Posted by Jessie Thielen on Thu, Feb 11, 2010 @ 12:20 PM
This morning (2/10/2010) the Santa Cruz County Planning Commission unanimously approved the County led updating of the Aptos Village Plan. This approval marks the first step in the approval process with an impending hearing date with the Board of Supervisors on February 23rd, 2010 at 1:30pm at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on the 5th floor of 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz, CA.
There were between 20 and 30 speakers from the community that commented on the plan. The majority of speakers favored the plan. Discussion ranged from concerns about existing traffic issues within the Village, parking, potholes in the existing street scape, concern about existing vacancy rates in commercial buildings in the area to concerns from the community on whether or not the park planned for future dedication would be a skate or bicycle jump park.
Property Owner and Developer Barry Swenson Builder was very satisfied with the results of the hearing and looks forward to moving the mixed use project forward toward eventual PUD approval after which the owner will be able to break ground on this infill project. Barry Swenson Builder envisions the site upon full build out with local serving retail and office space to complement the planned housing units surrounding a village green at the heart of the community.
Today’s approval sets a positive momentum moving toward Board of Supervisor hearing in late February.
For more information and updates on the Aptos Village Project, please contact Jessie - jthielen@barryswensonbuilder.com
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Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Wed, Feb 03, 2010 @ 01:06 PM
There is a serious possibility of a new Apple store coming to downtown Palo Alto. The current store located at 451 University Ave - the heart of Downtown Palo Alto. It's hard to imagine it getting much more up-front-and-center than that but indeed, there is talk of retrofitting the old Z Gallerie space located at 340 University Ave., right next to Longs Drug and across the street from the popular restaurant Joya.
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson are the lead architects and if they are doing anything like what they've designed in the past, Palo Alto is in for a real treat.
You might have seen pictures of Bohlin's Apple store in New York City. If not, I've imbedded a few pictures below. Talk about infill, this store is perhaps the most creative use of sidewalk I've ever seen.
32' x 32' glass box that sits at the entrance of The GM Building mimicking the glass pyramid outside the Louve in Paris. 
Is this what Palo Alto is in store for?
Well, if they do take 340 University, the space will be about 10,700 square feet (50% larger than the store down the street).
Rumor has it, the new store's façade would be completely transparent up to about 25'; sidewalks meets Apple store.
There will be 2 new skylights installed- approximately 12' x 77' and 27' x 39'. 3 trees would be planted in the rear of the building just below one of these skylights. 27 LEED points could be achieved which would allow for a LEED Certificate.
The building is currently boarded up with little activity to note. Come this time next year though, we might be looking at something very different. We might be looking at "Before" and "After" pictures.
Want updates? Barry Swenson Builder is tracking Apple's progress and we'll be happy to keep you in the loop. Email: jwoodyard@barryswensonbuilder.com to keep in touch.
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 @ 11:39 PM
Released on January 12, 2010 by Governor Schwarzenegger's Office: the building standards commission unanimously passed the mandatory green building code, CALGREEN, effective Jan. 1, 2011 for all new buildings in the state.
The code is aimed to help meet the goals of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 and promotes the development of more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in every new home, office building or public structure.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
1. Must reduce water consumption by 20%
2. Must divert 50% of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials.
3. Requires separate water meters for non-residential buildings' indoor and outdoor water use.
4. Mandatory moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects.
5. Mandatory inspections of energy systems for buildings over 10k Square Feet.
BENEFITS:
- Reduction in California Green house gas emissions by 3 Million metric tons by 2020 (estimated)
- Ability for property owners to label their buildings CALGREEN compliant, without using costly 3rd party certification programs
For more information on the program visit the standards commission website at: http://www.bsc.ca.gov/default.htm
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Green Architecture? To learn more about how to design your next development in compliance with these new standards contact our Architecture department today! > Click Here
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 @ 10:52 PM
I read a recent article in the San Jose Mercury News showcasing the newly installed wind turbines at Adobe's headquarters in Downtown San Jose. Mariah Power's Windspire technology is yet another great example of unique ways to generate power for your business, while delivering it in an affordable, attractive, and ultra-quiet scenario.
