Built Environment Plus

Fulbright University Vietnam: Sustainability in New Campus Design
2019-09-24 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Siena Construction, 38 Sidney St, Cambridge, MA, 02139, United States
Date: September 24th | Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm | Location: 38 Sidney Street | Cambridge, MA 02139, Suite 180
Overview
Carrying forward the legacy of its namesake, Senator J. William Fulbright, a champion of international educational exchange, Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) is the country’s first independent, non-profit institution of higher education. The landmark institution aspires to serve Vietnamese society through innovative teaching programs and impactful research aimed at supporting Vietnam’s continued development, while addressing the grand challenges facing Vietnam and the world. The university, representing a collaboration between the United States government and the government of Vietnam, was officially announced in 2016 by President Obama during his visit to Ho Chi Minh City.
Reflecting its cultural and educational mandate, FUV aims to set a precedent in sustainable and resilient planning for the next generation of Vietnamese and global leaders. We will look at a number of issues that shaped this project, including how critical early decision-making and commitments impact opportunities for sustainable development throughout its design and construction life cycle; how FUV’s unique approach to environmental design is integrated with the cultural and contextual experience of the campus to create a forward-thinking design firmly rooted in its place; and the role of the university in acknowledging and addressing local environmental challenges while also advancing regional and global standards of sustainable development.
Refreshments will be served during the event.

This event is hosted and sponsored by Siena Construction Corporation.

Meet Our Speakers

Steven Garcia
Project Director, SHoP
Steven is a project director at SHoP and has played an integral role in the design, coordination, management, and delivery of SHoP’s high-profile projects in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the United States. Since joining SHoP in 2010, Steven has directed several of the firm’s leading institutional and infrastructure projects including Fulbright University Vietnam, Botswana Innovation Hub, 9 Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn, master plans for LaGuardia and JFK Airports in New York City, and Miami Innovation District. He has made key contributions to the development of innovative structural and enclosure systems, large-scale planning efforts, and the design of high-performance spaces such as auditoriums and biotechnology laboratories. He holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University GSAPP and has taught digital media seminars and studio design courses at Cornell University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Dana Getman
Associate Principle, SHoP
Dana Getman is an Associate Principal at SHoP Architects, leading some of the firm’s most complex projects. Her institutional work includes the Fulbright University in Vietnam, the National Veterans Resource Center at Syracuse University, and several projects under a Design Excellence contract with the State Department, including the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and the U.S. Consulate in Milan. Dana recently led the design team of 111 West 57th Street, a 1,400-foot tall terracotta and bronze supertall residential tower overlooking Central Park, as well as the master plan and key first phase projects, the Essex Market and 242 Broome, for the Seward Park redevelopment in New York City. Dana currently chairs the Urban Land Institute Next in New York, is a member of the urban planning committee of the Municipal Art Society, and lectures regularly on SHoP’s approach to architecture and urbanism. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and a Master of Architecture II from Yale University. Her teaching includes studio design courses at both of those institutions, as well as at Columbia University.

Nico Kienzl DDes, LEED Fellow, ASHRAE HBDP
Director, Atelier Ten, New York Office
Nico is a founding director of Atelier Ten’s New York City office and member of Atelier Ten’s US and international leadership group. He has over 20 years of experience in sustainability consulting with expertise on the application of advanced building analysis for façade optimization, daylight and shading analysis, and optimization of building systems.
Nico has played a significant role on a variety of residential, commercial, institutional, cultural, and masterplan projects throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East where he has not only shaped the environmental performance, but also influenced the building industry in moving into a more sustainable future. As Director, he has consulted on over 120 high-performance building projects, many of which have sought Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification, including the first LEED Platinum condominium in New York City, the first LEED Platinum university campus under LEED-ND, and most recently the ambitious expansion of the Science, Education, & Innovation Center at the American Museum of Natural History. His exemplary contributions to green building and significant professional achievements within the community of LEED professionals led him to be among an elite group of 43 exceptional green building professionals worldwide to be named LEED Fellow of 2012, the most prestigious designation awarded by Green Building Certification Institute.
Nico is a member of the Board of Directors for the Urban Green Council and Storefront for Art and Architecture. He served as a Representative Member and Peer Reviewer for the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Green Building Federal Advisory Committee and GSA Design Excellence Program, respectively, and is a High-Performance Building Design Professional under the U.S. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers. Nico has held teaching engagements at various institutions including Harvard Graduate School of Design, Pratt Institute, and Columbia University.
He received a Doctor of Design from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, holds a Master of Science in Building Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and received his Diploma in Architecture from the Technical University of Munich.

