Join us in welcoming the newest additions to the BE+ staff: Lilli Markle, Dan Pham, and Kaitlyn Chan! We are so excited to have them on board and help us advance our mission to drive the sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of the built environment. Learn more about their interests, passions, and skills. Our community keeps growing, and we’re eager to see what we accomplish together!
The following post was provided by Turner.
The Decarbonization Price Index is live! This comprehensive resource provides up-to-date pricing and lead times of critical equipment—like Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps, Commercial Induction Woks, and 6-Pipe Heat Recovery Chillers—vital for reducing operational carbon emissions in commercial buildings. It also includes sample costs for electrical gear, such as substations and transformers, for projects requiring upgrades.
The Large Building Decarbonization Price Index is a collaborative effort between NYSERDA and Turner. This resource will help guide the industry towards more accurate pricing and lead times for critical equipment necessary to develop and implement decarbonization projects. The goal of the Price Index is to mitigate obstacles to advancing decarbonization projects, ultimately helping to combat climate change, improve health, resiliency, and deliver benefits equitably to all.
The primary goal is to foster market transparency and simplify the financial complexities of decarbonizing large commercial buildings. To kick things off, we’ve included a Technical Insight from BR+A Engineers on “partial” electrification, which explores strategies to reduce costs while transitioning away from fossil fuels.
While pricing may vary based on individual project requirements, this report provides project teams with a valuable head start and a level playing field for conducting conceptual pricing exercises. Our aim is to empower industry professionals with the knowledge and insights needed to navigate the complexities of decarbonization effectively.
Download the Index here.
Over 300 people gathered in the raw theater space on the second floor of One Boston Wharf Road in Boston’s Seaport District to take stock of the accelerating progress in sustainable buildings in Massachusetts and across the region. The 2024 Green Building Showcase celebrated groundbreaking success stories in transforming the built environment into healthy, sustainable, and regenerative spaces for our communities.
Hosted for a second year in a row by WS Development, the location highlighted significant milestones being made in the city and the exciting transformation of the Seaport neighborhood.
Outstanding project submissions demonstrated the growing pace of market transformation led by policy, practice, and shifting priorities. Judges from across the country selected the standout projects, while local judges chose a Change Agent of the Year recognizing someone making a significant positive impact on the environment, social equity, and the economy.
For the third year in a row, an exemplary public school project won Green Building of the Year.
Boardwalk Campus is leading the charge to a greener future for students in the Commonwealth. Designed as the first Double Zero school in Massachusetts, Boardwalk Campus serves as a new model for sustainable, healthy, and resilient schools for communities nationwide. It is the first all-electric Net Zero school, funded by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, at the cost of typical non-net zero schools.
Boardwalk Campus was the first building to participate in a verification period and surpassed the target EUI. Located near Fort Pond Brook, the school minimizes environmental impact and highlights the local ecosystem. Its design reflects themes of ground, vegetation, and sky, with three schools occupying different floors and distinguished by unique colors and forms.
By consolidating schools, the district aims to enhance the learning environment while reducing operational costs. Extensive community engagement shaped the project’s sustainability goals. Spanning 175,000 square feet, Boardwalk Campus is the first Mass Save net zero building, initiating a new utility incentive program for similar projects.
According to the judges, “Every community has a school. This demonstrates all that can be achieved within a typical public-school budget and how to fully leverage that investment to benefit the community and generations of learners. Biggest bang for the buck.”
The Wilkens Science & Engineering Center at Cape Cod Community College is a state-of-the-art, 38,500 square foot facility designed to elevate science and engineering education. Achieving LEED Gold certification, the center showcases an all-electric, net-positive energy framework that significantly reduces its environmental footprint.
Key innovations include the reduction in embodied carbon through the use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof slabs, natural wood siding, and stone gabion retaining walls, which eliminate significant amounts of cement and enhanced the biophilic occupant experience. In addition, MEP/FP systems and a hybrid roof structure demonstrate sustainable engineering principles to students.
Efficient energy recovery, strategic controls, and air-source heat pump heating reduce energy consumption by 77% compared to typical teaching labs. These design choices, a 225 kW array of rooftop solar panels, and adjacent new parking canopy PV, enable the facility to operate as a net-positive energy building—producing more energy than it consumes.
The Wilkens Science & Engineering Center at Cape Cod Community College represents a paradigm shift in sustainable and educational building design, setting a new standard for innovation in total carbon reduction. It significantly reduces fossil fuel consumption, operational carbon emissions, and embodied carbon. In total, embodied carbon was reduced by 20%, and operational carbon reduced by 100%, for a 20-year-total carbon savings of over 11,500 MT CO2e, equal to the 20-year carbon sequestration potential of a forest six times the size of CCCC’s campus!
“The judges were impressed with the project’s integration of multiple solutions to achieve lowered embodied and operating emissions. In particular, the creative approach to integrated passive and active building solutions and the consideration of equipment selections that would align with local labor resources made this our top project.“
The new Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools will house three programs: Tobin Montessori School & Special Start, Vassal Lane Upper School, and DHSP Preschool & After School Programs. This project replaces an outdated brutalist building and upgrades Father Callanan Playground, enhancing outdoor spaces with play areas and multi-purpose fields, along with improved access for bicycles and pedestrians.
Infrastructure improvements include a 1.25-million-gallon underground stormwater tank to mitigate street flooding, an active indoor air quality monitoring and management system, renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicle charging stations, and built-in handwashing stations strategically located to promote cleanliness and facilitate pandemic readiness.
In conclusion, this project offers a comprehensive approach to sustainable and resilient design, making it a valuable model for proactive planning for climate change and public health emergencies. The design aligns with Cambridge’s high standards for educational success and aspirations for being the most sustainable and energy-efficient school building. The 359,100 square foot building and indoor parking garage are designed to be Net Zero Emissions under Cambridge’s Net Zero Action Plan and is projected to achieve at minimum LEED Gold certification.
The judges commented, “Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools exemplifies health and wellness with its focus on IAQ monitoring, daylighting strategies, and service to the community at all scales and needs.”
Front Street Phase 1 revitalizes an existing property with 60 new units of family-focused housing and community spaces. The project is specifically designed to address the needs of the area’s population of large families, including those who have immigrated from Somalia. Multigenerational living arrangements with active ground floors within the site plan stitche the community into the surrounding neighborhood.
Front Street Phase 1 is PHIUS + CORE certified, demonstrating thoughtful attention to a robust thermal envelope, energy efficiency, and air-tight construction detailing. The building’s structure and electrical infrastructure are designed to incorporate heat pump water heating for future conversion. The project utilizes all-electric space heating and heat recovery ventilation while hot water is provided through a future-electric-ready centralized gas-fired boiler. The project is also designed to be PV-ready, with roof space to offset common-space electrical use. The project’s second phase will include a 50 kW solar array.
Front Street Phase 1 is a model for quality in community-centered design, site revitalization, and energy performance for a public agency providing affordable housing. Furthermore, the project was built for $240/sf including extensive site and geotechnical work. This level of construction cost economy for a Phius certified project sets an ambitious benchmark for affordable, high-performance construction.
The judges highlighted, “Front Street Affordable Housing Phase I created curated outdoor spaces in a multigenerational housing project that is Passive Certified at $240/SF while prioritizing access to daylight and indoor air….well done!”
The new Boston City Hall Plaza recasts an open space into an inviting civic center in the heart of downtown Boston. For five decades the plaza hosted Boston’s largest gatherings but lacked human scale, offered limited amenities, consisted of impermeable surfaces, and was highly inaccessible. Improvements prioritize universal access, sustainability and resilience, renew the landmark’s cultural legacy, and provide flexibility for a variety of programming.
“The spaces we build are a reflection of our city and our values,” she remarked, “and thanks to these incredible collaborations, we have built something here that embodies our vision for Boston, and builds on the legacies that we inherit from those that came before,” said Mayor Michelle Wu during the grand opening.
The design features a new accessible sloped promenade, ‘Hanover Walk,’ that reconciles grade change across the site and connects Congress and Cambridge Streets, new planting, seating and gathering areas breaking down the plaza’s scale, and a new Civic Pavilion. The planting design restores habitat, provides shade, and sequesters over 5,500 lbs of CO2 each year. Green infrastructure now manages stormwater via planting beds or permeable paving to filter rainwater and restore groundwater conditions. Rainwater from another 25% of the site’s surfaces is collected in a 10,000 gallon tank and reused as irrigation for the entire plaza.
The new plaza transforms the local environmental impacts of stormwater runoff, urban heat island effects, and carbon emissions. This project addresses social equity in one of Boston’s most iconic and well-visited spaces. The removal of steps and creation of Hanover Walk ensures universal access across the entire site and at building entrances. The renovation modernized the historic plaza with improved infrastructure, sustainability and programmable public spaces while simultaneously honoring its original intentions and history as Boston’s place to gather, celebrate, and make residents’ voices heard.
The judges commented, “All of the site and landscape submissions were exemplary and have wonderful replicable components. The Boston City Hall Plaza Renovation stood out as the winner in this category as a wonderful model of public space revitalization, accessibility, sustainability, and public education. The renovation project activates a space that individuals from throughout the city and country pass through regularly and provides an public opportunity to educate and normalize sustainable landscape practices in action.”
Driven by a commitment to decarbonization, resident well-being, and community revitalization, the Orchard Gardens project represents a comprehensive approach to tackling climate change. The property includes a total of 331 units, of which 282 are public housing units. The campus spans 11 city blocks comprised of 41 buildings that represent four major building typologies, each with a different approach to retrofitting.
