Meets: First Wednesdays and Fourth Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Cost: Free

The Architecture Section is a regional resource for the examination, critique and exhibition of architecture as a fine art in the context of a sustainable approach to the built environment.

Our group is open to architects, builders, designers, engineers, architectural historians, writers, critics, planners, policy makers and artists who have a passionate interest in the built environment and in our region. We see great value in crossing disciplinary boundaries as a means to advance the level of critical discourse of the built environment.

We are particularly interested in sustainability and preservation and we can easily imagine other topics and areas of interest which would be brought to the table by membership.

Visit the Architecture Section’s blog for more information about meetings and activities.

Chair: Richard Reilly

Phone: 314-727-6266

Email: rreilly001@gmail.com

Etimex Solar is a subsidiary of Germany-based Etimex Holding GmbH, which is controlled by funds affiliated with Alpha Gruppe. Etimex Solar, which employs about 60 people in Germany and reported a profit of $31 million in 2009, makes a film that covers and weatherizes solar panels. Solutia currently makes a different kind of film that covers solar panels to protect them from the elements and will become the only company to provide both types, said Melissa Hammonds, a Solutia spokeswoman. Solutia plans to expand Etimex’s operations in North America and Asia, she said.

“This acquisition is a solid step forward that strengthens our core competencies, expands our end markets and supports Solutia’s growth strategy,” Chairman, President and Chief Executive Jeffry Quinn said in a statement. “Renewable energy is an acknowledged source of long-term growth that fits well with Solutia’s businesses.”

Solutia said it expects to finance the deal with existing cash and additional debt.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Kirkland & Ellis LLP advised Solutia on the deal, which is expected to close in the second quarter.

St. Louis-based Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOA) develops specialty chemicals, fibers, fluids and other performance products for the auto and construction industries. It reported sales of $1.7 billion in 2009.

In addition to energy assessments, the intern program seeks entities with projects involving water use/reuse, wastewater, stormwater, air quality, solid and hazardous waste. The program recruits top level engineering students, who receive additional training in applied engineering for pollution prevention and are then matched with company or community needs. Throughout the project, interns have the advisory support of engineering faculty. Interns work full time for 10 weeks at $15 per hour. For more information, go to  www.missouribusiness.net/eac/news/internships_summer10.asp or contact Marie Steinwachs at the Environmental Assistance Center at (573) 882-5011 or moeac@missouri.edu.

Last year, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, led by President and Chief Executive Jim Buford, received nearly $7.4 million in federal stimulus money to provide free home weatherizing for low-income families and to expand the program to residents with income at the 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

The program reduces utility costs for residents by $260 to $700 a year by sealing leaks and boosting the efficiency of furnaces and hot water tanks.

Every $1 million invested in weatherization creates at least 16 direct, full-time jobs, as well as additional jobs in the clean energy, said the Apollo Alliance, citing data from the Political Economy Research Institute.

In Missouri, the weatherization program currently supports 450 jobs.

The Apollo Alliance, along with Legacy Building Group, led by CEO Todd Weaver, and the Green Building Council-Greater St. Louis Area Chapter, led by Executive Director Emily Andrews, plan to recognize the Urban League’s weatherization program Tuesday as an example of the potential for green job creation nationally.

The Apollo Alliance, based in San Francisco, is a coalition of labor, business, environmental and community leaders pushing for green jobs and clean energy.

Come stop by the 19th Annual Earth Day Festival and e-cycle household electronics, recycle used athletic shoes, worn out hard- and softbound books, phonebooks and shred confidential documents. (Note there is a five-box limit for confidential document shredding and recycling of cardboard will NOT be offered.) Bring the family and learn what you can do to keep our watershed cleaner through this year’s theme “Water’s Where It’s At!” Don’t throw your expired medications in the trash! Keep them out of the watershed by turning them in at the Prescription Drug Take Back booth for proper and safe disposal, sponsored by the Chesterfield Alliance for Positive Youth and the Chesterfield Police Department.

Plan to visit with over 50 exhibitors who will be showcasing green services and selling eco-friendly products, such as native Missouri wildflowers, rain barrels, and recycled glass art. Pick up a FREE native Missouri tree such as redbud, flowering dogwood, spicebush, buttonbush, river birch, or ninebark.

Click here to see flyer

Rod Nunn, Vice Chair of Sustainable St. Louis accepted the Eco-Honor for Sustainable St. Louis. The non-profit organization serves as a facilitator in the development of our region’s environmental sustainability by uniting businesses, advocates, and local governments to build a more sustainable future for the entire metropolitan area.

“Sustainability is a civic idea whose time has come. The future has to begin with knowledgeable citizens and we stand with EcoLifeSTL.com in educating St. Louisans about the Green movement,” Nunn stated.