Start Smart: Clean Energy from the Ground Up
2019-09-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Bentley University, 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA, 02452, United States
Overview

General Agenda

Date: Sept 25th, 2019 | Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Location: Bentley University, 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA 02452
Start Smart will offer residential new construction professionals the opportunity to learn the latest information on reliable, cost-effective, energy-efficient technologies and incentives with the goal of smoothly integrating them into the home building process. Attendees will connect with others already successfully implementing these technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of homes while making them more affordable to operate. With three concurrent tracks, attendees will have the opportunity to choose the sessions that are most applicable to their business and future projects while engaging with multiple experts.
Through this workshop there will be three concurrent tracks where attendees will:

Learn more about how clean energy solutions improve home performance and customer satisfaction.
Understand how to maximize incentives to improve project economics.
Engage with other industry professionals to ensure install quality and compatibility through best practices and case studies.
Build partnerships through networking for future projects.

The core focus will be on air source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, solar PV, and solar thermal for new construction projects. All technologies discussed are cost-effective, readily deployable, and will continue to play a larger role in the Massachusetts marketplace.
CEUS Available:

AIA
ASHRAE
Passive House US – Pending
LEED
BPI
HERS Rater
CSL – Pending
Who Should Attend:
Builders & Developers | Architects | HERS Raters | HVAC Installers | Solar Installers | Engineers
Speakers Include:

John Moore, New England Solar Hot Water | Tim Gould, Ace Energy | David Lis, NEEP | Craig Foley, LAER Reality | Amanda Schneck | Larry Lissard | Bobby de Sousa, Mass Save Energy Code Support | Jamie Leef, SunBug Solar | Mark Durrenberger, New England Clean Energy
Register Today

About Abode Energy Management
Abode Energy Management is a boutique energy consulting firm driving efficiency improvements for New England’s built environment. We are passionate about helping our industry grow through a training-based, collaborative approach. Our collective experience in building performance, renewables, clean energy financing, utility program implementation, community engagement, and workforce development form the foundation that enables us to deliver data-driven results for our partners and clients.
About MassCEC
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits and to secure long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts. MassCEC works to increase the adoption of clean energy while driving down costs and delivering financial, environmental, and economic development benefits to energy users and utility customers across the state.

Canceled: Central MA Presinar: LEED Case Study: Mall of American Expansion
2019-09-26 18:15 - 19:45 | National Grid’s Sustainability Hub, 912 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States
Phil Stien and Shona O’Dea of DLR Group will discuss the process of LEED certification for three separate components of the Mall of America expansion project: the retail addition, the office building, and the JW Marriott hotel. Nathan Klutz, construction director for the mall, will also be present to detail the owner’s commitment to LEED building certification and explain the sustainable components of the building’s operation.

Objectives

Understand the major differences between LEED New Construction and LEED Core and Shell rating systems
Know the elements in sustainable site selection that contribute the most LEED credits
Define how to separate LEED projects that are part of the same development
Know several unique options for achieving LEED Innovation in Design credits

Chapter members get a discount on this course!

If you are a member of USGBC MA just use your email as a promotional code before checkout. Not sure how? See a tutorial.
Benefits for all membership types include a 15% discount on most of our events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check or Become a Member

Women in Green: Community Lunch
2019-10-02 12:00 - 13:30 | China Pearl Restaurant, 9 Tyler St, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Instead of packing lunch for work, why not join the USGBC MA for our Women in Green: Community Lunch! On Wednesday, October 2nd, come meet other women in the Massachusetts, sustainable design community and enjoy a variety of dim sum dishes at China Pearl. There are only 40 seats available, so make sure to register early.

Careers in Sustainability: Charging into a Career in Renewables
2019-10-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Boston University College of the Arts & Sciences, 675 Commonwealth Ave, Room 132, Boston, MA, 02215, United States
The panel is located in room CAS 132 which is between 675 Commonwealth Avenue entrance, right next to Granby Street, and 685 Commonwealth Avenue (main entrance to the building, which is right in front of BU East station).
The Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts group is excited to share our next Careers in Sustainability panel discussion at Boston University! Our upcoming event is themed “Careers in Renewables.” We plan to discuss how young professionals can break into a career in renewable energy by hearing from energy professionals from various points in their careers. The panel will include a diverse group of professionals from multiple industries within renewable energy, including both fresh and seasoned professionals. Anyone that is interested in a career change to renewable/green energy, or wants to learn more about what a career in renewable and/or green energy looks like, is encouraged to attend! We hope to see you there!
Panelists:
· Andrew Breiter-Wu, President, Breiter Planet Properties
· Alexandra Gadawski, Designer, HMFH Architects, Inc.
· Emily Powers, Energy Efficiency and Zero Energy Program Manager, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
· Kshitij Chopra, Analyst, Breiter Planet Properties
Careers in Sustainability Series:
The Careers in Sustainability Series began in 2017 by the USGBC MA Chapter’s Emerging Professionals of MA Committee, during the ramp up to GreenBuild in Boston. The goal of the series is to bring professionals in various stages of their careers in sustainability to help provide guidance and insight to students planning on entering a sustainability-related industry. Our series is structured as a panel discussion that we take to a new college every year to broaden our impact across Massachusetts. This event is brought to you by the Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts, a community of ascending professionals across the green building industry and allied fields providing professional support, development and advocacy tools through active networking, monthly programming, and community events.