An occupied deep energy retrofit (DER) with a minimum energy use intensity reduction of 50% is the project’s central goal. The buildings will receive additional insulation along the walls and roofs, triple pane windows, and improved air barrier control layers. The project proposes adding ERVs and space cooling devices to all buildings and electrifying 100% of the cooking, 75% of the space heating, and 50% of domestic hot water systems. An on-site solar panel system is proposed across 26 of the site buildings. The DER improvements, made possible by additional grant funding, will reduce operational carbon emissions and help Boston remain on track for its 2050 carbon neutrality goals.
By upgrading to R-36 walls, R-66 roofs, and triple-pane windows, operational energy costs are predicted to decrease by 27-40% across multiple building typologies. These envelope enhancements, combined with the electrification of space heating, cooking, and domestic hot water systems (where feasible), substantially lower the reliance on gas systems. These upgrades are critical in reducing overall energy consumption and improving the comfort and sustainability of the housing units.
The judges commented, “This project demonstrates what it means to truly operate sustainably: deep energy conservation while maintaining affordability and well-being. Impressive most is the intentional collaboration that went into this design.”
Stone Mill Lofts is a 150,000 square foot, 178-year-old mill building in Lawrence’s North Canal Historic District. This iconic building is Lawrence’s oldest mill, originally constructed in 1846. The historic adaptive reuse project transformed the mill building into 50 new one-bedroom units, 28 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units, and includes a variety of community amenities.
Stone Mill’s energy model, prepared by RW Sullivan, showed the building performing 42.4% better than a new construction building constructed in accordance with the MA Energy Code, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30.9%, or 119 tons of CO2 avoided each year. The redevelopment of Stone Mill Lofts marks WinnCompanies’ first all-electric, high-performance historic adaptive reuse project, piloting a new approach to historic preservation and highly innovative, low-carbon, sustainable design.
The project features all-electric, highly efficient mechanical systems that eliminate on-site fossil fuel consumption which includes Mitsubishi VRF heat pump systems. Stone Mill Lofts continues to do good for the community of Lawrence, representing the history and culture of this diverse and growing city, while providing much needed affordable and healthy housing.
According to the judges, “Through an equitable vision and holistic process, Stone Mill Lofts expertly addressed the need for sustainable, beautiful and affordable spaces for everyone.”
This building highlights one successful element of the projects – embodied carbon reduction. A 49% reduction in embodied carbon reduction was achieved, exceeding the project’s initial goal of 25%. In addition, the workforce also utilized reusable materials for temporary protection and safety, which resulted in less waste.
The team included SGH, McNamara Salvia, Turner and their Self-Perform Operations (Turner SPO), and Boston Sand & Gravel who focused on the carbon calculation of the concrete mixes. They developed the most innovative mix: a 60% replacement of cement with slag and fly ash, which resulted in a 66% reduction of embodied carbon from the NRMCA Baseline. In a first-ever placement, Turner, Boston Sand & Gravel, and McSal created an opportunity for Sublime Systems, a pioneer in cement manufacturing, and developed a means of manufacturing cement without fossil fuels.
As part of Turner’s commitment to achieving net-zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040, Turner SPO is committed to a 30% embodied carbon reduction in self-placed concrete. The final building product will be a Boston-area higher education enterprise research campus consisting of 600,000 square feet of mixed-use development including 400,000 square feet of Class A life science space.
According to the judges, “The early and thorough collaboration among various project team members is an excellent example we need to emulate across our industry in order to build momentum and achieve meaningful goals.”
The CarGurus Boston HQ project is an interior tenant fit-out located on floors 12-21 in the newly constructed high-rise at 1001 Boylston St in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, MA. Through the construction process, purposeful efforts were made to enact and expand upon construction waste site separation programs to reduce the landfill burden of commingled construction waste and maximize landfill diversion. At project completion, data shows that over half (51.31%) of all waste leaving the site was able to be site separated and sent directly to material recyclers, with a minority of project waste leaving the site commingled.
The project can serve as an example of how construction site separation does not have to be costly and how construction projects can reduce immense carbon, environmental justice, and waste problems. Anticipated to achieve Gold certification status under LEED v4.1 ID+C, the CarGurus HQ project will be occupied by over 950 employees and can accommodate additional visitors.
“The cargurus fit-out project challenged entrenched practices of waste management in construction – Requiring education, buy-in, and follow through that will hopefully follow these team members on many projects to come,” said the judges.
Located in Finland, the New Museum of Architecture and Design is a curated experience that highlights Finnish history from its indigenous origins to the modern architects and designers of the 21st century. The journey of the museum blends indoor and outdoor experiences, offering visitors a unique interaction with both the built environment and the natural landscape. This interplay of nature and design not only enhances the museum experience but reinforces Finland’s commitment to sustainability and the harmonious integration of architecture with its surroundings.
Through the material choices in conjunction with specific, energy-efficient systems, the project’s sustainability goals are achieved. The use of sustainable materials is heavily emphasized, cross-laminated timber and rammed earth are used throughout the design. This site is transformed with the introduction of an urban forest and connection to the existing under-utilized park, and has an open air, free gallery which houses works by local artists to further engagement with the community.
The judges commented, “A contemporary project rooted in indigenous history, The New Architecture + Design Museum project provides a replicable approach of integrating synergistic sustainable design strategies with cultural and physical context. The landscape and site design connect the harbor, the museum’s site and the broader community in a way that supports the building scale passive design, low impact materials and culturally informed/socially equitable and spaces.“
Boston’s largest net zero carbon office facility, and home to the 2024 BE+ Green Building Showcase. Read more about the project here.
Congratulations to Kate Crosby, Energy Manager of the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, for her powerful contributions to the Boardwalk Campus and, by example and active knowledge-sharing, the entire Massachusetts school planning community.
“Kate has been an emphatic and diligent advocate for the net zero concept for this school project at a time when not many school districts, and not many projects at all in MA, were pursuing net zero – and few were setting EUI targets at the outset of design. Kate not only worked to advocate for and ensure the success of the design, construction, and now operation of the net zero Boardwalk school, she now uses that success to guide other school district personnel as they seek feedback on the ABRSD experience. Kate has been active, speaking at various venues to improve understanding and acceptance of low carbon strategies, including in particular the ground source heat pump system in place at Boardwalk. Kate’s work is helping help other school districts feel confident they can succeed in pursuing zero carbon solutions, and in doing so will lead to more net zero buildings in operation and more thought leaders willing to advocate and bring others along. We need leaders who are willing to stake a claim, act on it, lead their project to success, and then, very importantly, talk about it, leveraging experience to get others to act. Kate is doing all of this and more,” says her nominator, Kim Cullinane.
Sustainable Design Manager | MacDonald Miller
Partner | CMTA
Director of Sustainability | Sellen Construction
Principal Architect | ZGF Architects
Team Leader | Interface Engineering
Deputy Director | Illinois Green Alliance
Senior Associate | Arcadis
Director of Sustainability and Building Performance | Kirksey
Sustainability Engineer | Consigli
Senior Architect | WRNS Studio
Associate Architect | DIALOG
Design Performance Manager | Overland Partners
QA Project Manager | nibbi
Associate Principal | PAE Consulting Engineers
Principal Architect | VMDO Architects
Photo Credits: Boston Seaport by WS
The 2024 Greeen Building Showcase was generously hosted for the second year in a row by WS Development in Boston’s Seaport District. Last year the event was held at the Amazon L4 Tower at 111 Harbor Way. This year we moved across the plaza to the even more exciting L5 project, One Boston Wharf Road, which will be the city’s largest net zero carbon office facility. The following overview of the project was provided by Yanni Tsipis, Senior Vice President – Development at WS Development, who oversees all aspects of the company’s Boston Seaport project, a 33-acre, 20-block, 7.6 million square foot mixed-use development at the heart of the Seaport’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
One Boston Wharf Road rises at the entrance to the Boston Seaport district, marking the latest addition to WS Development’s 7.6 million square foot mixed-use project. The building, Boston’s largest net-zero carbon office development, encompasses 700,000 square feet of office, retail, and civic spaces. Designed by Copenhagen-based Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with Gensler, Buro Happold, The Green Engineer, and McNamara/Salvia, the structure departs from often-seen contemporary glass-box architecture with its distinctively articulated terra cotta facade.
Amazon has fully leased the office space as part of its Boston Tech Hub, which also occupies WS Development’s 111 Harbor Way building (completed 2022).
While the building’s beautiful architecture makes a bold outward statement about our architectural aspirations, its environmental innovations truly distinguish it. The development team committed early to carbon-free operations through an all-electric approach to mechanical systems. This electrification commitment aligns with WS Development’s broader initiative, completed in 2023, to power all of its Seaport assets and much of its New England portfolio with renewable electricity. As part of this strategy, the building employs rooftop air-source heat pumps, advanced energy recovery technology, and state-of-the-art envelope and building management systems.
In addition to its commitment to net zero carbon operations, One Boston Wharf Road also pioneers breakthrough construction technology to address embodied carbon as well. The project is the first ever to incorporate Sublime Systems’ innovative cement—a zero-fossil-fuel alternative to Portland cement developed by this MIT spinout company. With Portland cement production accounting for approximately 8% of global fossil fuel emissions, this advancement could transform the construction industry. The building features this revolutionary cement in key public areas, with educational displays highlighting its significance. The ground floor of One Boston Wharf welcomes the public with open spaces that extend to the surrounding outdoor public realm. This accessibility reflects the project’s larger mission: demonstrating how collaborative vision among developers, designers, and innovators can advance carbon-free construction and operations.
