Disqus - Latest Comments for merabkin

Re: The Sound of Ideas: Consumer Affairs: Beware of High Pressure Sales / ideastream - Northeast Ohio Public Radio, Television and Multiple Media

Mark Rabkin — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 10:52:15 -0000

Mike - thanks for including my email in the discussion today. The text, for readers, is:
I have found that having a strong and well developed set of value based buying criteria insulate me from the fear and pain-based sales strategies of some professionals. I ask myself, what matters to me? where did it come from? how is it used? and what happens to it when I'm done?

These questions, when asked before I buy anything, help me make appropriate decisions on what is best for me and my family.

Re: A Perfect Haze: Harvey Kubernik and the Magical Monterey International Pop Festival

Mark Rabkin — Thu, 31 May 2012 15:41:56 -0000

A Perfect Haze is a fantastic exploration of one of the key moments in the evolution of the music industry in this country. I am thankful that the Kubernik Brothers were able to access and share their research with those that were born after the event occurred, but nonetheless value its significance.

Re: BlackBerry Desktop 6 Should Stop Torch, Outlook Woes

Mark Rabkin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:52:47 -0000

If anyone can help with this, I would appreciate it. I can't even install Blackberry Desktop Manager 6 on Windows 7 64-64 bit without errors cancelling install. Now a lack of calendar sync has me very concerned.

Re: Change is coming. It’s name: Google Wave

Mark Rabkin — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:51:51 -0000

Welcome back Vik. This is amazing and has tremendous risk management potential! I can't wait to learn more about this.

Re: Positively Fourth Street | Jonathon Sawyer

Mark Rabkin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:33:02 -0000

Come take a video tour with the designer:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Re: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Part 1 - Planning

Mark Rabkin — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:29:19 -0000

Stay tuned, Rajib - that is the next post!

Re: The FTC vs Green Marketing– Who Will Win?

Mark Rabkin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:57:38 -0000

Mark - consider the flip side when there is a lack of educational material for a newly built or remodeled energy efficient, resource conscious, air quality and indoor environment masterpiece. The Metzenbaum Federal Courthouse in Cleveland (http://www.cbe.berkeley.edu... is a fantastic example of the GSA investing over $50 million and the tenants that I spoke with a few months ago had no idea the lengths the design and construction team went to in an effort to preserve the historic beauty while balancing environmental responsibility throughout the process.

Re: The FTC vs Green Marketing– Who Will Win?

Mark Rabkin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:10:39 -0000

It should be noted that the USGBC utilizes the "food label" metaphor when marketing certification plaques. "Just like when you go to the store and can see the ingredients list and nutrition information on a package of food, the plaque from USGBC identifies the ingredients, means and methods of the building you are standing in."

Re: The Increased Risk of “Green” Building

Mark Rabkin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:59:07 -0000

Although I am not a building scientist, the team at Liberty Building Forensics (www.libertybuilding.com) highlights a total of 13 LEED-related credits that increase the potential for mold and moisture-related issues. The purpose of my commentary is to address the need to do things within the construction process that contribute to the overall health of the building and its occupants. As you point out, there are things that "you should do on your own and not because LEED is forcing you to."

Re: The Increased Risk of “Green” Building

Mark Rabkin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:47:03 -0000

John -

I appreciate your comments. In referring to the peer review component, I believe the point the authors of the study were trying to make was that the EA prereq 1 (fundamental commissioning) and EA Cred 3 (enhanced commissioning) may not adequately address reducing the risk for potential mold and moisture issues.
"1. The design process is not likely to be a "standard of care" technical peer review, but is more often a review intended to determine if the constructed building, once built, can be commissioned and if the design meets the Owner's intent. In our experience, the typical design review will not predict the potential for moisture and mold problems. Without this prediction, it cannot offer specific solutions to avoid them.
2. These reviews are not required to incorporate an analysis of the building envelope's performance - the acknowledged component that fails the most frequently and usually the most dramatically."

Also, do you believe that the recent developments on Credit Interpretation Requests will no longer be applicable to all projects (as reported by RealLifeLEED and Chris Cheatham at www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com):

"Effective June 26, 2009, credit interpretation requests (CIRs) submitted by any registered project will no longer be vetted by USGBC or its LEED Technical Advisory Groups. As a result, CIR rulings will now be applicable only to the project that submitted them. For LEED version 2 projects, rulings on CIRs submitted prior to June 26, 2009, will be honored until they are retired by USGBC or incorporated into general USGBC-issued project guidance, such as through errata or addenda."

Will this be a good thing as CIR's are now project specific or a bad thing as it will create additional cost to verify credits?

Re: Eliminating the word “green”

Mark Rabkin — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:14:14 -0000

Great comments! I think that steps need to be taken to ensure that these new technologies and materials associated with sustainable and low-impact development ACTUALLY do what they are intended to do. Extreme financial pressure will force development to achieve as many points as possible at the lowest possible price regardless of the inter-connectivity of the building systems.

Re: Konstructr:Seattle takes over lot

Mark Rabkin — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:34:04 -0000

Vik -
You are rocking the pink shirt. Only Indian guys can pull off that look. Please post links to the sites mentioned in the video. Also - try walking tacos...in a bag of doritos, add all your favorite taco fixins and eat with a fork. Enjoy!

Re: What if I am forced to rebuild my property?

Mark Rabkin — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:38:09 -0000

Rich - why buy the cow when you get the milk for free!?!? If anyone is interested in learning more about the unique products, please contact me directly. Thanks!

Re: Obama: Cutting Carbon Emissions and Increasing Fuel Efficiency

Mark Rabkin — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:37:37 -0000

Good stuff, rich!