Studies: Green offices improve workers' health

USA Today
Sept. 15, 20010

Workers who moved from conventional office buildings to eco-friendly ones report less absenteeism and greater productivity, according to two studies by researchers at Michigan State University.

"These preliminary findings indicate that green buildings may positively affect public health," the researchers write in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The studies looked at the impact of office buildings in the Lansing area that were certified by the private U.S. Green Building Council.

The studies found that absentee hours due to asthma, respiratory allergies and stress averaged 1.12 in the conventional buildings but 0.49 in the green buildings. One study evaluated 56 workers while the other 207, reports the online Green Building Advisor.

The researchers said they would continue to track the workers, partly to determine whether employee responses are due to the fact that their behavior is being studied or that their new offices are actually improving their health.

Other studies have linked green building, which can improve indoor air quality via extra ventilation and less-toxic materials, to a reduction in health problems. A recent study of a Seattle public housing complex found that residents' health, primarily asthma in children, improved after their homes got a green makeover.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (Livestrong) Headquarters in Austin features green design achieved through recycled and non-toxic building materials. The project received a 2010 TSA Design Award and is featured on page 44 of the Sept/Oct 2010 issue of Texas Architect.

2010 TSA Flowers Award: AIA San Antonio

AIA San Antonio was recently awarded the TSA Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Architecture through the Media in Honor of John G. Glowers Honorary AIA. The award recognizes AIA San Antonio's column "Building San Antonio," which appears in the Real Estate section of the San Antonio Express-News. 

The column represents a huge volunteer commitment for the chapter. Christine Vina, Assoc. AIA, has been the driving force in maintaining the column's viability. She is solely responsible for keeping the Express-News editor up-to-date with the chapter's column production and content. A talented writer, Vina provides a final edit before columns are delivered to the paper and often pitches in to fill a gap when a column writer is unavailable. AIA San Antonio has produced 48 columns to date.  The chapter will receive the Flowers Award during the TSA Convention in San Antonio in October.

Texas Architect Contributor: Rebecca Boles, AIA

Rebecca Boles, AIA is an architect equestrian who teaches at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Architecture. Her preferred alternate transportation is the horse. Boles writes about Fort Worth’s Sid W. Richardson Visual Arts Center on page 64 of the Sept/Oct Design Awards edition of Texas Architect.

AIA Austin Homes Tour in October

AIA Austin is holding its annual Homes Tour the weekend of Oct. 2-3, 2010. This year’s self-guided tour includes 12 homes, featuring traditional and contemporary designs and new construction and renovation projects. For additional information, visit www.aiaaustin.org. 

Peninsula Residence, designed by Fred Hubnik, AIA

Project Type: Renovation/New Construction
Square Footage: 6,000 sf Renovation/500 sf New Construction
Project Team: Fred Hubnik, AIA; Calvin Chen, Associate AIA; Thomas Bercy; Tom Torbjerg; Joseph Winkler

The Peninsula Residence is an extensive renovation using glass, steel, detailing, and light to adaptively reinvent the home, radically changing its interaction with the landscape. The “bones” of the original house were saved and completely re-organized, creating clean lines and a bold presence. A triangular pool extending to the boathouse echoes the water of Lake Austin and reflects the image of Mount Bonnell.

Stratford Drive House, designed by Dick Clark, AIA

Project Type: New Construction
Square Footage: 5,000 sf
Project Team: Dick Clark, AIA; Matt Garcia; Kevin Gallaugher; Suzi Dunn;
Karen Kopicki

This house takes an architecturally minimal approach, with simple massing, an understated material palette and large expanses of glass. The main space is configured for entertainment with a glass-encased living area and large sliding doors from the dining and pool rooms. The home offers spectacular views of the Austin skyline.

Westlake Drive House, designed by James LaRue, AIA

Project Type: New Construction
Square Footage: 4,722 sf
Project Team: James LaRue, AIA; Randall Ware; Emily Marks; Kyle McCollum

This contemporary Hill Country home was designed for a golf-loving family. The unique modern architecture of this Westlake home is complimented by spectacular furniture and art.

