January 2009 Parameter

PARAMETERthe

CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER of the CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTEwww.csicentralva.org

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@ Omni Downtown C-Ville

President’s Message

CalendarGreen Word

Product Expo info.

Greenformat

Leadership Roster

Membership Report

Minutes

Product Expo info.

Curmudgeon’sCorner

Construction Humor

Minutes

Product Expo

More information is located inside this issue!

FreeOpen to Everyone,Non-Members are

Welcome

Product Expo@ the Charlottesville Omni

Jan. 29, 2009Expo runs from NOON - 6pm

Seminars run from 8am-5pm

A Message From

Your PresidentThe future for our industry is incredible. Over the next several years there will be amazing projects for all of us to design and build. We will create energy efficient buildings that conform to best practices, preserve our limited resourc-es, and treat the environment with respect. Clients have raised their expectations from se-lecting project teams based on simply “name” to basing selection on the actual value added by your company’s participation in a proj-ect. Some firms have taken advantage of the slow down to clean up their operations and to purge around the edges to become more agile and able to react better to future projects. This time of economic uncertainty will certainly take its toll on some well intentioned firms and organizations. Big name companies will falter as they struggle to adjust to the change in economic demand. Hopefully all of them will not need a government bailout (i.e. more taxes in the future) to survive and reinvest. The end result will be a stronger US economy and a streamlined construction industry. I am looking forward to the potential this in-dustry has in the coming months and years. I am excited about the potential for growth and change we have in front of us. I am looking forward to CSI leading the industry into the fu-ture with a strong vision and message of team

building, best practices, and collaboration. BIM (Building Information Modeling) entering the Charlottesville market will impact how we think about projects and how teams collabo-rate. Green rating systems continue to evolve and become more holistic and diverse. Energy efficient design techniques (building science) have become mainstream conversation topics among those leading the construction indus-try. Businesses are asking the question of how they can conserve their resources, spend less money on operations, and deliver a high qual-ity product.

If you want to join the discussion and become one of the leaders in the construction industry it is time for you to reinvest in your most im-portant resource - you. You need to spend time and effort to enhance your company’s ability to understand the complexities of the chang-ing demands of building performance and construction technologies. You need to stay on the cutting edge of the industry and know how to evaluate the next step. You need to at-tend the 2009 CVCSI Product Expo and Educa-tion Seminars. You need to attend the monthly dinner meetings to be part of the discussion of building envelope performance, hear what the leading contractors in the industry are do-ing to create eco-sensitive projects, and tour the most important new projects in Central Virginia. It is time to get involved with CSI. Not just as a bystander that comes to a couple of

meeting, join the discussion, become part of the community, add your voice and expertise to the mix. It is the only way for this industry to move forward. I wrote about CSI needing to “constantly eval-uate its purpose, goals, needs, and leadership” over a year ago in this same column. This ap-plies to every aspect of the construction indus-try. Every construction industry organization, business, and project should evaluate their purpose, goals, needs, and leadership. We can-not continue to blindly go forward thinking the way we have always solved the problem will continue to work. Technology is evolv-ing and expectations are changing. We have to stay together, help each other, and move the construction industry forward to a high performance, agile, energy efficient, resource conscious industry that understands the ho-listic impacts of decisions being made in every project / community. A small change to a proj-ect can have a big impact on the future of the industry. I hope to see you at the January 29th expo and at each of the dinner meetings this year. Please join the conversation.

Charles HendricksCharles Hendricks,

AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED-AP

2... SEPTEMBER 2007 - THE PARAMETER

CVCSI Membership ReportCVCSI membership currently stands at 52

January Anniversaries:Richard Park, Pinnacle Construction - 13 yrsJim White, Marvin Window and Door - 12 yrsJohn Grubb, Charles Luckstone - 11 yrsIrene Peterson, Charlottesville Gas - 2 yrsRosalyn Schmitt, Artisan Construction - 1 yr.

The Parameter - January 20092

Please send all member news to [email protected].

