Tuesday, October 6, 2009


Trends in Sustainable Design and Construction

Who: Howard Steinberg of Onion Flats

When: Monday, October 26 6:30pm - 8pm

Where: Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St. Philadelphia

Today, buzz words such as 'sustainable' or 'green' design are used to describe much of the architecture and design processes being done in the industry.  This emphasis on the environmental impacts of buildings has brought many great innovations and benefits to the built world and the profession.  However, it also raises the question: is there a choice to be sustainable in good design, or is it all really just a part of good design.  There is at least one firm out there that looks forward to the day when we can all drop the buzz words of 'Green design' or 'Sustainable design' and just call it good design.  That firm is Onion Flats, and they are right here in Philadelphia.  Onion Flats has been practicing environmental strategies in their design-build projects long before 'green' became a household name.

Join Onion Flats Principal Howard Steinberg as part of the Associate AIA TECH Series as he speaks on the in's-and-out's and the truths of green roof technology and Philadelphia's green roof legislation, rainwater harvesting and its practicality, and sustainable modular construction.  The lecture will go over different systems and their benefits while demonstrating the work of Onion Flats to showcase their integration into architectural design.  Come learn how these technologies are integrated in new construction and how they can work with the existing building stock of Philadelphia.


Howard Steinberg, AIA, LEED® AP is a Principal of Onion Flats. He is a Registered Architect in the State of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. In 1987, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Design from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA and in 1990 and 1991 respectively, he received Masters Degrees in Architecture and Construction Management, both from Washington University, Saint Louis, MO.. In 2005, Howard joined the Onion Flats team and created the architecture firm of Plumbob, LLC and JIG, Inc., a General Contracting /Construction Management and certified Green Roof design and installation company allowing the Onion Flats Collective to provide full design-build services for both clients and their own developments.


For more information on Onion Flats visit:

http://www.onionflats.com/