Gulf Coast Green 2011

The 2011 Gulf Coast Green (GCG) Symposium and Expo theme “Leading in a Challenging Climate” will look at the current state of sustainable design, development and construction. Presented by the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE), GCG 2011 brings together architects, engineers and green building professionals from development, construction, building products and operations. The interaction of such diverse professionals will further the collaboration necessary to address sustainability and improve facility performance across all the metrics that matter in the Gulf Coast built environment. The 2011 GCG Symposium and Expo will be held May 25, 2011 at the United Way of Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, Texas 77077. The featured keynote speakers of 2011 GCG are Lance Hosey and Alex MacLean. Hosey is President and CEO of GreenBlue, the only U.S. environmental nonprofit focused solely on guiding business and industry toward sustainable design and production. He will challenge attendees with the presentation “Can Beauty Save the Planet?” Alex MacLean is an aerial photographer trained as an architect. His work has provided powerful clues about the relationship between the natural and built environment. He will present the literal 30,000 foot perspective of how development is impacting the earth. GCG 2011 attendees can choose from speakers in three tracks – Details, Adaptation, and Vision. Details will explore the actual components of green buildings. The Adaptation track is geared toward the future of existing buildings, our biggest challenge in reducing the environmental impact of the building sector. Vision will explore long‐term goals for the built environment. GCG 2011 speakers range from architects and engineers, to developers and civic leaders and include experts such as Adam Rose from Hines; David Crossley of Houston Tomorrow; Chuck Naeve of Architectural Engineers Collaborative; and Richard Hermans on ASHRAE’s “road to Net Zero”. Speakers will share research, insight and case of successful regional projects. Registration is open online at www.gulfcoastgreen.org “The Gulf Coast Green Symposium and Expo has become a vital source of emerging sustainable building practices and trends,” according to Kathy Collins, Chair of the Gulf Coast Green Symposium and Expo planning committee. “Certainly we have experienced a ‘challenging climate’ in both marketplace and our region’s hot and humid environments, but the sustainable agenda is not losing ground as we focus our attention to include building maintenance and operations as a continuation of design responsibility.” Collins said. Expect to be inspired. The Gulf Coast Green Symposium and Expo has become the leading green building conference targeted to design and construction professionals within the Gulf Coast region. The AIA Houston Committee on the Environment (COTE) organizes this annual event, now in its sixth year.