Member News

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January 2009January 2009

Jan 1 - 1st Day of 2009-Jan 10 - Sweeney Todd @ Live ArtsJan 10 - Puccini la Rondine @ the ParamountJan 14 - JRGBC Lunch MeetingJan 14 - Green Matters Lecture

Series, Habitat StoreJan 17 - Momix @ ParamountJan 20 - Presidential InagurationJan 27 - CVCSI MARC meetingJan 29 - CVCSI Product Expo, Omni Charlottesville

GREEN TERM OF THE MONTH

The energy used during the entire life cycle of a commodity ie manufacture, transportation and

disposal.

Embodied energy

Upcoming Events...

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www.esd.rgs.org/glossarypopup.html

2009 Mid-Atlantic RegionCSI Conference

Charlottesville, VAOctober 8-11, 2009

www.MARC09.com

The region conference will take place in Charlottesville for the first time in 10 years. We are in the process of scheduling two full days of interesting seminars around the theme :

“Sustaining Mr. Jefferson’s Legacy: Designing for the Future.”

Membership not required, please join us!

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Puccini la Rondine@ Paramount

NEW YEAR’S EVE

JRGBC Lunch Meeting

MARC Meeting

MLK Jr. Day

Rascal Flatts @ JPJ

Momix@ Paramount

Presidential Inaguration

Sweeney Todd @ Live Arts

CVCSI Board

Green Matters

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CVCSI Product Expo 2009

Now that we have rung in a new year, the Central Virginia Chapter of The Construction Specifications Institute is look-ing forward to the seventeenth Annual Product Expo, which will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at the Omni Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia. The exhibitor’s tables are almost sold out but there are a few tables left if you have not already made your reservation. Please call or email me right away, [email protected] or 434-531-0158.

This years show hours are from NOON to 6:00 PM, and will feature the most innovative products in the construction in-dustry. We are sure that the convenient downtown location and free parking will make this our best product show yet.

I am happy to be the first to announce that in addition to the delicious food and the product show Charles Hendricks, of The Gaines Group, and Eric Gilchrist, with SHARP, have put together an exciting day of educational seminars. Here is a look at the line up:

8:00 am – NOON – Principles & Technology of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)Description: Receive a basic understanding of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Deliv-ery (IPD) and what you can expect from using BIM tools. Gain an understanding of what is involved with making the transition to IPD.

8:00 am – 9:00 am – Regional Blueprint for Energy Efficiency BuildingSpeaker: Ben Taube, Executive Director Southeast Energy Efficiency AllianceDescription: The Southeastern region of the United States is at a critical turning point in its development. With twice the population growth of the country overall, the demand for energy is projected to increase by 30% in the next 20 years. Although the Southeast has long been forgotten in terms of energy efficiency policy initiatives, the recent development of the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) brings about tremendous opportunities. SEEA’s goal is to deploy cost-effective energy efficiency measures to reduce the anticipated growth in electricity demand in the region by 50% in the next two decades. This pre-sentation will describe the steps that SEEA is taking to mobilize regional leaders in the public and private sectors to develop a “regional blueprint” for energy efficiency building. Key activities by SEEA include work with the large utilities to instill the benefits of creating and incentivizing energy efficiency. In addition, a public coalition of Southeast Governors has been created to develop a regional energy efficiency goal for all 11 SEEA states. These programs and oth-ers focused on technology deployment and public utilities commissions have

proven effective methods to drive the adoption of energy efficiency in the Southeast. This presentation will discuss the creation of the Southeast Alliance and programming to impact the fast growing and consuming Southeastern U.S.

9:00 am – 10:00 am – Photovoltaic Systems Achieving Maximizing Value and Code ComplianceSpeaker: Jason Fisher, National Technical Trainer, Sunpower CorporationDescription: Mr. Fisher is a licensed master electrician and is a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (www.NABCEP.org) Certified Solar PV Installer™. His semi-nar will discuss the design of small to medium sized utility interconnected photovoltaic systems for use in buildings. Focus will be placed on engineering for electrical code compliance and maximum efficiency. Examples of success-ful system applications will also be shown, including some notable past projects such as Greenpeace, GSA, the Fed-eral Energy Regulatory Commission, The Pentagon, The US State Department, and The White House.

