Greenbuild, USGBC, ABX, and BSA/AIA Announce Co-Location for 2017 in Boston

By Grey Lee, Executive Director


“It's going to be a wicked green conference, and we are psyched to collaborate with our friends at the Boston Society of Architects.” said Grey Lee, Executive Director of USGBC MA – the local Chapter of USGBC, based in Boston, “We are thrilled to maximize the potential of our community to manifest as a force for good: to go ALL IN for MORE GREEN BUILDINGS! It is awesome that we can come together in a great LEED Silver-certified building to connect across industry sectors to learn, network and advocate for a more sustainable and just world, through the transformation of the built environment for net positive results.”

To connect with our community, come to our eventsjoin us as a member, or connect with us on 12/15 for our “Road to Greenbuild” volunteer recruitment event.

 

Read more from the press release by Informa:

Today, November 15, 2016, Informa Exhibitions, the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Boston Society of Architects/AIA (BSA) announced Greenbuild and ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX) will be co-located for 2017. The events will take place the week of November 6-10 and both will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston, creating one of the largest events for the building community in North America.

“Greenbuild and ABX co-located back in 2008 in Boston, both shows happening at different venues but the same week, creating significant, lasting synergies between the two events as well as holding the record for the largest attended Greenbuild to date,” said Lindsay Roberts, group director, Informa Exhibitions. “This is an incredibly positive opportunity for us to bring two very significant events together again, this time in the same facility, and allowing us to better serve the building community by offering more educational, networking, and exhibition opportunities throughout the week.”

Greenbuild annually attracts more than 18,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibiting companies with a broad audience that spans the sustainable building community. ABX draws more than 8,000 attendees and more than 400 exhibiting companies. 

“ABX is the largest annual building industry event in the Northeast and it thrives because of our robust cross-industry partnerships,” said Josiah Stevenson FAIA, 2017 BSA president. “By co-locating with Greenbuild, we can ensure an even greater depth and diversity of ideas and topics presented to the full spectrum of building industry professionals.”

Specific details are currently in development and will be released as they become available. Each show will contact its exhibitors in the coming weeks to begin discussions for formal plans for the 2017 exhibit hall, which will be one comprehensive space accessible to attendees of both events.

“Greenbuild 2017 will be aptly themed, “All In,” to encompass the breadth and diversity of the sustainability and green building movement. When we come together, we are one community of professionals, advocates, and practitioners, students and teachers, designers and builders, and everything in between,” said Kate Hurst, vice president, Community Advancement, Conferences & Events, USGBC. “Partnering with a respected regional event like ABX will provide our audience with more dynamic opportunities to engage, learn, and interact with other professionals and leaders in the industry.”

More information on Greenbuild can be found at greenbuildexpo.com. The Call for Proposals and Reviewers for Greenbuild 2017 is open through January 13, 2017for those interested in speaking and/or participating in the conference program at Greenbuild.

ABX 2016 runs November 15-17 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston. More information about ABX can be found at abexpo.com. The 2017 Call for Proposals opens in December 2017.

Please read the full press release here (including information about each organization).

Let's Recap Our ABX Premixer With Amanda Sturgeon

By Alexander Landa


On Monday night, together with International Living Future Institute (ILFI) we held an awesome pre-mixer to get everyone hyped up for ABX 2016! We were honored to have Amanda Sturgeon, their CEO, come out from Seattle (as she would be at ABX this week) and share some words of wisdom with our packed room of green building leaders. It was really a rogue's gallery of who is working on the most aggressive green building design and implementation.

Thank you to the Living Building Collaborative, New England, and our colleagues who helped to organize the evening. We had some great locavore beers & ciders, huge app platters, and a ton of hot food from a local Indian restaurant. Thank you to Workbar Cambridge for hosting us in their main hall. People came from Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and of course Washington!

Much of the night was filled with networking, sharing stories and strategies, and planning out the future of the USGBC MA Chapter for the coming months. Later on in the evening, the USGBC MA Chapter Board Chair, Shawn Hesse of emersion DESIGN, gave a thoughtful speech on how we can use recent events grow our mission and our industry further – rather than take a step back. The world needs green building more than ever. It's time for us to step up and step out even more as leaders!

