LBC: Kern Center Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


Join us on Friday, April 29th at Hampshire College for the school's ribbon-cutting ceremony in honor of its flagship newest building: the R.W. Kern Center. The Center is a living symbol of Hampshire’s values in practice and ideas in action. The college’s first new building in three decades, it was built with the goal of becoming only the ninth building certified under the world’s most rigorous green building standard, the Living Building Challenge (LBC): operating net-zero energy, water, and waste; built using materials mainly from local and regional sources; and avoiding toxic “red list” materials, right down to the duct tape allowed on site.

The Center will house the offices of admissions and financial aid, classrooms, student lounges and social areas, and a coffee bar. It was also built as a living laboratory for ongoing studies of the building and its systems.

The Kern Center is one of the major projects of Hampshire’s broad sustainability initiative. The college has committed to making campus operations carbon neutral by 2020, and is also planning for the campus to go 100 percent solar this year.

The building was constructed by Wright Builders – a Chapter Sponsoring Partner – and engaged many members of the Living Building Collaborative which works as part of the Chapter to advance buliding performance throughout the Commonwealth.

Read more about the Kern Center on Hampshire's website, and learn about their commitment to sustainability

This event will be on April 29th at Hampshire College (893 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002).

Photos taken from Hampshire's website. 


Learn More about WELL, the Newest Green Building Standard

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

We are excited to invite the thought leaders and practitioners from our region to join us next week, April 19th, from 8:30-10:30am for a concise introduction to this groundbreaking new building standard, followed by a roundtable discussion. We are excited to welcome professionals from all sectors of the building industry–owners, engineers, builders and occupants interested in the new standard. 

We will be watching a segment from the USGBC's Education platform to bring all in the room up to speed on WELL and then having a moderated discussion on the future, impact and evolution of the standard.

 

We produced this program in March and had an excellent conversation with owners' reps, architects, and contractors who are considering using the WELL building standard on an actual project – everyone benefited.

 

Come to this month's presentation to be a part of this exciting new development in the green building movement!

Below, find some information on the WELL content that will be convered: 

About


The Introduction to the WELL Building Standard presentation provides an overview of the WELL Building Standard ideology, structure, and certification process. The medical basis for the concept categories is introduced along with design and construction strategies to create healthy buildings. The time has come to elevate human health and comfort to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet—but also for people. This presentation will introduce how to do this using the WELL Building Standard as the framework.

Objectives

  1. Articulate the financial, societal, and environmental benefits of WELL certification
  2. Identify the role of the International Well Building Institute and the WELL Building Standard
  3. Recognize the structure of the WELL Building Standard
  4. Explain the 7 concepts of the WELL Building standard, the strategies to achieve them, and the health impacts they address
  5. Summarize the certification process of the WELL Building Standard

The event will be at 50 Milk St, 15th Floor- “Aristotle” Room, Boston, MA 02109. Register here and find more about WELL here!

 

Policy Podium: Auto Populating the MLS with EE and Solar PV Content

By Grey Lee

Thursday morning in Boston: 

Come join Carolyn Goldthwaite and Craig Foley for a deep dive into the MLS!

Listen to these two luminaries: Senior Manager of Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) High-Performance Building Team Carolyn Goldthwaite and sustainable real estate consultant Craig Foley on two projects road mapping ways to “auto populate” third party verified data about home energy labels and solar PV into the multiple listing service (MLS).

Carolyn will present information, about the Home Energy Labelling Information eXchange (HELIX). The project’s ultimate goal is to make energy use transparent, as well as to expedite the creation of large-scale home energy labeling policies and programs that support the market valuation of energy efficiency in homes. 

HELIX is a multistate project which is working to make home energy labelling information easily accessible to the real estate industry and consumer at the point of sale. Home Energy Scores offer home owners, buyers, landlords, tenants, realtors and lenders consistent and reliable information about the energy performance of listed homes.  With a growing market demand for energy efficient homes and support for home energy rating through efficiency programs and services offered in the Northeast, HELIX will make these ratings accessible  and will enable the range of market interests to readily incorporate and value home energy performance in financial decisions.

Craig will present information, about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) work to create a road map for multiple listing services to auto populate high-quality data about solar PV systems into the MLS.

The solar PV auto pop project has defined two pilot markets, San Diego and Massachusetts to look at project viability. The project is designed to support the goals of the SunShot Initiative announced in February 2011, by the U.S Department of Energy, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade.

In January of 2015, LBNL released the most comprehensive analysis to-date finding PV systems consistently add value to homes when they are sold. In December of 2014, Fannie Mae released its Single Family Home Selling Guide, and in 2015 the FHA released its Single Family Housing Policy Handbook, both of which recognized PV as an asset that can add value and should be appropriately accounted for the sales process.