Presinar: LEED and Human Health
2019-10-16 16:30 - 18:00 | Edison Conference Room, 16th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
GBCI: 0920018733
Every LEED project protects and improves the health of people across the globe via macro level strategies AND the health of occupants in the project via building level strategies. For example, improving energy efficiency in one building reduces pollutants in the air and greenhouse gas emissions across the globe, thereby helping global health. Water efficiency in one building helps protect water resources available globally. In addition, LEED incorporates strategies targeted at improving the health specifically of the occupants in the building by optimizing indoor air quality, material impacts, lighting, biophilia, sound, and other parameters. We recognize that all of our actions are connected and have an impact on health and quality of life, and LEED is designed to optimize our impacts. Attendees will come away from this session with a deeper understanding of how LEED affects our everyday lives and improves health and wellness.
Course Objectives:

Identify the health and wellness impacts from LEED v4 Indoor Environmental Quality credits
Recognize health impacts of LEED v4 Water credits
Recognize health impacts of LEED v4 Location & Transportation credits
Identify connection between energy savings and health benefits in LEED v4 Energy & Atmosphere credits

Credits: 1 AIA 1 GBCI (LEED Specific BD+C, O+M, ID+C, GA)
https://www.usgbc.org/education/sessions/leed-and-human-health-12150539#

Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts Meeting
2019-10-21 18:00 - 19:30, 2019-11-18 18:00 - 19:30, 2019-12-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Conference Room Windrose, 5th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS OF MASSACHUSETTS (EPMA)
The EPMA Committee is a great venue for becoming more engaged with green building community and forming meaningful connections with colleagues across the industry. Our monthly meetings are open to anyone interested in becoming more involved.
MEETING AGENDAS TYPICALLY INCLUDE:
The meeting starts with a 45 minute discussion with the committee leaders regarding planning for upcoming EPMA events and USGBC-MA Chapter updates. All are welcome to this portion of the meeting as we look for volunteers to help plan events. Please join us at 6:45pm for the presentation and networking.
Below is the breakdown of the meeting agenda:

6:00-6:40pm: Committee Meeting
6:40-6:45pm: Break/Introductions
6:45-7:20pm: Presentation
7:20-7:30pm: Networking

THIS MONTH’S FEATURE PRESENTATION:
Stay tuned for an update on the presentation!
A BIT MORE ABOUT EPMA:
Chairs: Lindsey Machamer, Jasmine Abdollahi
The Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts (EPMA) Committee is a community of ascending professionals across the green building industry and allied fields that provides professional support, development and advocacy tools through active networking, monthly programming and community events.
To learn more about EPMA, join the mailing list by following this link (select the Emerging Professionals e-mail list), visit our EPMA facebook group page (USGBC Emerging Professionals – MA) or send an email to emergingprofessionals@usgbcma.org.
EPMA Events Include:

Building Tours
Sustainable Bike Tour
Networking Nights
Neighborhood Clean-Ups
Student Programming

Check out our calendar for the latest schedule!

Design 4 People Conference
2019-10-23 08:00 - 2019-10-24 15:30 | The Innovation and Design Building, 19 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Design 4 People is the first conference of its kind that will inspire, celebrate, energize, and help you discover new ways to help people through design. Many years ago, the green movement began with design that protected the environment and today we are exploring how we can design for people. Design 4 People brings you, design leaders, to raise your work to a new level and help you understand how to improve human output within the built environment. You will have the ability to exchange ideas and learn best practices. Through inspiring speakers, interactive sessions, and networking time, you’ll leave with new ideas on how to incorporate innovative methods into your projects, facilities, and design. By participating, you are helping spread the message to the industry. By attending Design 4 People, you assist the industry in fulfilling its mission to advance design and promote wellness within the built environment through initiatives in design, advocacy, education, public engagement, and many more. Be a part of an exclusive group of design leaders that will gather at Design 4 People.