10:00 am – 11:00 am – Designing for Energy Efficient Lighting: New and Retrofit Speaker: Gary Castanino, National Sales Manger, Skyline Lighting Description: This seminar will discuss the following topics and allow time for your questions.· Energy Efficient Lighting – “the last twenty years”· The Lighting Retrofit Revolution· Lighting Technologies – “what works and what doesn’t”· Controlling Lighting in the workplace· New Lighting technologies for the 21st. Century


Thanks for your support: • Atas International Inc.• Helfrich Agency Inc.• The Snead Company Inc.• Superior Walls of Central Virginia• Commonwealth H20• Shade & Wise Brick Co• Carlisle Wide Plank Floors• King Architectural Metals• Belgard Hardscapes• Shape & Wise Brick Co.• Virginia Fair Housing office• Demilec (USA) LLC• The Habitat Store• Simpson Strongtie• Conestoga Ceramic Tile• NU Cedar Mills• Charlottesville Gas• Architectural Resources Inc.• Illumination Concepts• Demilec USA• Seacom• Pella Windows and Doors• Lightstyles Marvin Windows and Doors• Weatherseal Insulation• The Whitlock Group• ACF Environmental• Benjamin Moore Paints• Lawrenceville Brick• Barranger & Company• The Murus Company• Starlight Skylights• Epic Metals• Gaston & Wyatt• Advanced Concrete Foundations• Wasco Products, Inc.

11:00 am – noon – Vapor Permeable but Air Tight: Proper Air Sealing and Insulation Panel DiscussionSpeakers: Bill Craig, Field Director of Community Energy Conservation Partners Bryant Broughton, Regional Manager, Creative Conservation, Troy, VA Gene Sullenberger, CSI, Weatherseal Insulation CompanyDescription: Learn from experienced local experts their findings about what methods of air sealing and insulation are most effective and what the future may bring to this critical field. There will be op-portunity to ask your questions. 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – High Performance Schools – LEED in CharlottesvilleSpeakers: Lindsay Check Snoddy, LEED AP – Albemarle County Schools Annette Osso – Virginia Sustainable Building Network Shannon Sweeney, LEED AP – Lawrence Perry and AssociatesDescription: This panel discussion will focus on the LEED for Schools program from Central Virginia applications to state wide initiatives. LEED for schools projects can reduce building operating expenses, while improving comfort, health, and productivity of the building oc-cupants. This panel will emphasize green building practices, introduce the LEED rating systems, and discuss design strategies to optimize site, water consumption, materials, energy use, and indoor environment. The panel will use Central Virginia case studies as examples of state wide strategies being used to improve the learning environments of our children. 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Green your Business Speakers: Paige Mattson – Blue Ridge Eco Shop Steve Davis, AIA, LEED AP – VMDO Architects Annette Osso – Virginia Sustainable Building Network Description: This panel discussion will focus on a holis-tic approach to green your business decisions, projects, products, and actions. While many companies claim to have gone green to keep up with the latest trends, what are some of the hard choices that you can make that really have an impact on the local environment. It is easy to say that the problems are too large for one person to impact, but in reality, if each person does a little, the whole will be greater than its sums. Join this panel of experts that have made a difference as they discuss the daily decisions that their companies have made to improve the environment in Central Virginia.

Please call me, Tracie Skipper, at 434-531-0158 for answers to ques-tions, comments, or additional information, or visit our website www.csicentralva.org.

Thank you to all the companies exhibiting at this years show.

I look forward to seeing you on January 29, 2009.

Tracie Skipper, CSIProduct Expo Chair 2009


4768 South Valley Pike • Harrisonburg(800) 797-5076 • www.padgettwindow.com

��

Bubba walked into a doctor’s office and the receptionist asked him what he had. Bubba said: “Shingles.” So she wrote down his name, address, medical insurance number and told him to have a seat.

Fifteen minutes later a nurse’s aide came out and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, “Shingles.” So she wrote down his height, weight, a complete medical history and told Bubba to wait in the examining room.

A half hour later a nurse came in and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, “Shingles.” So the nurse gave Bubba a blood test, a blood pressure test, an electrocar-diogram, and told Bubba to take off all his clothes and wait for the doctor.

An hour later the doctor came in and found Bubba sitting patiently in the nude and asked Bubba what he had. Bubba said, “Shingles.” The doctor asked, “Where?” Bubba said, “Outside on the truck. Where do you want me to unload ‘em??” _______A project manager, an electrician, and a plumber are walking up and down the beach during their lunch hour. Halfway up the beach, they stumbled upon a lamp. As they rub the lamp a genie appears and says “I will grant you each one wish.”The hardware engineer went first. “I would like to spend the rest of my life living in a huge house in St. Thomas with no money worries.” The genie granted him his wish and sent him on off to St. Thomas.

