Built Environment Plus

High-Performance Building for Carpenters (6 Part Course)
2023-05-25 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-01 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-08 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Studio for High-Performance Design & Construction, 151R Adams Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States
Six 4-Hour Sessions from May 4th to June 8th.
About the Class
This course teaches carpenters how to apply fundamental building skills to high-performance construction projects. Topics focus on the four layers of a high-performance house: water, air, vapor, and thermal. Throughout the 6-week course, students will learn high-performance essentials through building science lessons and hands-on practice with mock-up assemblies. The multi-faceted learning approach provides carpenters with a holistic understanding of high-performance construction from building science to install. Through classroom concepts, hands-on training, and project management overview, this class is ideal for any carpenter who wants to excel in at high-performance construction.
Registration closes on April 20th.

About SHPDC
Housed in a state-of-the-art Passive House facility, StudioHPDC is a classroom and educational center for sustainable design & construction. We develop and host training courses for consumers, students, architects, and trades people in all experience levels ranging from introductory sessions and overviews to hands-on workshops and certification programs. In addition to training courses, we host regular networking and discussion group events and provide resources for all those interested in sustainable construction.
The Studio for High Performance Design & Construction is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Learning Objectives
1. Gain a fundamental understanding of high- performance building science
2. Understand key components and concepts of high-performance residential construction
3. Apply concepts to hands-on construction through use of mock-up assemblies
4. Review high-performance project management strategies
5. Finish the course prepared to leverage skills in a career in high-performance construction

6 Sessions
Session 1: Framing & Sheathing
Thursday, May 4 – 1:00-5:00pm
Session 2: Air Sealing
Thursday, May 11 – 1:00-5:00pm
Session 3: Insulation
Thursday, May 18 – 1:00-5:00pm
Session 4: Windows & Doors
Thursday, May 25 – 1:00-5:00pm
Session 5: Roofs & Junctions
Thursday, June 1 – 1:00-5:00pm
Session 6: Testing & Verification
Thursday, June 8 – 1:00-5:00pm

Funding Grants Available: Submit by April 13th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
$2,420 is eligible for grant funding. ($580 is for course materials and not available for grant funding).
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1137031

Buildings and Carbon
2023-05-30 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
This course will focus on climate impacts associated with carbon emissions from the built environment. It will emphasize the importance of goal setting and taking actions to manage building-related carbon emissions throughout a building’s life cycle.
The course will begin with an exploration of the context of climate emissions in the built environment, covering topics such as the global carbon cycle, whole building life cycle analysis, operational carbon, embodied carbon and the impact of building materials and practices, carbon storage and buildings as carbon sinks, the “time value” of carbon, and a series of solutions from material selection to policy engagement for addressing the climate impact of the built environment.
Next, the course will explore applied strategies in the context of a design practice, covering topics such as goal setting and defined metrics, defining core questions framing carbon analysis, carbon accounting tools, and workflow in the design process.
Finally, the course will guide participants through a series of workshops and facilitated discussion in which key barriers to and opportunities for implementing carbon reduction strategies in participants’ practices are identified, discussed, prioritized, and formulated into an action list for participants to reference moving forward to actualize real carbon reduction in their work.

Learning Objectives
Understand the impact of embodied carbon and carbon storage in building materials.
Become familiar with real-world examples and case studies that stored carbon.
Identify tools, workflow strategies, and other resources for carbon accounting in the design process.
Take action on opportunities and strategies for integrating climate action and carbon reduction into their professional practice.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 9th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1131156

Background photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

Lead Carpenter Training (4 Part Course)
2023-05-30 15:30 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Four 1-1/2 Hour Sessions on May 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th.
About the Class
Lead Carpenter Training is for current and aspiring leads who are looking to build their management and leadership skills. In four 1-1/2 Hour Sessions on May 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th, we will explore what it means to be a lead carpenter- the job description, how to set a project up for success, and how to lead a team. We’ll also provide a portfolio of sample documents to support your process. This training is geared towards current and aspiring lead carpenters, site leads, and site supervisors in the construction trades. Our focus is on residential custom construction, although the concepts apply to many types of construction.
Registration closes on April 25th.
This course is taught by Brad Richards and Tia Garcia, HELM Construction Solutions

About HELM
Our purpose is to revolutionize the construction industry, centering the triple bottom line principles of planet, people, and prosperity to become a catalyst for climate justice.
HELM is a collaborative team with expertise in construction, management, leadership, and education. With main offices in Montpelier and Brattleboro, Vermont and satellite offices in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Chicago we work with contractors, Architects, homeowners, business owners, and institutions throughout the country to advance high performance building practices and triple bottom line business principles. HELM is a socially responsible business dedicated to empowering teams to work together in collaborative and creative ways for a common shared outcome.

