Staggered volumes help make Portland’s Slate building an energy-efficient marvel

Portland, Oregon’s new mixed-use development , known as Slate, consists of a shifting stack of volumes that reflect the vibrancy and complexity of the neighborhood. The development, designed by Works Progress Architecture for co-developers Urban Development Partners and Beam Development , earned  LEED Gold certification as an energy-efficient complex that takes the curtain-wall system to the next level. The 10-story development has six floors of apartment units, up to four floors of co-working office spaces and around 7,800 square feet of retail space at street level. Its modular, rectangular shapes have a sculptural quality on the east and west elevations, while a flat, clean look dominates the north and south side of the building. Related: Oregon’s Largest Education Building Achieves LEED Platinum Certification The architects worked closely with the glazing contractor to create a unitized curtain-wall system. Dallas Glass installed Wausau Window and Wall Systems, which can be put in place in a fraction of the time needed to install field-glazed systems. Related: Cherokee Mixed-Use Lofts is a LEED Platinum Award Winning Design The facade was thermally improved to respond to the challenges of Portland ‘s climate. This thermal barrier is combined with solar-control, low-e, insulating glass to achieve a high performance for solar heat gain control, condensation resistance and high visible light transmittance. The system also facilitates optimal natural ventilation in order to reduce the reliance of HVAC systems. + Works Progress Architecture Photos by Joshua Jay Elliott , courtesy of Works Progress Architecture

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Staggered volumes help make Portland’s Slate building an energy-efficient marvel

Canadian officials confirm largest earthquake caused by fracking

When a 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck British Columbia on 17 August, 2015, many were suspicious the event had something to do with a nearby fracking site operated by Progress Energy Canada. Now, the BC Oil and Gas Commission has released a report definitively linking the quake to the underground injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids, making it the strongest known earthquake caused by fracking. Read the rest of Canadian officials confirm largest earthquake caused by fracking

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Canadian officials confirm largest earthquake caused by fracking

Russia’s historic metro stations captured in awe-inspiring photographs

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Russia’s historic metro stations captured in awe-inspiring photographs

An unmanned Russian supply spacecraft is spinning out of control in orbit

A Russian spacecraft currently in orbit 200km (124.27 miles) above Earth known as the Progress M-27M cargo vessel is spinning out of control as it orbits the Earth. Fortunately, the craft , which was launched from Kazakhstan on Wednesday, does not have any crew on board, but unless control can be regained, the spacecraft will return to Earth in it’s out of control spin and will likely explode upon re-entering the atmosphere in a spectacular fashion. The Progress M-27M was designed to carry cargo to the International Space Station and is carrying 2,357kg (5,196 pounds) of fuel and supplies – which should make the fireworks even more interesting. It is not known exactly what could have sent the spacecraft reeling, but a sudden release of gas, an explosion or even a rocket thruster that didn’t shut down could have caused it. In 1966, the Gemini VIII spacecraft piloted by Neil Armstrong had a similar rocket thruster issue and his piloting skills were required to save the craft. Via Phys.org Image via NASA Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: cargo spacecraft out of control , international space station cargo ship , progress m27m , rocket explosion , russian cargo spacecraft , russian space craft , russian spacecraft spinning out of control , spacecraft explosion , spacecraft in orbit , uncontrolled spacecraft

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An unmanned Russian supply spacecraft is spinning out of control in orbit

BSR Conference 2012 New York

The BSR Conference 2012 will help companies create lasting change over the years to come. Bringing together a global community of more than 1,000 leaders from business, civil society, and the public sector, the annual BSR Conference is one of the world’s largest and most influential events devoted to sustainable business. Our 20th anniversary Conference agenda will provide the inspiration, networking, and practical learning to fast forward your progress toward a just and sustainable world.

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BSR Conference 2012 New York

How Aussies are adapting to the carbon tax

Before Australia's carbon tax was introduced, two-thirds of businesses surveyed considered the unclear regulatory environment the biggest barrier to making further progress on carbon reduction.

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How Aussies are adapting to the carbon tax

Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Consumer brands are taking climate change more seriously than ever, but voluntary corporate behavior alone isn’t enough to move the needle.  

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Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Consumer brands are taking climate change more seriously than ever, but voluntary corporate behavior alone isn’t enough to move the needle.  

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Big Brands Take More Climate Action, But Policy Needed for Progress

Unilever Climbs to No. 1 in Climate Counts Ratings

Unilever unseats Nike in the annual Climate Counts assessment of major brands and their work toward corporate climate responsibility.

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Unilever Climbs to No. 1 in Climate Counts Ratings

Why We Shouldn’t Have to Wait to Clean Up Coal-Fired Power Plants

Despite some utilities already making good progress on reducing mercury and air pollutants from their coal-fired power plants, some in the industry are using delay tactics to try and push back any further progress.  

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Why We Shouldn’t Have to Wait to Clean Up Coal-Fired Power Plants

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