The Windspire technology is lauded as the most affordable energy appliance in the 1 kilowatt range.
A 30% federal tax credit (available in the USA) and local rebates are available in some areas. The average payback is under 10 years.
Aside from being virtually inaudible, the 650lb devices are made in the US using 69% recycled materials, and have a 20 year lifespan with a zero maintenance policy. I'm hoping to see more technologies like this placed in the urban environment, whether in applications like the Adobe Systems towers, or at hotels, resorts, and even your backyard to power your house!
Each 1.2 kW unit is designed to produce 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year in 12 mph average winds; an average U.S. home uses 8,000 to 10,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Typical installed cost is $9,000 to $12,000 for each, before rebates and tax credits for renewable energy, according to Mariah Power"s Website.
For more information on the technology visit Mariah's website at: http://www.mariahpower.com/windspire-overview.aspx
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For more information on ways to design energy saving technologies into your next project, contact Jeff Current at jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com . Our talented LEED AP staff can walk you through the process from start to finish!
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Tue, Dec 29, 2009 @ 03:45 PM
I was reading the other day that TransForm, an advocate for smart public transportation and walkable communities, just awarded its first-ever GreenTRIP certification to a new development in San Jose called The Ohlone. That's because The Ohlone development will keep the number of new parking spaces as low as possible and offer
incentives for new tenants to drive less. Here's a quick link to
The Ohlone Project website.
Formerly TALC (the Transportation and Land Use Coalition), Transform advocates programs and projects such as green communities, safe routes to schools, smart growth, and innovative public transportation options.
When it comes to green building, how people get to a building is just as important as what that building is made of. They want GreenTRIP to become the gold standard for low-traffic development.
Click
here to learn more about their program, and if you know of a project, it's simple to apply for a certification!
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To learn more about sustainable building practices and green construction techniques for your next project, e-mail Jeff Current at jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com today to see how your project can reach maximum efficiency.
Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Tue, Dec 15, 2009 @ 01:33 PM
We have continued doing more research on the available incentives to incorporate ClearEdge5 into a project. Here is a breakdown of those incentives as summarized on the ClearEdge5 Website:
"The ClearEdge5 currently qualifies for significant clean energy rebates and tax incentives.
The Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) is available to anyone who is receiving either electricity or gas from any investor owned utility, including:
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- Southern California Edison
- Southern California Gas ("The Gas Company")
- San Diego Gas & Electric
The rebate program provides $2.50/watt for fuel cell equipment. For the ClearEdge5 that translates into a $12,500 check for each unit installed at a qualified site! To learn more about the SGIP program, contact your utility provider, or check out the California Public Utilities Commission's informational website here.
A federal fuel cell tax credit, an extension of the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), adds additional savings. A tax credit is different from a tax deduction, which subtracts money from gross income before tax liability is calculated. The ITC actually entitles the taxpayer to subtract the amount of the credit-dollar-for-dollar-from total federal tax liability.
Home Owners qualify for incentives totaling $17,500
For Home Owners, the fuel cell extension of the ITC will credit 30% of the cost of the unit, up to $1,000 per kW. When a ClearEdge5 is installed at a home, it qualifies for a $5000 total credit.
Businesses can save over $25,000 through rebates and tax incentives
For Businesses, the ITC will credit 30% of the cost of the unit, up to $3,000 per kW. In this case, the ClearEdge5 qualifies for a $15,000 total tax credit.
Click here to get more information about the Investment Tax Credit. For details please speak to your tax consultant.
Also for businesses, the purchase of a ClearEdge5 energy system qualifies for accelerated depreciation deductions. Speak with your tax consultant for details. To get more information from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) click here."
We are continually learning more about ClearEdge5 amoung other sustainable and energy reducing products that can be incorporated into a home or commercial building.