Learning Objectives
1. Understand the job description and responsibilities of a Lead Carpenter
2. Review strategies for team leadership
3. Develop methods for successfully performing recurring tasks
4. Develop methods for managing schedules, resources, and communication

4 Sessions
Session #1 (5/9) – Project Set-Up (aka Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance)
Session #2 (5/16) – Project Execution (aka Eyes on the Prize(s))
Session #3 (5/23) – Project Closeout (aka It’s Not Over Until…)
Session #4 (5/30) – Open Discussion, Question, and Answer
Sessions will be offered via Zoom on four consecutive Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00pm. We are limiting registration to 10-15 participants to keep the group small and allow for lots of discussion and small group breakouts. Attending all sessions in real-time is strongly encouraged, however, we will be recording the sessions.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by April 18th, 2023
Funding Grants Available: Submit by April 18th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1135459

Certified Passive House Consultant CPHC® Training
2023-06-12 | Virtual Event
The cost of the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant Program, and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company.Please note this BE+ Training offering is intended for Architects and Engineers only.
Phius (Passive House Institute US) established the CPHC program in 2008 to distinguish accomplished passive building professionals in the marketplace. Phius, the leading North American passive building training provider, has trained more than 3000 professionals to date. CPHC ® is a registered certification mark of Phius (Passive House Institute US) used with permission.
CPHCs learn to design to the Phius Certification climate-specific building standard, the leading passive building certification in North America. Projects earning Phius certifications (Phius CORE, Phius ZERO and Phius REVIVE) follow RESNET QA/QC protocols and achieve excellent HERS scores, US Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home status, and adhere to EPA indoor airPLUS requirements.
In addition to the course, trainees will also receive 12 months access to over 40 hours of pre-recorded videos and additional training materials. Trainees who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the certification exam.
The cost of the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant Program, and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company.

Learn more via the toggle sections on this page.
The training Includes a Phase I & Phase II and will take 6 – 8 weeks to complete in total.
The date at the top of this page, or the dates listed in the Eventbrite registration section below, represent the sign on date to receive access to Phase I of the training, and to then elect to take the next Phase II Live Session Training happening roughly 4 or 8 weeks from this date.
Example: Registration for Dec 20th gives you 4 weeks to complete Phase I for the Phase II offering starting on January 18th, or 8 weeks for the following offering starting February 14th.

Funding Grants Available
Funding: The Express Program from the Commonwealth’s Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express Program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
$1,950 is eligible for grant funding. (The total course cost is $2,100. $150 is the cost of the exam and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company).
You could take this training for FREE. Learn more and get in contact.
Please note that you must submit for course approval a minimum of 21 days out from the registration / training start date.
Course ID# 1134101

Education Credits

Phase I: Earn 40 LU/HSW unitsPhase II: Earn 40 LU/HSW units
Phius is an AIA National, International, and Distance CES Provider

Phius CPHC Training is approved by GBCIEarn 32 CEU

Continuing education credits available from the Building Performance InstituteEarn 37.13 CE credits

Technology Requirements
CPHC Trainees must bring their own laptop. Trainees receive a free 8-week license to the WUFI® Passive software. WUFI Passive, which combines passive building energy modeling with dynamic hygrothermal modeling capabilities, is also available for purchase from Fraunhofer IBP.
WUFI Passive requires Windows OS.
Mac users need to purchase and install VMWare Fusion, Bootcamp or Parallels, along with a Windows operating system. VMWare Fusion is recommended. See the full WUFI Passive system requirements here.

Learning Objectives

Learn the principles of passive building design: heat transfer, air-tightness, thermal bridge free detailing, super-insulation, high-efficiency ventilation, moisture control.

Perform passive house verification using WUFI® Passive, the next-generation dynamic modeling tool developed in partnership with Fraunhofer IBP and Owens Corning.

Perform energy modeling by completing an entire project including energy balancing (static and dynamic).

Implement high performance building science principles and passive house techniques in residential, commercial, and retrofit scenarios across all North American climate zones.