The software engineer went next. “I would like to spend the rest of my life living on a huge yacht cruising the Mediterranean with no money worries.” The genie granted him his wish and sent him off to the Mediterranean.

Last, but not least, it was the project manager’s turn. “And what would your wish be?” asked the genie.

“I want them both back after lunch” replied the project manager.______An astronaut in space was asked by a reporter, “How do you feel?”“How would you feel,” the astronout replied, “if you were stuck here, on top of 20,000 parts each one supplied by the lowest bidder?”______If you think good architecture is expensive, try bad architecture.

... Brian Foote and Joseph Yoder______Contractor: A gambler who never gets to shuffle, cut or deal! Bid Opening: A poker game in which the losing hand wins. Low Bidder: A contractor who is wondering what he left out. Architect’s Estimate: The cost of construction in Heaven. Project Manager: The conductor of an orchestra in which every musician is in a different union. Critical Path Method: A management technique for losing your shirt under perfect control. Delayed Payment: A tourniquet applied at the pockets. Completion Date: The point at which liquidated damages begin. Liquidated Damages: A penalty for failing to achieve the impossible.

Construction Humor


CSI Introduces GreenFormat™ALEXANDRIA, Va. (December 5, 2008) – The Construction Specifications In-stitute (CSI) unveiled GreenFormat™, a Web-based database of green product information, at the U.S. Green Build-ing Council’s Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston. CSI demonstrated the new resource, ac-cessible at www.greenformat.com, during the conference, drawing inter-est from manufacturers, designers, specifiers and other construction pro-fessionals who make product choices in construction.

GreenFormat is a new CSI format that provides a standardized framework for identifying the sustainable prop-erties of building products. The free, Web-based search offers a fast-and-easy, unbiased approach to evaluat-ing green product information, saving time for designers, specifiers, and con-structors. Like all CSI’s standards and formats, GreenFormat is organized by MasterFormat divisions. Its download-able results are spec-friendly.

The requirements of the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ are among the standards referenced within GreenFormat’s search to help searchers achieve their green project goals.

“CSI received overwhelmingly posi-tive feedback on GreenFormat during GreenBuild,” said CSI Executive Direc-tor and CEO Walter Marlowe, P.E., CSI, CAE. “Designers can use GreenFormat to sift through the green information flooding the construction industry quickly and easily.”

CSI is offering manufacturers a free one-year subscription of product list-

ings on GreenFor-mat for a limited time.

To enter products into the database, bui ld ing p r o d u c t m a n u -facturers complete an online question-naire that c o l l e c t s s u s t a i n -able information about their products. Sustainability claims are verified by relating questions to compliance with standards and certifications. Informa-tion is then displayed in a standardized manner; product listings are organized by MasterFormat divisions in a spec-friendly layout. The format’s categories focus on topics that are important to design and product selection deci-sions.

“We developed GreenFormat to address the need for consistently and concisely structured information about product sustainability, to help those searching for the right product,”said Roger Grant, CSI Director Technical Services and De-velopment. “As we strive to refine the database and its functionality we ask for comments and feedback from the industry.”

To learn more about GreenFormat, visit www.greenformat.com.

About CSI CSI is a national association dedicat-ed to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organiza-tion is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross-section of speci-fiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. The organization has 146 chapters and more than 15,000 members. Monthly chapter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management. CSI is renowned in the industry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences and prod-uct shows. For more information, visit www.csinet.orgor call 800.689.2900.


November 18, 2008Central Virginia Chapter The Construction Specifications Institute Board of Directors Meeting 11-18-08 4:30 pm Omni Charlottesville

Call to order: 4:40 pm

Attendees: Charles Hendricks, Tracie Skipper, Adrienne Stronge, Duncan McFarlane, Ron Keeney, Mark Wing-erd

Presidents Report: Submitted in advance. The main topics were that things were not getting done and deadlines were being missed. We have 20% of the people doing 80% of the work.

