13 00 00: Special Construction

Solar Trees from Envision Solar are installed over parking spaces to create shade and generate electricity. The Solar Tree is designed for carports and large parking lots, shading up to six standard parking spaces. The Solar Tree Socket is smaller, roughly the size of one parking space. Both models are available with sun tracking. Power from Solar Trees can be grid tied, used for lighting needs, or integrated into electric vehicle charging stations, which are also available from Envision Solar. The systems are delivered ready for installation.

Bensonwood builds air-tight, well-insulated homes from the ground up using environmentally responsible materials and state-of-the-art moisture management details. The homes are designed with building information modeling (BIM) software and computer-based milling equipment for a precise fit and to minimize air infiltration. The walls are built with the company’s OBPlus Wall (“OB” for “open-built”) advanced panelized construction system that is framed using 9.5-inch-deep I-studs filled with R-35 dense-pack cellulose insulation, then clad with a rainscreen material and exterior moisture-resistant OSB sheathing. The joints are taped, advanced gasket technology is used for air sealing, detailing is provided to minimize thermal bridging, a drainage plane is installed on the exterior, and integral baseboard raceways are provided on the interior for electrical and data cables to eliminate wall penetrations for wiring. The company also offers a Net-Zero option providing up to R-60 walls and comparable roof systems. Some timber-framing elements are included in most homes.

Project FROG designs and custom-fabricates modular classrooms and other commercial buildings that feature high-performance envelopes, natural daylighting, high-efficiency mechanical systems, healthy materials, and green components. Built using central "spines," different-shaped wings, porches, and mechanical rooms, the basic configuration is about 1,200 square feet but the sections can be joined together into structures larger than 5000 square feet. These modular classrooms provide an attractive, green alternative to conventional classroom trailers and come in wide range of price points, from relatively affordable trailer alternatives to state-of-the-art, net-zero-energy, LEED Platinum classrooms. Project Frog's modular buildings can be assembled quickly with almost no construction waste yet are sturdy enough for zone 4 seismic areas and can withstand 110 mph winds. While the company was established with the portable classroom market in mind, a wide range of other markets are being pursued.

The EGC GreenRoom—an environmental room for industries such as food service, scientific research, medical, educational, government, and military—meets rapid temperature recovery specifications efficiently using integrated controls and non-ozone depleting R404 refrigerant systems that reduce energy use by 25–40%. Temperature and humidity uniformity are guaranteed with 100% redundant systems.