Study built examples—including mechanical systems—for each North American climate zone.

Learn about suitable materials and components available in local U.S. and Canadian markets, and details for passive house applications according to climate.

Learn the best air tightness strategies, thermal bridge free detailing, and how to evaluate your design in THERM.

Learn how to assure quality and performance for your client from the design process through construction using Phius Certification and QA/QC.

Monthly Training Schedule
Phase I: Online Sessions (self-paced, recommended 4-6 weeks)
Phase I of the CPHC training comprises a series of pre-recorded online virtual sessions taught by expert instructors, collected readings, recommended resources, and quizzes; altogether comprising about 35-40 hours of learning material. Participants can ask questions and connect with other CPHC course registrants via our online training platform. You can complete the class work at your convenience. Enrollees have access to Phase I materials for 12 months.
Students should complete Phase I training prior to starting Phase II.
Phase II: Online + Scheduled Online Live Sessions (24 hours across 2 weeks [8 days])
The second phase of CPHC training focuses on design exercises, and WUFI Passive and THERM software training. Both Phase I and II are required to successfully complete the course and to be eligible to take the final exam. Phase II also includes group projects, homework assignments and online tutorials.

Building Science Fundamentals (4 Part Course)
2023-06-13 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-15 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-20 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-06-22 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Four 4-Hour Sessions from June 13th to June 22nd.
About the Class
Building Science Fundamentals is a seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy-efficient, affordable, and healthy buildings. This is an interactive sessions with where questions are encouraged. The course will discuss building science principles (such as the control of heat, air, and moisture and IAQ) and show you how to apply them to low-energy enclosure design, advanced HVAC systems, forensic investigations, and the repair and retrofit of existing buildings.
Building Science Fundamentals has been attended by thousands of builders, architects, engineers, building science consultants, building code officials, facility managers, building product manufacturers, and government officials. Upon completion of the seminar, members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will receive 16 LU|HSW posted directly to the AIA Provider website.
Registration closes on May 30th.

About Building Science Corporation
Building Science Corporation is a building science consulting firm with clients throughout North America. BSC specializes in building technology consulting for all types of buildings including commercial, institutional and residential. Our focus is preventing and resolving problems related to building design, construction and operation. We are internationally recognized for our expertise in moisture dynamics, indoor air quality, and building failure forensic investigations. We are also on the leading edge of the design of sustainable buildings and communities. We believe in promoting energy efficiency and environmental responsibility within the constraints of marketable and affordable building technology.

4 Sessions
Session 1: June 13, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Environmental SeparationDefinition of a BuildingThe Effect of ClimateThe Perfect WallThe Water MoleculeRelative Humidity and Vapor PressureAir Flow and Vapor DiffusionRainCapillarity
Session 2: June 15, 1:00 – 5:00pm
The Myth of the Dew PointRoofs Vented and UnventedIce DamsCrawlspaces Vented and UnventedBasementsSlabs and Flooring
Session 3: June 20, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Stucco FailuresPressure and IAQBuildings as 3-D Airflow NetworksControlling Pressures and PathwaysStack Effect and CompartmentalizationHVACPart Load and Humidity ControlCentral Systems vs. Distributed Systems
Session 4: June 22, 1:00 – 5:00pm
RetrofitsMass BuildingsFreeze ThawInterior Foundation RetrofitsHistoric Building LimitationsFrame BuildingsDeep Energy Retrofits

Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 23rd, 2023
Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 23rd, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1131731

Effective Meeting Facilitation
2023-06-13 13:00 - 17:00 | Online event
In this 4-hour course instructed by the Sustainable Performance Institute, you will learn the techniques needed to foster full team participation and engagement and understand what makes a meeting effective. You will also learn how to prepare for an effective team meeting, incorporate strategies for handling meeting challenges, and develop goals and desired outcomes.
This course is taught by Barbra Batshalom Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI).

Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 23rd, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1135313

Background photo by Mapbox on Unsplash.

Sustainable Acoustics
2023-06-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Online event
An overview of acoustic principles and ways in which sustainable design can be applied to acoustics to extend green design concepts.
Acoustics is a critical component in providing a comfortable listening environment for users and is recognized by several building rating systems for sustainability and health including LEED, WELL, Fitwel, and Passive House. We will overview various ways in which design can be applied to acoustics to extend green design concepts. We will discuss the ABCs of architectural acoustics and the importance of proper acoustic design to the comfort and wellness of occupants across different types of building uses. We will discuss design strategies to help achieve the acoustics requirements of various building rating systems throughout the design and construction process.

