HLB Lighting Illuminates CA Justice Centers

Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design was selected by the Administrative Office of Courts in California to overhaul lighting design guidelines. Meeting the state’s new green building standards, the lighting systems are designed to achieve LEED Silver certification. The Richard E. Arnason Justice Center in Pittsburg, Calif., was the first location to be improved, over a 71,600-sf area. Designed by HOK architects, the lighting plan includes dimming controls and natural-lighting solutions.

Bilco's Roof Hatch Combines Functionality and Luxury

Bilco’s Type GS roof hatch provides easy access to roof areas while also functioning as a weather-resistant skylight. A transparent polycarbonate dome with added UV resistance eliminates the need for a fall-protection screen, while aluminum and full-gasket features make for easy lifting. The roof hatch is especially suited for commercial and industrial buildings. The new thermally enhanced roof hatch line features special gasketing and increased insulation for superior thermal performance. Enhanced performance roof hatches will improve the energy efficiency of your building and are ideal for GREEN building applications. Visit Bilco's website for more products and specifications.

LED Architectural Lighting

BetaLED is recognized throughout the world for advanced engineering, innovative design and excellence in manufacturing LED luminaires. Their products have earned them the reputation as the premiere provider of high quality architectural lighting solutions for interior and exterior commercial applications.

BetaLED offers a number of environmental advantages over other types of lighting. Our luminaires are lead-free, mercury-free and meet Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations. Each light bar to high performance heat sinks to assure the LEDs operates at a safe and optimal temperature for the application environment. These LED systems can be a significant contributor to obtaining LEED certification for a new building or building remodel. LED lighting systems can contribute to LEED certification in four areas: Energy and Atmosphere, Sustainable Sites, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation. Since these LED have an extremely high output light intensity and a low power draw they result in massive energy and cost savings. BetaLED’s have a wide range of applications and their product line includes:

• THE EDGE Luminaires
• LEDway Streetlights
• 304 Series Luminaires
• 227 Series Recessed Luminaires
• Essentia LED Interior Luminaires

Kings Crossing Shopping Center and Zoning Variances

Fairfield’s new shopping center that once was the site of the Handy and Harman sits on Kings Highway's intersection with Grasmere Avenue. It is now the home of a Whole Foods and Fairfield’s fourth CVS. However, the new businesses planning to enter the center do not stop there.

Five Guys burger restaurant will likely be the next business to enter the Kings Crossing shopping center. Five Guy’s first attempt for approval was denied by the Town Planning and Zoning Commission (TPZ).  TPZ held that the restaurant was 12 parking spaces short of the number set by the town parking regulations. After being denied the application for a certificate of conformance by TPZ, attorney for the developer, William Fitzpatrick III took the application to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and received a waiver for the 12 parking spaces. In his appeal Fitzpatrick argued the developer was entitled to a credit for parking spaces lost because of a shared driveway created with Home Depot (the adjoining property). ZBA granted the variance allowing for a resubmission to TPZ for the Certificate of Conformance and was unanimously approved.

In short, a variance is a deviation from the set of rules a municipality applies to land use and land development, typically a zoning ordinance, building or municipal code. There are two types of variances area and use. An area variance is the most common type. It can be requested by a builder or landowner when an odd configuration of the land, or sometimes the physical improvements (structures) on the land, requires a relaxation of the applicable regulations to avoid denying the landowner the same rights and use of the property as neighboring properties enjoy. A use variance as is the case here is a variance that authorizes a land use not normally permitted by the zoning ordinance. Variance requests are justified only if special conditions exist on the lot that create a hardship making it too difficult to comply with the code's normal requirements. Most likely it was justified in the Five Guys case because the when the shopping center was redesigned to include a shared driveway with Home Depot they lost about 75 parking spaces. There in lies the hardship.

2011 AGC IPD and Lean Construction Building Conference

The 2011 AGC IPD and Lean Construction Building Conference will bring together high-level leaders to discuss two of the most intriguing issues in the construction industry today... Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Lean Construction. These industry processes have both their own unique approach to delivering more collaborative and efficient construction projects, and, at the same time, are intrinsically linked in many ways. This Conference will benefit those new to IPD and Lean Construction, as well as those with a deeper understanding of these concepts.

Targeted sessions will cover IPD and Lean Construction from its history and philosophy to present-day applications. Case studies, best practices, legal and risk issues, and perspectives from the design, construction, and owner communities will expose attendees to all aspects of IPD and Lean Construction. Attendees will also hear presentations and participate in discussions on other key issues such as the current building construction market, owners’ roundtable, and industry best practices.

This Conference will feature numerous networking opportunities. Senior-level building contractors, large project owners and other key industry stakeholders will gather at the breakfasts, keynote luncheon, evening receptions and golf tournament featured during the Conference.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Building construction contractors, construction project owners, design professionals, attorneys, suppliers - anyone interested in industry best practices and networking.

WHEN: September 21-24, 2011

WHERE: Westin La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas

ATTIRE: Business Casual

CONTACTS:

• Conference Program & Sponsorships: Mike Stark
• Hotel & Travel: Rick Brown
• Conference Registration: Rockkie Dunton