Reuse

Reuse from Wikipedia

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• California Materials Exchange
• The ReUse Center
• PlanetReuse.com
• Building Materials Reuse Association
• The ReUse People

RSS News from planetreuse.blogspot.com

• April 22nd-23rd: Midwest Urban Deconstruction Forum. -
  
  As the 40th anniversary of Earth Day approaches, keep this outstanding event in mind when mapping out your plans. On April 22nd and 23rd, the Midwest Urban Deconstruction Forum will be held at the Chicago headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and hosted by USEPA Region 5 Land and Chemicals Division, Region 5 Brownfields Program, Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery, and Office of Brownfields & Land Revitalization.
  
  
  "The Midwest Urban Deconstruction Forum will provide an excellent opportunity to establish a regional dialogue among local-level decision makers and look at new initiatives and challenges related to:
  
  
  · evaluating successful strategies to incorporate deconstruction into communities’ efforts to manage abandoned buildings,
  · evaluating economic viability of deconstruction on municipal projects,
  · encouraging deconstruction, reuse, and recycling in the community, and
  · creating local jobs through deconstruction."
  
  
  If you have some experience with deconstruction, this event would be extremely valuable to consider attending. There are only fifty spots available to encourage an educated discussion and information-sharing event for individuals and communities that already have some experience in deconstruction. If you would like to attend, April 1st is the deadline for registration.
  
  
  If you are in the Chicago area already and are looking for a more introductory level event, perhaps look into attending the 3rd annual 'Green Your Footprint' held at the Flair Tower which is the newest LEED certified residential building in Chicago.
  
  
  As it gets closer to Earth Day 2010, check back here for information on more exceptional events taking place around the nation and globe!
  
• March events calendar: Boston edition! -
  
  If you are in the Boston area and looking for some stellar events in design to attend in the next week, you are in luck! On March 11th, the Boston Society of Architects/AIA will be holding their monthly "Conversations on Architecture" event where they invite industry professionals to share their experiences. This month they will be highlighting those from the SHIFTboston team. SHIFTboston was the Ideas Competition which invited any design professional to create their ideal Boston public space. The event encouraged participants to truly unleash their creativity for the better of the community with a little cash prize incentive. The brains behind it all will have the opportunity to share their experiences, "developing the competition and forum, details on their current exhibition efforts and a sneak peek at the group's future projects" at this month's "Conversation on Architecture" event.
  
  
  The following day, Friday March 12th, will be the fifth annual "CBT Green Day." Held by BSA and Childs Bertman Tseckares Architects at the CBT offices, thirty vendors of green products will be invited to display their merchandise and services from 8:30-10:30 AM. PlanetReuse is planning to attend as one of the thirty presenting and would love to tell you about how we can help to incorporate reclaimed materials into your future or current projects! This event also offers the opportunity for professionals to receive their AIA continuing-education credits. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to Kristi at sprinkel@cbtarchitects.com by the 10th!
  
  
  Hope to see you there!
  
• Support New Orleans Historic Green! -
  
  From March 9th through the 19th, New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and Holy Cross hopes to restore, create, preserve, sustain, and green their neighborhood by rebuilding as the nation's first zero carbon community! Historic Green is a non-profit formed in part by USGBC Central Plains EGB Leaders whose project may be the first project in the nation "designed to integrate sustainable restoration practices with preservation of an entire historic community."
  
  
  HG is in it's third year as a ten-day volunteer project led by a network of hundreds of young professional and student volunteers in the green building industry. Among those making the journey for this volunteer opportunity will be Nathan Benjamin, Founder+Principal of PlanetReuse. In the past two years, homes have been weatherized, rain gardens built, damaged homes deconstructed, playgrounds restored, and educational programs have been put into place. While these projects continue, the newest HG volunteer project, aimed at LEED Platinum certification, will be the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association and Center for Sustainable Economic Development’s headquarters.
  
  
  If you would like to donate you time, materials, or financial assistance to Historic Green and their outstanding cause, please check out the HG website!
  
• Quote of the week. -
  
  "I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it."
  
  
  -Rosalia de Castro, Galician writer
  
• SAME/APWA February joint meeting. -
  The Greater Kansas City Post area of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) will hold their February joint meeting with the American Public Works Association (APWA) tomorrow, February 24th, 2010. Both SAME and APWA share core values of Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability making this an ideal event for PlanetReuse to spread the word about construction material reuse. At the February luncheon, Nathan Benjamin will be speaking about PlanetReuse and, "the business of matching reclaimed building materials with designers, builders, and owners to save money, serve LEED efforts and sustain the planet."
  
  Click here if you would like more information on attending this event!
  