Years in the making, One Boston Wharf Road stands as more than a building—it is an aspirational blueprint for sustainable development. Green building enthusiasts and climate innovators are invited to visit and learn more at www.bostonseaport.xyz or @seaportbos.
Professionals taking advantage of the WTFP Express Grant to complete the Phius Certified Consultant (CPHC) Training and Phius Certified Builder (CPHB) Training programs register through Built Environment Plus.
Effective October 2024, Built Environment Plus made the following changes to the registration process for these programs:
*Both training programs consist of two phases:
**Companies with 100 or fewer Massachusetts W-2 employees are eligible to take these trainings with WFTP Express Grant funding. Training must be completed within 1 year of the Express Grant contract start date to be eligible for reimbursement. Learn more about Express Grant funding here.
See below for instructions to enroll in either of the training programs under this new process.
Step 1: Select a Registration Date
a. Navigate to the BE+ Trainings webpage. See a calendar view of upcoming training registrations on the right hand side of the page.
b. From this calendar view, navigate to the next available registration page that most closely aligns with the desired date to begin self-paced content (Phase l). (Example: A registrant looking to begin training as early as possible would select the registration page that appears on October 31st on the calendar, assuming they are completing this process on October 1st.)
Step 2: Register for Training and Complete an Express Grant Application
a. Register for the training. (Example: A registrant enrolling in the October 31st option would scroll to the bottom of the page accessed in Step 1 to find the Eventbrite registration box below).
b. Submit an Express Grant application to the Commonwealth Corporation no fewer than 21 days ahead of the training registration deadline. (Example: A registrant enrolling in the October 31st option must submit an application no later than October 10th.)
Step 3: Accept the Express Grant Award
a. The Commonwealth Corporation will send Express Grant award notification within 21 days of the application date. Once awarded, sign the Express Grant contract to accept the grant. This must be done by the training registration deadline. (Example: A registrant enrolling in the October 31st option would sign their approved Express Grant contract by October 31st.)
Step 4: Complete the Training Program
a. BE+ will share instructions to access self-paced materials (Phase I) and enroll in an upcoming scheduled live session (Phase II) via email on the first business day following the registration deadline. Follow the instructions to complete registration. (Example: A registrant enrolling in the October 31st option would gain access to Phase I and enroll in Phase II on November 1st.)
See Upcoming Phase II sessions on the CPHC page, or Upcoming Live Sessions on the CPHB page, for upcoming live sessions scheduled by Phius. (Example: Of the options below, a registrant enrolling in the October 31st option might choose to take the February 17 – 28, 2025 CPHC Phase II session).
b. Complete Phase I ahead of Phase II. (Example: A registrant enrolling for the October 31st option and opting to take the February 17 – 28, 2025 Phase II session would complete Phase I content between November 1st and February 16th).
c. Attend the Phase II session selected through Phius.
Step 5: Submitting the Express Grant Reimbursement Form
a. Submit an Express Grant reimbursement form to the Commonwealth Corporation within 30 days of completing Phase II. (Example: A registrant taking the February 17 – 28, 2025 Phase II session would submit their Express Grant reimbursement form by March 30th.)
Contact the BE+ education team at education@builtenvironmentplus.org with questions.
The August Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance roundtable sparked an engaging conversation centered around what lessons have been learned from the decarbonization planning that has been done and is currently underway. Community chair, Ilene Mason, Founder and CEO at RPM, facilitated the conversation by giving a brief overview of some of the key takeaways, including how much broader the scope is than anticipated, important things to consider about how the planning process occurs, and what is being learned from deep energy retrofits.
Subject matter experts Eri Furusawa, Director at HR&A, and Dennis Carlberg, Chief Sustainability Officer and Associate Vice President for Climate Action at Boston University, shared their experiences with decarbonization and answered questions from participants. Additionally, attendees were invited to raise hands, use the chat and/or a Miro board in order to share their thoughts and answer questions allowing for every participant to feel comfortable collaborating.
Building Upgrades and Decarbonization
Eri Furusawa kicked off the first section of the discussion by sharing her experiences from a real estate and economic development consulting firm, where they often work with a variety of different clients, including real estate owners, universities, and community development organizations. She shared there are both financial and operational barriers from a building owner’s perspective to pursuing building upgrade projects, and there is usually a “trigger event” that leads to this upgrade, where something important is no longer able to function and leaves the owner with no choice but to replace it. However, for many of these building owners, decarbonization is not the focus – operating a building is. Alternatively, from a tenants perspective, building upgrades typically deliver benefits though they do also have the potential to cause disruption and trigger rent increases.
Customer Journey
Eri goes on to give an example of what the customer journey would look like for a multifamily property owner, after a trigger event occurs.
• Step one in this process is project consideration, where it is determined whether to develop a detailed scope of work and make a cost estimate, focusing on whether it will improve comfort and health concerns. The decision makers at this step are the owner and team working with the owner, though there are other influences, such as the tenants of the building that go into the ultimate decision.
• Step two is scoping and evaluation, these are not just engineering considerations but are also related to policy work and the tenant’s comfort. In the end, this step aims to determine whether the upgrade plan is ready to advance to lenders and funders.
•. Step three is bidding and finance, focusing on navigating incentives, eligibility, coverage, and timeline. At this step, the team will hopefully secure an effective funding package to start construction.
• Step four is inspection and installation, where a number of questions are considered around labor, workforce development, equity, if there are enough contractors that are able to do this work, and mitigating risks. Now it’s time to focus on the construction timeline and make sure the upgrades are completed on schedule.
• Finally, the last step is completion and commissioning, with the goal of receiving incentives.
Eri finished by explaining that there are many conversations with different journeys, and this is just one of many examples of what the process could look like. Decarbonization is not something done without incentive, and it is much more common to see existing buildings being updated after older technology fails to work, if it is seen as a viable option to property owners.
Campus Decarbonization at Boston University
Next, Dennis Carlberg moved on to discuss campus decarbonization planning at Boston University. In 2017, BU’s Board of Trustees approved a Climate Action Plan which has one important goal of reaching net zero direct emissions by 2040. The university has done a number of things in order to reduce carbon emissions since 2017, including grid electrification, geothermal use instead of fossil fuels, and matching 100% of electricity with renewables, through BU Wind. Through these efforts, emissions have been reduced by 65% so far. However, since 2017, there have been a number of changes to the University, in both emissions and space – one being the addition of the Center for Computing and Data Sciences. Dennis shared challenges with planning and installing the building’s geothermal system including verticality and space constraints of the 1500 ft bore holes for the closed loop geothermal system and the construction schedule. The high-performance building is running better than anyone anticipated and will continue to be monitored. The project also shone a light on the opportunity to share a thermal loop among neighboring buildings and planning for expansion of the geothermal system over time, instead of having it focused on one building alone.
Existing Building Decarbonization on Campus
The focus switched to address existing buildings on campus and the efforts to decarbonize them. There are planned major renovations that focus on air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and a phased district system approach. A concept study for proactive decarbonization has a pilot phase, including 3 buildings, a phase 1, including 13 buildings, and aims for 80-90% decarbonization to reduce emissions more quickly. This concept would start with newer buildings, as they have high performance envelopes and low temperature hot water, making them significantly easier to to renovate and will make more impact on campus in a shorter period of time. While there are some issues with addressing space on an urban campus, the large diverse portfolio of buildings BU owns and operates, capital and operational costs, and grid capacity, there are also a number of opportunities that could come out of this. These include updating and reaching goals laid out in the Climate Action Plan, the Investment Reduction Act, utility incentives, and BERDO guidelines.
Key Questions and Answers
One participant asked Dennis, “how are you applying what you learned from the data center to other buildings in terms of geothermal?” In his response, Dennis explained that while it is a daunting task, at least with the Center for Computing and Data Science there was an alleyway behind the building that allowed for space for most of the wells, and BU owned all the property around so finding additional space wasn’t too much of a problem. Due to the space being dense, it was important to consider digging to a 1500 ft depth, as opposed to a cheaper and quicker U-bend system. However, because so many of the buildings the university owns are in such close proximity to each other, there’s the possibility for them to share thermal load.
Ilene went on to ask “how are you seeing people navigate changes in utility bills and utility costs?” Eri replied saying that this is an area of active discussion right now, and it’s difficult on many levels because it’s hard to know what the actual translation of living as a tenant is to how much less or how much more gas or electricity you’re using. This translation is also really difficult to predict on the financial side.
This roundtable provided clear insight into our two subject matter experts’ experiences with decarbonizing existing buildings, and allows us to consider the different perspectives that go into the decision to make a building more efficient. Additionally, understanding how leaders in the decarbonization field have made their decisions and learned from their own projects are key takeaways that can contribute to how to effectively reduce carbon.
As urban areas continue to expand, the need to integrate nature into cityscapes becomes increasingly critical. This integration not only supports ecological balance but also enhances human well-being. The Living Future Roundtable held on August 1st delved into the vital aspects of pollinator health and biophilic design, offering valuable insights into how urban environments can be transformed to support biodiversity and improve quality of life for their inhabitants.The discussions emphasized the impact of new construction projects on natural habitats and the importance using urban design to support ecological recovery.
Drawing of a mountain range is in the distance with elk, trees spread out and a large body of water with streams inputs in the foreground. Examples of refugia are given such as the mountain range shielding the land and microclimates
found in the mountains.
