Built Environment Plus

Buildings and Carbon
2022-09-13 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | 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 August 23rd, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1131156

Background photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

BE+ Bike Tour 2022
2022-09-17 09:00 - 14:00 | UMass Harborwalk Park, UMass Harborwalk Park, Boston
Grab a bike and join us for the 2022 BE+ Bike Tour!
This year, we will be touring from South Boston to the Seaport, following the coastline to explore the area’s emerging environmental design, development, and ecological significance. Coastal ecosystems are rich resources that provide flood protection, carbon sequestration, and major social/economic benefits. Because of these unique and highly valuable resources, building along the coast requires a careful plan and future-oriented design. With this tour, we want to highlight some of the City of Boston and local architecture and engineering firms’ efforts to strike a balance between growing development and resiliency, while working to preserve ecosystems and communities alike. Nature needs us, and we need nature.
In the meantime, while we finalize the details and launch registration, be sure to hold the date with your friends and family, and check back here soon for the published route and stops. The BE+ Bike Tour is hosted by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community.
Here are three things to know now:

Riders can congregate at the marked point along the harbor walk. The start is conveniently located a tenth mile from the JFK station and a short walk from the UMass Campus West Parking Garage. Note: Parking at the garage is $15/day.
We currently plan for a 9:00am start with a 2:00pm estimated completion.
Should we get rained out, we will hold the tour the next day, Sunday, September 18th.

Visit the Bike Tour 22' Webpage

The BE+ Bike Tour is hosted by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community.
The BE+ Emerging Professionals (EP) is a community of ascending professionals cross the green building industry and allied fields helping drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction and operation of the built environment. The committee provides professional support, development and advocacy tools through active networking, monthly programming and community events.

Learn More

EcoDistricts: A New Model of Urban Re-Generation
2022-09-20 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
In this workshop you’ll discover a framework to transform existing neighborhoods through the lens of Equity, Resilience and Climate Change and a process to create a roadmap and structure for communities to move forward.
This hands-on workshop will help you understand how to develop an action plan for how to move communities forward. The EcoDistrict processes a template for bringing together community leaders, developers, architects and planners to envision and create sustainable neighborhoods, working at the district or neighborhood scale. The EcoDistrict Protocol has been successfully used in a number of communities, ranging from new community development projects to existing densely populated neighborhoods, to build a community vision and plan for how to meet that vision. The protocol is not a checklist or a set of targets, but rather a framework for working as a community to define meaningful goals and appropriate actions.
Local EcoDistrict Accredited Professional Jim Newman and founder and former Executive Director of EcoDistricts.org, Rob Bennet will together, present some history, some community experiences, and a lot of information about theEcoDistrict Protocol and how it works.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by August 30th, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1131191

Background photo above is of the Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Eco Innovation District in Dorchester, MA via EcoDistricts.org

A Walk in the Woods: A Biophilia Discussion and Walk
2022-09-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Stonehurst Manor, 100 Robert Treat Paine Dr, Waltham, MA, 02452, United States
Join the Living Future community in an exploration of biophilic thinking while exploring the historic Stonehurst Manor in Waltham.
Stonehurst Manor is a historic property in Waltham, near Bentley College, that boasts a Richardson designed house and Olmstead designed grounds, as well as large natural areas filled with trails.
Following the Roundtable on Biophilia, the Living Future community is using this unique property as a backdrop for discussions of the relationships possible between buildings and landscapes, the role of tended landscapes in supporting mental and physical health, the role of humans in supporting ecosystems, and other topics in biophilic thinking.
This will be a family-friendly, all-outside “walk in the woods”. Bring the kids and enjoy these beautiful grounds and stimulating discussion.
Location Notes:
Stonehurst Manor, 100 Robert Treat Paine Dr, Waltham, MA 0245
There are no restrooms on-site, so attendees should plan accordingly.
Please consider bringing your own hydration.
Rain or shine!

LEED® Green Associate Exam Prep (2 Part Course)
2022-10-04 13:00 - 17:00, 2022-10-06 13:00 - 17:00 | Online event
This LEED® Exam Prep Course is a comprehensive course which will prepare attendees for the Green Associate exam. The day long curriculum is designed to cover the segments of the Green Associate Exam and to lightly cover the AP specialty exams.
It will be a fast-paced class for real estate professionals, architects, engineers, and anyone else 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 you will be eligible to sit for the LEED Green Associate exam at a local testing center.
This occurrence will happen in two parts and only needs one registration to attend both:

Tuesday October 4th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm EST
Thursday October 6th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm EST

This course is taught by Patrick Boyle, LEED AP, WELL AP, Assistant Sustainability Consultant at The Green Engineer.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by September 13th, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1131031

Background photo above is of the Rockwell Integrated Sciences Center, Lafayette College via The Green Engineer / Payette taken by © Robert Benson.