The course is taught by Kristen Murphy, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP. Kristen is an Acoustical Consultant / Sustainability Lead at Acentech, a world-class acoustics, technology, and vibration consulting firm. She has over ten years of consulting experience as both an acoustician and expert in sustainability responsible for assisting design teams and clients in incorporating LEED requirements and providing guidance to advancing human health and wellness in buildings. With her architectural training, Kristen’s interest in sustainability and the built environment has been a core thread of her AEC industry experience. She keeps abreast of current acoustical matters and trends in sustainable design and the expanded role of occupant wellness and health, and research on healthy and sustainable acoustical materials. She is a member of Built Environment Plus (BE+) and is an instructor of the Sustainable Acoustics course and has served as an advisor with the International Well Building Institute (IWBI) for the Sound Concept.
Background photo above by Ren Ran on Unsplash.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 25th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1131194

Phius Certified Rater Training (3 Part Course)
2023-06-19 14:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Three 3-Hour Sessions on June 19th, 21st, & 23rd.
Phius Certified Raters focus on single-family residential projects. The course is geared toward experienced RESNET and BPI professionals, and provides grounding in passive building principles as well as a guide to onsite quality assurance for the Phius Certification program. This training is delivered live, online over three days. Each session is three hours. Approximately 8 hours of self-guided material is provided before the first session for review. Training is open to all. Knowledge of HERs rating practices, and experience with Energy Star Homes, Indoor airPLUS and DOE ZERH Programs is helpful. Those who wish to pursue certification after training must meet the certification exam prerequisites, apply for the certification exam, and be approved to complete the exam.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will gain the knowledge needed to:
Identify Phius design strategies
Identify Phius mechanical/ventilation systems
Perform on-site QA and integration of prerequisite programs; Energy Star Homes, Indoor airPLUS and DOE ZERH
Perform site inspection and testing protocols and Phius Certification deliverables
Submit a Phius project for certification

Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 29th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1143064

Background photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash.

Tips and Tricks: TallyLCA
2023-06-27 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
Short training on LCAs using TallyLCA. During the training we’ll go over some of the most important features of TallyLCA and how to best make use of the tools available in the licenses in order to speed up the process.

This course is taught by Vaclav Hasik Building Transparency.

Meet your instructor
Vaclav Hasik is a Program Director at Building Transparency, a non-profit organization behind the EC3 Tool and Tally. Vaclav works on methodology, data quality, and LCA research supporting both tools. Vaclav was previously a sustainability analyst and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) expert at Urban Fabrick, where he managed projects pursuing LEED certification and helped design teams address embodied carbon through whole-building LCAs. Vaclav also worked as a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, where he was involved in university-wide carbon accounting, sustainability planning, and research on data and methods for LCA of buildings. He is an active member of the Carbon Leadership Forum and a founder of its San Francisco Bay Area hub.

Background photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash.

Tips and Tricks: OneClick LCA
2023-06-29 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual Event
Short training on LCAs using One Click LCA. During the training we’ll go over some of the most important features of One Click LCA and how to best make use of the tools available in the licenses in order to speed up the process. Additionally, we’ll be showing our integration with Revit, how the calculation in Revit works as well as how we extract material quantities.
This course is taught by Vasilis Kalfountzos One Click LCA Ltd.

Meet your instructor
Vasilis has a background in Civil & Structural Engineering with consulting experience in material efficiency and early design optimization. His focus over the past years has been project optimization in concept and schematic stages from an Embodied Carbon perspective. He works together with designers to help them reduce embodied carbon and save materials using a combination of early phase and detailed design LCA to guide their work.

Background photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash.

Certified Passive House Consultant CPHC® Training
2023-07-10 | Virtual Event
Please note this BE+ Training offering is intended for Architects and Engineers only.
Phius (Passive House Institute US) established the CPHC program in 2008 to distinguish accomplished passive building professionals in the marketplace. Phius, the leading North American passive building training provider, has trained more than 3000 professionals to date. CPHC ® is a registered certification mark of Phius (Passive House Institute US) used with permission.
CPHCs learn to design to the Phius Certification climate-specific building standard, the leading passive building certification in North America. Projects earning Phius certifications (Phius CORE, Phius ZERO and Phius REVIVE) follow RESNET QA/QC protocols and achieve excellent HERS scores, US Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home status, and adhere to EPA indoor airPLUS requirements.
In addition to the course, trainees will also receive 12 months access to over 40 hours of pre-recorded videos and additional training materials. Trainees who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the certification exam.
The cost of the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant Program, and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company.