• KU Studio 804 featured in Metropolis Magazine. -
  The design-build program at University of Kansas, Studio 804, gets a little media love in the February edition of Metropolis Magazine. Studio 804 allows architecture students to see more than just the design and build of a structure, but to also understand everything else they will encounter along the way. KU professor Dan Rockhill presents the 22 students with the opportunity to create more than just a cool house. Each project serves as, "a shining example of state-of-the-art sustainable design-and an illustration of the aesthetic and financial challenges sustainable design presents." As most projects for Studio 804 are of Midwest origin, it is only natural for weather and climate issues to come into play. The devastating tornado that struck Greensburg motivated its' townspeople to rebuild as a Green community which offered the perfect opportunity for a Green design-build project. The strict LEED Platinum standards that the city council mandated for any municipally owned building over 4,000 square feet presented a challenge but nothing that Rockhill's studio couldn't handle. In one years' time Kansas had it's first LEED Platinum building in the form of a, "sleek modular arts center," that Governor Kathleen Sebelius praised and Studio 804 could proudly call their own. Read the article in it's entirety here and check out more work from Studio 804!
  
  Rock chalk!
  
• USGBC Chicago Chapter Event: "Deconstruction: Why, How, Now?" -
  February 23rd, Nathan Benjamin will be speaking at another USGBC event in Chicago. Fellow speakers will include Dave Hampton, President of the Urban Habitat Chicago and Echo Studio, and Elise Zelechowski, Deputy Executive Director of the Delta Institute. Here is a little bit of information on the topic of discussion which will be, "Deconstruction: Why, How, Now?"
  
  "Deconstruction, the process of carefully dismantling a building in order to salvage components for reuse, results in products for sale, a trained labor force, and improved environmental quality by keeping air and water cleaner while diverting thousands of tons of material from overtaxed landfills. This panel discussion will cover deconstruction in various aspects, from WHY it is important to utilize methods of deconstruction over a traditional demolition process, HOW it is done, and NOW covering projects and resources available to facilitate deconstruction."
  
  If you would like more specific information on attending this event, click here. See you there!
  
• USGBC Central Plains Event: "Materials Recycling Practices - Commercial & Residential." -
  
  
  
  The Central Plains Chapter of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) will be hosting an event titled, "Materials Recycling Practices - Commercial and Residential," on March 5th at Studio Dan Meiners. Speaking at this event will be Nathan Benjamin, Principal + Founder of PlanetReuse, Brian Alferman, Associate Director of Habitat Restore, Brent Kroh, Vice President of Elmwood Reclaimed Timber and Christian Arnold, Principal at Clockwork. The following topics will be addressed by the speakers at the event:
  
  
  -Common materials used in sustainable projects.
  -Unique or new-to-market materials and applications.
  -Tools and methods to ensure proper documentation for LEED certification application and approval.
  -Project examples and local Case Studies.
  
  
  As a great example of the topic being discussed, the soon to be opened headquarters of Studio Dan Meiners was designed by Clockwork, was constructed by ARC Construction and incorporated many reused and recycled materials provided by PlanetReuse. There will be tours provided immediately following the panel discussion. If you are interested in attending this great event, click here for more information. See you there!
  
• PlanetReuse featured in Greenability Jan/Feb '10 issue. -
  PlanetReuse was featured in the article titled "7 Recycled and Reused Sources For Home Remodeling," of the Kansas City publication Greenability. The article features the seven top places in the area to turn to for donating old building materials or picking up some new gems for your home. The following is the section on PlanetReuse.
  
  "If you are looking for a specific piece or materials, check out PlanetReuse, a unique source for the green remodeling project. The company sells from a website with listings of reused and recycled materials from around the country. The beauty of the site lies in the matchmaking service it provides for free. If you do not see the material you are looking for in the listing, PlanetReuse can find it, at no charge. By simply placing a request, you will be guided through the process, have samples sent to your door, and even generate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) documentation for your project.
  
  'PlanetReuse is trying to connect a disconnected industry by thinking outside the box,' says Nathan Benjamin, principal and founder. 'We go beyond flooring and wood products into stone, bricks, light fixtures, steel and any and all materials that can be reused.'
  
  Look at the materials listing, make a request for something specific and get your reusable materials sold by visiting PlanetReuse at www.planetreuse.com, or call 816-298-7947."
  
  If you would like to read the entire Greenability article titled, "7 Recycled and Reused Sources For Home Remodeling," check out the PlanetReuse Facebook group in the 'Group Photos' section!
  
• PlanetReuse on Interior Design magazine's online "Buyers Guide" -
  PlanetReuse can now also be found at our newest web location: Interior Design magazine's online "Buyers Guide." The online Buyers Guide provides the ultimate way to search for material/product specs and contact information conveniently in the same location. The search-ability on their site is amazing allowing the user to search their A-Z database by product/material, region, or name of company. This website makes it simple for the user to easily be able to find what they are after with virtually no-hassle. Its all there at, "the essential product search."
  
