Lunchtime Learning: Materials Investigations Presented by Donna Kacmar

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May 8, 2015
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Architecture Center Houston
315 Capitol, Suite 120
Houston, TX 77002
rashida@aiahouston.org
713-520-0155

Lunchtime Learning:

Materials Investigations

Presented by Donna Kacmar, FAIA

Join us for a lunchtime learning session when Donna Kacmar, FAIA will introduce material selection processes and show several projects completed by the Materials Research Collaborative that connect to and support local practice. 

Lunch will be provided for all who RSVP and has generously been provided by SageGlass.

Program Description

Ms. Kacmar will present and discuss the following projects and research completed by the Materials Research Collaborative:

  • Project ONE: H5h - Local Materials Study is a list, organized by manufacturer, with each product type indicated, along with manufacturing distance from Houston, made available to all local architects. 
  • Project TWO: Made in Houston links local designers to local fabricators and highlights the local craft and manufacturing available to local designers in an effort to help support local businesses. 
  • Project THREE: ReUse in Houston, catalogs places to donate and process building materials and is a resource for the Houston professional community.  
  • Research FOUR: CARBON @ 3009 POB  tracks the carbon emissions used in the construction of a Houston office building including: manufacturing and transportation of building materials, waste, on site energy, and transportation of workers.  
  • Research FIVE: LEED v4 consulting shows what we learned about LEED V4 MR credits 2, 3, and 4 as part of a multi disciplinary team that earned LEED V4 Platinum precertification for a speculative office tower.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how a carbon footprint analysis is accomplished.
  • Identify what impacts carbon emissions.
  • Identify key requirements of the new LEED v 4 Materials & Resources credits.
  • Describe consideration in material selections.

About the Presenter

Donna Kacmar is a registered architect and an associate professor of architecture at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston where she teaches design studio and founded and directs the Materials Research Collaborative (MRC). The MRC provides unique resources such as an unparalleled sustainable material database, professional carbon analysis studies, the first of its kind “Made in Houston” and “Reuse in Houston” resource, and tracking of building materials made within 500 miles of Houston.  The MRC is engaged with these research projects while at the same time providing instruction and education on sustainable building for new generations of architects and designers.

Her built work focuses on developing solutions for residential and small-scale commercial projects that are straightforward, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible. Most recently her former firm, in collaboration with Natalye Appel + Associates Architects and James Ray Architects won a 2011 AIA Houston design award and a 2013 AIA/ALA design award for the Oak Forest Neighborhood Library renovation and addition. Her Fisher Street House, a small 544 square foot dwelling, received a 2013 AIA Houston Design Award. Her recently completed booked titled BIG little house is published by Routledge and is now available. Her current investigations include looking at “ingestible cities” and the air, water, food, sounds, and smells that define urban character and citizen health.

This course has been approved for 1.0 HSW (Sustainable Design).
AIA Members will have their credits reported.
All Non-Members will receive certificates.

Parking validated for Hobby Center Garage

Pricing:
$10 - Members
$20 - Non Members
$5 - Students + Interns