Learn more via the toggle sections on this page.
The training Includes a Phase I & Phase II and will take 6 – 8 weeks to complete in total.
The date at the top of this page, or the dates listed in the Eventbrite registration section below, represent the sign on date to receive access to Phase I of the training, and to then elect to take the next Phase II Live Session Training happening roughly 4 or 8 weeks from this date.
Example: Registration for Dec 20th gives you 4 weeks to complete Phase I for the Phase II offering starting on January 18th, or 8 weeks for the following offering starting February 14th.

Funding Grants Available
Funding: The Express Program from the Commonwealth’s Workforce Training Fund Program (WTFP) is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express Program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
$1,950 is eligible for grant funding. (The total course cost is $2,100. $150 is the cost of the exam and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company).
You could take this training for FREE. Learn more and get in contact.
Please note that you must submit for course approval a minimum of 21 days out from the registration / training start date.
Course ID# 1134101

Education Credits

Phase I: Earn 40 LU/HSW unitsPhase II: Earn 40 LU/HSW units
Phius is an AIA National, International, and Distance CES Provider

Phius CPHC Training is approved by GBCIEarn 32 CEU

Continuing education credits available from the Building Performance InstituteEarn 37.13 CE credits

Technology Requirements
CPHC Trainees must bring their own laptop. Trainees receive a free 8-week license to the WUFI® Passive software. WUFI Passive, which combines passive building energy modeling with dynamic hygrothermal modeling capabilities, is also available for purchase from Fraunhofer IBP.
WUFI Passive requires Windows OS.
Mac users need to purchase and install VMWare Fusion, Bootcamp or Parallels, along with a Windows operating system. VMWare Fusion is recommended. See the full WUFI Passive system requirements here.

Learning Objectives

Learn the principles of passive building design: heat transfer, air-tightness, thermal bridge free detailing, super-insulation, high-efficiency ventilation, moisture control.

Perform passive house verification using WUFI® Passive, the next-generation dynamic modeling tool developed in partnership with Fraunhofer IBP and Owens Corning.

Perform energy modeling by completing an entire project including energy balancing (static and dynamic).

Implement high performance building science principles and passive house techniques in residential, commercial, and retrofit scenarios across all North American climate zones.

Study built examples—including mechanical systems—for each North American climate zone.

Learn about suitable materials and components available in local U.S. and Canadian markets, and details for passive house applications according to climate.

Learn the best air tightness strategies, thermal bridge free detailing, and how to evaluate your design in THERM.

Learn how to assure quality and performance for your client from the design process through construction using Phius Certification and QA/QC.

Monthly Training Schedule
Phase I: Online Sessions (self-paced, recommended 4-6 weeks)
Phase I of the CPHC training comprises a series of pre-recorded online virtual sessions taught by expert instructors, collected readings, recommended resources, and quizzes; altogether comprising about 35-40 hours of learning material. Participants can ask questions and connect with other CPHC course registrants via our online training platform. You can complete the class work at your convenience. Enrollees have access to Phase I materials for 12 months.
Students should complete Phase I training prior to starting Phase II.
Phase II: Online + Scheduled Online Live Sessions (24 hours across 2 weeks [8 days])
The second phase of CPHC training focuses on design exercises, and WUFI Passive and THERM software training. Both Phase I and II are required to successfully complete the course and to be eligible to take the final exam. Phase II also includes group projects, homework assignments and online tutorials.

Phius Certified Verifier Training (3 Part Course)
2023-07-10 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-07-12 14:00 - 17:00, 2023-07-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Online event
Three 3-Hour Sessions on July 10th, 12th, & 14th.
Phius Certified Verifiers deliver on-site quality assurance for multi-family residential and non-residential passive building projects. This course is geared toward HERs Raters testing and commissioning multifamily buildings and professionals familiar with non-residential buildings. Training provides grounding in Phius building principles and onsite quality assurance for the Phius Certification program. Knowledge of HERs rating practices, Energy Star Homes, Indoor airPLUS and DOE ZERH Programs is helpful. Those who wish to pursue certification after training must meet certification exam prerequisites and be approved to complete the exam. This training is delivered live online and is a combination of presentation and discussion. Approximately 8 hours of self-guided material is provided before the first session for review.

