Journal of Property Management

INDUSTRY NEWS & NOTES

PRENTICE WOMEN’S HOSPITAL IN CHICAGO, DESIGNED AS A JOINT VENTURE BY THE VOA ASSOCIATES INCORPORATED + OWP/P DESIGN COLLABORATIVE, OPENED IN OCTOBER 2007 AND RECENTLY ACHIEVED LEED NC-SILVER CERTIFICATION.

PHOTO © STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAPHY

NEw sUsTAiNAbiLiTY
sTANdARd APPROvEd FOR
MULTiFAMiLY PROPERTiEs

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved a new National Green Building Standard (NGBS) on Jan. 9, 2009. It is the first, and only, ANSI approved standard for multifamily residential properties.

Originally co-sponsored by the National Home Builders Association (NHBA) and International Code Council for one- and two-family dwellings, the standard was expanded to include multifamily properties at the request of the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC).

Similar to the USGBC LEED certification process, NGBS allows projects to earn points towards achieving a Silver, Bronze or Gold certification. However, the NGBS is compatible with International Code Council building codes, and was designed to be administered through the local building code process, eliminating the time and expense that may be required in other third-party certification approval programs.

For more information on NGBS, visit www.nahbgreen. org/Guidelines.

new survey says green building programs are on the rise Since 2003, the number of counties with green-building programs has risen from eight to 39, according to a study by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The trade group’s study, “Local Leaders in Sustainability: Green Counties,” examined the 200 most populous counties in the country in 2008, which represent about 169 million Americans, or a little more than half of the U.S. population. Working with the National Association of Counties, AIA representatives spoke to planners, building officials and “sustainability managers” across the country.