The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center serves as both a museum and a scientific research facility for individuals interested in how the ecosystem functions at the confluence of the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers.

Solaleya Design first introduced its Domespace house to the U.S. market in 2007. The design, utilizing a motor to rotate the entire structure relative to the sun to increase or decrease solar collection, was intended to dramatically reduce energy consumption versus traditional housing.

GAF Materials Corporation celebrates its 125th anniversary this month. Asked about the company’s success, GAF President and CEO Bob Tafaro singled out a key factor: “There are many reasons why GAF has survived all of these years. But none of them is as remarkable as one - and that’s innovation.

In February, President Obama announced the Better Buildings Initiative, a multi-pronged effort to make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade by encouraging private sector investment through incentives to upgrade schools, universities and municipal facilities, as well as offices, stores and other commercial buildings.

The newest freestanding academic facility in 33 years at George School in Bucks County, Pa., incorporated many sustainable building elements into its design and construction, starting at the very top with vegetative and metal roofing systems.

Inconsistency and uncertainty characterized the past year, yet neither was necessarily a show-stopper for those of us in the roofing industry that have successfully focused our efforts on continued innovation, value and quality.

As part of its State of the Industry Report, Roofing Contractor reached out to some industry insiders to get their predictions on what 2011 might hold in store for contractors. They shared their insights on trends in the commercial and residential roofing markets and offered advice to help contractors make the most of their opportunities in the year ahead.

Guided by its Quaker values, the prestigious Sidwell Friends School is committed to practicing responsible environmental stewardship. Sidwell’s Middle School Building is the first K-12 school in the United States to earn a LEED Platinum rating and the first-ever LEED Platinum building constructed in Washington, D.C.