Secretary’s Report: No report. Minutes from the Sep-tember meeting were approved as written.

Treasurer’s Report: Submitted in advance. Information available to those who are interested.

Newsletter Committee: No issue was sent out in No-vember, the deadline for the December issue is 12/24. January issue is 12/22. The January issue will be a spe-cial “product expo” addition.

Membership Committee: Based on the numbers from institute we have seen 6.3% growth in our chapter this year while losing 5 members. Membership as of 11/13/08 is 52.

Program Committee: November- Green Marketing vs. Green WashingDecember-Holiday Party at RaptureFebruary-Sustainable Fenestration-panel discussion on energy efficient windows selection, installation and innovations.March-Sustainable strategiesApril-Insulation- how to select product (panel discus-sion with foam fiberglass and cellulose experts)May-Hardhat TourJune Annual Picnic-where? (someone suggested the new Monticello visitors center)

Hospitality:40 reserved for dinner

Holiday Party was discussed. The chapter agreed that their should be a cash bar but if we got no sponsors they would cover the cost of the food.

Product Expo:We have to date 31 tables sold. 3 Gratis tables reserved. We still have 33 available tablesGraphics package is basically the same as last year and is underway. Tracie would like to hand out flyers in mid-December we need the tickets and graphic packages as soon as possible,

Awards:Institute awards submittals are in the works

Certification: No report

Education: No report

Technical (Super Committee): Next meeting planed for 12/4/08 at the office of Keeney and Company 3:00 pm.

Historian: No report

Academic Liaison: No report

Tellers/Nominating: No report

Electronic Communication: No report

Region Conference:

1. Conference Dates: October 8-11, 2009

2. Conference Theme:

Sustaining Mr. Jefferson’s Legacy: Designing for the Future

The sponsorship program is up to date no new spon-sors have come in. We have verbal commitments to do something in the way of sponsorship from two mem-bers who will have to wait until the first of the year to get commitments. Because of the economy, we are expecting to have to get more smaller sponsorships. A follow-up letter to potential sponsors is in the works.

A calendar check has us on schedule.

Long Range Planning: No report

Old Business:We discussed that the annual student scholarship fund - give $500 stipend to a student in a construction re-lated program at JMU, UVA, PVCC to assist with mate-rial / book purchase. This scholarship will be based on submission of a essay on the importance of (topic to be selected each year) and all essays will be published in The Parameter newsletter. Scholarship winner will be invited to attend a dinner meeting to be formally presented with the check and asked to speak briefly on the (topic to be selectedeach year). In addition, the winner of the scholarship will dinner paid for by the chapter at that meeting. Charles mentioned that in the future, he would like to add a trip to the region conference.• CSI membership Challenge was discussed Currently stand at a 6.3% growth since last fiscal year• Visioning Summit Follow up we scheduled a meeting for 12/4/08 3:30 Ron Keeney’s Office• Charles would like to see a funding match and a membership recruitment program layed out to achieve Tucker’s goal of more diversity from (student) mem-bers. (more diversity is easy when we have no mem-bers or diversity now), Tucker has offered $250 towards paying for non-architectural membership and asked the chapter to match that amount (with norestrictions on architectural or non-architectural students for our money match).• Discussed Charles’s idea of a a student competition this year to award a free trip to the Charlottesville re-gion conference in 2009. The competition will be a es-say contest for technical article written on the subject of their choice to be published in theParameter. This would be a minor expense to the chap-ter, but should be in the budget if it is acceptable by the board and the Region Conf. Planning Committee.

New Business:

• ACE Mentor Program was discussed. Charles asked if


anyone would be interested in mentoring students. • Speaker system purchase was discussed it was decided that we would try it out and see if it was needed before sending it back to the company. Next Meeting:

Dec 16, 2008, 4:30 pm, Club R2 Charlottesville

Adjournment:

5:41 pm

Submitted By: Tracie Skipper

Submitted in Advance:President’s Report - As all of you know, I take on a lot of tasks in and outside of work. I have been feeling really overwhelmed lately due to the start up of a new business in Harrisonburg, new CSI chapter in Harrisonburg while trying to keep up with all of my existing responsibilities. I have to admit, I am really looking forward to Juen of this year, when I can let CVCSI go to others to lead and organize. In the meantime, I feel that the edges are starting to unravel a bit. Things are not getting done that used to happen, we are missing deadlines, and we are not performing at 100%. This is in large part due to me. I am not giving as much time to CVCSI as I used to give. I have a hard time saying this, but I need help!