Renovation and Rehabilitation - Two Part
2022-10-04 13:00 - 17:00, 2022-10-06 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
Renovation and Rehabilitation is a seminar that provides a highly interactive discussion. You have a house, you have a mess, and you want to fix it. How do you keep the rain out of it? How do you make it energy efficient, not violate the building code and not irritate your contractor and the owner? How do you not screw up the historic significance if there is any? What about apartments? What about frame houses? How do you deal with brick and masonry basement foundations from the inside? What are sacrificial mortars and renderings? Should I worry about freeze-thaw damage when I insulate the interior? How do I insulate the exterior of a mass wall assembly? More questions – and more answers. Upon completion of the seminar, members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) will receive 8 LU|HSW posted directly to the AIA Provider website. NOT AVAILABLE FOR GENERAL GRANTS. This course is intended for building industry professionals.
This occurrence will happen in two parts:Tuesday, October 4th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm ESTThursday, October 6th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm EST

Funding Grants Available: Submit by September 13th, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1131733

Background photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash

Emerging Professionals Career Panel
2022-10-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
What does a career in the built environment industry look like? Come hear from three professionals that are passionate about sustainability and equity in the built environment. They will tell you about their unique journey into the industry, current goals, and career advice for students and emerging professionals.

Speakers

Christina Hoover, AIA, WELL AP Associate
With seven years of experience, Associate and Architect Christina Hoover has developed a deep portfolio of higher education campus planning and multi-family, mixed-use housing projects. Since joining Elkus Manfredi Architects in 2015, she has been a champion of purposeful place-making and smart, sustainable urban planning, accompanied by her passion for skills-based volunteerism and mentorship of emerging professionals. Her recent work includes a 65% affordable housing project at the ongoing CambridgeSide Redevelopment and renovations to four academic buildings at Simmons University to enable a new Living/Learning Center and state-of-the-art Science Center. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University, and completed international studies in the United Kingdom and Italy.

Austin Lee, Associate
Austin Lee, an Associate at Elkus Manfredi Architects, has twelve years of experience in a wide range of master planning and architecture projects, including the Joan and Edgar Booth Theatre for Boston University and the Little Building Residence Hall for Emerson College. Austin is an advocate for sustainable design and the built environment, and his recent work includes a pair of buildings for the University of Southern Maine in Portland slated for completion in fall 2023: a 40,000-square-foot Career and Student Success Center featuring a hybrid mass timber structure and a 580-bed pre-certified Passive House residential commons. Prior to joining Elkus Manfredi in 2015, Austin worked in Shenzhen, China. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley.

Samira Ahmadi
Samira Ahmadi is the Founding Principal of enviENERGY Studio LLC, an energy and sustainability consulting firm, serving regional and national clients looking for sustainable solutions in the built environment. Her practice focuses on sustainability and energy performance analyses for new construction and existing building retrofit projects that are pursuing LEED certification and energy upgrades, occupant’s health and comfort in the built environment, and post-occupancy evaluation, and measurement and verification. Samira has more than 12 years of experience in energy modeling and sustainability consulting. She is an advocate of sustainability and energy efficiency in the built environment and has served on the USGBC Massachusetts Chapter Board of Directors.

This event was planned, and is hosted, by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Committee.
This event is FREE for BE+ Emerging Professionals Members and Emerging Professionals who have been in the green building industry for 3 years or less.

Background photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Boston Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning Initiative Discussion
2022-10-20 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
Join the BE+ Carbon & Energy Community for a special roundtable discussion!
Join the BE+ Carbon & Energy Community for a discussion with John Dalzell, Senior Architect for Sustainable Development at BPDA, on Boston’s Zero Net Carbon Building and Zoning Article 37 updates. This is an opportunity for leaders and aspiring leaders in the green building industry to discuss, ask questions, and provide feedback directly to City and BPDA staff.
The 30-day public comment period opens on September 28th and closes on October 28th. Find more information on the update and upcoming public hearings on the BDPA website.
Reach out to communications@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.

Winthrop Center Tower: Sustainability and Wellness Tour
2022-10-24 08:30 - 10:00 | The Winthrop Discovery Center, 40 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110, United States
Join BE+ Emerging Professionals for a tour of the sustainability and wellness features of the under-construction Winthrop Center Tower!
The Winthrop Center Tower is making history in Boston as the largest Passive House office building in the world in addition to achieving LEED Platinum and WELL Core Gold certifications. Developed by Millennium Partners, the Winthrop Center Tower is a mixed-use project consisting of a ground-level Great Hall with retail and restaurant space open to the public, 21 floors of Class A office space, and 26 floors of luxury residential units. This tour will take participants to the active project site for a behind-the-scenes look at the sustainability and wellness features of the project.
Location Notes:
The Winthrop Discovery Center – 40 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
As this tour takes place on an active construction site, all participants must sign a waiver, wear close-toed boots, and wear a safety vest and hard hat. Participants must indicate whether they need a safety vest and hard hat in their registration form.
This is free for Emerging Professionals. General Admission ticket sales support the BE+ Emerging Professional Community.
This event was planned and is hosted, by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community

