Barr Real Estate out of Champaign, IL has refit the interior of a condo complex in Urbana, IL with Lamboo Design materials. Lamboo was used for the interior wall paneling, balcony sides and top, ceiling panel systems with recessed lighting, and to box in beams and columns throughout the building.

Bamboo is a plant that’s origin dates back to prehistoric times. Many years and many uses later, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It is technically a grass found on nearly every continent; it can grow in the mountains, the tropics and even in the Southern United States. There are nearly 1600 different species of bamboo.

Bamboo, although at times resembles trees, differs from them in growth patterns and plant structure. Bamboo has two growth patterns; clumping and running root systems. These root systems create a natural bio filter for storm water runoff; while staying in natural clumped balls prevents soil erosion. Bamboo also produces 30% more oxygen than a like sized timber forest area. These differences allow bamboo to grow faster and straighter than any known tree species. Bamboo reaches the degree of its size in height and circumference in its 1st or 2nd year of life.

I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Community Environmental Council this past weekend at Earth Day and had a wonderful experience. In honor of the 40th year, and due to the increased showing over the years, the city of Santa Barbara decided to move the event to Alameda Park and hold it over two days. There were so many booths and people there that at some points it was overwhelming. In the end however it proved to be a wonderful experience that truly highlighted how committed people were to change.

From the first teach-in put together by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, Earth Day has been a symbol for the environmental movement. Santa Barbara in particular has been very progressive in the green front since the oil spill in 1969 from Platform Holly. This year's event brought people from all sectors, including local farmers, general contractors, architects, publications, media stations, and non-profit groups just to name a few. All were concerned with the direction the world was headed and wanted to make a difference through their own efforts. One notable standout among many was the Green Homes Pavilion, a replica home built on park grounds that reflected different building techniques and environmental measures. Inside each visitor could learn about subjects such as insulation, lighting control, building envelope, low-flow fixtures, low- to no-VOC paints and much, much more. It was very impressive to see such a structure built as they started on Thursday of this past week! Some of the main contributors to the project were Allen Associates, Ward Building, and the Santa Barbara Contractors Association. What struck me the most however was the reception by people visiting the event. My girlfriend and I could hardly walk through the building without bumping into people, dogs or little children!

Here's a good article about our exclusive project delivery method, Total Project Management.

http://www.hoffman.net/attachments/Total_Project_Management_Greener.pdf

Let me know your thoughts!
Pete