'Green Building' On Tap for CREW Event

PORTLAND-The Portland chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women is hosting a luncheon presentation next week on “Turning Green and what it means in the Real Estate Environment.” Topics to be covered at the luncheon, sponsored by PGP Valuation, Inc. include: explaining the concepts of sustainability as it pertains to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification; Portland projects that fit the model of sustainability; and how green building strategies can affect the overall success of a project.

The LEED Existing Buildings rating system addresses building operations and maintenance as well as systems upgrades in existing buildings. CREW says several systems now exist to enhance sustainability in commercial buildings: photovoltaic panels, which generate electricity from the sun’s energy; daylighting, the controlled admission of natural light into a building through windows, skylights, atria and other components of the building envelope; and underfloor air distribution systems, an innovative approach to heating, ventilating and air conditioning that offers many economic and environmental benefits. Water consumption inside commercial buildings can also be reduced using a variety of innovative strategies that are integrated into the plumbing and mechanical systems.