Monday, November 20, 2006

12:00 – 1:15 PM

KT 246

All faculty, staff, students and community individuals are invited.

Examining the Difference Between Conventional and Green Building

Dr. REGINA LEFFERS, associate chair of caet

Professional associate professor of construction

Abstract:  Some of the important differences between green building and conventional building will be explained.  Green/sustainable building is heading toward us with the pressure of a freight train.  The pressure exists because there is no “train station” in place waiting to receive its bulk and freight—this is reflected by the conditions existing in the construction community.  Construction companies remain largely unprepared to change the way in which they build.  Policy changes together with scarce natural resources now occurring, not just in Fort Wayne, but also in the United States and our world, mean that we must prepare ourselves to build in this new way now.  The differences between conventional and green building involve the way in which we relate to and think about the earth and its resources, the building conceptualization process that participants undergo in advance even of architectural drawings, and the method of building itself.

Biography:  Regina earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from IPFW, with an additional major in Philosophy.  She earned her Ph. D. from Purdue University in West Lafayette.  Through the process of working with her brother in his construction company, Regina became aware of the difficult problems facing the construction industry.  In order to try to address those problems, she started her own commercial construction company with the vision of building green, sustainable buildings.  She is a founding member and President of the Northeast Indiana Green Build Coalition, which has the purpose of raising the awareness of residents in the area of high-performance, green building, sustainable living, and the importance of working collaboratively.  Regina is also Co-Chair of Mayor Graham Richard’s Green Ribbon Commission for the City of Fort Wayne.  The Commission has been charged with establishing environmental goals and implementation strategies for Fort Wayne in the areas of air quality and energy conservation.  One of the exciting outcomes is that all City-owned buildings will be built or renovated to the highest available standards of energy efficiency.  

Pizza and drinks will be furnished, compliments of Dean Voland.

For additional information contact:  Ken Modesitt Modesitk@ipfw.edu 481-6237

Diann Keele keele@ipfw.edu 481-6381