After that, Jim Jones of Skanska took the mic to echo Shawn's statements on us needing to engage with the broader community of practitioners, especially the building operator crowd. He has been working on an intitiative linking us with YouthBuild to develop a new track for them – beyond the construction trades and into trainings for high-tech building operating systems.

Finally, Amanda Sturgeon of ILFI closed off the night, discussing how ILFI and the work we are doing in New England as the Living Building Collaborative, is challenging what it means to be working on sustainability in our built environment, and what Living Buildings can do to really propel the industry forward. Let's look forward to doing more with ILFI and the various Living Challenges and the component criteria systems organized as “petals.” Stay tuned for our “PetalPalooza” this summer!

 

 

Our fun for the year doesn't stop here! See our calendar for more events, and become more engaged by becoming a member of our Chapter.

See more pictures from the event here.

 

 

ABX 2016 is Tomorrow! Who Are We Seeing There?

By Alexander Landa


Oh how time flies! ABX 2016 – the Northeast's largest architecture expo – is coming to Boston tomorrow morning bright and early. There's a lot going on now (Monday morning) through Thursday afternoon, so open up your calendar now!

Tonight is our Pre-Mixer with ILFI's CEO Amanda Sturgeon. We'll be discussing the Living Building Challenge, share stories, network, and eat & drink. Come to Cambridge from 530-730 tonight to join the fun! Registration. 

Tuesday through Thursday is ABX proper, and we're sponsoring multiple sessions each day. You can learn about LEED, WELL, why building green makes you smarter, and more. 
See all of our sponsored sessions here.
Learn more about the speakers and individual sessions by going through our ABX blogs.

Wednesday night we're holding a party with the Quebec government's office here in Boston. Learn how climate change causes architects and developers to think of new strategies to combat the natural world. Register and learn more.

This is going to be a really fun week, and we hope to see you here!

ABX 2016 C21: Let's Meet Who's Proving Why Green Building Makes You Smarter

By Alexander Landa


Did you know that green building makes you smarter? Well, in case you didn't, you can learn more at ABX 2016 next week. In one of the multiple sessions we're sponsoring at ABX next week, C21: How Green Building Make Your Clients Smarter, get all the details of this awesome Harvard Study. Here's who will be speaking next Thursday.

Jose Guillermo Cedeno Laurent Researcher Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Jennifer Taranto LEED AP ID+C, BD+C, WELL AP Director of Sustainability Structure Tone, Inc.

Augusta Williams Researcher Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

C21: How Green Building Make Your Clients Smarter: Green Buildings have measurable positive effects on brain function. The ability to provide data on how design impacts occupant productivity is key to moving client towards valuing and advocating for green building features. This presentation will share the key findings from the Harvard Cognitive Function study and will review outcomes of the industry transforming research where cognitive function scores were better in green building conditions compared to the conventional building conditions across multiple functional domains, including crisis response, strategy, and focused activity level. On average, cognitive scores were 101 percent higher in enhanced green building conditions. CO2, VOCs, and ventilation rate all had significant, independent impacts on cognitive function. Because this study was designed to reflect indoor environments encountered by large numbers of people every day, these findings have far ranging implications for worker productivity, student learning, and safety.

Thursday, November 17th, 2016
10:00AM – 11:30AM
Room 107A

Member Spotlight: Dana Anderson & Net Zero Energy Buildings

By RGBC


Dana Anderson has an architectural design practice committed to Net Zero Energy Building design by using Passive House design standards.  His net zero designs are innovative, sustainable and socially responsible and become the foundation of the built environment and our culture.  He explores a spirit of curiosity and learning toward solving everyday problems and addressing community goals. He pursues an architecture that is thoughtful, practical and economical, emphasizing context and a client’s aspirations.

Dana has many years of experience designing single homes, multi-family apartment complexes, and student residence halls for Colleges and Universities.  He is a LEED AP and has been involved in the USGBC for many years and a passionate contributor to the Residential Green Building Committee for over two years.   The RGBC is contributing to the future of green housing in Massachusetts by emphasizing Net Zero Energy, renewable energy sources, and Passive House design standards.


Below, Dana provides a closer look into Net Zero Energy design and why it should be valued.

The next Wave: Net Zero Energy buildings are raising the bar with technology, innovation, and environmental culture.  