Morelli et al. 2016 PLOS ONE
The Importance of Pollinator Health
Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, play a crucial role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. Their presence in urban areas is essential for the pollination of plants, which in turn supports food production and the survival of various species. Experts at the roundtable emphasized the importance of creating habitats within cities that support these pollinators. For instance, the Urban Bee Lab has been conducting significant research on how urban environments can be made more conducive to bee populations. This involves not only providing green spaces but also ensuring these spaces are designed to support the specific needs of pollinators.
Benefits of Green Roofs and Biophilic Design
Green roofs are a powerful tool in the urban design arsenal. They help manage stormwater, reduce urban heat islands, and provide habitats for pollinators. The roundtable highlighted the success of green roofs in Germany as a model to be emulated globally. These roofs not only support biodiversity but also contribute to the overall aesthetic and environmental quality of urban areas. By covering rooftops with vegetation, cities can significantly mitigate some of the adverse effects of urbanization.
Biophilic design goes beyond green roofs, integrating nature into the very fabric of buildings and urban planning. This approach includes the use of natural light, vegetation, and materials that mimic natural patterns. Experts noted that biophilic design helps improve mental health, enhance air quality, and create more inviting and livable urban spaces. For instance, incorporating bird-safe windows and non-intrusive lighting can significantly reduce the negative impact on wildlife, creating a harmonious symbiosis between urban development and the local ecosystem.
Scaling Up and Regional Interventions
One of the key discussions at the roundtable was the need to think beyond individual projects and consider regional scale interventions. This involves creating connected green spaces, such as habitat corridors, that allow wildlife to move freely across urban and rural areas. The Monarch Watch project, which tracks the migration patterns of monarch butterflies, was cited as an exemplary initiative demonstrating the benefits of such large-scale thinking. By understanding and supporting the migratory routes of these butterflies, cities can play a crucial role in the conservation of this species.
Practical Applications and Innovations
Innovation in urban planning and design is essential for creating sustainable cities. The roundtable emphasized several practical applications that can be implemented to enhance pollinator health and biophilic design. Rainwater harvesting systems can support the water needs of green roofs, reducing reliance on municipal water supplies. Soil health was also highlighted as a critical factor in supporting robust urban ecosystems. Maintaining fertile urban soil that can support diverse plant life is crucial for the success of green initiatives and contributes to carbon sequestration.
Additionally, integrating diverse native plants into urban landscaping can significantly enhance local ecosystems. These plants are better adapted to the local climate and provide essential resources for native wildlife. The Homegrown National Park Map initiative encourages communities to cultivate native plants in their gardens, contributing to a larger network of green spaces that support biodiversity.
Educational Outreach and Collaboration
The success of biophilic design and pollinator health initiatives depends heavily on education and collaboration. Educating construction teams, urban planners, and the general public about the benefits of integrating nature into urban environments is crucial. Some organizations have started to include biophilic objectives in their project requirements, ensuring that contractors and developers prioritize these aspects from the outset.
Partnerships between different stakeholders, including environmental organizations, government agencies, and private companies, are also vital. These collaborations can provide the resources and expertise needed to implement and maintain green infrastructure effectively.
Call to Action
To truly enhance pollinator health and biophilic design in urban environments, a collective effort is required. Residents, planners, and policymakers must work together to create urban spaces that support biodiversity and improve quality of life. Together, we can create healthier, more resilient cities that benefit both people and the environment.
The July Carbon and Energy Special Roundtable was kicked off by Kim Cullinane, Manager of New Construction Energy Efficiency at Eversource, who provided an overview of the Massachusetts 2025-2027 Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan and introduced several deep dive topics for the roundtable.
The Plan, which lays out all areas of anticipated support from Mass Save Sponsors for the next three-year term, places heavy emphasis on decarbonization, including continued significant support for heat pumps, optimized customer experience, workforce development, and equity. The plan also provides for a continued focus on energy efficiency and includes new proposals for supporting non-energy carbon reduction measures, such as embodied carbon reduction, carbon capture, and refrigeration leak mitigation support. Notably, Mass Save Sponsors have eliminated all support for new fossil fuel equipment and new buildings/homes that use fossil fuel equipment in this plan (there are very limited exceptions). Mass Save Sponsors will file a final version of the plan with the Department of Public Utilities at the end of October. All elements of the plan are subject to DPU approval, which is expected at the end of February, 2025.
Following the overview, Mass Save sponsors introduced four deep dive discussion topics, including: approach to decarbonization, understanding decarbonization costs and barriers, potential Mass Save Sponsor support for embodied carbon reduction, and new developments in Mass Save support for multifamily new construction. Each topic was introduced and was then followed by open discussion amongst roundtable participants. In addition to Kim, Ryan Willingham, Senior Energy Efficiency Consultant at Eversource, Jacob Knowles, Chief Sustainability Officer at BR+A, and Joel Martell, Lead Analyst at National Grid, all shared insight on the deep dive topics and helped answer questions from the participants.
Key Takeaways
Presented Slides
Approach to Decarbonization
Ryan Willingham led the conversation about how to approach decarbonization of large commercial & industrial (C&I) buildings. After reviewing the Mass Save Sponsor installation incentives, which include per-ton heat pump support for retrofits of existing buildings, a deep energy retrofit adder of $1/sf for projects achieving a 40% carbon reduction, and continued emphasis on energy efficiency (Ryan also noted the New Construction and Major Renovation program incentive rates of up to $3.50/sf plus per-ton heat pump adders), Ryan reviewed various technical assistance and planning support options that Mass Save Sponsors intend to make available in the next term for existing building decarbonization.
Ryan explained that Mass Save Sponsors offer energy assessments that explore both energy efficiency and electrification opportunities. They also provide support for in-depth decarbonization studies to assist with BERDO/BEUDO compliance and offer prioritization studies to help building portfolio owners identify facilities and systems for near-term electrification. There is also a process to work on existing building commissioning by optimizing performance of building systems, which is under development and will replace the existing Equipment & Systems Performance Optimization (ESPO) pathway. This pathway is envisioned to be flexible for all systems with a focus on HVAC controls with a modular approach.
Understanding and Addressing Decarbonization Cost and Barriers
The discussion shifted to understanding and addressing cost and other barriers. Jacob Knowles reviewed a detailed spreadsheet completed by various attendees consolidating decarbonization cost data in dollars per square foot across 50+ existing building projects. This spreadsheet, shared with attendees prior to the webinar, included project cost entries from multiple participants to inform the roundtable discussion. Participants provided insights explaining the reasons behind the varying costs. One of the major costs seen across all projects is the need to take space in a building and turn it into mechanical space. Another factor contributing to cost differences is discoveries made progressing through various phases of construction, which often leads to increased expenses as the project timeline advances.
Additionally, the spreadsheet asks for a number of inputs from the participants, such as the building type, level of electrification, and the electrification cost assumption. The electrification cost assumption is self reported with a 1 or 2:
These two categories cannot be perfectly compared, so the distinction is important. From the information provided by the participants, a graph comparing the level of electrification and the electrification cost was created to see how cost can increase with higher electrification, though some projects were successful in keeping their costs relatively low, showing the importance to learn from these projects.
Support for Embodied Carbon Reduction
In the discussion on embodied carbon, Kim Cullinane previewed the plan Mass Save Sponsors are proposing to be the first program of its kind in the country to offer support for embodied carbon reduction. The plan focuses on materials with the greatest opportunity for carbon reduction, emphasizes ease of participation and implementation, and is structured to support market actors who may not have considered embodied carbon previously.
From the research done, there are two major approaches in order to tackle this issue. The first being a materials based approach, where they compare carbon reduction options for specific materials, such as concrete and steel. This approach is straightforward and easy to follow, but it doesn’t always reward design changes that would reduce material use. Alternatively, the whole building approach includes a whole building cost analysis, takes into consideration design changes and building reuse, and has a higher carbon reduction potential, though there are no standardized ways of developing baselines for this approach at the moment. However, there are baselines that are currently in development, which would be majorly beneficial for the future.
The plan proposes a hybrid approach, because it’s much more realistic to report savings through a materials based approach and because it would be easier for customers and project teams to participate. Customers would submit information to the program showing how much materials they are using and level 3 EPDs for each, so they can calculate the reduction, and offer incentives for those who are providing this information and reducing their embodied carbon. To promote the hybrid based approach, they would additionally offer an adder for those who wanted to complete a Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA), as well as an adder for building reuse.
Relaunch of the Mass Save Multifamily New Construction Program
Joel Martell picks up the conversation focusing on the relaunch of the Mass Save Multifamily New Construction Program. The three major changes to this program are that new buildings must be fully electric to participate (excluding hot water heating), all pathways have a three tier incentive, and the inclusion of market transformation adders. Though projects can use fossil fuels for hot water heating, there are heavy incentives on electric hot water heaters.
The Mass Save 3-year plan aims to advance strong low-carbon methods in building practices. By focusing on decarbonization, embodied carbon, and updates to multi-family construction programs, the plan is set to contribute significant progress toward a more sustainable future.
Miro Board
Q&A
The Miro Board question and answer pages are provided for roundtable participants to give feedback to the subject matter experts on the information presented and respond to questions asked. Additionally, participants were free to ask their own questions of the experts over mic and chat.
Approach To Decarbonization:
Q: Does this PA Approach align with your current decarbonization practices?
A: The PA approach aligns generally well. Decarb/ECM studies then potentially a LCCA to figure out which ECMs have the greatest impact on total electric demand and energy savings.
A: Decarb master plan is typically where we start currently, so the PA Approach aligns well
Q: What are potentially misalignments? Are there any tweaks that you would like to see?
A: Incentives in the single-digit $/sf range are too low to move the needle.
A: The past configuration of the Retrofit teams needs to be modified to support typical TA and ESPO efforts. The existing silos need to be removed.
