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January 2009
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AzuZa

"Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites."

-William Ruckelshaus

(click image and add a little AzuZa to your life!)

Sustainability
Green jobs to refuel the economy
National studies show green building key part of America's economic future

Even as the dire financial news continues to dominate year-end headlines, a cascade of newly released studies and reports points to green building as one of the growing bright spots for the U.S. economy.

In fact, as economic experts call for a recovery plan focused on green jobs and infrastructure, as consumers look to live in more economically sustainable homes, as businesses strive to cut operating costs, and as our national security needs depend on an end to reliance on foreign energy sources, green buildings' ability to deliver solutions to these pressing challenges promises to change the way we view the building industry.

According to Turner Construction Company's "Green Building Barometer," 75% of commercial real estate executives - including developers, rental building owners, brokers, architects, engineers and others - say the credit crunch will not discourage them from building green. In fact, 83% said they would be "extremely" or "very" likely to seek LEED certification for buildings they are planning to build within the next three years.

The complete article cites key findings from national studies conducted over the past year among constituencies ranging from consumers and homeowners to commercial real estate executives.
Karina
Perspective on Karina
Noted designer Glyn Peter Machin has created an exciting, new collection for HBF consisting of Karina lounge chairs, guest chairs, and complemented by occasional tables.

Machin was born and educated in England and now residing in design driven Scandinavia, is the recipient of numerous awards and several US patents for both design and technical function. Following in the footsteps of Danish Modern icons such as Hans Wegner, Machin was first educated as a furniture maker before entering into the world of design. "The knowledge and experience of how to make furniture is an invaluable must have tool when designing furniture" quotes Glyn.

He goes on to say, "Designing Karina was a bold personal challenge. The idea was to ensure all elements flow effortlessly from leg to arm to back rest, making each chair appear to be a single molded entity - strong, yet almost weightless." Be sure to watch the short video for more on Machin's perspective.
ecoScorecard
Green made easy
The need for true green- building products is an ever growing reality. ecoScorecard was designed to effectively research, evaluate and document the green attributes of HBF and HBF Textiles products.

  • Quickly search for green products
  • Evaluate vs. multiple rating systems (LEED)
  • Determine post-consumer/pre-consumer content
  • Determine product GreenGuard certifications
  • Create and update projects
  • Produce downloadable environmental documentation necessary for credit submission

HBF is the first major contract manufacturer to have this tool available in the marketplace. Click below to test drive the ecoScorecard.
Project profiles
The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. See project profiles on new construction, existing buildings and commercial interiors.

All the best,

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Bill Meyer
Contract Specialities, Inc. (CSI)

phone: 954-389-1295 or 800-808-8274