Engage occupants to save energy. Show how their actions affect building performance and encourage them to make behavior changes with the Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard. The on-the-go application can display information for unlimited buildings and be presented via mobile devices, kiosks and touchscreens.
The new SCM-2 suspended ceiling replacement tile by Video Mount Products is ideal for educational facilities. The unit replaces the ceiling tile and blends into the ceiling itself, where the mount is then attached. It can be used to support projectors or flat panels of up to 200 pounds and can be used with any VMP ceiling mount or any ceiling mount that uses 1.5 inches of NPT pipe. Made for ceiling tiles measuring 2 feet by 2 feet, the SCM-2 comes with tie wire of up to 30 feet and turnbuckles.
Gafcon Inc., a San Diego-based construction management and consulting firm, recently hired Paul Najar as vice president and general counsel. In his new position Najar will build and maintain the legal infrastructure of Gafcon and its sister company, SharePoint360.
WASHINGTON, D.C— Schools from around the country were recognized and honored by President Obama’s administration for being the first-ever U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. The list includes 78 schools from 29 states—including Stoddert Elementary School in Washington D.C., where U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the stand-out schools in April.
Playworld Systems introduces its PlayPod mobile application, programmed to provide access to individualized instructions, maintenance data and customer service links, featuring Microsoft Tag for 24/7. The app also provides users access to weekly play tips, including the option to check in on playgrounds via Facebook.
Nancy Hamilton, S.E., P.E., has joined HOK as the new director of engineering services. Based in Chicago, Hamilton leads the company’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing, and structural engineering group. She brings to HOK 24 years of experience, including leadership roles with Arup.
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified School District has unveiled a new system intended to keep the nation’s second-largest school district up to date on maintenance issues throughout its 800 campuses.
The district is the first to create a maintenance smart phone application for students, faculty and staff. The user sends in a photo of the maintenance issue to IBM Maximo software, which manages the district’s physical assets and work orders. From there, the district’s facilities crews assess the situation and come up with a response.
Urban school facilities can be very challenging because they have undergone extensive change during the last 60 years. It began in the 1950s when urban school districts and first-ring suburbs experienced major growth. This was followed by the impact of desegregation in the 1960s and a rapid decline in enrollment in the 1970s related to lower birthrates and migration to the suburbs.
Messer Construction promotes Steve Eder as vice president of the company. In his new role, Eder will provide leadership for Cincinnati project operations and performance. A University of Cincinnati graduate, Eder joined Messer in 1979. His work over the years includes projects for Cincinnati Financial Corporation, Dearborn County Hospital, University Hospital, and Xavier University.
SAN DIEGO — Those at San Diego State University are committed to clean energy. SDSU is now powering one of its busiest student facilities with solar energy. The Aztec Recreation Center is the newest addition to student initiated sustainability projects on campus. The ARC is managed by the student group, Associated Students and will be the second largest solar array on campus.