A: Cost-effectiveness calculations should take into account projections in gas and electricity prices. W.r.t. gas prices, the LDCs have conducted substantial analyses of future delivery costs under various scenarios of consumption. In all cases increasing GSEP costs will lead to higher average customer costs for gas. Declining consumption further increases the average. Most of the projections demonstrate that electric heating will become more affordable than gas between 2030 and 2035
Q: Is the incentive provided inclusive or additional to the Federal Tax Credit Section 179-D for efficient commercial buildings?
A: The incentive is additional, so you can stack them.
Q: How will the partial payment for the Decarb Master Plan studies be structured? Is there a cap on that type of study?
A: Right now this is still under development, but current thinking is that there would be a per building amount that we would co-fund, so it would be something similar to what we’re offering for the comprehensive building assessment for each building.
Cost and Barriers to Existing Building Electrification:
Q: Why are some projects of the same program type lower cost versus others that are higher cost?
A: Complexity factors may vary across customers with the same building typology. Examples of these include:
Q: For projects that aren’t currently moving forward, what would it take to get the client to proceed with the project?
A: Education for clients / owners…from actual people who have used these technologies or made the switch (especially for O/M personnel)
A: Backup power and redundancy for heat pumps.
A: Condominiums are typically excluded from incentives due to complex ownership structure.
Q: What are other measures/interventions people want to see us support?
A: Residential homeowners can utilize the 0% interest HEAT Loan up to $10,000 for pre-wx barriers following their HEA. This is not a no-cost service but certainly helps
A: Would be good to extend programs to municipal utilities as they consume over 1/7th of all electricity in MA
Q: What can we do about the price of natural gas?
A: LDC/Gas Utility Forecasts show that by 2030-2035, electric heating becomes operationally more cost effective due to GSEP costs alone
Embodied Carbon
Q: What are you seeing for costs for this type of work?
A: We are seeing a wide range of WBLCA soft costs: For one new construction project, the quotes ranged from $12k to $30k. While other design firms are including it as a standard practice as part of overall design fee.
Q: What are additional construction costs?
A: This is very dependent on the lower carbon materials you are studying- concrete, insulation, drywall, etc. Any premium to reduce embodied carbon is largely a material cost, not installation, labor, etc.
A: bidders not being familiar with “new” materials or structural systems (like mass timber / CLT in rural areas) so bids are coming in over budget
Q: What are additional soft costs?
A: Hiring additional staff to track and document carbon accounting
A: A minimum incentive should cover the soft cost of doing a WBLCA, PLUS an additional amount to do multiple iterations in order to study different lower carbon material options. Similar to the Passive House incentive for a feasibility study.
A: Time for firms to update specs to be more performance-oriented to include GWP targets for lower embodied carbon products
Residential New Construction/Multifamily
Q: What are some of the barriers to implementing all electric DHW?
A: Perceived costs/increases
Q: Are there any specific incentives for zero energy buildings?
A: There aren’t any specific incentives for on site renewables, such as solar energy, but there are incentives for Net Zero Ready buildings.
Q: Has the enabling legislation that created the incentive programs shifted from energy conservation to carbon reduction?
A: While the legislation hasn’t changed, we receive carbon reduction goals from the EA to meet per term.
Health and Well-being
One of the primary ways tunable lighting promotes health is by supporting the synchronization of circadian rhythms. Light can be adjusted throughout the day to help regulate sleep-wake cycles, stimulating alertness during learning hours and fostering better sleep quality at night. These factors may contribute to improved concentration, mood stability, and overall well-being among students and teachers.
Optimizing Learning Environments
Tunable lighting allows educators to customize classroom ambiance according to specific activities and learning needs. For example, cooler tones may be chosen to promote focus and productivity while warmer tones set the stage for relaxed and creative pursuits. In addition to supporting diverse learning styles, this adaptability has been shown to enhance student engagement and academic performance.
Behavior Cues
Research suggests that exposure to specific light wavelengths can positively affect some of the challenging behaviors associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In these cases, tunable lighting can improve social interactions in classrooms and support behavior management.
The positive effects of tunable lighting are still being evaluated. Nonetheless, many educators are already welcoming this technology into their classrooms as part of a holistic program for using LED lighting to create engaging environments.
Four HMFH-designed schools are or will be programmed to include tunable lighting technology:
This new school for 1,755 students includes a total of 25 rooms that incorporate tunable lighting technology. Arlington’s extensive adoption plan for this new technology will offer HMFH the potential for broad and deep post-occupancy evaluation.
Bristol County Agricultural High School is a design-award winning project, notable for its deep sustainability program and unique, hands-on learning environment. Here, tunable lighting supports specialized lab spaces for the school’s Natural Resource Management and Animal Science programs.
Bristol-Plymouth is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2026. The school prioritizes health and well-being through multiple initiatives including a healthy material pilot program as well as the implementation of tunable lighting in special education spaces.
Saugus Middle High School is a STEAM-driven, design-award-winning project that has incorporated tunable lighting technology into a total of 10 classrooms. Natural daylight floods the building’s interior and is strategically complemented by tunable lighting technology.
HMFH is committed to designing exceptional schools composed of healthy, sustainable, and environmentally efficient environments. Leveraging the power of daylight is central to our design philosophy and is prioritized throughout every school we serve. And now, tunable lighting offers educators an unprecedented level of control when using light to optimize learning environments, manage classroom behaviors, and promote overall student health and wellbeing. When deployed as part of an overall light management strategy, tunable lighting technology can support transformative outcomes.
On Wednesday, June 26, the Women in Green (WIG) roundtable hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the shift from for-profit to non-profit positions within the sustainable design field. The session featured women who have transitioned between these sectors, sharing their motivations, experiences, and advice on making such a shift. Monisha Nasa, AIA, facilitated the discussion.
Panelists
• Van H. Du, Assistant Director of Environmental Planning, Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
• Keirstan Field, P.E., Engineer/Scientist, EPRI
• Lisa Carey Moore, LFA, LEED AP, Director of the Buildings Team, International Living Future Institute (ILFI)
• Jennifer Marrapese, JD, MA, Senior Director of Programs and Strategy, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
• Mary Tobin, EIT, WELL AP, Senior Associate, Carbon-Free Electricity, RMI
Motivations for Transition
Van H. Du focuses on environmental project planning and infrastructure at MAPC, transitioning from her previous roles in consulting and the City of Boston’s environment department. She was motivated by the connection between public health and environmental issues highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to make a more significant impact on communities. Lisa Carey Moore, with extensive experience in both sectors, currently oversees project engagement for clients pursuing ILFI’s building certification. Her motivation stemmed from reading extensive depositions about pollution in her first for-profit role, leading her to feel that non-profits were better suited for impactful implementation. Jennifer Marrapese transitioned multiple times, driven by a focus on mission rather than the sector. Her experience in leadership coaching seminars and aptitude assessments in for-profit roles revealed a need for mission-focused work, which she found fulfilling in the non-profit sector. Keirstan Field from EPRI transitioned for a new technical challenge and the freedom to innovate, driven by curiosity and the desire to explore new paths in building decarbonization. Mary Tobin at RMI works on grid flexibility with private companies, utilities, and regulators. Her undergraduate exposure to policy, and working internationally, motivated her shift to non-profit work, focusing on broader change mechanisms.
Advice, Impact, Challenges and Liberties
The panelists discussed the challenges faced in non-profit roles compared to for-profit positions. One noted the scarcity of resources and funding in non-profits, which can be understaffed, making it difficult to accomplish tasks. However, this environment enables innovation and skill development. Non-profits also offer more flexibility. Another highlighted the mission-driven nature of non-profits, where aligning yearly objectives with the mission can be challenging due to resource limitations. It was mentioned that there is often a lack of external feedback in non-profits, requiring a reframing of what constitutes a successful project. Some observed areas of convergence in vision and mission between sectors, suggesting that new business models can align towards common goals. It was recognized that there are notable differences in staffing and resource allocation between the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
The panelists reflected on their ability to make a concrete impact in non-profit roles. One felt they could make a significant impact, as their current role allows for filling gaps and creating a shared vision in the built environment industry. Another emphasized playing the long game, thinking of sustainability more holistically in non-profits, which allows for greater flexibility and less ad-hoc decision-making. It was contrasted how the practical, project-based approach in for-profits differs from the longer-term impact focus in non-profits.
Engagement with stakeholders has evolved in non-profit roles. The inclusive and enduring nature of stakeholder engagement in non-profits was highlighted, contrasting it with the private sector. The importance of partnership and the focus on impact and metrics in project approvals was emphasized. In discussing the creative process for stakeholder engagement, the use of open ideation spaces and actionable content synthesis was highlighted.
The work culture in non-profits was discussed, noting the passion and commitment from staff, better work-life balance, and the ability to pivot quickly. The panelists shared advice for those considering a shift from for-profit to non-profit roles. They encouraged pursuing roles that align with personal passions and professional growth. Understanding one’s passion and the varied roles in non-profits was emphasized. Using assessment tests, networking, informational interviews, and volunteering were suggested as strategies for career change. The advantages and disadvantages of both sectors were acknowledged, recommending individuals assess what they seek from their careers.
The critical role of non-profits in sustainability was agreed upon. The inherent flexibility in non-profits was highlighted, allowing for impactful work regardless of roles. Independent evolution and third-party verification were pointed to as benefits, along with innovative and long-term market transformation efforts. The importance of partnerships and policy feedback was emphasized, as well as the role of non-profits in navigating stakeholder engagement.