  
  
  Next time you are browsing through the Buyers Guide database of companies, products, and designer binders, scroll on over to the PlanetReuse page!
  
• KC Business Magazine's "Rising Stars" - Inaugural Edition. -
  In the latest volume of the KC Business Magazine, 44 brilliant business minds were featured as the people-to-watch, or, "Rising Stars" of the KC metro area. Of the group, 4 were chosen to grace the special-edition covers of the magazine. Among the 4 was PlanetReuse's own Nathan Benjamin along with Aaron Mesmer of Block LLC, Jason Grill of King Hershey PC, and Laura Lake of Laura Lake Consulting. To learn more about the "Rising Star" inaugural edition and the selection process, continue reading.
  
  
  
  "They are young, ambitious and driven. They are the bright minds that push their organizations to do more, go farther and think bigger. They are the rising stars of business in Kansas City. And they are all on the fast track to the top.
  
  
  How do we know? Because every person honored in our first-ever KC Business' Rising Stars class has already demonstrated his or her ability to steer around obstacles, overcome challenges and seize opportunities on the path to prosperity. The people featured in the pages that follow know where they are going and what it takes to get there. They represent the future of Kansas City business and ensure that future is going to be a bright one.
  
  
  But this section isn't just about them, it's about you, as well. We asked our class members to share the secrets to their success so that you, too, can find a way to the top. Our Rising Stars cited loyalty, perseverance and commitment as key attributes to business prosperity. They advise peers to 'create happiness for others, contribute in a value-added way and be prepared for every encounter.'
  
  
  It's a foregone conclusion that you will hear more from these men and women in the near future, but consider this your introduction."
  
  
  To continue reading the entirety of this month's volume of the KC Business Magazine, click here and scroll to Scribd page 28 (or page 26 in the KC Business. *Note: The uploaded Scribd cover is just one of the four optional covers from the current volume, or special edition, of the publication.
  
• Tim Southwell joins team PlanetReuse! - PlanetReuse welcomes Tim Southwell as its newest family member. Tim, also a USGBC LEED AP, recently moved back to the KC Metro area from Montana where he operated his own green building consulting firm. As a RESNET Green rater, Tim spent a majority of his time working on independent energy audits as well as assisting architects with pre-certifying designs to meet and exceed Energy Star Home standards. He has a background in Construction Management and Green Building care of Colorado State University.
  
  Please take the time to visit our website and welcome Tim to the team by shooting him a note directly: tsouthwell@planetreuse.com.
  
• Follow-up- YAF “Architects and Beyond.” - On January 28th, Nathan Benjamin traveled to the Windy City to participate in the Chicago Young Architect's Forum event, "Architects and Beyond." The event was well attended by those looking to up their game in a competitive market and learn from architecture professionals that weren't afraid to think outside of the box. The other presenters included Annie Mohaupt of Mohop Shoes, Jessica Lybeck of Till Creative, and Cagri Kanver of HOK Advance Strategies.
  
  Mohaupt explained the concept behind her, "infinity sandal," which is essentially one pair of wooden soles with elastic loops that you can lace your choice of ribbon through allowing limitless possibilities! Lybeck spoke about starting up her business that specializes in, "putting the tools of design thinking in the hands of entrepreneurs, cultivating good ideas into great businesses." Lastly, Kanver explained how Advance Strategies, "help clients make value-based decisions, make effective changes and achieve quantifiable results."
  
  For a more thorough report of the YAF event, "Architects and Beyond," please visit our friend in the blogging community, "Archiprose." Also, for more photos from the event, join the PlanetReuse Facebook group here!
  
• Quote of the week. - "The difference between getting somewhere and nowhere is the courage to make an early start. The fellow who sits still and does just what he is told will never be told to do big things."
  
  -Charles Schwab, entrepreneur
  
• Perkins+Will Research Journal features PlanetReuse. - In the Fall 2009 volume of the Perkins+Will Research Journal, they highlight PlanetReuse for our use of, "locally sourced reclaimed materials." They explain what materials can be locally sourced and the benefits of using these materials. To understand what it is that the Perkins+Will Research Journal hopes to accomplish, read on for a short description of their purpose.
  
  "The Perkins+Will Research Journal is dedicated to documenting and presenting practice-related research associated with buildings and their environs. The aim of this journal is to capture and document research questions and methodologies that arise prior, during and after the design process. Original research articles, literature reviews, and case studies have been incorporated into this publication. The unique aspect of this journal is that is conveys practice-oriented research projects aimed at supporting our design and project teams."
  
  To download the full Fall 2009 publication, click here! *Note: we are mentioned on page 22!