Photo credit: JH Jackson Photography

Discover Design. Over Dinner.

Austin Foundation for Architecture presents:

Discover Design. Over Dinner.

Back by popular demand! This special series of dinner parties for discovering design offers great design, good food, and conversations about architecture with new friends. Help support the work of the Austin Foundation for Architecture. For more info, visit www.austinfoundationforarchitecture.org .

Designs by Hugh Randolph, AIA; Paul Lamb, AIA and Fern Santini;
Tim Cuppett, AIA; and, Dick Clark, AIA.

2010.09.14 After a book signing at Nest by nationally recognized architect, Bobby McAlpine, dinner will be at the home of art consultant, Deborah Page Schneider | Deborah Page Projects and David Schneider which was designed for entertaining by Hugh Randolph, AIA; landscape by Bill Bauer and Bill Roberts, built by Chupik Properties. Food by Pink Avocado; Music by Brett Barnes and Meredith Ruduski; Featured artist Michael Wilson.

2010.10.19 Located on a steep site in Westlake Hills, this 5,000 square foot house merges traditional Texas forms and materials with unique contemporary details. Oriented towards a spectacular view of downtown Austin, a forty foot span of sliding glass doors makes the pool deck a natural extension of the open living space. Join architect Dick Clark, AIA and his very special clients for this dinner.

2010.10.21 The Nowlin house was completed in 2002. It was inspired by the architecture of the ancient Maya, a lifelong interest of the owners. The structure is an example of true collaboration between the clients, architect, builder, interior designer, and many local artisans and craftsmen. The interiors are heavily influenced by early French Art Deco, and include many extraordinary pieces. Architect: Paul Lamb, AIA; Interiors: Fern Santini | Abode; Contractor: Escobedo Construction. Featuring catering by 34th Street.

2010.10.26 Tim Cuppett, AIA and Marco Rini's home featured on the 2009 AIA Homes Tour. This home is livable history - a storybook renovation of a lovely "antique Austin treasure" with intimate, romantic spaces indoors. Outdoors, you will enjoy beautiful gardens. Celebrate Autumn as Marco prepares a very special menu.

Tickets:
$100 per person
or Dinner Deal: All 4 for $300 per person

Reservations
Email: sally@austinfoundationforarchitecture.org
Phone: 512.452.4332

The Austin Foundation for Architecture is a non-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization formed to develop the general public's education, awareness, and appreciation for architect, and to promoted responsible stewardship of the Central Texas environment; and development of sustainable architectural leadership for AIA Austin, and other public, professional, and community organization in Central Texas.

Texas Architectural Foundation Bike Ride

Texas BIKEiTECTS are invited to join fellow architects and friends of architecture for the 8th Annual Texas Architectural Foundation (TAF) Tour des Monuments bike ride, Oct. 17, 2010. The tour begins at one of San Antonio's most treasured spots, The Alamo. Tour participants will choose from three routes of 13, 25, or 45 miles and will enjoy the missions, the Riverwalk expansion, new Pearl Brewery additions, and more.

Ride fees are $20 for students, $40 for professionals, and $75 for families. Custom-designed jerseys are available for $60. Register online or download a registration form to mail or fax to TAF. For more information contact BIKEiTECTS Chair Alan Harmon, Assoc. AIA, at harmon@MarmonMok.com or Emily Speight at taf@texasarchitect.org.

Thank you to our current Tour des Monuments sponsors:

Journeyman Construction & Haynes Whaley Associates

Texas Architect Contributors: Jim Atkins, FAIA & Grant Simpson, FAIA

Jim Atkins, FAIA, likes to spend time with his extended family in Korea, where he enjoys researching and writing about the architecture of the ancient ruling dynasties. See his second article in a two-part series on risk management, co-authored by Grant Simpson, FAIA.

Grant A. Simpson, FAIA, can often be found in his backyard tropical paradise accompanied by classic Hawaiian music when he is not studying or writing about architects and architecture. The second of his two-part article on risk management, co-authored with Jim Atkins, FAIA, focuses on solutions related to substitutions and can be found on page 86 of Texas Architect's Sept/Oct Design Awards edition.