Learning Objectives
Identify Phius design strategies
Identify Phius mechanical/ventilation systems
Perform on-site QA and integration of prerequisite programs; Energy Star Homes, Indoor airPLUS and DOE ZERH
Perform site inspection and testing protocols and Phius Certification deliverables

Funding Grants Available: Submit by June 19th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1144430

Background photo by Codioful on Unsplash.

BE+ Embodied Carbon Challenge Office Hours
2023-07-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Reps from Built Environment Plus, MassCEC, and Brightworks Sustainability will be online and available to answer questions about the Embodied Carbon Challenge. Bring your questions about Resources and Tools (Having trouble accessing your LCA software? Unsure where to find LCA tips and tricks?), Education and Training (What are the requirements? What does my team lead need to complete?), project submission requirements (WBLCA, project GSF minimum…), and general questions about the ECC (what’s this all about?!).
This is a great opportunity to learn more and best position your project team for success in the Embodied Carbon Challenge.

Background photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash.

Embodied Carbon Reduction in Buildings: Case Studies in LCA
2023-07-25 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual Event
Iterative life cycle assessment (LCA) through the course of design offers a powerful method for vetting embodied carbon reduction strategies. This session will walk through key priorities and examples of how to put LCA into practice during design and procurement. First, we will consider target setting, building certifications, scoping considerations, and structural system selection during early design. Then we will walk through practical examples of assembly comparisons and whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) on vastly different building types and scopes including offices, data centers, multi-family, and commercial fit-outs. These diverse case studies will offer insight into how LCA can be leveraged for decision making towards deep carbon reduction.
This course is taught by Aurora Jensen Brightworks Sustainability.

Meet your instructor
Aurora is a Senior Technical Specialist and the Embodied Carbon Lead with Brightworks Sustainability in New York City with a focus on materials and carbon, and a part-time faculty member at the Parsons School of Design. With her work she seeks to engage multiple scales of social and environmental concerns—from microscale heat flows to macroscale supply chains—by linking passive, active, and materials design decisions to climate. She uses her experience in high performance energy modeling and whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) to drive down the operational and embodied carbon of projects. She sits on the ILFI Energy and Carbon TAG, and co-leads the NYC chapter of the Carbon Leadership Forum. Aurora received her Masters in Design Studies in Energy and Environment with distinction from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University.

Click Here to Take the Quiz

Background photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash.

Embodied Carbon in Buildings: Tools Overview
2023-08-08 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
In this Tools Overview session, we will discuss the wide breadth of available tools and how to select an appropriate tool for your project. We’ll dig a bit into background data, and show 3 or 4 tools in more depth with time for questions and discussion.
This course is taught by Steph Carlisle Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF).

Meet your instructor
Stephanie Carlisle is a Senior Researcher at the Carbon Leadership Forum where she leads collaborative development of open-access LCA data, tools, and methods to support the building sector in radically decarbonizing construction. Her work brings together diverse stakeholders from design, industry, land management, labor, and policy to find new approaches to climate justice. Prior to joining the CLF, she was a Principal at KieranTimberlake where she helped develop Tally, a whole building LCA tool, and worked to implement strategies that address the climate and health impacts of building materials. She is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Scenario Journal, and a lecturer at the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania where she teaches courses in life cycle assessment, building materials, and urban ecology.

Click Here to Take the Quiz

Background photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash.

Certified Passive House Designer (PHI) Training
2023-09-06 | Virtual Event
About the Class
This course provides tools, techniques and tips for how to build via passive house principles for all building types, diving into Passive House building concepts and building a foundation of knowledge and skills to integrate PHI building design standards into building projects. This course is specifically designed to teach the international Passive House Standard (PHI) to design and construction professionals in the U.S. and is required prior to taking the CPHD/C professional certification exam. It can be held online or in person, and is a combination of presentation and discussion.
This 8 week training includes live online training and Q&A sessions and an in-person site visit to a PHI project in MA. Trainees who successfully complete the training are eligible to take the certification exam the final week of the course. Additional course materials including access to the on-demand Using PHPP in Passive House Design and Certification course, Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software individual license, and supplemental exam preparation materials are also provided.
The total cost for the course is $2,295. $1400 is covered by the Express Grant, and an additional $895 fee for on-demand course materials and the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company.
Background photo above is by Steve Pancrate on Unsplash.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Outline the basic building science principles of the Passive House Standard.
Determine strategies for implementing the principles in both design and construction phases.
Describe the role of the Passive House energy model and its relationship to component selection, detailing and execution.
Explain basic energy calculations based on typical building assemblies.