Central MA Presinar: Full Circle Urban Forestry, Introducing Urban Wood Opportunities
2019-10-23 18:15 - 19:45 | National Grid’s Sustainability Hub, 912 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States
Many common urban tree removal practices in the United States view felled urban trees as costly waste. However, trees removed from our cities and communities due to death, storm damage, or other circumstances are a resource worth saving. When processed, sold, and utilized, the U.S. could produce nearly 4 billion board feet annually to cushion local economies, reduce expenses for communities, and provide a sustainable, renewable resource for distinctive finishes in built spaces.
This presentation will provide an overview of the urban wood industry and include the considerations necessary by designers, specifiers, and contractors wishing to utilize urban wood.

Objectives

Learn of the extent of urban wood as a resource available to the construction industry and how it connects with LEED BD+C Homes V4 MR Environmental Preferred products
Understand the necessary interconnectivity required between communities, sawmills, and lumber distributors to make the use of urban wood as easy and financially viable as possible and boost LEED BD+C Homes V4 MR Environguage and concepts needed to promote the use of urban wood by designers and owners.
Learn the means to correctly specify urban wood for a project; ensuring that the architect, contractor and millworker understand the special procedures needed to use urban wood.
Understand the technical challenges of using urban wood. Learn the benefits beyond the application – environmental, economic, and societal and how it can work with LEED BD+C V4 Construction Waste Management

Chapter members get a discount on this course!

If you are a member of USGBC MA just use your email as a promotional code before checkout. Not sure how? See a tutorial.
Benefits for all membership types include a 15% discount on most of our events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check or Become a Member

Intro to Living Building Challenge
2019-11-06 09:00 - 10:30 | Conference Room Windrose, 5th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
With this training course you will learn the basic knowledge of the Living Building Challenge–a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program that addresses development at all scales. The Living Building Challenge is the built environment’s most rigorous performance standard. It calls for the creation of building projects that operate as cleanly, beautifully, and efficiently as nature’s architecture.To be certified, projects must meet a series of ambitious performance requirements, including net zero energy, waste, and water, plus over a minimum of twelve months of continuous occupancy.

Learning objectives:
1. Understand the basic philosophy of the Living Building Challenge
2. Describe the key components of the program
3. Discuss the rationale for restorative design principles
4. Identify and locate the resources provided by the International Living Future Institute for deeper engagement

CANCELLED: Living Building Challenge (LBC) Roundtable
2019-11-13 09:00 - 10:30 | “Edison” Conference Room, 16th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
** Living Building Challenge (LBC) Roundtable has been cancelled. Thank you for your understanding and we hope to see you at upcoming Living Future Collaborative events!**
USGBC MA’s mission is to drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of the built environment. The only way to accomplish our mission is to collaborate with community members. To that end, join us for our first Living Building Challenge (LBC) Roundtable.
The LBC Roundtable will enable like-minded professionals to gather and explore specific issues, define actions, develop strategies and explore solutions related to LBC in the green building industry. Join us in moving the needle towards a net positive environment, society, and economy.
This event is organized by the Living Future Collaborative New England.

This event is free for members.
Our members support our close-knit community of passionate practitioners. Join us in transforming the built environment to sustainable design practices. Benefits for all membership types are the same with a few exceptions, including a 15% discount on all events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check here. Become a Member

Building Better for Trash, Recycling, and Organics
2019-11-14 09:00 - 10:30 | Room Hercules, 17th floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02110, US
This course is designed to ensure designers understand the space and electrical requirements necessary for dock space, and the internal storage of trash, recycling, organic food waste, and special materials. Lack of planning for these elements have direct effects on the ability to sort and separate waste materials, custodial safety, and the cost of waste contracts.
Learning Objectives

planning for access by waste hauling vehicles
planning for external space necessary for waste containers
planning for internal container storage
planning for movement of containers throughout facility

Meet Our Speakers
Gretchen Carey is the Recycling and Organics Coordinator of New England for Republic Services. She is also a LEED Green Associate and Zero Waste TRUE advisor, and has been in the solid waste field for 13 years. Gretchen is also the President of the statewide non-profit, MassRecycle.
Brendan Dalton is the Republic Services Sales Manager for the Boston Business unit. He has spent 14 years in the solid waste industry and is an expert in the financial aspects of solid waste planning.
Refund policy: Refunds will be accepted up until 7 days before the event.

Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
2019-11-19 - 2019-11-22 | Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA, 30313, United States
Greenbuild is the largest annual event for green building professionals worldwide to learn and source cutting edge solutions to improve resilience, sustainability, and quality of life in our buildings, cities, and communities. This year’s event theme is “A New Living Standard.”

Presinar: Teslas vs. Ducks - Can Zero Energy Buildings Kill the Duck?
2019-11-20 16:30 - 18:00 | Edison Conference Room, 16th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
GBCI: 0920019344
In this session thought leaders from a national lab, a utility company, and a building design firm discuss if cheap, plentiful, green energy lies beyond today’s net zero energy trend. As more net zero energy buildings and utility scale photovoltaic projects come on line, the combined power generated by renewable energy sources is flooding the grid around noon causing supply to exceed demand. Later as solar generation falls off, demand peaks in the late afternoon creating the infamous duck curve. Designing net zero energy buildings it not the end-game. We need to match renewable energy resources with energy use for future buildings. Add the explosive growth of electric vehicles and megafactories churning batteries for energy storage and one can begin to imagine a future where energy flows in completely different ways. This presentation focuses beyond net zero energy to what challenges need to be considered next to continue the transition toward a renewable energy future. Buildings and the grid will need to matching clean energy sources with demand based on the sun, weather, and energy storage. Three experts will focusing on upcoming issues at building scale, community scale and grid scale related to the complex system interaction between net zero energy buildings, large scale renewable deployment, explosive electric vehicle adoption, falling battery storage costs, changing rate structures and renewable energy metering rules and the limited capacity of the grid.
Course Objectives:

Identify what causes the duck curve and why it is a problem for the grid and how localized batteries combined with photovoltaics can reduce demand on the grid.
Identify how utility rate structures can encourage the installation of batteries to support the grid.
Recognize how controls can help match supply and demand.
Identify ways in which electric vehicles can increase demand on the grid or potentially help to support the grid.

Credits: GBCI (LEED General)
https://www.usgbc.org/education/sessions/teslas-vs-ducks-can-zero-energy-buildings-kill-duck-12319903

Central MA Presinar: Construction Waste Management in LEED
2019-11-20 18:15 - 19:45 | National Grid’s Sustainability Hub, 912 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States
Waste is a big part of the environmental impact of our buildings. In 2003, 170 million tons of construction and demolition waste were generated in the US and, of that, 61% from nonresidential construction projects. This third course in a series directed at LEED for contractors, will provide you with tools and resources to effectively manage the construction and demolition waste on your project in order to meet LEED requirements. This course is geared to contractors but will benefit anyone wanting to learn about this credit.Although this course does not require knowledge of the credit, you may experience a better learning outcome if you review the credits beforehand. You can find the prerequisite here and the credit here.
As part of the course you will find additional reading materials in the Additional Resource section. Please take a look at the MR prerequisite and credit forms to familiarize yourself with what information is needed for the credit and how it is to be presented. Also, please read the brief article on landfills and how they work as background for understanding the impetus for the credit.
Like what you see? For related courses, check out the playlists that this course is featured in:

CMP: LEED AP BD+C playlist
CMP: SITES AP playlist
Key concepts for contractors and builders

Objectives

Develop a LEED-compliant construction and demolition waste management plan
Implement construction and demolition waste management strategies on a LEED project
Determine LEED-appropriate waste diversion strategies for your project
Anticipate construction and demolition waste management challenges on your LEED project
Produce LEED-compliant documentation for construction and demolition waste management

Chapter members get a discount on this course!

If you are a member of USGBC MA just use your email as a promotional code before checkout. Not sure how? See a tutorial.
Benefits for all membership types include a 15% discount on most of our events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check or Become a Member

EPMA: The Power of Networking
2019-11-21 17:30 - 19:15 | 20 Ashburton Pl, 20 Ashburton Place, Floor 8, Floor 8, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
This session will include a presentation on essential tips and tricks for networking, including:

finding networking groups that fit your profession
leveraging your network to land new opportunities
developing lasting relations within your network
building a niche brand for yourself
using social media to your advantage

Directions/Travel Guidance: Park Street Station is the closest stop to the event. It is accessible by Red line, Green line, and Orange line.

Meet the Presenter:

Julie Nasser
Julie has more than ten years of experience in business development, A/E/C recruiting, sales, and real estate leasing. She has made a name for herself for her expertise on networking and professional development.
She is a member of NAIOP, serving on its Developing Leaders Committee; a member of CREW Boston on the Golf Committee; and a member of CoreNet New England. She is also on the committee for Wellness for Women in Real Estate (WWIRE) and is part of the CANstruction Boston Committee.

