Arlington Heights, Ill. (Sept. 26, 2016) — SGC Horizon's Building Design+Construction magazine and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will display this year’s GreenZone education center at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Oct. 5-7, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Following Greenbuild, the classroom/workshop structure will be used by Compton YouthBuild to expand its construction-training program and outreach efforts to the Compton, Calif., community.
“We will partner with nonprofit organizations to support sustainable housing, living, and working in Compton and surrounding communities,” says Sara Silva, chief financial and operations officer at Compton YouthBuild. “Young people use this program as a launching pad to jobs, college or the military.”
Since 2008, Building Design+Construction magazine has built and displayed sustainable modular buildings at Greenbuild. In partnership with USGBC, Building Design+Construction has donated similar structures to community groups in New Orleans and Baltimore for use as learning centers.
Designed by HDR Architecture and built by MODS PDX in Portland, Ore., the 600-square-foot prefabricated classroom will provide indoor/outdoor workspaces for students to learn hands-on construction skills. The 15x40-foot structure features a kitchenette, a deck, and handicap ramp access. “The project team took considerable effort to ensure that the learning environment would support project-based collaborative learning to engage the students while illustrating sustainable design that will position them for 21st century jobs,” says HDR Design Principal Kate Diamond, FAIA, LEED AP.
“We know that students perform better with natural light, and the building will get good daylight through large windows and doors,” says Nathan D. Young, CEO and principal builder at MODS PDX. His firm also focused on good acoustics to ensure every student can hear the instructor.
“The GreenZone is a magnificent example of what is possible for sustainability in the classroom, and we are excited to have Greenbuild attendees experience this state-of-the-art space. This classroom serves as a living demonstration of the benefits of green building for the Compton community, while providing a much needed space for the Compton YouthBuild students to learn about the importance of sustainability. Our work with GreenZone supports USGBC’s goal to grow engagement with underserved communities by at least 20 percent in the next five years,” says Kimberly Lewis, senior vice president, Community Advancement, Conferences & Events, USGBC.
“Each year, green-building product manufacturers step up and partner with us by donating products and services for the GreenZone community structure,” says Tony Mancini, group director-principal of Building Design+Construction. “We are grateful for their ongoing support.” The 2016 GreenZone Community Education Center sponsors are: BrightView Design Group, Delta, LaCANTINA DOORS, LG Builder, LG Business Solutions, LG Electronics USA Air Conditioning Systems, LG Hausys, LG LED Lighting, MechoSystems, nora systems, Pella, Scranton Products, and Valspar.
For more information on Building Design+Construction and GreenZone, visit BDCnetwork.com. For information on the USGBC, visit USGBC.org.
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About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.