Miami - Dacra Development Corp. announces its new residential project - AQUA - the latest in its history of innovative real estate ventures. Located on 8.5 acres at the southern tip of Allison Island, AQUA will redefine the accepted standard of luxury living in Miami Beach, with a community of three elegant mid-rise buildings and 50 zero-lot-line homes. According to Dacra President Craig Robins, "[AQUA's] emphasis will be on creating a village, offering not only beautiful views outward, but also cutting-edge architecture within a rich community scenario."
The most innovative aspect of AQUA is how it merges traditional urbanism with modern architecture, resulting in a modernist neighborhood. An impressive assembly of architects will produce tremendous aesthetic interest and individuality to each of the structures - condominiums and single-family homes - which will be defined by an intimate network of tree-lined streets and gracious squares. A wide array of shared amenities, all within walking distance, will include a health club, daycare center, meeting room, swimming pools, boat docks, and facilities for a convenience store, coffee shop, and office space.
Revising Standards
The new vision for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers' ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1999 (Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) is a simplified standard with more stringent energy requirements, and the creation of a separate standard that focuses on small buildings. "If the standard is simpler, it will be used more. If it is used more, more energy will be saved. The fastest, best route to increased energy savings is to simplify the standard," says Lawrence Spielvogel, chair of the Standard 90.1 committee. The ASHRAE Society hopes to complete the revised standard for its 2004 publishing. "The stringency of requirements in the standard will be increased to achieve up to a 20-percent reduction in energy consumed over Standard 90.1-1999," Spielvogel explains.
CABA Announces Formation of the Intelligent Buildings Council
Atlanta - The Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA) announced, at the recent Broadband Building & Technology Show held in Atlanta, the formation of the Intelligent Buildings Council.
The council was formed to review opportunities, strategize, take action, and monitor initiatives that relate to integrated systems and building automation in the large building sector.
"The creation of the council will ensure that critical issues are addressed and that a bevy of new initiatives are undertaken," says Richard Buzun, CABA's chairman of the board and president/CEO of Siemens Energy & Automation. "It is our intention to attract industry leaders who encourage the development and promotion of integrated systems and automation in large buildings."
CABA members and other industry participants will have the opportunity to join the council. Bob Williams, vice president of Invensys Energy Solutions, has volunteered to become the first chair of the council.
Membership will be open and balanced. It will be comprised of leading and visionary representives from all segments of the building industry, including manufacturers, service providers, building owners, and facilities professionals.
To join the council or obtain more information, please contact Ron Zimmer, president and CEO of CABA, at (888) 798-CABA or visit the CABA website (www.caba.org).
IAQ Resource Center
To help building owners and facilities professionals understand the causes
and effects of indoor air quality issues, the Building Owners and Managers Association
(BOMA) International has developed an online resource center (www.boma.org/iaq/index.htm).
This around-the-clock library of information provides guidance on a host of
indoor air issues, including addressing factors affecting IAQ, recognizing preventive
maintenance opportunities, and more. Codes are defined and hotlinks are available.
Start breathing easier - and get to the Resource Center for all your IAQ information