There is no way to be sucessful as an organization with 20% of the people doing 80% of the work. We have a diverse membership of 55+ people and should take care to invite others in to train them as leaders. I appreci-ate very much the time and dedication that each of you have given to CSI this year and over the last 20+ years this organization has been in Charlottesville. I encour-age you if you are working on a project / committee to invite others to help. Ask them to do a small task, like work the registration table with you, or call the Omni to ask for dinner options, or request articles from 3 people they respect. This will get you the relief you need and allow this organization to run / grow / and thrive.

Newsletter:First of all, I take complete responsibility for the lack of a Parameter. My thoughts are that if I can’t get the Param-eter out before a meeting... there’s no sense in spending the money to print it... we’d be wasting a printing. Here is my proposal to make up for that printing:

The deadline for the December issue will be Nov. 24. (I am considering pushing the deadline up on every issue so that the newsletter is going to T&N on or around the 1st... that way, if I get backed up with other “after work” responsibilities, it will still get out before the meeting.)

The December issue will go to T&N around the 1st of Dec. and the issue should be in mailboxes by the 8th.

The January issue will have a deadline of Dec. 22 (has to be early because of the holidays) and it should be to T&N on Dec. 29 and in mailboxes by the 5th.

We do a special Product Expo edition of the Param-eter... much of the information can be similar to the

Expo booklet, but we include short descriptions of the seminars, a special “product expo” message from the president, information on door prizes, the buffet menu, list of exhibitors, schedule, ets... anything to drum up interest. This deadline would be Jan. 9, T&N by the 14th, Mailboxes by the 21st. Even if the mailing is hit-ting mailboxes around this time, the Parameter would be able to provide more information.... or maybe this is done instead of the mailing...

Membership:Based on the numbers from Institute, we have seen a 6.3% growth in our chapter this year while losing 5 members. Membership as of 11/13/08: 56 (includes 4 that expired on 9-30-08), so really 52. New Members:Roger Bryant, The Gaines Group, PLCJoined 10-21-08Charles ParkinsJoined 9-5-08Carter Robertson, Martin HornTransferred from Richmond Chapter

Non-renewals include: David Dennis from Baltimore Chapter, Wendell Poore from Commonwealth Door & Hardware, Beth Powell from Blue Ridge Chapter, Mel Carlton has moved, Audrey Store with Habitat for Hu-manity, Adrienne Stronge who is waiting on employer approval, and Barbara Taylor with City of Charlottes-ville.

Program:November - Green Marketing vs. Green WashingDecember - Holiday Party at Club R2February - Sustainable FenestrationMarch - Sustainable StrategiesApril - InsulationMay - Hard Hat TourJune - Annual Picnic

Hospitality:Tonight’s Menu is Sliced Flank Stead with Mushroom & Sherry Sauce OR Vegetable LasagnaHoliday Party Information:Location: Rapture Downtown Charlottesville, Tuesday 12/16/08 from 6pm-8:30pm. Attendance planned: ~40.Menu Options: Chicken Satay Skewers, Hummus with Pita Triangles, Peanuts, Chips, Bar Mix, Mushrooms stuffed with Prosciutto, Cream Cheese and Horshradish. To date there are no sponsors. Tracie plans to seek spon-sors for this event. Does the chapter want to spend any money on this event? Charge admission or have cash bar? Any ideas on sponsors we can ask?

Awards: Institute awards submittals are in the works.

Region Conference:Oct. 8-11, 2009, Sustaining Mr. Jefferson’s Legacy: De-signing for the Future. Sponsorship Program Update: No new sponsors have come in. We have verbal commitments to do something in the way of sponsorship from two members who will have to wait until after the first of the year to get com-mitments. Because of the economy, we are expecting to have to get more smaller sponsorships. A follow-up letter to potential sponsors is in the works.