Training Schedule
Week 1: Modules 1 & 2September 6th, 2023 | 1 PM ET Kickoff
Week 2: Modules 3 – 5 September 19th, 2023 | 12 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 3: Module 6September 26th, 2023 | 12 – 3 PM ET Webinar
Week 4: Modules 7 – 9October 3rd, 2023 | 12 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 5: Modules 10 – 12 October 10th, 2023 | 12 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 6: Module 13October 17th, 2023 | 12 – 3 PM ET Webinar
Week 7: Module 14October 24th, 2023 | 12 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 8: Module 15 Date TBD Site Visit
Weeks 9 & 10: Exam PrepNovember 6th – November 28th, 2023
Week 11: Exam ReviewNovember 21st, 2023 | 12 – 2 PM ET
Week 12: Tech SetupNovember 28th, 2023 | 10 – 11 AM ET
Week 13: PHI CPHD/C Live-Online ExamDecember 5th, 2023 | 10 AM – 1 PM ET

Technology and Course Requirements
Live-Online courses require a personal computer or laptop with a good internet connection, speed, and audio listening capabilities. A web-camera is preferred for Live-Online sessions. Preferred web browsers are Firefox, Chrome, or Chromium-based browsers.
A Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software individual license is provided.
For PHN On-Demand courses all lessons, topics, and quizzes must be marked complete; any required webinars must be attended; and the post-training survey must be completed. For In-Person & Live-Online multi-day courses, no more than 2 hours can be missed to receive a course completion certificate. This course will prepare you for PHI’s Certified Passive House Designer / Consultant exam.

Education Credits
35 AIA LU/HSW credits & certificate of completion. AIA credits for Live-Online and In-Person Sessions will be reported to AIA by Passive House Network (PHN) if a participant provides their AIA number during registration. All other participants can use the certificate of completion to report continuing education credits either to AIA, or other agencies that recognize the AIA CE credits.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by August 16th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
The total cost for the course is $2,295. $1400 is covered by the Express Grant, and an additional $895 fee for on-demand course materials and the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1135246

Design Charrettes: A Tool to Manage Cost, Optimize Synthesis, and Achieve Excellence
2023-09-07 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
The demands for high-performance, net zero, resilient design are growing. A key element to meeting these demands in the collaborative design process is the design “charrette” or workshop. Unfortunately, they often are underutilized and don’t fulfill their full potential. This course is designed for owners, designers, and employees within the built environment industry who want to unlock the potential of their projects. Participants will leave with the strategies, templates, and guiding principles needed to use charrettes as a means of building effective teams, controlling costs, and coordinating strategies to keep projects on track.
This course is taught by Barbra Batshalom Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI).

Funding Grants Available: Submit by August 16th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1136162

Background photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash.

Building Science Fundamentals
2023-09-12 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-14 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-19 13:00 - 17:00, 2023-09-21 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Four 4-Hour Sessions from September 12th to September 21st.
About the Class
Building Science Fundamentals is a seminar that teaches the basic knowledge needed to design and build durable, energy-efficient, affordable, and healthy buildings. This is an interactive sessions with where questions are encouraged. The course will discuss building science principles (such as the control of heat, air, and moisture and IAQ) and show you how to apply them to low-energy enclosure design, advanced HVAC systems, forensic investigations, and the repair and retrofit of existing buildings.
Building Science Fundamentals has been attended by thousands of builders, architects, engineers, building science consultants, building code officials, facility managers, building product manufacturers, and government officials. Upon completion of the seminar, members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will receive 16 LU|HSW posted directly to the AIA Provider website.
Registration closes on August 29th.