Living Building Challenge: Collaborative Meeting
2019-12-04 17:00 - 18:30 | Linnean Solutions Office, 5 Upland Street, Suite #3, Cambridge, MA, 02140, United States
This meeting will reconsider the Collaborative project in New Bedford, and consider what we learned and where we should go from here. This meeting is part of the Living Community Challenge; learn more at the International Living Future Institute website.
This event is organized by the Living Future Collaborative of New England.

This event is free for members.
Our members support our close-knit community of passionate practitioners. Join us in transforming the built environment to sustainable design practices. Benefits for all membership types are the same with a few exceptions, including a 15% discount on all events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check here.

Presinar: Approaching Net Zero: Solutions for Commercial Buildings
2019-12-18 16:30 - 18:00 | Edison Conference Room, 16th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
GBCI: 0920019345
This session will present zero energy design as cost-competitive strategy for commercial buildings by sharing the latest research and guidance from the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), and showcasing the different paths to zero energy taken by REI, Suncoast Credit Union and others. The Department of Energy will open the session with an overview of zero energy and current trends in the market. Outdoor recreation equipment retailer REI will share how an integrated design process and an early zero energy goal informed their new distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona. Suncoast Credit Union will describe how the company has become a leader in sustainable building practices through development of zero energy banking facilities. NREL will provide practical guidance on doing zero energy right from RFP through operation, as well as strategies for getting to zero with taller buildings.
Course Objectives:

Identify how market conditions for renewable energy and advances in building technologies are making it more feasible to achieve net zero energy in commercial buildings
Describe how zero energy goals can be achieved in new, retrofit, and core and shell construction with strong performance in Optimize Energy Performance in LEED v4 BD+C.
Explain how energy savings strategies can also contribute to WELL v1 Feature 82 rating system achievements by offering improvements to individual comfort.
Describe how early integrated design and performance-based procurement will facilitate will facilitate zero energy buildings and stronger performance in energy efficiency when pursuing the Renewable Energy Production Credit in LEED v4 BD+C

Credits: 1 AIA 1 GBCI (LEED Specific BD+C, WELL, GA)
https://www.usgbc.org/education/sessions/approaching-net-zero-solutions-commercial-buildings-12319992

Central MA Presinar: Nordic House, Building WELL in Minnesota
2019-12-18 18:15 - 19:45 | National Grid’s Sustainability Hub, 912 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States
Occurring partway through the Nordic House design process, this panel session will share lessons learned from Minnesota pioneers of the WELL Building Standard. After a brief overview of WELL and introduction to the project, a diverse panel of Nordic House team members will share their different perspectives of WELL, from design to development, leasing, and property management. The panel will also address unique considerations related to using the WELL Building Standard for a Core and Shell project, making the decision whether or not to pursue the WELL Pilot for Multifamily Residential, and aligning their pathway to WELL certification with the project’s historic location and other project goals.
Like what you see? For related courses, check out the playlists that this course is featured in:

GBCI Programs
CMP: WELL AP playlist
Case Studies

Objectives

Identify how to align diverse project goals with wellness outcomes
Discuss the importance of the building core location to achieving the Right to Light Feature in the WELL Building Standard, version 1
Describe a process for designing building amenities to achieve the Active Transportation Support Feature in the WELL Building Standard, version 1
Discuss the benefits and challenges of achieving the Operable Windows Feature in the WELL Building Standard, version 1

Chapter members get a discount on this course!
If you are a member of USGBC MA just use your email as a promotional code before checkout. Not sure how? See a tutorial.
Benefits for all membership types include a 15% discount on most of our events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check or Become a Member

Buildings and Energy Roundtable | Net Zero Stretch Code: Defining Our Vision
2020-01-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Room Anchor, 1st Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Please join us as we hold a working session to develop consensus around what we believe are the core concepts that should be included in the Net Zero Stretch Code. This drafted proposal could become the standard that which other proposals are compared to.
We will review precedent net zero codes and standards, gather input from municipal stakeholders, and outline what we believe are the core elements that should be included in the Net Zero Stretch Code. This will not be a “code language” crafting event. We will focus on big picture core concepts.

This roundtable is free for members.

Our members support our close-knit community of passionate practitioners. Join us in transforming the built environment to sustainable design practices.
Benefits for all membership types are the same with a few exceptions, including a 15% discount on most events. Please note membership with USGBC National is NOT membership with USGBC MA. Not sure if you are a member of USGBC MA? Check here.

