Sustainable Buildings
What are we doing?
Building on Joint Venture’s historical work with the business, development, and government communities to achieve uniformity in local building codes, we have begun a new project to address buildings and the built enviroment. Joint Venture will convene meetings, bring together stakeholders to address problems, and provide vehicles for cities to access technical solutions, such as joint procurement and/or commonly owned software.Our intention is to provide tools, training, and resources that industry, the counties and the cities need to successful move toward sustainable buildings and development practices.
This initiative will explore several possible activities:
- Pilot electronic submission/review of building plans
- Develop water management policies and practices that meet regional demands while encouraging local solutions
- Share best practices around reduced water use and recycled water systems for interior and landscaping
- Promote energy efficiency strategies for new and existing buildings to commercial and residential customers
- Create & share Model Ordinances for Uniform Code Adoption
- Organize resources and tools - including products & services - for going green to our local communities
Why are we doing it?
According to the US Green Building Council, buildings are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Actions we take today to ensure that new buildings are more efficient and older buildings are retrofitted to higher standards are among the best investments we can make in future GHG reductions.
“Green Building”, the effort to promote environmentally sustainable construction and building management practices, is a topic of great interest and activity by government and industry in Silicon Valley. On a related note, most building plans are still being submitted on paper. The cost of printing is substantial and the volume of paper is wasteful. Consistent with online permitting work in Joint Venture’s past, we will explore technical alternatives that leverage our Valley’s legendary innovation.
The project will have 3 focal points:
Water - develop water management policies and practices that meet regional demands while encouraging local solutions and share best practices around reduced water use and recycled water systems for interior and landscaping.
Energy – promote policies and practices that take a balanced region-wide approach to energy efficiency and energy management; partner with Silicon Valley Energy Watch & others partners to deliver energy efficiency programs and educational workshops for cities and citizens
Electronic Plan Check and Permitting – ensure that our cities have the technologies and policiesin place for electronic submission & review of plans
Who's involved?
- Joe Head, SummerHill Land, Residential Co-Chair
- Glenn Gabel, Webcor Builders, Commercial Co-Chair
- Joe Horwedel, City of San José, Government Co-Chair
Under the guidance of our leadership team, we are assembling public and private-sector leaders in the construction, commercial real estate, building management, and facilities communities.
What are the latest developments?
We had a stellar lineup for the launch event on October 30, including California Energy Commissioner Jeff Byron and a panel discussion on the evolution of green building standards with Build It Green, the US Green Building Council's Silicon Valley Chapter, and the California Building Officials Organization. Presentations from the event are available to download now:
- Initiative & Event Overview by Linda J. LeZotte
- Energy: Future of Title 24 & Energy Efficiency by Commissioner Jeffrey Byron, California Energy Commissioner
- Water Sustainability by Bruce Wolfe, Executive Officer, San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board
- Electronic Building Plan Submittal by Doug Rider, CSG Consultants, Inc.
What are the next steps?
Our task forces in Water, Energy, and Permitting are running now - contact us to be included.
Where do I find out more?
To learn more about the initiative, or to join a team, contact Kara LaPierre: lapierre@jointventure.org