The session concluded with a call for ongoing collaboration and knowledge sharing to advance sustainability in the built environment, regardless of the sector you find yourself in.
Global Head of Sustainability, Superior EssexAnnie is widely regarded within the marketplace as an expert in third-party verification and sustainable program development. She previously held positions like Vice President of Certification Services at GreenCircle Certified, LLC until starting her own independent organization in 2017. She sits as a technical advisor to: the US Green Building Council’s Materials and Resources TAG, the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), Clean Production Action and the GreenScreen Program, the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, the ASTM E 60 Committee, and the Collaborative for High Performing Schools National Technical Committee.
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter AssociatesLauren Hildebrand is a Sustainability Director at SWA. Her work focuses on sustainable and high performance residential and commercial building design, construction, renovation, and operation. Ms. Hildebrand’s expertise includes: sustainable design integration; indoor air quality and energy performance testing; and implementing project certification for both commercial and residential programs, such as LEED®, ENERGY STAR®, NYSERDA, NJ Clean Energy, and Enterprise Green Communities. Awards presented to her clients include the 2013 USGBC NJ Urban Green Project Award. Ms. Hildebrand works as a LEED® for Homes Green Rater and verifies implementation of the LEED® for Homes criteria. She is an integral part of the initial strategic planning sessions and workshops with builders, architects, and homeowners based on the LEED for Homes program. She also partners with and implements criteria for Enterprise Green Communities (EGCC), NYSERDA’s Multi-Family Performance Program, and the ENERGY STAR® Multi-Family High-Rise Program Certification. Ms. Hildebrand also has experience with a variety of commercial and mixed use projects, including LEED® for New Construction, Commercial Interior, Core and Shell, and Schools. In addition to her project experience and program guidance, Ms. Hildebrand manages classroom training and curriculum development for architects, owners, developers and building management staff on green and high performance building design strategies, cost effective building system operation, and energy-saving maintenance practices.
PE | Associate, LeMessurierMichael Gryniuk, PE is a Structural Engineer at LeMessurier in Boston. As the leader of LeMessurier’s Sustainability practice, he is responsible for strategy, project consulting, and education for LeMessurier. He is currently on the Steering Committee of Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) Sustainability Committee of ASCE and currently serves as Chair of the Structural Engineers (SE 2050) Commitment Program Working Group whose aim to establish a national commitment program for structural engineers for the purpose of achieving net zero embodied carbon in structural systems by 2050. Mike taught for many years at the Boston Architectural College. His current projects include the 2 million square foot Hub on Causeway development as well as upcoming developments of Kenmore Square. Mike has also led several other projects for institutions including Boston College, Holy Cross, RISD and UNH. Mike attended Syracuse University and Tufts University.
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering groupAs Vice President in AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group, Ms. Peck is responsible for physical property inspections, engineering and mechanical system evaluations and environmental audits on potential investments for all commercial property types. She is also responsible for the review and analysis of energy audits and LEED gap analysis with respect to acquisitions, and oversees the scope and results of third-party due diligence reports on property acquisitions. For development projects, Ms. Peck is responsible for the evaluation of construction documents to assess the constructability and recommend sustainable products and practices. She is responsible for overseeing the construction of new development projects from AEW’s initial involvement through closeout and warranty completions. Ms. Peck assists asset managers with large capital improvement projects or physical problems at various properties. In addition, Ms. Peck Co-Chairs AEW’s Sustainability Committee and provides guidance and assistance with most sustainability initiatives with the objective of reducing operating costs, improving indoor air quality and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. She sits on the GRESB Real Estate Benchmark Committee in North America and assists with all sustainability reporting for AEW. Ms. Peck is a licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisor with LEED AP Certification, and passed her FE exam towards a mechanical engineer/registered professional engineering license.
Interior Designer, Jacobs, BostonAndrea Alaownis is an Interior Designer with the Jacobs, Boston, MA office. After graduating from Radford University, she has concentrated on commercial projects through all phases of design and construction. As a WELL Accredited Professional, she participated in assisting the Jacobs Boston office to achieve WELL V1 Gold, Fitwel 3 Stars, and LEED V4 Gold certifications and continues to educate the design community and clients on wellness through design.
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building CouncilAs Senior Vice President for Market Transformation and Development in North America, Kimberly Lewis knows better than anyone that market transformation begins with community. Kimberly is laser focused on diversity, inclusion, equity and advancing transparency and excellence. By honing our community’s focus on collaborative impact, Kimberly incorporates people‐centric strategies to provide the organization and movement with a strong foundation of stakeholder based support.
Kimberly’s efforts encourage innovation in the market and challenge all of our community members to go above and beyond what was possible yesterday, to define the built environment of tomorrow. Kimberly knows that when we celebrate our leaders and advocate for growth across sectors, regions, and programs, taking care to bring our best to underserved populations and communities, we achieve real and lasting market transformation of the highest order.
To this end, Kimberly directs all of USGBC’s local communities, volunteers, and emerging professionals around the world, delivering on the USGBC mission to improve the quality of life for all through more sustainable cities and communities worldwide.
Kimberly was the founder of the Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, which is now globally represented in five international markets. She has served on the advisory boards of Starwood Hotels, Marriott International Hotels and the convention and visitors bureaus in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Denver. She is a member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), the Green Meeting Industry Council (GMIC) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), where she has served on the CSR task force.
Kimberly serves on the board of directors for Groundswell and is the former chair of the board of trustees of the Green Building Foundation. Committed to healthy communities and equitable access to green buildings regardless of income level, Kimberly has been recognized with numerous awards. In April 2011, Kimberly received prestigious recognition as the White House Champion of Change for Clean Energy. She was also named Glamour Magazine 70th Anniversary 70 Women Leaders to Know in Sustainability. Most recently Kimberly was recognized with GB&D Magazine’s 2018 Women in Sustainability Leadership Award.
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston Jim Stanislaski, AIA LEED AP BD+C is an Architect at Gensler in Boston. As co-leader of Gensler’s northeast region Design Resilience practice, he is responsible for strategy, project consulting, and education for over 1,000 staff in four offices. He is currently a Director on the Board of USGBC MA and a member of the Architecture Boston Magazine Editorial Board. Jim is a former President of AIA MA and has served on two National Academies research panels for renewable energy and energy efficiency at airports. As a past co-chair of the Boston Society of Architects Committee on the Environment (BSA/COTE), Jim led the AIA 2030 Professional Series at the BSA, serving to educate local designers on strategies to achieve net positive energy goals for buildings. Jim has also testified before state and city government committees to advocate for environmental legislation and regulation. Jim started his career as a US Air Force officer and attended Syracuse University.
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks StudioCarlie Bullock-Jones, LEED Fellow, WELL AP, is the founder and managing Principal of Ecoworks Studio and has dedicated her entire career to bringing about a greener, healthier built environment. As a nationally known expert in sustainability, Carlie has facilitated on numerous award-winning projects. With a passion for green sports, Carlie has spearheaded LEED certification efforts for several stadiums, arenas, and training facilities for the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS and higher education projects. Most notably, Carlie was the LEED consultant for the new home of the Atlanta Falcons, Mercedes-Benz stadium, which achieved the highest LEED Platinum score of any sports facility in the world.
As a LEED Faculty mentor for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the first external WELL Faculty for the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), Carlie is a highly sought-after speaker and writer for national events and publications. She has been extensively involved in the development of LEED standards over the years, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for USGBC and GBCI, assisting in course curriculum, exam development and reference guide creation. In 2012, Carlie was inducted by USGBC as a LEED Fellow, one of 77 in the world at that time. Carlie is also one of the first WELL Accredited Professionals on the planet, demonstrating expertise and extensive knowledge of human health and wellness in the built environment. As an early adopter of the WELL Building Standard, Carlie facilitated WELL certification efforts for the 27th, 37th and 100th WELL certified projects in the world (Silver, Gold and Platinum respectively). Most recently, Carlie was the recipient of the 2018 Inaugural IWBI WELL Leadership Recognition Award.
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL APKomal Kotwal is a Sustainable Design Leader and Project Manager at HOK with over 13 years of experience. Komal has led sustainable design and LEED Certification efforts for over 2M square feet including 1+M sf. of LEED Platinum projects and two Net-Zero projects. With the intent of bringing the human connection to sustainability, Komal currently focuses on intentional design to address human behavior and foster physical, mental, and emotional health. As a WELL AP, Komal is one of HOK’s leads in promoting and practicing health and wellness in architecture. Komal has served on the AIA Houston Chapter’s Board of Directors, Texas USGBC Regional Council and on USGBC’s Greenbuild Program Committee among others. A strong advocate for equity and inclusivity, Komal serves on HOK’s firm-wide Diversity Advisory Council and is a recent addition to HOK’s Management Board.
Speaking Engagements
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Anita Snader is the Environmental Sustainability Manager of Armstrong World Industries in Lancaster, PA. She manages the sustainability strategy for Armstrong Ceiling and Wall Solutions, and serves as an internal environmental advocate, and environmental spokesperson. She is a LEED accredited professional, and well versed in the LEED rating systems and USGBC initiatives. As co-chair of Armstrong’s LEED EB team, she led the corporation to a LEED EB Platinum for their Headquarters building in Lancaster, PA in June 2007, and served on the team obtaining LEED EB recertification in 2014.
Recently, Anita has led Armstrong in a new initiative focusing on the Health and Wellbeing of occupants called Better Spaces. She drives the material health and transparency efforts, and created and manages Armstrong’s commitment through our SUSTAIN™ portfolio of high performance ceiling systems.