Meet Our Members: Ben Vila

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


Originally from Berwyn, PA, I studied International Relations at Brown University and currently live in Boston, MA where I work at CivicSolar, a solar energy design and distribution company. As an Account Manager my main responsibilities include supporting installers and developers across the country design solar photovoltaic systems, and supplying and distributing equipment for residential and commercial solar projects. Many of my co-workers and I have recently participated in several solar lobby days at the Statehouse to advocate for pro-solar legislation on behalf of a diverse coalition of solar advocates and those employed by the solar industry in the state of Massachusetts. I am very excited to continue advocating for policies that benefit the greater good of the people, environment, and economy of Massachusetts through USGBC’s Advocacy committee!

I’ve been interested in sustainability for most of my life, especially how it relates to the built environment, because climate change is, arguably, the single most pressing issue our society faces today. The challenge of sustainability requires us to not only think differently about our world, but to come up with innovative solutions to make it better for future generations to come. I hope that by joining and becoming a member of USGBC I’m able to do my small part to help make Massachusetts a leader in sustainability. 

If you would like to be featured in a member profile, please let us know by shooting us an email at communications@usgbcma.org

LEED Exam Prep – Join us!

By Celis Brisbin, Programs Manager


Are you serious about your dedication to sustainable building? Come to our Green Associate course next week on Wednesday, April 13th, in our Boston office!

Anybody that's serious about sustainable building should definitely have their LEED Green Associate accreditation! And we'd be happy to help you prepare for your Green Associate Exam. In fact, we're hosting an exam preparation course which would be perfect for you next month! This is also the perfect opportunity because we will be transitioning to an updated version of LEED next year, and this will give you a better grasp of the updated
certification information for the new version. 

Already a LEED Green Associate or Accredited Professional? Invite a friend or colleague who still needs their accreditation!

Register here

The full day comprehensive course covers the following topics:

Chapter #1 – Introduction

This 1-hour chapter will explain the LEED Green Associate credentialing process and serve as an introduction to LEED, sustainability, the USGBC, the GBCI and the LEED rating system.

Chapter #2 – Location and Transportation / Sustainable Sites

This 1-hour chapter will focus on site issues such as connectivity, transportation, erosion, landscaping, and heat island effect.

Chapter #3 – Water Efficiency / Energy and Atmosphere

This 1-hour chapter will focus on water issues (plumbing efficiency, irrigation, process water, etc.) and energy and atmosphere issues (demand, efficiency, renewable energy, ozone depleting substances, etc.)

Chapter #4 – Materials and Resources

This 1-hour chapter will focus on procurement and waste diversion.

Chapter #5 – Indoor Environmental Quality

This 1-hour chapter will focus on indoor environmental quality issues such as indoor air quality, occupant comfort and green cleaning.

Chapter #6 – Innovation / Regional Priority / Certification Process

This 1-hour chapter will explain the LEED certification process and the Innovation and Regional Priority categories.

Chapter #7 – Exam Review

This 1-hour chapter will focus on exam format and registration and strategies to pass the exam.

Chapter #8 – Exam Review

This 1-hour chapter will focus on sample exam questions.

When: April 13th, 8:30 AM through 5:00 PM
Where: 50 Milk St, 17th floor, “Aristotle” room, Boston, MA- 02109.

Register here!

Innovators Are Signing up for the BTF Left and Right– Don't Miss Out!

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Building Tech:

Sponsors and vendors have been signing up to attend the Building Tech Forum left and right, and space is quickly disappearing! Don't miss your chance to join colleagues in the real estate industry who are passionate about solving the problems of building performance!

 


 

Gold Sponsors Boston Properties will share how they connect to the tech scene in Massachusetts and how they incorporate innovations into their projects to drive improvements to building performance. Ben Myers, Sustainability Manager for Boston Properties, will keynote our event.

Wentworth Institute of Technology is our second Gold Sponsor – they have a longstanding commitment to innovation and sustainability.

 

The Building Tech Forum is also sponsored by the NECEC – Northeast Clean Energy Center and MassCEC – the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and Fraunhofer, the non-profit building science R&D laboratory.

 

Kurt Roth of Fraunhofer will share his insight into trends and lines of research and development that he sees in building tech.

 

You may want to join our roster of sponsoring organizations! See here for details.

 

Come to our Building Tech Forum. Connect with firms who are leaders in innovation in real estate.

 

Agenda:

5:30 – Orienting Remarks

6:00 – First Program begins; Keynote & Industry Observations from Ben Myers and Kurt Roth
6:20 – First Program ends; games ensue
7:20 – Second Program begins: Panel with St Gobain, The Green Engineer, SMMA, and Ogletree Deakins
7:40 – Second Program ends
8:15 – Final Remarks and Appreciations
8:30 – End

Join us to:

  • meet people who will help you on your next high performance building project

  • encounter inspiring new technologies and solution strategies

  • hear from industry leaders about where things are going

  • connect your business to the innovations going on in the building sector

​The event will fill up quick, so register now!