Some of the other sustainable products we are studying can be found by contacting us at jburroughs@barryswensonbuilder.com or jwoodyard@barryswensonbuilder.com .
More energy saving information can be found here.
Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Wed, Dec 02, 2009 @ 12:15 PM
Everyone knows about green construction,
LEED construction or sustainable construction. Pretty much slap any trendy "green" buzz word before "construction" and most people will have some idea what you're talking about. But how about Lean Construction?
Lean Construction is "a production management-based approach to project delivery -- a new way to design and build capital facilities" 
according to the Lean Construction Institute. The general philosophies focused around increasing communication between supplies and project managers that ultimately results in minimizing waste at the project delivery level and improves value for the customer.
Broken down further.....if general contractors are focused on reducing costs, staying within budget and delivering on time, the Project Managers of construction sites are focused on keeping a consistent and aggressive work pace so crews are continually working on one project and can flow seamlessly onto the next.
Lean Construction draws on these basic construction principles at the project- level and allows for easier management at the product-level. Wikipedia has a good summary of Lean Construction's best practices:
- Finished building will deliver maximum functionality, which includes delighted end users.
- End Users will benefit from the lowest optimum cost of ownership.
- Inefficiency and waste in the use of labor and materials will be eliminated.
- Specialist suppliers will be involved in design from the outset to achieve integration and buildability.
- Design and construction will be through a single point of contact for the most effective co-ordination and clarity of responsibility.
- Current performance and improvement achievements will be established by measurement.
Thus far, Lean Construction hasn't caught the trend wave or we would have been hearing more about it. But it goes to show the sustainable movement felt throughout the industry is hitting at all levels- even at an unsuspected production level.
If you have any questions relating to Lean Construction, contact the Construction Department at Barry Swenson Builder, Ron Cote 408-938-6365 or rcote@barryswensonbuilder.com
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Fri, Nov 13, 2009 @ 12:23
Want to save 50% on your energy bills?
ClearEdge Power recently presented their alternative energy approach to our firm, focussing on their viable option for residential and mid-sized commercial operations by using a power fuel cell energy system. 
Within the ClearEdge5 system,
the Fuel Processor converts
natural gas into ultra-clean
hydrogen through a catalytic
process, as opposed to
burning the natural gas, which
dramatically reduces pollutants.
The hydrogen is processed
through a Fuel Cell Stack,
creating direct current (DC)
power and heat.
Advantages of the ClearEdge5
• Reduces ENERGY bills by up to 50%
• Reduces CO 2 emissions by up to 40%
• Is 11 times more productive than an equivalent solar system
• Can achieve overall efficiency as high as 90%
• Pays for itself within 3–5 years for qualified homes and businesses
• Reliable power, even during outages, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• systems available for immediate installation
• Scalable for individual needs from 5 to 100kW of annual power
This product is another option for consumers as we look for ways to find alternative means of energy for our homes and commercial projects.
For more information you can go to their website at www.clearedgepower.com
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There is much more to learn about ClearEdge 5. There are experts you can contact including Jeff Current @ jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com. He can help set you up with a complementary energy consultation and how to incorporate ClearEgde 5 into your project.
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 @ 12:49 PM
I was immediately taken back when a black escalade towing a very interesting trailer pulled up to our office last week. It was a new mobile application of solar power.
From powering construction job sites, to providing electricity during natural disasters or renewable energy in developing countries, SolaRover seems to be a viable option when looking at energy needs in the Bay Area Real Estate Industry and beyond! Basically, SolaRover offers a rapidly deployable large-output mobile solar power generator. We will be looking into this product further for powering our construction job sites with clean, green energy.
As admirable as the goals and results of "green" energy are, they must also make economic sense at the end of the day and that means that there must be a tangible "value-added" component, and I think SolaRover delivers just that. Check out the comparison and photo below!
For more information you can check out their website at www.solarover.com