Anita joined Armstrong in 1997. Her experience is in Marketing, Research, Product Development and Customer Satisfaction both in the consumer goods, hospitality, building products and advertising industries. Her passion centers in developing strategies for reducing our impact on the environment through product and process innovation, and is always looking at opportunities to share knowledge and innovation with others.
Speaking Engagements:
• Mindful Materials Series (2018 – NYC, Chicago)
• USGBC Central PA – 2017 – Green Con – Healthier Buildings
• USGBC GreenBuild – 2016 – Los Angeles, CA – LEEDv4 and Material transparency
• Living Future – Seattle 2016 – Declare and Living Building Challenge
• Costa Rica Green Building Congress – May 2015 – Materials and LEEDv4
• Canada Green Building Conference – June 2015 – Panel on Material Transparency
• USGBC GreenBuild – 2014 New Orleans, PA – two sessions
• State of Green Business – 2011
• PA Green Growth Partnerships, Pittsburgh, PA 2009
• PennTap, Green Workshop, Harrisburg, PA 2008
• Central PA USGBC Chapter Construction Waste Workshop, 2008
• LEED for Existing Building Workshop, Lancaster, PA, November 2007
• NeoCon East, Green Building Workshop, Baltimore, MD, October 2007
• ICA International Conference – Madrid- Acoustics and Green Building, September 2007
• ASHRAE ‘007 Conference – Long Beach, CA – Acoustics and Green Building, May 2007
• GreenBuild 2006 – Got LCA?, November 2006
• Local Green Building Council of PA –LEED for Schools Workshop, October 2006
• Various Recycling Summits throughout the nation
• Customer and sales presentations each month
Tune in:
Listen to a podcast interview with Anita Snader here.
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings programDr. Allen researches community and occupational exposures and health risks related to a broad range of chemical, biological, physical and radiological stressors. In particular, he focuses on the built environment, emissions from building materials and consumer products, and building system performance, each of which has the potential for both positive and negative impacts on human health, well-being and productivity. He is the Director of the Healthy Buildings program at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and faculty director of the Harvard Sensors for Health research group. Dr. Allen teaches a class on the Impact of Buildings on Human Health, and is the faculty advisor for a new initiative out of Harvard’s Office for Sustainability – the Harvard Healthier Building Materials Academy.
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for SustainabilityHeather Henriksen has served as Harvard University’s chief sustainability officer since 2008, advising the President and senior leadership on strategy and building an organizational change enterprise. Heather leads the Office for Sustainability which oversees the implementation of the Harvard’s comprehensive Sustainability Plan (co-created with faculty and students in 2014) and the University’s ambitious new Climate Action Plan (to be fossil fuel-free by 2050 and fossil fuel-neutral by 2026) which builds upon the 2016 achievement of Harvard’s initial science-based climate goal.
The Office for Sustainability has expanded a multi-disciplinary living laboratory research program that partners with faculty and students to use the campus as a test bed for piloting and sharing innovative solutions to real-world sustainability challenges. A nationally recognized leader in healthier building materials, Heather is leading an effort with faculty within Harvard to translate research into practice related to heath in the built environment including a focus on addressing the use of chemicals of concern in common building products. Through this work, Harvard is partnering with business and non-profit leaders as they strive to transform the marketplace for a healthier built environment. Heather also advises courses throughout Harvard College and the professional graduate schools and speaks nationally and internationally on sustainability.
Heather is on the Board of Directors of the Health Product Declaration Collaborative. Heather serves as Advisory Committee Co-chair of the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), and she is a member of Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). Heather holds a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.Lauren M. Wallace is a Principal and the Director of Certifications and Consulting at Epsten Group, Inc., where she has helped facilitate sustainability and wellness measures for thousands of projects around the globe. Ms. Wallace is a USGBC and WELL Faculty member, WELL AP, LFA, LEED AP BD+C, LEED Project Reviewer, BREEAM USA In-Use Assessor, Fitwel Ambassador, Parksmart Advisor, and TRUE Advisor. With a background in Architecture, Ms. Wallace has more than ten years of experience in sustainability. She speaks regularly to audiences with varying expertise about implementing change in the building industry, focusing on technical information and application.
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, JamestownBecca Rushin is the Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility at Jamestown where she leads ESG initiatives through the Jamestown Green program and the Jamestown Charitable Foundation. Prior to joining Jamestown in 2012, Ms. Rushin worked as a local government consultant for Clark Patterson Lee, where she served as Community Development Coordinator and Sustainability Commission Staff Liaison for the City of Dunwoody. She is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and holds a LEED AP O+M credential. Ms. Rushin is an active volunteer with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Environmental Policy from Sewanee: the University of the South and a Master of Science in Sustainable Development: Environmental Policy and Management from Utrecht University.
Director of Sustainability Programs, DASNY | LEED AP BD+CJodi Smits Anderson is the Director of Sustainability Programs for DASNY, an architect, LEED AP BD+C, AIA member, lifetime member of NESEA, past regional and national U.S. Green Building Council committee member, wife, mom, hiker, kayaker, knitter, and storyteller. She has spoken at the ILFI unconference in Seattle, WA, at the NACUBO conference in Austin, TX, at the first Wellness in Design conference in San Diego, CA, and several times each at Greenbuild, NESEA’s Building Energy Boston, and the NYS Green Building Conference, and has been a guest teacher at SUNY ESF, RPI, Ithaca College, NYU, Cornell, and SUNY Albany. She is a NY Energy Code trainer, the 2018 recipient of the Green Building Advocate award, and has assisted in research and writing for Project Drawdown, which cites the 100 market-proven ways we already have in our toolkit to reduce CO2 in our atmosphere. She has a featured article appearing in the Journal of Green Building’s V14 N3 in July of 2019, on Excellence in Building Envelopes, and is currently working on a ZNE renovation to an existing residence hall, a project intended to change how we do renovation projects in New York state. Jodi’s goal is to understand and incorporate informed sustainable practices into design, construction, and living, and to share whatever she has learned and learn still more from whomever will talk with her.
Founder and Principal, Linnean Solutions | LEED AP, O+M; EcoDistrict APJim is the Founder and Principal at Linnean Solutions, a mission-driven firm that helps local governments, organizations, and communities reach sustainability and resilience goals. Jim’s twenty years of experience includes carbon mitigation planning and life cycle assessment; sustainability and resilience building certification; climate action and adaptation planning for municipalities, agencies, and organizations; resilience analysis, policy, and design standard development; EcoDistrict planning and management; and stakeholder engagement processes to strengthen communities. As a Living Environments in Natural, Social, and Economic Systems (LENSES) Facilitator and Trainer, Jim regularly leads community planning workshops, and trains others in becoming effective facilitators.
Previous to Linnean, Jim worked with BuildingGreen as the Director of Strategy, where he led the development and introduction of most of BuildingGreen’s online products including LEEDuser.com, BuildingGreen Suite, and the High Performance Buildings Database. Jim is a founding board member of the Resilient Design Institute, and a key author of several influential resilience reports and tools—including the Building Resilience in Boston report and
the Enterprise Community Partners’ Ready to Respond: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience manual. He is a member of the RELi/USGBC Steering Committee, where he has worked to bring a social equity lens to the development of the new certification standard for resilient buildings.
Associate Principal, BuroHappold EngineeringJulie Janiski leads integrated teams of engineers, designers, analysts, and subject-matter experts at BuroHappold Engineering for projects with ambitious goals related to design innovation, building performance, and the health, wellbeing and experience of building occupants and community. Julie’s recent work includes: Cornell Tech’s new Verizon Executive Education Center with Snohetta; Glenstone Museum with Thomas Phifer and Partners, St. Ann’s Warehouse theatre in Brookyln with Marvel Architects; a number of U.S. Embassy projects internationally for the U.S. State Department; a new corporate headquarters campus in Baltimore for Under Armour; an integrated “roadmap” plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by the year 2050 (80×50) for the City of New York; and The House at Cornell Tech – a residential high-rise in New York City which is certified Passive House. Julie also teaches at Columbia University’s GSAPP in the first-year core studio, and has been a guest critic/lecturer at other universities including MIT, Tulane, and NYU.
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty CorporationSara Neff is Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation. Sara took Kilroy from having no sustainability program to being named the #1 publicly traded real estate company on sustainability in North America by GRESB, and under her leadership the company recently committed to becoming the first carbon neutral real estate company in North America by the end of 2020.
At Kilroy, she oversees all sustainability initiatives such as solar and battery deal-making, the implementation of energy and water efficiency initiatives throughout the existing and development portfolios, the integration of sustainability standards into annual financial reports, the launch of the Kilroy Innovation Lab, and the award-winning green leasing program. She holds a BS from Stanford and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFATristan Roberts is responsible for leading staff support for HPDC’s Technical Committee, education programs, and the evolution of the HPD Open Standard. Mr. Roberts is a leader in the advancement of green building practices. Prior to joining HPDC in May 2018, he was part of BuildingGreen, Inc. for eleven years, where he most recently served as Chief Strategy Officer, moderating and leading the community development of LEEDuser forum which supports over 10,000 users. He is the author of hundreds of articles and in-depth reports on building industry trends and technologies, and is a frequent speaker and educator in the areas of green building and sustainable design. His objective stance and focus on practical tools has earned him the trust of a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the industry, including architects, sustainability professionals, manufacturers, and nonprofit groups. Mr. Roberts has taught sustainability and building science at the Boston Architectural College.
