This phenomenon is even more prevalent in the U.S. than in the rest of the world. Supporting this statement, research indicates that American buildings contribute 38% of the country’s total CO2 emissions.
This percentage even surpasses that of both the transportation and industrial sectors and could grow larger over the next 7 years since the U.S. is expected to add another 15 million buildings to its already cluttered landscape.
The construction of Green buildings is also projected to increase over the next 7 years as the concept gains widespread acceptance and more and more company’s benefit from the technological and performance related improvements they facilitate. 
Double Platinum Like Lil Wayne
The double platinum green building award was given to the The Lansing, Michigan-based Christman building, which was originally built in 1928. The project took a lot of consideration and effort to meet both external and internal LEED criteria and obtain the double platinum rating while maintaining its historical certification.
How’d They Do It?
The Christman building has under-floor air distribution which provides 200-300% more ventilation than typical systems. In addition, the building is furnished with several other energy efficient features including a white roof with 6” of extra insulation and dim exterior lighting. This was all accomplished by reusing over 90% of the original structure, cutting the cost of material and waste produced.
“One Platinum certification by any standard is extremely commendable,” says D. Brooke Smith, project manager for the rehab. She went on to comment “Dual Platinum certifications in conjunction with the same project are unprecedented. Dual Platinum certifications in the context of a historic preservation project involving historic tax credits are almost unimaginable. Yet, through the collaborative efforts of SmithGroup and The Christman Company, this is exactly what the project team accomplished.”
More on the Building:
The building is located downtown and entices workers and visitors to use public transportation. The added showers and locker rooms encourage walking and biking to work (wouldn’t that be a nice touch and incentive to have in every office?). In addition, the Christman facility became 32% more energy efficient by installing Green lighting technologies
Equipping nearly every room in the building with windows was a key contributing factor to the drastic reduction in lighting usage. The addition of sensors, timers, task lighting and Energy Star office equipment also significantly helped the cause. Furthermore, as a baseline energy control mechanism, the building is equipped with a computerized system that monitors and controls the electricity and gas usage as well as atmospheric conditions in and outside.
As the green movement gains clean steam, one company in our portfolio poised to benefit greatly from increased future green building construction in the U.S. is Nighthawk Systems (OTCBB: NIHK). NIHK engages in the design and manufacture of wireless power control products that are a perfect fit for any green building.
The Hawk’s remote control product line provides the user with complete control over energy usage even when they are on the other side of the world. Ultimately, this results in reduced energy costs and consumption. Two obvious goals of
any green building.
