Week Wrap-Up

This has been a very eventful week!

I'd like to say that it started off with a spectacular Monday night football game where the Chargers whooped up on the Raiders, but I'll have to settle for just a win...

Tuesday I brought the A-Team (Roofer Ulf Waldmann of Mission Valley Roofing and Robert Thiele AIA LEED AP architect) to the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE) for a half day workshop on green roofs. I begin with an over-view and definition of green roofs, their history, styles and types. Robert follows with a view from 5,000 feet and from his perspective all about structure, codes and permits. Ulf comes on next with information on roof types, waterproofing and safety concerns along with his German experience. I wrap it all up with the sexy part - plants! I also include media, irrigation and drainage.

This is our third time doing the program (the first two were for Cuyamaca College) and I am proud to say that we drew the largest audience for any of their previous events. The crowd was a good mix of architects, contractors, developers, homeowner's and interested parties. For the first time I was asked about insurance concerns (I know of nothing) and what to do if you get termites in the building and how does one tent it. All I know about tenting a structure for termites is that it would undoubtedly kill the plants on the roof. I am looking into it for more in-depth answers.

On Wednesday I teamed up with Mathew Porreca of BNIM Architects to do a presentation to the Sustainability Committee of the Downtown San Diego Partnership organization. Mathew has worked on some amazing projects in Kansas City and the Midwest. I was stunned by the scale of their green roofs covering many acres.

After our presentation, I was off to Petco Stadium for QUALCOMM's vendor appreciation day at the Padres game. I went with a friend, Christine Petrarca of Christine Connects You, and she indeed knew most everyone and connected me to several new people. Plus, the Padres won!

I wasn't able to enjoy the game much as I had another appointment with Reno Contracting later in the afternoon. I met with their "Green-Team" and both learned about their objectives and shared with them about our work doing green roofs and living walls. I was impressed by both their interest and level of questioning. We have already started to look at a retro-fit green roof project on a building in Rancho Bernardo.

Last night I took my children; Teddy and Allie to the San Diego River Parks Annual Gala. After speaking with the director, Rob Hutsel, we will be doing a green roof presentation for them as they want to incorporate an eco-roof into their plans for a visitor's center.

And finally, I am preparing a new Power Point Presentation for a large un-named client that wants an edible wall in their new buildings cafeteria. I'm excited!

Whew! Hopefully I'll get some rest this weekend. Who knows what next weekend will bring!