Attention deficit disorder

by Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA

fad: short-lived fashion, something that is embraced very enthusiastically for a short time, especially by many people; passing fashion; craze; an interest followed with exagger-ated zeal

Since the green design movement appeared, I have been curious about how long it would last. As alluded to in my introductory column, I already have experienced a couple of energy crises in my life. Recent “crises” generally are rec-ognized to have occurred in 1973, 1979, 1990, and 2004. In each crisis, oil prices increased dramatically, resulting in dis-cussion, and sometimes implementation, of price controls, windfall profit taxes, reduced speed limits, and gas ration-ing.

Consumers blamed everyone and everything: the President, congress, republicans or democrats or both, foreign govern-ments, automobile manufacturers, oil companies, and any-one or anything related to oil - except their own consump-tion. “I’ll walk before I pay fifty cents a gallon for gas!” was later replaced with “…before I pay a dollar a gallon,” soon followed by “a buck fifty,” and more recently by “two dollars” and “three dollars.” Each time, we modified our habits by driving slower, avoiding unnecessary trips, ride sharing, and so on. And each time, all of that was forgotten as soon as the cost of oil dipped long enough for us to accept what only recently had been intolerable prices.In our current crisis, we have seen the same se-quence of events. Gasoline went over three dol-lars per gallon, and we all started saving again. We complained because Detroit had failed to give us the economical cars we needed, even though we had been buying ever larger and less economi-cal vehicles at a rate that was a clear mandate for more of the same. And as soon as prices dropped, sales of SUVs and other gas guzzlers began to climb again.

Driving wasn’t the only thing that was affected. In each crisis we also saw increased interest in underground housing, super insulated buildings, geodesic domes, solar collectors, heat pumps, composting toilets, windmills, fluorescent lights, water saving plumbing fixtures, backyard gardens, and more. And as soon as oil prices dropped, all of these innovations were forgotten.

Part of the problem is that we’re lazy; we grab anything that makes our lives more convenient, regardless of environmental cost. Another part of the problem is that we are fed a steady diet of new, improved, better, faster, cleaner, whiter, brighter, cooler, more stylish products and things to do, and we are no longer interested in yesterday’s news.

What will happen to green design? I suspect we’ll soon tire of hearing green this and sustainable that - they already make me want to scream - and the companies that now are do-ing all they can to convince us of their environmental com-mitment will jump onto the next fad, even if it is counter to what they are now doing.

This time, fortunately, at least some of the principles of green design have become requirements of federal, state, and local government, and the longer green stays in our conscious-ness, the more permanent those changes will be. But will the current economic slump be seen as a reason to return to old practices? Given the choice between increasing the cost of building by requiring better construction, or relaxing re-quirements to save money for the average taxpayer, will our elected representatives think first of the next election?

It’s easy to believe that logic will prevail, but political deci-sions rarely are based on logic or science. We have shown a remarkable ability to ignore even those things that can be shown to save money immediately or in a short time, when they are inconvenient or un-cool. Need an example? How about high-mileage cars, more insulation, better windows, and better HVAC systems? All have been available for many years, yet we persist in choosing less efficient alternatives. After ignoring their obligation to building owners for de-cades, architects now are taking an interest in efficient build-ings. Let us hope that interest continues, and isn’t displaced by the next architectural fad.

Curmudgeon’s Corner


PRESIDENT Charles Hendricks, AIA, CDT, LEED-AP, The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

VICE-PRES Tracie Skipper Pella Windows & Doors 434-979-3315 [email protected]

TREASURER Ron Keeney, RA, CDT, NCARB Keeney & Co., Architects 434-978-2000 [email protected]

SECRETARY David Groff, CDT Graduate Studies... 434-977-4480 [email protected]

IMMED PAST PRES John Grubb Luck Stone Corporation 434-295-2931 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Meghan Johnston, CDT University of Richmond 804-287-6379 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Adrienne Stronge, LEED-AP, Assoc. AIA The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Susan Parker Hazard & Associates, LLC 434-295-3145 [email protected]

DIRECTOR R. Tucker Shields, RA, CCCA R. Tucker Shields, Architect. 540-885-8192

DIRECTOR Patrick Wright Luck Stone Corporation 434-985-8830 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Mark Wingerd, CDT Window & Door Pros 434-296-0050 [email protected]

DIRECTOR William Macfarlane Macfarlane Homes, Inc. 434-361-0081 [email protected]

