The surging demand for green and sustainable buildings and infrastructure requires an evolution in the building materials selected and how they are used. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association will present a series of workshops at Ecobuild Association will present a series of workshops at Ecobuild America 2005, being held at the Disney Coronado Springs in Orlando, FL, on June 20-23. The workshops will demonstrate how innovative concrete building systems and technologies, such as pervious concrete pavement and insulating concrete forms, provide an array of environmental and economic building solutions.

NRMCA, recognized as one of the construction industrys leading advocates for sustainable building practices, will present a program of workshops providing facility owners, architects, engineers, developers, contractors and environmental consultants with knowledge and resources required to leverage the dramatic, sustainable advantages of concrete. At the NRMCA Worskshops, building professionals will discover the latest advances in concrete and its use in stormwater runoff mitigation and structural wall systems to minimize the environmental impact of construction and maximize points in the LEED Green Building Rating System.  

     The use of pervious pavement is considered a best management practice (BMP) by the EPA and is a point obtaining solution to reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality in the LEED Green Building Rating System, explains Dan Huffman, an NRMCA national resource director. Pervious solutions also save money in numerous ways, including reducing requirements for expensive drainage systems and detention ponds, and allowing for greater site utilization by the owner.

     He adds, Innovations in tilt-up wall construction, forming, concrete floor and roofing systems, can significantly increase energy efficiency and increase the speed of construction a major cost consideration. The improved wall and roofing systems increase effective R-value and results in substantially lower energy bills and increased occupant comfort.

The program content includes:

• When It Rains, It Drains: An Introduction to Pervious Concrete Pavement (This is a free session for all Ecobuild America attendees.)

The following workshops, registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and offered for a nominal fee, will also be offered at the conference. They are part of NRMCAs Continuing Education Series, and provide CEU credits in all professional disciplines:

• Maximizing LEED Points with Concrete
• Reducing Storm Water Runoff with Pervious Concrete
• Energy Performance of Concrete Building Systems

     The NRMCA Workshops are a must for architectural, engineering and construction professionals who want to harness the power of concrete to maximize sustainability and LEED points on their projects.

     This conference and exhibition explores the breadth of commercial, industrial, institutional and residential green building techniques, construction products, renewable energy resources, sustainable design and ecological planning processes, with particular emphasis on the lifecycle of the built environment. NRMCA will staff a prominent booth in the Ecobuild America exhibit hall. Register now at www.ecobuildamerica.com.

     NRMCA, based in Silver Spring, MD, represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment and support to the industry. For 75 years, NRMCA has served the ready mixed concrete and construction industries through product research and education leadership. The association is recognized as leading advocate for sustainable building practices and provides more than 150 training and education seminars in the U.S. each year. www.nrmca.org