Presinar: Smart Cities
2020-01-15 16:30 - 18:00 | “Pollock” Conference Room, Floor 14, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
GBCI: 0920016469
This session discusses new technological optimizations in highway and road systems, how creating food development and promoting agriculture is an essential component to becoming a Smart City.
Course Objectives:

Identify the benefits of agriculture in urban environments.
Understand the different components of the local food system that have opportunities for smart technology implementation.
Analyze underutilized space for possible intervention with smart systems.
Define Smart in relation to your life and your city.

Credits: 1 AIA 1 GBCI (LEED General)
https://www.usgbc.org/education/sessions/smart-cities-11692994

Living Building Challenge: Designing for the People in a Living Building
2020-01-16 13:00 - 17:00 | Meridian Conference Room, 5th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
This session looks at the Living Building Challenge (LBC) petals and imperatives that directly affect people – health, sense of self, and sense of delight. We will look specifically at the less technical and more empathetic petals in the LBC: Place, Health and Happiness, Equity, and Beauty are LBC petals where human-ness lives. We want to explore the potential of these petal areas, while practicing some deep caring and empathy with exercises designed to bring these ideas to life. Participants will leave knowing that the Living Building Challenge is as much about enhancing life as it is about saving energy. Participants will gain an understanding of where they can use the guidance of the Living Building Challenge to make life truly beautiful and… more alive.
A basic introduction to the Living Building Challenge Petal and Imperative structure is recommended for this course.
This event is organized by the Living Future Collaborative New England.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the design opportunities inherent in the non-technical LBC imperatives
Define the most powerful places to put design energy
Practice using design thinking to meet the intent of the LBC goals
Engage with the power of Place to drive design.

LEED Green Associate Exam Preparation | Green Building Training Program
2020-01-21 09:00 - 17:00 | Meridian Conference Room, 5th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
About the Class
You and your business may be eligible to take this training for FREE! Learn more about this opportunity at our Green Building Training Program website.

The LEED Exam Prep Course is a comprehensive course which will prepare attendees for the LEED Green Associate. This eight-hour course is designed to cover the segments of the Green Associate Exam. If you have specific questions regarding a specialty exam, feel free to bring these questions to class and the instructor will cover these identified areas.
This is a fast-paced class for real estate professionals, architects, engineers, students, and anyone interested in green building practices and LEED. The majority of attendees have little previous knowledge of the LEED rating system, green building operations, and green building construction. Upon completion of the class, employees will be eligible to sit for the LEED Green Associate exam at a local testing center. Please note that the national office has lowered their student rate to $100–read more at usbgc.org. By passing the exam, employees will earn the LEED Green Associate credential.
The course is divided into the following, one-hour long sessions:

Introduction – This section 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.
Location and Transportation / Sustainable Sites – Topics include site issues such as connectivity, transportation, erosion, landscaping, and heat island effect.
Water Efficiency / Energy and Atmosphere – Topics include water issues (plumbing efficiency, irrigation, process water, etc.) and energy and atmosphere issues (demand, efficiency, renewable energy, ozone-depleting substances, etc.).
Materials and Resources – Topics include procurement and waste diversion.
Indoor Environmental Quality – Topics include indoor environmental quality issues such as occupant comfort and green cleaning.
Innovation / Regional Priority / Certification Process – This section will explain the LEED certification process, as well as the Innovation and Regional Priority categories.
Exam Review – Discussion of exam format and registration and sample exam questions.
Exam Review – Reviewing sample exam questions.

This course is now funded through the Commonwealth Workforce Training Fund’s Massachusetts Training Exchange. If you are a small, Massachusetts-based business that employs 100 people or less, you and your employees may be eligible to take this training session for free! Learn more about this opportunity at our Green Building Training Program website.

Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts Meeting
2020-01-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2020-02-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Conference Room Windrose, 5th Floor, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
EMERGING PROFESSIONALS OF MASSACHUSETTS (EPMA)
The EPMA Committee is a great venue for becoming more engaged with green building community and forming meaningful connections with colleagues across the industry. Our monthly meetings are open to anyone interested in becoming more involved.
MEETING AGENDAS TYPICALLY INCLUDE: The meeting starts with a 45 minute discussion with the committee leaders regarding planning for upcoming EPMA events and USGBC MA Chapter updates. All are welcome to this portion of the meeting as we look for volunteers to help plan events. Please join us at 6:45pm for the presentation and networking. Below is the breakdown of the meeting agenda:

6:00-6:40pm: Committee Meeting
6:40-6:45pm: Break/Introductions
6:45-7:20pm: Presentation
7:20-7:30pm: Networking

