw. www.jfaconsultingbiz.com

Congratulations to the three winners.

Happy GreenChatting™. Click here to go to GreenChat™ to see the winners list.

November 27, 2009

McCaren Designs, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota recently introduced a soil-less living wall system at Greenbuild 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The product, branded as "greenwalls Modular Planting Systems" blends engineering ingenuity with striking design. Created by McRae Anderson, a renowned designer of living architecture, greenwalls Modular Planting Systems is a sustainable building solution designed and engineered for maximum biofilteration of indoor air, thermal regulation and striking aesthetics.

Green walls, also known as vertical planting systems, vertical gardens, plant walls or vegetated walls have been successfully implemented around the world over the past 15 years.

McCaren Designs very first greenwall project was completed for the Rainforest at Cleveland Metroparks in 1993 and it was one of the earliest major installations in the world. It remains today as an example of the essential elements that make up a quality long lasting green wall installation.

The greenwalls Modular Planting Systems is adaptable to almost any vertical surface. They make a dramatic visual statement. They are attractive, distinctive, and make any visitor take notice of your building. Whether a green wall is inside or outside a building, it adds remarkable visual value to the area. It makes a statement that you care about the environment. The single biggest factor to their success is having properly designed systems that support the long term health of the vertical plantings.

For additional information please visit greenwalls website.                      
 

November 27, 2009

Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) launches new website.

Green Plants for Green Buildings (GPGB) last week launched a new website which sports a clean contemporary web interface with clear and concise navigation elements.

The site has three clearly defined entrances:
• Building Owners, Architects and Property Management
• Interior Landscape Professionals
• Consumers and Just Curious...

Please take a look at the new website at www.GPGB.org and while you're there, if you're not already an Investor in this incredible industry initiative, please become involved and make a pledge to support your industry and its continued growth.
 

PROJECT: BENTLEY BUILDING, BALTIMORE, MD.
INTERIORPLANTSCAPE CONTRACTOR: PREMIER PLANTSCAPES
HARDGOODS SUPPLIER: TOPsiders, INC.

Our latest Project mention is the Bentley Building in Baltimore, Maryland. Installed in March 2009 by Premier Plantscapes, this almost 2000 square foot greenroof is thriving despite being installed in the chill of winter!

There are approx, 160 Freedom Squares planted with grasses and perennials and there is minimal maintenance required. Watering is by timer controlled irrigation system which hooks up to the Freedom Squares' built in irrigation attachments.

The Freedom Square is a soil-less self contained greenroof module that can be planted on-site or off-site. Weighing considerably less than conventional planting modules because of the patented foam planting media, the Freedom Square is the answer to retrofitting most any existing flat roof with a vegetated one.

Freedom Squares are available exclusively from TOPsiders, Inc.