Survey Suggests ‘Green’ Schools are a High Priority with Most Americans

According to a nationwide poll, three out of four Americans support federal investment in school-building improvements related to creating healthier learning environments, saving tax dollars or lowering carbon emissions. Click here to find out more!

VMDO and Barton Malow join JRGBC for Solar Decathlon tour

Taking part in a JRGBC (James River Green Building Council) fieldtrip, Steve Davis, Kelly Callahan (and daughter, Olivia) & Elizabeth Rhodes of VMDO and Chris Weatherford of Barton Malow traveled to the nation's capital for a day of touring student-built, energy-efficient, solar-powered houses. Sponsored by the US Department of Energy, the 5th Solar Decathlon was cited in West Potomac Park, within view of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. Twenty universities (including four international teams for the first time) participated in a competition to conceive, design, build, transport, promote and operate houses embodying the foremost thinking in green power and energy conservation. Many of the houses reflected their locale; Appalachian's 'Solar Homestead' was sited with hay bales and partially clad in local bark, Tennessee's 'Living Light' was inspired in form by the native crib-barn, Maryland's 'WaterShed' included a constructed wetland based on the Chesapeake. SCI-Arc/Caltech's 'CHIP' was an amorphic form with a quilted vinyl coating over 'outsulation'. While next in line for Ohio State's 'enCORE', we were booted as the secret service cleared the way for the Department of Energy's Secretary Steven Chu to tour. He later awarded Maryland first prize. Appalachian State, located in Boone, NC, won the 'People's Choice Award'.