The Green Building Alliance of Pittsburgh is starting a group of young professionals who want to be at the forefront of green building initiatives. I represented Take Pride Construction/Concrete Zen. There were 12 attendees who all have different professions that have relevant connections to the green movement.-Elizabeth Edelstein

"Go Green"

BedZED Zero Energy Housing in the UK

I attended the Net Zero Building lecture at Chatham University which was given by Robert Shelton, who is a Chatham University Interior Architecture instructor. I found it to be exciting that software is now being used by architects to develop energy efficient newly constructed buildings and existing structures during the beginning of the design phase. This technology eliminates the schematic portion of construction documents and simultaneously follows LEED guidelines. – Nicole Santella

As stated in the February 17, 2010 issue of the Tribune Review, The Environmental Protection Agency will require that “every contractor dealing with lead paint [must] be certified by the agency”. Also the method in which the paint is removed must be done according to these new rules. “U.S. Census figures show [that] across Allegheny County, 88% of the homes were built predating 1978 [which is] when lead paint was used.”-The article goes on to say. This will call for a higher painting estimate, as well as, more painting equipment purchases in order to get the job done according to the stricter rules. Take Pride started off in  Victorian Restoration. We produced work in New York City and was required to have an EPA Lead supervisor abatement certification. We needed this for any work done in the City built pre 1960 and 1960-1978 if there is reason to believe that there is lead in the building. Lead was used as a white pigment on residential buildings. ” White Lead” was later replaced by Titanium Dioxide.

Old Paint to be removed from Victorian Project

The “Red Lead” was used for rust inhibiting on metal bridges and industrial uses. Lead can be dangerous to children and animals because the chips taste sweet. The children and animals can ingest and it can lead to an array of complications such as learning disabilities in children and death in animals.-EE/B

Olympic Village LEED Platinum

The U.S. Green Building Council awards Vancouver’s Olympic Village the LEED Platinum Certification.

Recalling the Beijing Olympic Village, we were made aware of the “worlds biggest new green architectural projects…”-TreeHugger.com. The “Green Pix Zero Energy Media Wall” was one of the projects there that collected solar energy during the daytime and used it to power the screen at night.

These large scale environmentally sustainable projects serve as a way to promote “Green” technologies, proving to us that if it can be done through a prototypical example, it can be accomplished at a residential scale! -EE

Featured Renovation - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Take Pride Construction and Design’s team was recognized for a local residential design project. Pittsburgh Post Gazette  ”2009 Renovation Inspiration Contest/(Large Project) Runner-Up”. I was involved in the production of the Kitchen GFRC (Concrete) Countertop, Theater room wall treatment, and Concrete Overlay flooring. The client recognized us for our work in an article published by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. – Nikki Santella

Phil Martino, a  Pittsburgh commercial builder, has been a NUCOR Dealer/Contractor for 15 years. NUCOR http://tr.im/QZ4q is the largest steel recycler in North America
Last year Nucor recycled a quantity of scrap steel in excess of 20 million tons. Nucor’s steel making processes have much lower emissions than integrated steel making operations. Nucor’s energy consumption per ton of steel produced is much lower than that of integrated mills(source- Nucor website) . Phil Martino (PCM Inc) is able to offer “turn-key” Construction operations from engineering to final Interior Design. PCM Inc. works with Concrete Zen to offer Decorative Concrete Solutions for flooring, counters, sinks, panels and wall treatments. 

For more information on construction packages please contact : brian@takeprideconstruction.com

PCM Inc. - Nucor Building in Pittsburgh PA ready for the Concrete

LVL Beams and New Floor Framing support & stabilize shift in bearing from the removal of certain truss systems. The area above this living space was reinforced and decked for a new storage area. The ceilings in both areas are 7’10″ each after the 2″x10″ floor deck was raised above the ceiling framing below. This was a totally unusable space!  The truss system spanned over 16′ of ceiling. All of the 2″x4″ ‘s cut out were stored for re-use in our workshop. Natural Stone tile in the Bath & Mahogany Floors will be a smooth design after this renovation is complete.- Photo: Rich stands in the area that will be the new 3rd level Full Bathroom… -Nicole Santella

Full Bath & Living space in Attic

According to an article from RenewableEnergySources.com, PPG Industries (based in Pittsburgh, PA) and Prism Solar Technologies (of New York) have partnered for a project to “test the performance of different types of glass… to determine an increase in energy yield.” The two entities will combine attributes of their respective glass surface coatings and then deduce whether or not there is an increase in “energy yield”.

A solar cell is a device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.

There are incentives for renewable energy at the residential and commercial level. The “Maximum Incentive” for residents and commercial photovoltaic costs is 35% of installed costs.-DSIRE(Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.)Table 3.2 Annual Photovoltaic Domestic Shipments between 1998 and 2007- from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, shows that there were 15,069 photovoltaic units shipped in 1998. In 2007 there were 886,193 pv units shipped. This proves that solar power use is increasing; becoming more attractive to our pocket books; and is moving towards greater efficiency.-EE

Many cities are riding the green wave: “Beginning in March, San Franciscans will be able to seek financing from Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, which will make $150 million in bonds available, according to Renewable Funding, a private group that will put up the capital and administer the program at no cost to the city.”-USA Today

Here in Pittsburgh, we can witness an accelerated growth of becoming more environmentally friendly. “Pittsburgh will be the North American host city for World Environment Day in 2010″ according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).- About.com

Being recognized locally for climbing out of the smoggy reputation is a facet of the entire picture. Another aspect of gaining points is the Green manufacturing of Green products. A product isn’t entirely Green unless it’s resources are obtained within close proximity to it’s final destination. We set up a Sister company with a local Commercial Builder (PCM Inc) called Concrete Zen. Our workshop offers Architects, Designers and Builders and opportunity to resource materials for their projects locally. Concrete Zen creates all forms of Decorative Concrete and Concrete Flooring Solutions.

GFRC Cladding for Building Facade

Responsible building is becoming more and more popular,and so are creative solutions to help buildings perform efficiently. Nick Bajzek, Products Editor with Reed Business Information,highlights the use of Rain Screens and their positive impact on building envelope construction. December 11, 2009 at http://tr.im/QZw2. GFRC performing as an envelope component not only allows buildings look interesting, but increases energy efficiency. GFRC rain screens can help channel water into a reservoir while also functioning as a thermal break to wind and heat. Take Pride Construction and Design works with a local GFRC Manufacturer Concrete Zen and Ball Consulting.