FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Conduit Development Expands Foray into Eco-Friendly Building Movement

Architecture, Earth-First Sustainability Unite in Stunning Ocean-Bluff Long Beach Home

Long Beach, Calif., October 1, 2010—Conduit Development, a leading Southern California sustainable builder and developer, has embarked on yet another benchmark endeavor in sustainable green building. Perched high atop the oceanfront bluffs along the Ocean Blvd. historic district in Long Beach, Calif., their latest project—a brand new, 8,000 sq. ft., two-story home currently under construction–is already setting a new standard for eco-friendly construction.

The owners originally worked on plans that called for a traditional, type V wood-frame structure. After a series of meetings with Conduit, they came to realize the remarkable opportunity to create not just a house, but a fully sustainable dream home that would withstand the test of time and realize thousands of dollars in long-terms savings. All for equivalent building costs.

As turn-key builders of commercial and residential properties—as well as highly regarded experts in the growing field of eco-friendly building practices—the Conduit team worked with diligently with the architectural plans and structural engineers to accommodate Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) technology. Made of energy-saving expanded polystyrene (EPS), these igloo-like blocks are stacked like Legos, then filled with concrete to create stable, durable and sustainable walls and foundations. By incorporating ICF technology into the very core of their new home, as well as through use of the Hambro Composite Concrete Floor System, the homeowners will use 30-50% less energy use for heating and cooling, enjoy superior sound insulation, and benefit from wind, fire, insect and rodent resistance. Collectively, these benefits will help create a safe, quiet and comfortable living environment for many years—four times longer than traditional wood frame construction, according to industry experts—while realizing significant savings in heating, cooling and maintenance costs.

Working with the team at Conduit to chart a new ICF course was only one of the first eco-forward steps taken by the homeowners. Relying heavily on Conduit’s knowledge and expertise in sustainable green building, the hand-deconstruction and re-building process has and will continue to showcase a myriad of Earth-friendly practices designed to minimize wasteful energy use, maximize efficiency, enhance property value and conserve vital natural resources. Here are a few examples:

Eco-Friendly Building Practices Being Incorporated into the Long Beach Bluff “Green” Home:

• Hand-deconstructed material recycled for re-use
• 75% on-site waste reduction during construction
• Foundation and walls constructed using innovative ICF technology for maximum insulation and efficiency
• Floors constructed of Hambro Composite Concrete Floor System, which is made of 100% recycled materials
• Zero waste from foundation and wall construction—leftover ICF materials are recycled and used as insulation
• Light gauge steel interior walls
• Energy-efficient photovoltaic solar panels
• Temperature-resistant, flexible Pex pipes
• Drought-tolerant gardens to minimize water use and soil run-off
• Acrylic modified stucco for added protection against weather extremes, as well as fungus and mildew

Thanks to these eco-friendly, energy-saving steps being undertaken by Conduit Development in partnership with the homeowners, this stunning Long Beach home promises to set a new building standard throughout Long Beach and Southern California.

Currently under construction, this landmark project is estimated to be complete by the Spring 2011. To tour the construction site and learn more about the sustainable building practices implemented by Conduit, including ICF construction, call 562-430-3727.

About Conduit Development:

Based in Long Beach, Calif., Conduit Development is a fully integrated, full-service residential and commercial construction firm specializing in green building practices. Recently, the firm was honored by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for taking a leardership role in earth-friendly and sustainable contributions in Southern California.

Under the leadership of COO Simon Gonzales, an industry veteran with more than 30 years of construction experience, and CEO Denise C. Gonzales, Conduit approaches every project with an Earth-first attitude, saving clients thousands of dollars over time by making buildings more efficient and sustainable from the very beginning. With environmentally friendly building practices quickly becoming the norm, Conduit also conducts Sustainable Green Building Workshops for students, contractors, architects, engineers and other forward-thinking building professionals. To learn more about these one-day seminars, log on to www.conduitdevelopment.com/workshops.

Conduit Development to be honored Thursday, June 24th by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce for taking a leadership role in environmental and sustainable contributions in Southern California.

Conduit Development, Inc. in partnership with the Center for International Trade Development (CITD) and hosted by Long Beach City College cordially invites you to attend the first of a series of Sustainable Green Building Training for students, contractors, architects, engineers and all forward thinking building professionals.

OVERVIEW
This series is a one-day seminar directed to students in the construction field, contractors, architects, engineers, and all forward thinking building professionals interested in learning about the current and growing sustainable green trends in construction using insulating concrete forms (ICF) systems. Classes provide a mixture of lecture presentation and hands-on-demonstration of the basics of construction of residential and light commercial structures using insulating concrete forms (ICF).

The class covers all of the requirements & skills needed to construct the ICF shell of a typical 1-3 story residential or light commercial structure. The course is targeted at professionals, however any individual with a basic understanding of construction practices will be able to fully participate and benefit from the course. Participants will also receive an orientation of the vast international opportunities and support available through CITD. This course is open to the public.
Course will cover:

• Sustainable Green features & Benefits of ICF construction
• Footing types and preparation
• Basics of block installation and assembly
• Rebar placement & installation
• Window and door installation
• Top plate/sill & truss/rafter installation
• Bracing and pouring ICF walls
• Elevated concrete floors & roofs
• Utility installation: electrical & plumbing
• Below grade installation and waterproofing
• Multi-story applications
• Interior and Exterior Wall Finishes

• Basic Estimating

Long Beach Special Session Added

• Sponsored by: Long Beach City College
• Date: Tuesday, June 8th
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Cost: $75.00 On-Line
• Location: Long Beach City College – 4900 Conant Street Long

Waterproofing and Weatherization
In coastal areas like California, water can be any property’s worst enemy. Conduit has specialized in advanced, highly effective waterproof decking techniques since our inception. From apartments and condominiums to single family homes and commercial buildings, we fix the deterioration caused by the sea air, insects and sun, and perform all necessary treatments to protect the property from future damage for years to come.

Conduit uses only the highest quality, industry-approved materials and most experienced of crews. By taking care to do the job right the first time around, and then performing basic, ongoing maintenance, your property will look beautiful and enjoy significant protection from the elements, saving considerable time and money in the future.

LEED for New Construction
Resources & Tools

Copy Credit: United State Building Council (USGBC)

Minimum Program Requirements

• Minimum Program Requirements — Projects registered under any of the LEED 2009 rating systems must comply with the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs). MPRs are also found in the introductions of each LEED 2009 rating system. (11/24/2009)
• LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance — This document builds on the MPRs by establishing exceptions, providing direction for specific situation, defining key terms, and describing the intent behind each MPR. (11/25/2009)

Water Efficiency

• WE Prerequisite 1 Additional Guidance (PDF) — Provides guidance for fixture groups, total daily uses calculation, dual flush toilet flow rates, and public metering conversions.  (12/1/2009)

Energy and Atmosphere

• District Thermal Energy Treatment (PDF) — Treatment of Energy & Atmosphere prerequisites and credits for LEED buildings that are connected to a district thermal energy system. LEED 2009 projects should follow the guidance in this document until the LEED 2009 DES document is posted (estimated Q4 2009). Please note that any mention of the 2-point minimum in this document should be translated to apply towards the minimum EAp2 prerequisite for LEED 2009.

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Daylight Diagrams (PDF) — Diagrams that support the Toplighting Table in the LEED Online form for credits EQc8.1 in LEED for New Construction, Commercial Interiors, Schools, and Core & Shell, and EQc2.4 in LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M. (5/4/2009)