Since ancient times, people have designed buildings for their local climate, taking advantage of natural daylight, prevailing winds, regional materials, unique planning and aesthetic characteristics, and, common construction techniques. Today, net zero Design is based on these same principals, but is combined with enhanced energy conservation techniques – super insulation, advanced air tight products, state of the art mechanical systems, energy performance design tools, and renewable energy systems.

Net zero design yields long-term durable, comfortable, environmentally sound buildings. Advances in computer technologies are transforming our building industry with new design and analysis tools by greatly improving the ability to predict building energy performance.  As these tools continue to be refined and their use become more commonplace, net zero design will emerge as a logical approach to building design in the 21st Century.

Incorporating energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable green design features into building design will become the top priority for architects and engineers. A net zero designed building reduces both resource depletion and the adverse environmental impacts of pollution generated by energy production; it is considered to be the cornerstone of future sustainable design requirements.  

A Net Zero Energy building design is not the result of applying one or more isolated technologies. Rather, it is an integrated whole-building process that requires advocacy and action on the part of the design team throughout the entire project. Moreover, net zero design does not necessarily have to result in increased construction costs. Indeed, one of the key approaches to Net Zero Energy design is to invest in the building’s form and enclosure (e.g., windows, walls) so that the heating, cooling, and lighting loads are reduced, and in turn, smaller, less costly heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems are required.

A Net Zero Energy design process begins when the occupant’s requirements are assessed and a project budget is established. A proposed building is carefully sited and its programmed spaces are arranged to reduce energy use for heating, cooling, and lighting. Its heating and cooling loads are minimized by designing standard building elements— windows, walls, and roofs—so that they control, collect, and store the sun’s energy to optimum advantage. Finally, by incorporating building-integrated photovoltaics into the facility, some conventional building envelope materials can be replaced by energy-producing technologies. For example, photovoltaics can be integrated into window, wall, or roof assemblies, and spandrel glass, skylights, and roof become both part of the building skin and a source of power generation.

By designing Net Zero Energy buildings, it is important to appreciate that the underlying purpose of the building is neither to save—nor use—energy. Rather, the building is to serve the occupants and their activities. An understanding of building occupancy and activities leads to designs that not only save energy and reduce costs, but improve occupant comfort. As such, net zero designs will be a vital contribution toward healthy environments while reducing global warming.

Dana Anderson

Dana Anderson Architects

dana.anderson@danderson-arch.com

The Green Donald

By Grey Lee, Executive Director

Donald Trump is a “climate denier” who, among other things, has indicated hostility to environmental and community-beneficial regulations and initiative of the federal government. This will complicate our work to advance sustainability and net positive systems in the built environment (our mission). We will need you help – and I look forward to you participating in our advocacy work, attending our events and service projects and joining us as a member. It will be a lot of work!

 

However, there is hope in the world of green building:


Trump's 1290 Avenue of the Americas is a LEED EB Silver certified building. Nice work TD Bank – a LEED CI Gold certification in the building there!

Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago is registered for LEED…we shall see where that goes.

 

Here's a somewhat right-wing yet fascinating take on where Trump may connect on the green building agenda. The thesis being these green building rating systems should be voluntary, but also that climate change deniers shouldn't be ridiculed. I think we all accept the scientific consensus, and if someone doesn't, it is reasonable to help them understand it. Truly, ridicule is not the best way to help someone come around. Trump has announced a $1 trillion effort to rebuild infrastructure and the built environment – this is a big opportunity for us to facilitate those investments being made for the best long-term value.

It is going to be an interesting ride.

 

You can read about his NYC real estate here (#13 is 1290 Avenue of the Americas, LEED EB Silver).

That is all I have to say right now. Be well out there! 

Grey

[Don't go to Daily Kos unless you want to be freaked out by other aspects of the President-elect.] 

ABX B68 Speakers: Double the Jasons Will Present on Net Positive Water and Energy

By Alexander Landa


In just 2 more business days, it will be time for ABX 2016! The Northeast's largest architecture expo & tradeshow is going to be a monumental event, showcasing why the Northeast is such a hot spot for all things buildings. We're sponsoring multiple sessions at ABX, and we'd love to see you at a few of them. For now, let's meet the two Jasons who are presenting B68: Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy.

