The 9th annual Alternative Building Materials & Design Expo (AltBuild) comes to the the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium May 11-12. Presented by the City of Santa Monica and the U.S. Green Building Council-Los Angeles, AltBuild is considered the largest and most-respected green building and design expo in Southern California, serving top industry professionals such as architects, builders, contractors, engineers and landscapers, as well as a large consumer audience.
With more than 40 industry speakers the show focuses on practical and often hands-on skills for attendees, with special focus on water efficiency, green building (developing, brokering and getting rebates) and energy.
This year’s enhanced programming is presented by the U.S. Green Building Council-Los Angeles (USGBC-LA), American Institute of Architects Los Angeles (AIA|LA), Building Industry Association (BIA)-LA/Ventura County Chapter, Build It Green, and the City of Santa Monica Water Resources Department. Free CEUs are available to professionals for most programming.
Saturday programming is mainly geared towards public with many DIY project based workshops.
Programming highlights for both professionals and consumers include:
Water focus. City of Santa Monica’s special programs include:
- Water Conference and workshop presented by Tim Pope titled “American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) 100-Level Workshop”. An Introduction to rainwater harvesting, including storage containers and how to set up, treatment, uses of rainwater, legal matters and plumbing requirements.
- Green Building and Landscaping Conference lead by Russell Ackerman, a water resources specialist for the city, and Richard Hayden, president APLA, California Chapter – Greater Los Angeles District.
- “Sustainable Landscapes Demystified”, moderated by Ackerman, with an expert panel sharing its knowledge of local resources and features such as plant selections, recycled water, policies, and new irrigation technologies. Panelists include Katherine Spitz, Katherine Spitz Associates, landscape architecture; Lili Singer, director of special projects and education, Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants; and Philip Castiglia, Terra Form Inc.
Jobs and Working in Green Buiolding. USGBC-LA’s Contractor’s Conference, for architects, general contractors, sub-contractors, engineers, LEED project managers, and aspiring green builders who want to network and connect with the latest technologies and trends. This entails highly hands-on knowledge:
- “LEED 101 for GCs & Subs: How to Find Work” presented by Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, president and CEO, A Sustainable Production, and Randy Britt, director of sustainability, PARCOMM, will examine GC’s and subcontractors’ respective roles on LEED projects during the bidding process, design, construction, documentation and submittals
- “Integrated Project Delivery” presented Lisa Matthiessen, FAIA LEED/AP LEED faculty and principal, Buro Happold.
- “True Cost of Building Green” presented by Tom diPrima, Exec. VP, KB Home – So Cal Division.
- “Intelligent Lighting Controls” presented by Bernie Kotlier, executive director, Sustainable Energy Solutions. When installed correctly, advanced lighting controls have the potential to reduce lighting energy by 40% – 60% in commercial facilities. Includes discussion of California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP), a statewide initiative.
Save Energy and Sell Green. BIA and Build It Green’s Green Building Conference includes:
- “Developers Go Green” panel discussion on how to successfully market residential developments that have gone green especially in a soft economy. Moderated by Wally Geer, NexUrban, panelists include Steve and Lauri Lappin, Pacific Cove Development, Lisa Paperno, Deasy/Penner Real Estate, and Harlen Lee, Chairman, Lee Homes.
- A real estate focused talk titled “Understanding Marketing and Sales” will be presented by Tenaya Asan, program manger, Build It Green, and Maureen Ladley, Ladley Associates, explaining how to communicate the value of green homes.
- “Energy Upgrades, Lessons Learned” will be moderated by Holly Schroeder, director, Building Industry Association (BIA), LA/Ventura and will include Wes Harding, president, Harding Construction & Sustainable Solutions, Dan Thompson of the Building Doctors, and Wayne Pendrey. They will discuss the success and roadblocks they have faced as a result of marketing, financing and implementing energy upgrades for homeowners across Southern California.
- “Zero Net Energy Homes” will be presented by John Morton, Southern California Edison program manager, CA Advanced Homes, sharing how to adopt ZNE building techniques to gain an edge over the competition.
Innovation Leads us Forward. AIA|LA COTE is providing:
- “Sustainability is Not a Design Concept,” people have to actually like it. Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, principal, Brookes+ Scarpa Architects, will offer an approach to design that includes sustainability and the use of alternative building materials, but results in architecture that is more meaningful and powerful than simply sustainable design.
- “Ecological Restoration for Regeneration of Urban Nature in Los Angeles,” presented by Arlene Hopkins, architect and educator; Dr. Travis Longcore, president, Los Angeles Audubon and science director, Urban Wildlands Group; and Jessica Hall, Sr. associate, Restoration Design Group, will emphasize professional issues and methods focused on the much discussed regenerative approach to urban land use using methods from ecological restoration to restore living natural systems.
- “Can of Worms – Rethinking the Home” focuses on alternative homes, rehabbed classrooms, containers and airfoam dome homes and will be moderated by Brice Danzier, associate principal, Arup. Panelists include Robert Anderson, AIA, CAC Development, architect/partner; Walter Scott Perry, AIA, Ecotech Design; and architect Doug Stanton.
Additionally, Santa Monica residents may apply prior to the event or at the city’s booth during the two-day event to receive an irrigation system conversion retrofit to drip, including parts and expert installation; a value up to $1,000. There will also be free consultations with architects, builders and energy efficiency experts.
In addition to programming, AltBuild features more than 150 exhibitors covering green building and design materials; energy efficiency techniques and technologies; alternative energy; water efficiency and management; environmental plumbing; municipal and state agencies; and non-profit organizations. This year, AltBuild also features a curated section of artisan materials and manufacturers.
AltBuild offers a wide range of speakers and exhibits (Steven Lam Photography)
