Architects can get tips on how to "green" their work from Jim Nicolow, an expert on sustainable design, at two locations in Richmond July 17.

"A New Kind of Office — Energy Efficiency at the Eco Office," is about strategies incorporated at the Southface Energy Institute’s Eco Office in Atlanta. This demonstration office is used to educate the commercial building industry in ecologically-friendly techniques.

The focus of the talk will be "using the computer and the available tools to really optimize the way we design buildings," said Nicolow, director of sustainable development for the architecture firm Lord, Aeck & Sargent.

The program will take place at the Virginia Center for Architecture, 2501 Monument Ave., from noon to 2 p.m. Cost for the presentation and lunch is $15 for members of the James River Green Building Council and American Institute of Architects Richmond and $25 for nonmembers. Reservations must be made by tomorrow by e-mailing rsvp@jrgbc.org.

The second event, at the Built Gallery, 400 S. Laurel St., is an Eco Office Exhibit. The gallery opening will start at 5:30 p.m. Nicolow will introduce the exhibit at 7 p.m. The event is free but reservations are required and can be made by e-mail at �cote@aiaric.org.

"Greening the way we build is a great way to have a positive impact on our environment," Nicolow said

The meeting is co-sponsored by the James River Green Building Council and by the American Institute of Architects Richmond chapter’s committee on the environment. �

— Sarah Alfaham