Jason Forney is a Principal with Bruner/Cott Architects in Cambridge, MA. He specializes in the design of high-performing contemporary architecture and the transformative reuse of historically significant structures. With over 20 years of experience, Forney has designed LEED Gold and Platinum projects on college campus across the Northeast, and is currently working on two Living Building Challenge Projects. He frequently speaks about the design of green buildings. 

Jason Jewhurst is a Principal at Bruner/Cott Architects, where his passion for reconnecting with the natural environment informs his work as a specialist in sustainability and high-performance building design. With a strong technical background in building systems and technology, Jason welcomes sustainable design challenges that demand innovative solutions. His work includes projects that transform academic campuses with net-positive design, including the Regenerative Village at Yale Divinity School and the R. W. Kern Center at Hampshire College, both designed to meet the Living Building Challenge.

More on B68: Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy: Net positive energy is a key component in the battle against climate change. Buildings emit nearly 50% of carbon emissions, and architects can play a leadership role in moving beyond incremental reductions to regenerative design now. Net positive water design is more nuanced. Institutions of higher learning can provide thought leadership by advocating for global water awareness, even if water is plentiful on a local level. Regulatory agencies are not prepared for the conversation, but in some cases are helpful in moving demonstration projects forward.

Register for B68: Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Healthy Materials Sponsor Profile: Tremco

By Alexander Landa


The Healthy Materials Summit on October 26th was an awesome event! We couldn't have put everything together without the help of a hosting committee, the volunteers, and especially our sponsors. We want to thank Tremco for making the Summit such a success!

Tremco has made its name known as roofing experts, first starting in 1928.Specializing in operating divisions focused on the manufacture and sale of roofing materials and services, construction sealants, glazing and gaskets, waterproofing systems, air barrier and fire stopping systems, this group is devoted to both high-performance buildings that operate with the lowest possible life-cycle costs. Tremco also offers many custom products, programs, and services, all committed to the worldwide construction and maintenance and repair industries.

Many divisions encompass Tremco's mission and offerings, including:

We all appreciate Tremco's devotion to promoting a healthier tomorrow, and hope to work with them again soon!

ABX Session B44 – Who Will be Discussing Mapping the Materials Universe?

By Alexander Landa


Every day is one day closer to ABX 2016 next week – an event we're all stoked for. Let's take a look behind the curtain at the speakers behind one of the ABX sessions that wer'e sponsoring: B44 – Mapping the Materials Universe: Lessons and Strategies.

Speakers are:

Lisa Carey-Moore Sustainability Analyst Integrated Eco Strategy

Lisa Goodwin-Robbins RA, CCS, LEED Architect Specifier Kalin Associates

Jason Jewhurst AIA, NCARB Principal Bruner/Cott & Associates

Charley Stevenson LEED AP BD+C Principal Integrated Eco Strategy.

Living Building Challenge teams, as well as LEED V4 teams, find a selection of high-quality, healthy products, but the range is limited. What benign, high performing products do we need to complete our projects? This session explores the hardest specification sections and the most opaque market sectors, inviting discussion and exploration of the greatest challenges. Low toxicity, high performance, durability, and affordability… how can these and other factors be achieved simultaneously? How have working project teams addressed this challenge?

See all of the USGBC MA sponsored ABX 2016 sessions

Register for B44 – Mapping the Materials Universe: Lessons and Strategies.
Wednesday, November 16th, 2016
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Room 109A

ABX B04 Speakers: Who Will Discuss the Living Building Challenge?

By Alexander Landa


With ABX 2016 coming up next week, we're honored to have so many awesome speakers representing the sessions that we're sponsoring. For B04: Living up to the Living Building Challenge – The Owner's Perspective, we have five accomplished speakers taking the stage to present on this topic.

Our five speakers are:

Deborah Frieze Owner Old Doak Dojo

Shawn Hesse RA, LFA, LEED BD+C, O+M Boston Office Leader emersion DESIGN

Julie Johnson Executive Director Hitchcock Center for the Environment

DiAnn Mroszczak LEED BD+C Designer Prellwitz Chilinski Associates

Carl Weber Interim Director Facilities & Grounds Hampshire College

During this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Living Building Challenge-a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program that addresses development at all scales. 

Register for B04: Living up to the Living Building Challenge: The Owner's Perspective
Wednesday, 11/16
8:00am – 9:30am
Room 109A