Vice President of Sustainable Development, ShawAs a flooring industry expert, Tim Conway is focused on the positive affects that sustainable flooring products have on our buildings, and more importantly, the people that occupy and live in the spaces we design. Tim has worked closely with Bill McDonough and the internal team at Shaw for the past twelve years developing and maintaining Shaw’s Cradle to Cradle certifications, HPDs and EPDs. His unique role at Shaw enables him to drive the communication between clients’ requirements and the product development team at Shaw. He has presented at GreenBuild, Living Future, and Design Future Council and has been an integral part in the development of healthy carpet specifications for clients all over the world. Tim is passionate about collaborating with clients to develop flooring specifications that are safe throughout a product’s entire supply chain, from raw material chemical building blocks to end of life replication. He has a unique ability to translate complex systems like Cradle to Cradle and HPDs into simple stories that empower change and deliver buildings that have positive intent for the future of our people and our planet.
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building NetworkBill Walsh is the Founder and President of the Board of the Healthy Building Network (HBN). Since 2000 HBN has been defining the leading edge of healthy building practices that increase transparency in the building products industry, reduce human exposures to chemicals in building materials, and create market incentives for healthier innovations in manufacturing. He has been Visiting Professor at Parsons The New School for Design, is a Fellow of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts, and a founding board member of the Health Product Declaration (HPD) Collaborative. Bill and HBN have been awarded the Design for Humanity Award by the American Society of Interior Designers (2019); WEACT for Environmental Justice Leadership Award (2018); Healthy Schools Network Hero (2013); US Green Building Council’s Leadership In Advocacy Award (2012). Previously he served as a national campaign director at Greenpeace USA, and held staff attorney positions with the US Public Interest Research Group and the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University Law Center. He holds a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law and LLM in Public Interest Advocacy from Georgetown University.
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North AmericaBrent has truly run the construction industry gamut serving in various roles including Architect, Construction Manager, Developer and even project owner, allowing him to fully understand the sustainability ecosystem. As Building Technology Director for Kingspan North America, Brent is committed to reducing the environmental impact of business operations, products and services through continuous improvement and environmental transparency.
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel AmbassadorJennifer Taranto ensures the principals of sustainability, wellbeing, and Lean construction are incorporated into client projects and everyday work practices throughout the STO Building Group.
Jenn is a passionate advocate for reducing environmental impact of the built environment and enabling organizations to improve people’s health and wellbeing while reducing the construction and operating costs of facilities. She gets involved in the early stages of client projects to define the needs and the overall sustainability goals in order to create an internal road map to team success.
Jennifer brings more than eighteen years of experience in the commercial real estate and construction industry, and joined Structure Tone in 2001. Her previous roles included superintendent and project manager prior to becoming Structure Tone’s Director of Sustainability in 2008.
As a founder of the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter and the former Chair of the Chapter’s Board of Directors she is recognized as a leader in the sustainable built environment. She has lectured at Wentworth Institute of Technology and Boston University and spoken at Labs21 Conference (I2SL), Delaware Valley Green Building Council’s Sustainability Symposium, Living Futures and Greenbuild. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Jennifer has a Bacon number of 2.
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYPLeigh Stringer is a workplace strategy expert and researcher whose work has been covered recently by BBC News, The Globe and Mail, Fortune, CNN and Good Morning America. She works for EYP, an architecture and engineering firm. She is the author of two best-selling books, The Green Workplace and The Healthy Workplace. Leigh is currently collaborating with Harvard University’s School of Public Health on a new Health and Human Performance Index and the Center for Active Design in New York on their Fitwel building certification program to create new tools, connect like minds and blur the boundaries across industries in order to advance our improve our well-being at work. Leigh is on the board of directors of a new non-profit, Global Women for Wellbeing, an organization that aims to give women a voice to create better health and wellbeing for themselves, their businesses, and their communities.
Principal, Integrated EcostrategyCharley Stevenson has been delving deeper and deeper into healthier building materials since beginning work on his first Living Building Challenge project in 2011. With the team at IES, he has developed process and software to integrate better materials selections into all project types and to transform the market as quickly and easily as possible. The Red2Green platform has reduced Red List research and documentation effort by a factor of three while building up a library of over 10,000 products screened for compliance.
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building InstitutePeter is engaged with leading organizations and institutions seeking to transform their real estate portfolios to enhance health and business metrics. As Senior Vice President at IWBI, he leads a team driving the global growth and adoption of the WELL Building Standard, the first performance-based building standard to exclusively focus on human health. Peter is also an active speaker and educator, promoting health in the built environment through industry events and technical workshops. Previously, Peter served as Vice President of Delos Solutions, a team of consultants and subject matter experts incorporating health and wellness strategies into the pioneering WELL Certification projects. Working closely with Delos Labs, an internal research group, he identified best-in-class design solutions, products and technologies to improve the built environment and optimize for human health, well-being and environmentally sustainability. Peter has an extensive background in building science and energy efficiency. Prior to joining Delos and IWBI, he worked as a Sustainability Consultant at Steven Winter Associates, an industry leading green building consulting firm. Focusing on affordable housing in the greater New York City area, Peter worked with multifamily developers to implement sustainable design principles and energy efficiency measures into new construction projects and validate high-performance building criteria. Peter holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Environmental Economics. He also maintains accreditations for WELL AP™ and WELL Faculty™.
Principal, Bruner/CottJason’s passion for reconnecting with the natural environment informs all of his work as a specialist in sustainable and high-performance building design. With a strong technical background in building systems, technology, and sustainability, Jason is driven by a deep respect for craftsmanship and the art of making and by the possibilities created by merging tested traditions of construction with new fabrication technologies and material production. He leads design teams to explore possibilities inspired by a shared set of values and goals to create high-performance contemporary architecture that is beautiful and inspiring. He is a recipient of a 2017 Living Hero Award.
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and EngineeringBlake Jackson is an architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader with Stantec Architecture and Engineering in Boston, Massachusetts. His work focuses on the nexus between sustainability, wellness, and resiliency, and he has over fifteen years’ experience in planning, retail, hospitality, labs, healthcare, commercial, higher-education, and multifamily projects. Blake is a prolific author and speaker on his three main areas of focus, is an adjunct faculty at the Boston Architectural College and at Mount Ida College, and he currently serves as the Vice President for Advocacy for the Boston Society of Architects. He was named a national top “40 Under 40” built environment professional by Building Design and Construction Magazine in 2015.
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green SpecsAnne Hicks Harney has over 30 years of experience, focusing on high quality design imbued with a solid technical and sustainable foundation. Formed in 2016, Long Green Specs provides sustainability focused construction specifications and building science material expertise to Architectural firms across the country. She is a member of the AIA COTE Advisory Group. She was a founding co-chair of the Baltimore – Building Enclosure Council, chair of the AIA Materials Knowledge Working Group, and a member of the USGBC Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group. In 2016, Ms. Harney was awarded fellowship by the AIA and became a LEED Fellow.
Speaking Engagements
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreenBrent is the products & materials specialist at BuildingGreen, where he has been researching and writing about green building products, materials, and their health and environmental impacts for more than a decade. He brings a nuanced understanding of materials, their constituents, and lifecycles to his work as a consultant and speaker and leads a team of editors that selects products for the company’s BuildingGreen Approved database and annual Top 10 Products Award.
Speaking Engagements
• Annual BuildingGreen’s Top 10 Products award at Greenbuild (8 years as presenter)
• Northeast Sustainable Energy Association: NESEA 2014: The Forest and the Trees
• NESEA 2011: Materials Track Chair + Cool New Products presentation
Director of Acquisitions and DevelopmentMatt Edlen oversees acquisitions and development in the Midwest and East Coast for Gerding Edlen’s various investment funds. Matt is responsible for sourcing, negotiating and executing on investment opportunities across key urban markets within those regions.
Prior to his role in acquisitions, Matt was focused on the development and management of the firms internal multifamily marketing and sales platform. His efforts have helped the firm invest over $1 billion worth of real estate across the country in cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago.
Matt currently serves as national chair of the board for Design Museum Foundation and as a board member for Boston’s NOAH (Neighborhood of Affordable Housing), and The Oregon Sports Authority. He has also served as board member and chair of the site selection committee for PHAME Academy, board member and co-chair of the Arts Connector Program of Business for Culture and the Arts, and alumni board member of Young People’s Theater Project. Matt earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University of Chicago.
Director of Restorative Enterprise, InterfaceMikhail Davis is Director of Restorative Enterprise at Interface, a world-leading modular flooring company with a fully integrated collection of hard and soft flooring. Interface’s mission, Climate Take Back™, invites industry to commit to making a profit in a way that is restorative to the planet and creates a climate fit for life. Mikhail is responsible for advancing Interface’s mission in the Americas by building internal leadership capacity, facilitating strategic alignment of efforts, and creating external partnerships that shift the marketplace toward sustainability. He leads Interface’s product transparency efforts in the Americas and was lead author and editor of Interface’s Radical Industrialists column at GreenBiz.com for two years.
An expert in sustainable materials and NGO collaborations, he represents Interface in many organizations focused on sustainability innovation, closed-loop systems, recycling, and chemicals of concern, including serving as 2016-18 Chair of the US Green Building Council’s Technical Advisory Group on Materials and Resources (MR TAG), Co-Chair of the Materials Working Group of BizNGO and Program Advisor to the Next Generation Bio-based and Sustainable Chemicals Summit.
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction CompanySteven is a Sustainability Manager at Consigli Construction Co., Inc., an 800+ person construction firm based in Massachusetts. His position involves management of company sustainability processes and sustainable construction projects at Consigli. He has a Master of Science in Sustainability Management from Columbia University, and has delivered many presentations on how to integrate health and wellness into the design and construction of the built environment.