About Building Science Corporation
Building Science Corporation is a building science consulting firm with clients throughout North America. BSC specializes in building technology consulting for all types of buildings including commercial, institutional and residential. Our focus is preventing and resolving problems related to building design, construction and operation. We are internationally recognized for our expertise in moisture dynamics, indoor air quality, and building failure forensic investigations. We are also on the leading edge of the design of sustainable buildings and communities. We believe in promoting energy efficiency and environmental responsibility within the constraints of marketable and affordable building technology.

4 Sessions
Session 1: September 12, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Environmental SeparationDefinition of a BuildingThe Effect of ClimateThe Perfect WallThe Water MoleculeRelative Humidity and Vapor PressureAir Flow and Vapor DiffusionRainCapillarity
Session 2: September 14, 1:00 – 5:00pm
The Myth of the Dew PointRoofs Vented and UnventedIce DamsCrawlspaces Vented and UnventedBasementsSlabs and Flooring
Session 3: September 19, 1:00 – 5:00pm
Stucco FailuresPressure and IAQBuildings as 3-D Airflow NetworksControlling Pressures and PathwaysStack Effect and CompartmentalizationHVACPart Load and Humidity ControlCentral Systems vs. Distributed Systems
Session 4: September 21, 1:00 – 5:00pm
RetrofitsMass BuildingsFreeze ThawInterior Foundation RetrofitsHistoric Building LimitationsFrame BuildingsDeep Energy Retrofits

Funding Grants Available: Submit by August 22nd, 2023
Funding Grants Available: Submit by August 22nd, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1131731

Passive House 201: Technical Aspects of Design & Construction
2023-09-26 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
This session will take a deeper look into common design & construction strategies for achieving the Passive House standard.
Concepts will include building envelope & insulation, air tightness, thermal bridging, testing & verification, and mechanical systems. A brief review of Passive House basics will be included, though some familiarity is recommended.
This course is taught by Aaron Gunderson. Aaron is the Executive Director of Passive House Massachusetts, overseeing member engagement, public outreach, educational programing, and organizational administration. He is a Certified Passive House Tradesperson and an accredited LEED professional with prior experience in community outreach & development for clean-tech companies and solar power installers. He holds a Master’s in Sustainability from Harvard University where he focused on sustainable building design, embodied carbon and energy analysis, greenhouse gas reporting, and community-level climate adaptation.

Course Objectives
Learn about designing projects to the Passive House standard and details to focus on, including thermal & air barriers.
Learn about common construction issues and strategies to successfully build PH projects.
Learn about methods to achieve PH air tightness metrics and conduct testing & verification on the envelope.
Learn about mechanical systems, including VRFs, heat pumps, and ERVs, and things to consider when designing for them.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by September 5th, 2023
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# 1131154

Background photo above is of The Distillery via Icon Architecture

Phius Certified Builder (CPHB) Training
2023-10-02 | Virtual Event
(8) 3-Hour Sessions from October 2nd to 13th

About the Class
The Phius Certified Builder Certification is for tradespeople and construction professionals with field experience in construction and/or high performance building. This training prepares construction professionals to understand passive building techniques — airtight enclosures, high-performance window installation, passive design strategies, field quality assurance, and site management. For a project pursuing Phius Certification, these professionals ensure the building is built and operating to the plans and specifications. They are responsible for executing air-sealing and thermal bridge mitigation. This training is delivered live, online over 8 days.
The cost of the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant Program, and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company.
Registration closes on September 18th.

About Phius
Phius (Passive House Institute US) trains and certifies professionals, maintains the Phius climate-specific passive building standard, certifies and quality assures passive buildings, certifies high-performance building products and conducts research to advance high-performance building.

Training Schedule
Session 1: Monday, October 2nd – 2:00-5:00pmSession 2: Tuesday, October 3rd – 2:00-5:00pmSession 3: Thursday, October 5th – 2:00-5:00pmSession 4: Friday, October 6th – 2:00-5:00pmSession 5: Tuesday, October 10th – 2:00-5:00pmSession 6: Wednesday, October 11th – 2:00-5:00pmSession 7: Thursday, October 12th – 2:00-5:00pmSession 8: Friday, October 13th – 2:00-5:00pm

Funding Grants Available: Submit by September 11th, 2023
Grant deadline: September 11th
Please note that you must submit an Express Grant application minimum of 21 days out from the live training start date. Complete an Express Grant application here.
$1,400.00 is eligible for grant funding. (The total course cost is $1,550. $150 is the cost of the exam and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company).
The Express Grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
Course ID#: 1146564
