In 2007, a National Green Schools Campaign was launched with LEED for Schools rating system. Out of this was established the USGBC's Center for Green Schools which has a Fellowship program wherein sustainability experts are sent to cash-strapped public school systems for three year terms. They conduct energy audits, create edible gardens, boost green initiatives and promote sustainability in the educational sector at all levels.

Boston school district is making large strides in becoming the leader in sustainability with the help of the above program. Many school districts around the country who are adopting this program are seeing vast savings in energy bills. Demand for green buildings are on the rise despite the slump in economy and the education-construction market coming to a standstill. An article in the Architectural Record talks on this in detail and can be read more here

I am always gravitating towards articles on the web about sustainable construction or products. Didn't think much about environmentally conscious demolition till this article in the Daily Mail about a huge skyscraper in Japan being taken down inch by inch from the inside, temporarily holding up the roof. This reduces the noise and dust considerably and they can work every day without the natural elements having an effect or disturbing the residents nearby. Due to frequent earthquakes and natural calamities Japan faces, the buildings have to be demolished every 30 or 40 years for more efficient structures. Read more here

Another article in the Daily Mail about eco-friendly structures is about a resort in beautiful Canada built by Farrow Partnership Architects. E'terra Samara's new resort with 12 tree houses in the Bruce Peninsula forest of Canada consists of one bedroom villas shaped as a samara seed suspended from tree trunk and not nailed onto the tree, complete with composting toilet and eco-friendly shower. They are strategically positioned so each has its own privacy while taking advantage of the site features and lighting and the shell of the structure is self cleaning and helps neutralize airborne pollutants and odour. Isn't that pretty amazing? Read more here

Glass Products
There is a constant innovation in glass design for the building industry. It's as if there is no limit to what glass can do! A few such products are featured in the March 2012 edition of the Architectural Record and can be read here