Newsletter Issue #149, June 11, 2008

Green Facts:

• The U.S. uses nearly $1 million worth of energy every minute. Source: Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.doe.gov/
• Keep your head out of the refrigerator and the door closed! The refrigerator is the single biggest energy-consuming kitchen appliance, and opening the refrigerator door accounts for between $30 and $60 of a typical family's electricity bill each year. The amount of energy saved in a year by more efficient refrigerator usage could be enough to light every house in the United States for more than four and a half months straight. Source: Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen, authors of The Green Book.
• Microwaves are between 3.5 and 4.8 times more energy efficient than traditional electric ovens. If it costs ten cents to cook one item in a microwave, it would cost forty-eight cents to cook the same item in a standard oven. If everyone in North America cooked exclusively with a microwave for a year, we'd save as much energy as the entire continent of Africa consumes during that same time. Source: Elizabeth Rogers and Thomas Kostigen, authors of The Green Book.

RC3D Architectural Design Services

RC3D Commercial and Residential Architecture designs the concept, then creates a Virtual, 3-Dimensional (3D) Model of the site and building that is subsequently used by the client to plan, design and develop a successful project. The 3D Virtual Model is used to create photo realistic perspectives, elevations, renderings, virtual reality (VR) models, VR tours, VR scenes and website images. Inherent marketing collateral and images are created during the visualization process, for pre-sales, advertising and marketing purposes.

RC3D Commercial and Residential Architecture is skilled at harnessing technology to facilitate communication between the designer, builder, and client where possible, to achieve design excellence. This is done either through producing a typical set of construction documents or combining these documents with a virtual 3D model.

RC3D Commercial and Residential Architecture also provides turnkey solutions for projects encompassing the spectrum of AEC services, ranging from design concept, programming, production, visualization, as well as engineering services and project management. RC3D strives to deliver clients’ expectations and need for effective solutions.

Once a virtual model is created, the design process seamlessly develops into construction documents, in tandem with the 3D visualization of the building. Visualization services are invaluable at two crucial stages of the project: planning and pre-sales. Planning includes feasibility study, site study, re-zoning study, and virtual mass modeling to plan site development.

RC3D’s portfolio includes, but is not limited to, single family homes, custom homes, multifamily townhome developments, commercial projects, restaurants, churches, hotels, remodeling and space planning projects.

DFW Metro Green Consultancy Services

As a result of the increasing interest in and demand for green built energy efficient buildings, RC3D created a green building company, DFW Metro Green Consulting, which not only provides information, advice and consultancy services to clients, but also is compiling a knowledge database of green building practices, techniques and materials. This knowledge database is available to RC3D’s designers enabling them to incorporate the latest and most efficient green techniques into their designs.

DFW Metro Green Consulting also provides educational seminars, information and advice on green building certification, and is available to project manage the green building certification process.

Visit the new Green web site of our sister company, DFW Metro Green Consulting, for more information and news on the cost of green, green building and sustainable design.

Quote of the Day:

When we build, let us think that we build forever.
John Ruskin [Best known for his work as an art critic and social critic, but is remembered as an author, poet and artist as well. Ruskin's essays on art and architecture were extremely influential in the Victorian and Edwardian eras (8 February 1819 – 20 January 1900).]