The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems Celebrates 4 Decades of Green Innovation
AUSTIN, TX - 9/29/2015 (PRESS RELEASE JET) -- The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems (The Center) – an Austin-‐based nonprofit organization that develops innovative systems for healthy, sustainable communities – is gathering some of the finest minds in green design and sustainable systems for a special symposium and several gala events to celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 5 – 6 in Austin.
Since 1975, The Center has championed groundbreaking projects through its cultivation of protocols, policies, and prototypes. Among these are creating the conceptual framework for Austin’s Green Builder Program, considered the first municipal green building program in the United States; convening the Green Guide for Health Care, the first health-‐based green building metric toolkit customized for the healthcare sector; and The Advanced Green Builder Demonstration Building highlighting flexible, open building systems; off-‐grid water and wastewater systems; and low-‐carbon, regional and healthy materials. Lucia Athens, chief sustainability officer for the City of Austin, calls The Center “a shining beacon of hope in a world that has gotten a bit lost along the way and forgotten, perhaps, that magic can happen.”
On Thursday, November 5, the celebration of “40 Years of Serious Commotion” will kick off with a cocktail party at TRACE restaurant in the sustainably built W Austin, with remarks from U.S. Green Building Council CEO Rick Fedrizzi. On Friday, November 6, from 1-‐5 pm, The Center will host a thought-‐provoking symposium, Aspirations + Solutions for a Bright Future, at its demonstration campus in east Austin, moderated by CMPBS Board member Lance Hosey, chief sustainability officer for Perkins Eastman. The Symposium will highlight cutting-‐edge topics in green design and sustainable systems with presentations by leaders and visionaries in the green movement:
- Sharlene Leurig, director of the Sustainable Water Infrastructure Program for Ceres; Michael Webber, deputy director of the University of Texas Energy Institute; and David Lake, principal of Lake|Flato Architects, will “Re-‐think Energy + Water + Urbanism."
- The Center’s co-‐directors, Pliny Fisk III and Gail Vittori, will look back on "40 Years of Serious Commotion” and what they see for the future.
- Marlin Thomas, president of the Manor Independent School District Board of Trustees, and Sunshine Mathon, design and development director for Foundation Communities, will discuss “Integrating Aspirations + Practic."
- USGBC CEO Rick Fedrizzi will provide closing remarks on “Scaling the Vision.”
For a full list of speakers, sponsorship and ticket information, visit: www.cmpbs40.org
Following the Symposium, guests are invited to stay and raise a toast during happy hour and dance the night away to live music.
Every dollar raised during the celebration will support The Center’s internship and volunteer programs, demonstration projects and development of breakthrough protocols, policies and prototypes. Key sponsors to date are Stratus Properties + ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Philip Theodore Bee Charitable Trust, and Austin Energy Green Building, along with Foundation Communities, Integral Group, Sebesta, Skanska, Synapse Energy, WSP+ccrd, Barbara Hendricks, Cynthia Leigh + Ishmael Soto. For a full list of current sponsors, see www.cmpbs40.org.
More information about the events, tickets, and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.cmpbs40.org
About the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems:
Established in 1975, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems is a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas. Through the creation of protocols, policies, and prototypes, research and educational initiatives, The Center’s mission is to create healthy, sustainable communities that inspire ecologically innovative designs, integrate air, water, food, energy and material balanced systems, steward natural resources, and elevate community resilience, human health and economic vitality for all. For more information, visit www.cmpbs.org.
Media Contact
Company Name: Center For Maximum Potential Building Systems
Name: Katy Chrisler
Phone: (512) 709-5091
Email Address: center@cmpbs.org
Website: www.cmpbs.org