THIS MONTH’S FEATURE PRESENTATION:
Stay tuned for an update on the presentation!a
A BIT MORE ABOUT EPMA:
Chairs: Lindsey Machamer, Jasmine Abdollahi
The Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts (EPMA) Committee is a community of ascending professionals across the green building industry and allied fields that provides professional support, development and advocacy tools through active networking, monthly programming and community events. To learn more about EPMA, join the mailing list by following this link (select the Emerging Professionals e-mail list), visit our EPMA facebook group page (USGBC Emerging Professionals – MA) or send an email to emergingprofessionals@usgbcma.org.
EPMA Events Include:

Building Tours
Sustainable Bike Tour
Networking Nights
Neighborhood Clean-Ups
Student Programming

Check out our calendar for the latest schedule!

2020 Annual General Meeting
2020-01-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Payette HQ, 290 Congress St, Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Date: Jan 28th, 2020 | Time: 6:00 – 9:00pm | Location: Payette HQ | 290 Congress St, Boston, MA, 02210
It’s that time of the year again, when we all come together to celebrate the volunteers, members, and successes that make our USGBC MA community amazing! We’re ringing in the new year with food and drinks and an awards ceremony for our members, as well as wrapping up voting for the Board of Directors and the organizational name change.
This past year we have accomplished a lot together, such as advocating for zero energy policies, launching inaugural conference Design 4 People, and awarding King Open/Cambridge Street Upper Schools & Community Complex the title of 2019 Green Building of the Year at our Green Building Showcase.
The Annual General Meeting is also when we conclude two voting sessions: the 2020 Board of Director’s election and the vote for changing the organizational name to “Built Environment Plus”. Voting is limited to USGBC MA members only and will occur at the Annual General Meeting on January 28th, beginning at 6:00 PM. In order for the organizational name change to occur, two-thirds of our current members must vote in favor of this change. Proxy ballots for both votes will be sent by email to all members on January 13th. More information will be released soon about the nature of the organizational name change.
The evening will conclude with an announcement about the results of both voting sessions.

Presinar: Life-Cycle Assessment, LEED v4, and Environmental Product Declarations Webcast
2020-02-19 16:30 - 18:00 | “Edison” Conference Room, Floor 16, 50 Milk Street, Boston, MA, 02109, United States
GBCI: 0920020398
Learn how to document the least implemented requirements in LEED v4 Materials and Resources credit category from an expert life cycle assessment (LCA) practitioner.
Course Objectives:

Gain understanding of what life cycle assessment (LCA) is, including specific terms and definitions.
Define what whole building LCA (WBLCA) is and how it is applied within the LEED v4 BD+C building life-cycle impact reduction credit.
Define environmental product declarations (EPD) and be able to locate and identify life cycle information for materials and products for the LEED BD+C v4 building product disclosure and optimization – environmental product declarations credit.
Learn how to document the least implemented requirements in LEED v4 Materials and Resources credit category; understand life cycle thinking and how aspects of LCA and EPDs apply to LEED BD+C v4 building life-cycle impact reduction and building product disclosure and optimization – environmental product declarations.

Credits: 1 AIA 1 GBCI (LEED Specific BD+C, GA)
https://www.usgbc.org/education/sessions/smart-cities-11692994

Two-Part Building Energy Modeling Course Part 1 | Green Building Training Program
2020-02-26 09:30 - 16:00 | 5th Floor “Meridian” Conf Room, 50 Milk St, 5th Floor "Meridian" Conf Room, Boston, MA, 02109
About the Class
You and your business may be eligible to take this training for FREE! Learn more about this opportunity at our Green Building Training Program website.

NOTE: This event is a two-part series.* The course is arranged in this way to allow you to practice the energy modeling in between courses:
Class 1: Feb 26th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Class 2: March 11th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Building Energy Modeling is a versatile, multipurpose tool that is used in new building and retrofit design, green certification, qualification for tax credits and utility incentives.
Learning Objectives: After completing the course, attendees will be able to: 1) describe how modeling is used as part of an integrative design process 2) construct simple commercial building energy models using eQuest 3) interpret the results of energy models 4) distinguish between design models and validation models.

*This course was originally listed as two separate courses occurring on Feb 26th and March 11th.
This now funded through the Commonwealth Workforce Training Fund’s Massachusetts Training Exchange. If you are a small, Massachusetts-based business that employs 100 people or less, you and your employees may be eligible to take this training session for free! Learn more about this opportunity at our Green Building Training Program website.