NEWSLETTER Adrienne Stronge, LEED-AP, Assoc. AIA The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP William Macfarlane Macfarlane Homes, Inc. 434-361-0081 [email protected]

PROGRAMS Charles Hendricks, AIA, CDT, LEED-AP, The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

HOSPITALITY Tracie Skipper Pella Windows & Doors 434-979-3315 [email protected]

PRODUCT EXPO Tracie Skipper Pella Windows & Doors 434-979-3315 [email protected]

NOMINATING Ron Keeney, RA, CDT, NCARB Keeney & Co., Architects 434-978-2000 [email protected]

CERTIFICATION Charles Hendricks, RA, CDT, LEED-AP, Assoc. The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5345 [email protected]

TECHNICAL R. Tucker Shields, RA, CDT R. Tucker Shields, Architect 540-885-8192

HISTORIAN Ray Gaines, RA, CDT The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

EDUCATION Susan Parker Hazard & Associates, LLC 434-295-3145 [email protected]

ACADEMIC LIASON Charles Hendricks, RA, CDT, LEED-AP, Assoc. The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

WEBMASTER Meghan Johnston, CDT University of Richmond 804-287-6379 [email protected]

ADVISOR George Gercke, CCCA Gercke Brothers, Inc. 434-974-1330 [email protected]

CVCSI Leadership Roster

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDCHARLOTTESVILLE VA

PERMIT #422

MAILING LISTc/o Keeney & Co., Architects1413 Sachem Place, Suite OneCharlottesville, VA 22901-2497

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SAVE THE DATE Please visit www.csicentralva.org for more information

CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTE

Membership Committee - Ray Gaines

Chapter Meetings are held monthly. Chapter meet-ings provide an excellent opportunity to network with other in-dustry professionals. Chapter meetings consist of a social hour, dinner, and a program on an industry topic, followed by an open, informal discussion. All are welcome. Dinner reservations are necessary, please specify specific dietary needs. Those re-serving who do not attend must pay for the dinner prepared for them. Payment is expected at the door. Please support your local chapter by attending dinner meetings!

Hospitality Committee - Charles Hendricks

The Parameter is the chapter’s newsletter and is mailed to members and interested parties all over the country. Outside opinions, technical articles, articles on individual proj-ects, and local news reports are strongly encouraged. Please submit any articles by the 20th of the month preceding pub-lication. Opinions expressed are those of the editor or con-tributers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policies or practices of the Chapter or the Institute, Copyright 2008 Central Virginia Chapter CSI.

Newsletter Editor - Adrienne Stronge

Advertising rates for 10 issues of The Parameter in print-ed version and as published on our website (www.csicentralva.org) are as follows: Single Issue Ten IssuesBusiness Card Size $25 $175One Quarter Page $75 $525One Half Page $125 $875Full Page $250 $1750

The Parameter is mailed to over 690 construction professionals

Newsletter Editor - Adrienne Stronge

Meeting Sponsorships are encouraged at the general meetings. Whole meeting sponsorship includes 10 min-utes to talk before the featured speaker, a business card size ad in the newsletter, a table top display on each table at the meeting, and a 6’ x 6’ exhibit space at the meeting.

Meeting $300 Annual Picnic (3 Available) $300 Annual Holiday Party (3 Available) $300

Hospitality Committee - Charles Hendricks

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) is a national professional society promoting the advancement of construction technology through communications, education, and service. www.csinet.org

The Central Virginia CSI Chapter (CVCSI) is a local group of construction-interested persons, including design profession-als, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and manufacturer representatives, meeting regularly to improve our in-dustry by openly discussing project interaction, general construction problems and possible solutions. We are committed to the free exchange of information and experiences in the local construction industry. Membership is on an individual basis for $245 annually. ($210 national dues, $35 CVCSI local dues). Discount fees are offered to students and young professionals. www.csicentralva.org

Dec 16CVCSI Holiday

Party

Jan 29CVCSI Product

Expo

Feb 16CVCSI Dinner

Program

Mar 16CVCSI Dinner

Program

Apr 20CVCSI Dinner

Program

May 19CVCSI Dinner

Program

January 2009 Parameter

Documents

future projects

building performance

welcomeproduct expo

construction technologies

amazing projects

cvcsi product expo

message of team building

important new projects