USGBC MA New Mission and Vision Statements

By Grey Lee

The new Mission Statement of USGBC MA is:

“We drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of buildings and communities in Massachusetts”

and, our new Vision Statement is:

“We envision a thriving and diverse community, working together for a built environment that is ecologically, socially and economically healthy, resilient and prosperous for all”

Congratulations to the Strategic Planning Working Group for their efforts to refine months of feedback and wordsmithing. The Chapter will continue to thrive with this new focused language to direct our actions.

 

The motion was described as follows:

To approve a change of USGBC Massachusetts Chapter Mission and Vision statements from the current single statement: 

Current Mission/Vision Statement: “To promote the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings and communities in Massachusetts through education, collaboration, and advocacy, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.”

to

the two separate statements below:

Proposed Mission: “We drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of buildings and communities in Massachusetts”

Proposed Vision: “We envision a thriving and diverse community, working together for a built environment that is ecologically, socially and economically healthy, resilient and prosperous for all”

Backgound: The Strategic Planning Committee has been working on an update to the existing chapter strategic plan for the last 4 months with 2 strategic planning consultants from ESC. As part of this exercise, the current mission/vision statement of the organization was revisited to ensure it was still valid and still resonated. After a lengthy in-person discussion including the committee, plus Grey, and the two consultants, it was agreed that it should be clarified, simplified, updated, and cleanly divided into separate mission and vision statements. Shawn, Andrea, and Jim continued the work of refining the word choice over email, with several rounds of review with the sub-committee to arrive at the proposed statements.

Don't Miss: Introduction to the SITES Program (Presinar)

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

Do you pay attention to landscape design and landscape architecture? 

Check out the new SITES program with our Presinar April 20th from 4:30 to 6!  Learn more about the event below, and register here!

This is an in-person viewing of a professionally produced information-packed webinar. It's a great networking opportunity.

About

This overview of the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) informs participants of the critical need for a more careful and sensitive approach to land design and development in regards to the growing population of the planet. SITES goals are identified and explained, and the concept of evaluating ecosystem services as a basis for land design and development is detailed through photographs, graphics, and SITES Pilot Project case study information.

Objectives

  1. Describe the benefits that ecosystem services provide
  2. Explain the process for regenerative design
  3. List SITES goals
  4. Identify the process for registering a SITES project for certification

 

Policy Podium: Auto Populating the MLS with EE and Solar PV Content

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow


On April 14th, we will be hosting the next edition of our Policy Podium series featuring Carolyn Goldthwaite and Craig Foley!  Carolyn, Senior Manager of Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) High-Performance Building, and Craig, sustainable real estate consultant, will present on two projects road mapping ways to “auto populate” third party verified data about home energy labels and solar PV into the multiple listing service (MLS).


Carolyn will present information about the Home Energy Labelling Information eXchange (HELIX). The project’s ultimate goal is to make energy use transparent, as well as to expedite the creation of large-scale home energy labeling policies and programs that support the market valuation of energy efficiency in homes. 

HELIX is a multistate project which is working to make home energy labelling information easily accessible to the real estate industry and consumer at the point of sale. Home Energy Scores offer home owners, buyers, landlords, tenants, realtors and lenders consistent and reliable information about the energy performance of listed homes. 


Craig will present information, about Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) work to create a road map for multiple listing services to auto populate high-quality data about solar PV systems into the MLS.

The solar PV auto pop project has defined two pilot markets, San Diego and Massachusetts to look at project viability. The project is designed to support the goals of the SunShot Initiative announced in February 2011, by the U.S Department of Energy, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade.

To read more about the event and register for it, click here.  This event will take place from 8:30 till 10 AM on April 14th at 50 Milk St, 17th Floor “Milky Way” Conference Room, Boston 02109.  Sign up quick before space runs out!

Learn More about the Newest Building Standard–WELL

By Ryan Duffy, Communications Fellow

We are excited to invite the thought leaders and practitioners from our region to join us for a concise introduction to this groundbreaking new building standard, followed by a roundtable discussion. We are excited to welcome professionals from all sectors of the building industry–owners, engineers, builders and occupants interested in the new standard. 

We will be watching a segment from the USGBC's Education platform to bring all in the room up to speed on WELL and then having a moderated discussion on the future, impact and evolution of the standard. Below, find some information on the WELL content that will be convered: 

About


The Introduction to the WELL Building Standard presentation provides an overview of the WELL Building Standard ideology, structure, and certification process. The medical basis for the concept categories is introduced along with design and construction strategies to create healthy buildings. The time has come to elevate human health and comfort to the forefront of building practices and reinvent buildings that are not only better for the planet—but also for people. This presentation will introduce how to do this using the WELL Building Standard as the framework.

Objectives

  1. Articulate the financial, societal, and environmental benefits of WELL certification
  2. Identify the role of the International Well Building Institute and the WELL Building Standard
  3. Recognize the structure of the WELL Building Standard
  4. Explain the 7 concepts of the WELL Building standard, the strategies to achieve them, and the health impacts they address
  5. Summarize the certification process of the WELL Building Standard

The event will be at 50 Milk St, 15th Floor- “Aristotle” Room, Boston, MA 02109. Register here and find more about WELL here!