Mayor Francis Slay accepted the Eco-Honor on behalf of the City of St. Louis. Under the direction of Mayor Slay, the City has undertaken many Green initiatives. The City has a robust recycling program, supports clean energy options, and is focusing on becoming a bike-friendly city and improving public transit.

He added, “The greatest way to recycle in the City of St. Louis is to save historic buildings like the one we’re in here tonight. The Greenest building is one that already exists and also preserves history.” The Palladium, formally the old City Hospital, is a venue that was recently renovated into a great hall for parties, weddings and other events.

Cindy Bambini, from 3Degrees, accepted the Eco-Honor on behalf of PurePower. PurePower is AmerenUE’s voluntary renewable energy program with 3Degrees, which is developing wind power and other forms of renewable energy in Missouri and the Midwest.

Bambini remarked, “Currently, there are 6,000 residential and 200 business PurePower customers receiving 100% of their energy from the five wind farms in our area.”

Present at the Launch Party and Eco-Honors Ceremony were EcoLifeSTL.com’s key partners: Missouri Botanical Garden’s EarthWays Center, StLouisGreen.Com, Sustainable St. Louis, and many more. Also present were the Emmis Communications staff that head up the EcoLifeSTL.com effort: Cyndee Blank, Blake Salger, Adron Buske, Katie Sorensen, and all of the staff at Emmis.

There is much talk about reimagining the role of the post-industrial American city in the coming decades. Usually, sustainability is at the center of the discussion. Alex Krieger, chairman of the department of urban planning and design at Harvard, wrote recently that most new ideas for the 21st-century city will emerge from older cities like New Orleans, St. Louis, Cleveland, Newark and Detroit.

As part of Sustainable Cleveland 2019, proposals are being accepted for the development of a strategic vision and plan that will “include an overall assessment of where Cleveland should be … transforming our economy into a sustainable economy.” This is a targeted, progressive approach to position Cleveland as a leader in sustainability and smart growth. Cleveland is willing to do more than talk.

St. Louis clearly has much to offer. St. Louis is blessed with a many wonderful, world-class institutions that have positioned the region well in biotech, health care and life sciences. St. Louis has one of the world’s foremost experts on sustainability, Dr. Peter Raven, outgoing director of the Missouri Botanical Garden.

The mayor or one of our distinguished civic foundations should take action similar to Cleveland’s to ensure that St. Louis does not miss the opportunity to recast itself as a thriving American city. Perhaps Dr. Raven could help; after doing so much for global sustainability throughout his illustrious career, it would be great if he could finish strongly in his own back yard.

Nate Forst — St. Louis
Project Developer, EcoUrban

We invite you to join Four Missouri Home Builders Associations and the University of Missouri Center for Sustainable Energy as we join forces March 16-17 in Jefferson City to share information about how remodelers, home builders and others in the homebuilding industry can incorporate the principles of the National Green Building Program (NAHB Green) to grow business.  This information-packed conference will offer education, as well as insights into available opportunities in energy-efficient and green residential construction and retrofit.

Conference attendees will gain an understanding of the philosophy behind green building and instructional, how-to information on creating profitable, energy and resource efficient, environmentally sound construction practices using NAHBGreen.  Attendees will be able to learn about:

-       Resources for business improvement and development using green practices

-       Training and financial resources for Energy Retrofits

-       Practical market aspects of green building and the effects on the market

-       General knowledge of green building criteria, practices and green/energy-efficiency in building codes

-       Trends and issues concerning green building in the current economic climate

-       How HBA members can help implement green and energy-efficiency NOW

March 16 – 17, 2010 | Capitol Plaza Hotel |Jefferson City, MO

Visit our web site for more information and to register
http://muconf.missouri.edu/greeningmissourihomes

The State and Local Climate and Energy Program Web site, www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate , brings together EPA resources to serve as a one-stop shop for government officials seeking information and resources related to climate change and clean energy. The site targets information to state and local government officials by providing:

• Resources on energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management, workforce

development, health, adaptation, and more.

• “How to” information for developing a climate change action plan or greenhouse gas inventory,

along with maps showing which states and localities have them in place.

• Guidance on evaluating policy and program options and measuring results.

• A calendar of upcoming climate change and clean energy webcasts and conferences.

• Podcasts and video recordings of State and Local Climate and Energy Program webcasts.

Ms. Phillips served as St. Louis Earth Day’s Project Director since April 2008.  Cassie received her B.A. and M.A. from Truman State University.  As a graduate student, she designed and implemented a service-learning component for Introduction to Environmental Studies, while enriching the curriculum for this team-taught course.  As a student, she founded the Bike Co-op, an organization that secured space on campus for a student-run bike shop.  She lead the coordination of Earth Week events, including a community festival, conference, speaker, film-viewing, and workshops in Kirkville, Missouri before joining St. Louis Earth Day.