Check this out.  The Green Building Council of the Tulsa Home Builders Association is at it again.  They are preparing to kick-off a 5 day building blitz with Habitat for Humanity, to construct what could become one of the greenest, most energy-efficient homes in Tulsa.  This innovative and affordable new home will feature geothermal heating and cooling and 100% American-made building materials, and will also be built to the new ENERGY STAR v.3 and NAHB Green Building Certification standards.

A big thanks to John Madden for leading this big effort to demonstrate that super-efficient green homes can be affordable and accessible to all Tulsans.

On September 29, USGBC Oklahoma Members shared the experience of participating in the nationwide Center for Green Schools’ Green Apple Day of Service.  We volunteered at two school garden sites in Oklahoma – Eugene Field Elementary in Tulsa, and Jackson Elementary in Norman.  The photos below show the projects we took on that day.  In Tulsa, we built a shade structure, moved a tool shed and filled planter beds.  In Norman, volunteers reconstructed several trails that were damaged by recent construction projects and storms.

Special thanks to Pardee Construction of Tulsa for providing the materials for the shade structure in Eugene Field’s Outdoor Classroom.  Thanks to Global Gardens, Dewberry, Whole Foods Tulsa and Boston Avenue Methodist Church.

USGBC Oklahoma’s most recent LEED Building Tour featured the Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Center in Tulsa.  Nearly 2 dozen local architecture, construction and health professionals were on hand to get a look at this great new facility.

The building entry’s 2-story, high-performance glass facade floods the entry area and mezzanine with natural light, highlighting top quality finishes and providing great outdoor views to building occupants.

The facility also utilizes smart strategies to increase its energy and water operating efficiency.  95% efficient boilers and heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) ensure that heating is optimized and recirculated, while light-colored roofing and site concrete keep the building cool and reduce heat island effects.

This 44,000 sf, $10.3 million dollar facility sits on approximately 4 acres in North Tulsa.  Connie McFarland, of McFarland Architects, stated that the project incurred a 1.2% cost premium to achieve LEED compliance, but the facility is also projected to be approximately 25% more energy efficient than a standard local building, making this building much more affordable to operate for years to come.

On Saturday, September 29, USGBC Oklahoma will be teaming up with local schools, individuals, and organizations to participate in the USGBC Center for Green Schools‘ first ever Green Apple Day of Service.  By participating in this special day of community service, USGBC chapters from across the country and around the world, as well as community stakeholders and advocates, will come together in support of healthy, sustainable, and fiscally responsible schools by taking real action in their communities.

USGBC Oklahoma is working out details to coordinate at least 1 Green Apple Day of Service project in the Tulsa Metro area.  In Tulsa, we are teaming up with a great local nonprofit, Global Gardens, to build outdoor structures that are designed to support the great community-based gardens that Global Gardens facilitates at local schools.

We hope you will join us this September 29 to roll up your sleeves and show your support for better school facilities and healthier communities.  Interested in volunteering with us?  Please contact our Green Schools Committee for more information.

Today, August 27, 2012, the Oklahoma Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council is launching an ambitious membership drive designed to recruit 1 new individual Chapter member (on average) everyday – for the next 365 days.

Our organization has set out to accomplish an ambitious mission.  We want to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated here in Oklahoma, so that people all across the state can enjoy healthier indoor environments and lower water and energy costs, while also being conservative with our natural resources and supporting local economies.  Our members are people from all walks of life, and they are committed to making good things happen here.  Now we just need more members to help get our message out by teaching their friends, family and neighbors about the many economic, environmental and social benefits that come with better buildings.

If you are not already a Member of USGBC Oklahoma and you share our values, please consider these benefits and join us today!

USGBC Oklahoma Member Benefits Include:

• Membership Directory - Listing in our online, searchable membership directory lets people seeking green building products or services find you!  Members can create individual profiles that include name, bio, photo, company info, industry, location, maps, links, accreditations and more.
• Business Opportunities - Valuable new business opportunities are available by networking with other USGBC Oklahoma members, Committee Leaders, Directors and staff.
• Gain Access - Gain access to USGBC Oklahoma “Members Only” communications and web pages, as well as Oklahoma’s most experienced green building professionals.
• Save Money - USGBC Oklahoma Members enjoy free and deeply discounted admission to Chapter education, networking and social events.
• Event Calendar - Post events on USGBC Oklahoma’s statewide green building and sustainability Event Calendar.
• Advocacy - Benefit from USGBC Oklahoma’s local and statewide efforts to educate policy makers on the benefits of supporting Oklahomans that build healthy, affordable, resource-efficient buildings using local materials.
• Voting Privileges - Make your voice heard and help shape the future of our Chapter.
• Leadership - Develop your leadership skills with opportunities to serve in important Committee Leadership and Board of Directors positions.
• Market Intelligence - Gather valuable information covering Oklahoma’s green building market and policy developments.
• Community Service - Enjoy the pride of knowing that your participation and annual dues payment is helping to make Oklahoma a better place.
• Speakers Bureau - Members are eligible to participate in USGBC Oklahoma’s Speakers Bureau and special events, providing opportunities to share your industry expertise the with growing numbers of diverse groups, trade organizations and companies.
  

Click here to join USGBC Oklahoma today.