Blach Hosts Sustainability Workshop for Local Students

SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing its commitment to
education, Blach Construction recently hosted more than 60 students from the
Luther Burbank School in San Jose for an interactive workshop focusing on
sustainability at the firm's Santa Clara headquarters.

The event was created to educate students and the local community about
sustainable design and construction practices. In addition to the students,
several teachers, parents and guests, including representatives from the
mayor's office and the San Jose City Council, attended the event, which was
held last Friday.

"Our study trip to Blach Construction was invaluable," said Dr. Fernando
Elizondo, superintendent for the Luther Burbank School District, who also
attended the event. "Our students were provided state-of-the-art 'hands on'
projects which connected sustainability and the real world to them in a
meaningful way."

60 seventh grade students separated into three groups and toured the firm's
recently-expanded office, which is seeking LEED Gold certification from the
United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The students learned about the
"four R's of sustainability" - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rethink. Following
the tour, a "hands on" activity encouraging students to touch, see and smell
green building materials was led by Sharon Refvem, AIA, LEED(R) AP, senior
project architect for Mountain View-based Hawley, Peterson and Snyder
Architects.

Blach's director of MEP services Steve Murphy PE, LEED AP, superintendent John
O' Malley, project engineer Emily Blair, LEED AP, and project coordinator
Tamera Johnson, LEED AP, coordinated the event.

"It was a great event. The tour encouraged students to realize what a huge
impact they can have on improving the environment," Murphy said. "Using our
office as a teaching tool was key in helping these students to think
differently about sustainability."

Blach Construction Company has been building structures of enduring quality
and value throughout northern and central California for nearly 40 years. The
company's experience encompasses a broad cross-section of commercial,
industrial and institutional building types, including education, healthcare,
technology, life sciences, professional services and civic/community
facilities. Blach is also a recognized leader in sustainable design and
construction. The company is based in the Silicon Valley, with full-service
regional offices located in Stockton and Monterey. For more information,
please visit the company's web site at www.blach.com.

SOURCE Blach Construction Company

Shyama Sachi, +1-408-297-7800, shyama@purematter.com, for Blach Construction
Company