The only LEED Platinum Hotel in America...

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

http://www.proximityhotel.com/

My GF and her classmate's project for architecture this semester was to coordinate with the owner of this hotel (He owns multiple hotels and fronts a foundation for community improvement) and basically re-design a large part of downtown Greensboro NC.

Yesterday, we had her final critique at The Proximity which included him, the other big members of the foundation and several key people in the leadership of the city. Of course, as far as we know, everything was theoretical, but it would provide a very good and complete basis if the foundation wanted to move forward with plans.

The foundation funded everything, from trips to Greensboro to even supplies and prints. (You architecture people know how expensive that stuff can get!) And for the finale, he invited all of us (people working on the project, family and guests) to the hotel, gave EACH member of the project a free room on one of the top two floors, presentation space complete with a technical staff, a bar and food AND each of us a free 3 course diner at the formal restaurant inside the hotel.

The staff and facilities were amazing and we had an excellent stay! The idea behind the hotel is for it to conserve resources and the guest not even REALIZE it. (Basically, they want to show that we can still live in the lap of luxury, at the same time as saving the planet) They certainly accomplished their goal. It's one of the nicest facilities I've seen. (And I used to do 'conventions' almost every weekend)

LEED certification... Well, I save my opinion on that for now. () I just have issue with a program that gives you the same amount of points for installing a bike rack as it does for RE-USING an existing structure. (like revamping a MILL into an apartment complex, for instance) But whatever, I guess.

Edited December 4, 2008 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[regfootball]

of course they treated you well. they are getting free work.

warning, its a profession that cultivates the non worth of its services, both from clients who don't want to pay, and the people who work in it and teach.

So enjoy those sweet perks now it may be the last time..........

LEED = let's see how LEED survives the next few years. Clearly it is turning into its own profit center. They are trying to infiltrate it into codes and laws. Not saying that's all bad, but let's liken it a little to cafe in terms of how it will hamstring an industry.

speaking of something that is under my skin, I'll PM you.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

of course they treated you well. they are getting free work.

warning, its a profession that cultivates the non worth of its services, both from clients who don't want to pay, and the people who work in it and teach.

So enjoy those sweet perks now it may be the last time..........

LEED = let's see how LEED survives the next few years. Clearly it is turning into its own profit center. They are trying to infiltrate it into codes and laws. Not saying that's all bad, but let's liken it a little to cafe in terms of how it will hamstring an industry.

speaking of something that is under my skin, I'll PM you.

Absolutely... They amount of consultation they received FAR exceeded their investment.

But that happens in my field too, nothing like creating and doing research and then having your esteemed instructor take ALL of the credit for it.

[trinacriabob]

LEED = granola.

I cringe every time I hear "green building." Sure, all of that stuff is important, but some of is a bit much.

I got off the plane at Portland International and went to take a leak in one of the stalls. The flush valve had 2 directions: one for liquid waste and the other for solid waste. It rains nonstop in Oregon, as if a little bit of extra water use matters THAT much in that area. Probably specified by a Subaru driving architect with a Thule "coffin" on top and sporting a turtleneck with little round glasses

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

LEED = granola.

I cringe every time I hear "green building." Sure, all of that stuff is important, but some of is a bit much.

I got off the plane at Portland International and went to take a leak in one of the stalls. The flush valve had 2 directions: one for liquid waste and the other for solid waste. It rains nonstop in Oregon, as if a little bit of extra water use matters THAT much in that area. Probably specified by a Subaru driving architect with a Thule "coffin" on top and sporting a turtleneck with little round glasses

LOL, I agree and you guys know how I feel about the whole 'green' movement in general.

I have lots of fun making fun of the 'radicals' in her college, LOL.

I swear to alah, if I have to hear one more instructor gloating about how 'amazing' the new Smart car is, 'ima hafta chokea bitch'.

One of the owners of the hotel gave them a tour before they left (I had to leave early to be back in time to make a presentation) She said he was really cool in that he said "First and foremost, I am a capitalist and the green industry is just that; a way to make money."

Edited December 6, 2008 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[mustang84]

LEED is becoming more about marketing and less about actually being energy efficient. You can't open an arch magazine (or even read a god damn email anymore) without LEED being thrown in your face. I'm planning on getting LEED certified, but the new LEED certification guidelines that go into effect in September are BS; basically you take two tests and have to pay $50 every year and keep taking continuing education units (which I believe also cost $) to maintain your LEED status. It's all about the money now.

Smart cars really aren't that great...I don't get why people idolize them so much. They actually get pretty poor mileage for their size. You compromise a lot when you buy one. I think people see them as being teeny tiny microcars and automatically assume they get 65 mpg....try half that.

Edited December 6, 2008 by mustang84

[regfootball]

and you wonder why the rest of the public (i.e. mainstream folks) think architects are a bunch of whackos they don't have to pay.

[trinacriabob]

and you wonder why the rest of the public (i.e. mainstream folks) think architects are a bunch of whackos they don't have to pay.

Would most guys want to "bone" that? NOT.

Is that Adele Naudee Santos, or whatever her name is, from Argentina or Brazil? She always reminded me of a coconut with a grass-skirt type mop on her head. Or is that Robert Venturi's wife? One feminist chick in architecture school resented that moniker as if she was "a possession," so someone (another guy in that studio) then referred to Venturi's wife as "the little woman" to piss her off even more.

Edited December 6, 2008 by trinacriabob

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Get your LEED certification at OLD NAVY now!