Introduction to Passive House Trades
2022-10-25 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
About the Class
The Introduction to Passive House Trades will broadly cover the following topics: Passive House basics, review typical construction types, windows and installation, air barriers and insulation and new, innovative PH products. It is crucial when working on Passive House buildings to properly install components, understand how to correctly implement design details and assess and plan for the current and future performance of the building. This live online course is accompanied by mini video tutorials for various PH product installations, plus incorporates actual building of Passive House details relevant to the US construction industry. This course is provided by The Passive House Network.
Participants will need to provide their own laptop with internet capabilities.

4 AIA/HSW Continuing Education Units are available for this training. The Passive House Network is an AIA Continuing Education Provider.
Background photo by Henry & Co. on Unsplash

About PHN
The Passive House Network (PHN), formerly known as NAPHN, is a high-performance building literacy program. We provide comprehensive, high-quality Passive House education to stakeholders across the building industry – from architects and engineers, to builders and developers, to regulators and policymakers. We demystify the impact of design and construction choices, form knowledge-sharing networks, raise expectations, and transform how professionals fundamentally think and work.
Passive House is widely recognized as the most powerful tool we have today to produce buildings that rise to meet our challenges, forming the cornerstone of climate mitigation and adaptation, public health, and equity impacts. Read The PHN Difference, for a description of what makes us uniquely positioned in the US building industry.
Our Vision: A sustainable, post-carbon, all-renewable energy future – supported by buildings that are efficient, comfortable, affordable, resilient, and healthy.
Our Mission: The transformation of the built environment, using the tools developed by the Passive House Institute, is a critical effort to combat global warming. We provide training, conferences, and other events to both engage and educate design and building professionals, policymakers, and the general public. We support the success and vitality of the Passive House community.

Why Should I Attend this Course?
Learn Passive House standards and their implementation during construction.
Discover best practices for passive house design implementation

Who Should Attend?

This course was developed for a wide range of student profiles include architects, MEP and structural engineers, facade, energy and sustainability consultants, contractors, developers, policymakers, regulators, and more.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Describe the five key principles of Passive House projects.
Summarize typical materials and methods used for insulation and air barriers on Passive House projects
Explain challenging details seen on wood and steel framed construction projects and propose solutions on how these can be overcome.
Describe the common approaches for air barrier application and insulation installation on residential and commercial projects.
Explain systems that can be used to provide space conditioning and ventilation on Passive House projects.
Describe the documentation requirements needed for Passive House certification and identify how it overlaps with the overall quality assurance process.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by October 4th, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1135247

Intro to SITES
2022-10-25 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
The Sustainable SITES Initiative is the most comprehensive system for creating sustainable and resilient land development projects. Land is a crucial component of the built environment and can be planned, designed, developed and maintained to protect and enhance the benefits we derive from healthy functioning landscapes. Participants will learn how to create ecologically resiliency that benefits the environment, property owners, and local and regional communities and economies.
This course is co-taught by Carrie Havey and Lindsey Lawson. Carrie Havey, LEED Fellow and SITES AP, is a Principal at The Green Engineer, Inc. She is a founding member of Built Environment Plus (BE+), a Co-Chair of the BE+ Health & Wellness Community Roundtable, and a past board chair. Lindsey Lawson, LEED AP BD+C, is a Sustainability Consultant at The Green Engineer, Inc. Her educational background is in civil and environmental engineering. She is a member of the BE+ Emerging Professionals community.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by October 4th, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1131182

Background photo above is of the Colby College Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center via Sasaki. Photography by Jeremy Bittermann and Matthew Arielly.

BE+ Green Building Showcase 2022
2022-10-27 16:00 - 21:30 | Harvard University’s Science & Engineering Complex, 150 Western Ave, Boston, MA, 02134, United States
The BE+ 2022 Green Building Showcase Awards Program & Celebration.
Your Community. Your Projects. Your Showcase.

Visit the GBS22 Webpage

Sustainable Acoustics
2022-11-15 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 acoustic principles and various ways in which sustainable 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. We will discuss synergies of acoustical design with other green building strategies – such as environmentally friendly materials, smarter use of energy, water, and material resources, and improved indoor environmental conditions – and potential tradeoffs.
Earn 2 LU/HSW units
This course is taught by Ben Markham, LEED AP, Director of Architectural Acoustics Group at Acentech.
Benjamin Markham brings a passion for acoustics to his role as principal consultant and director of Acentech’s Architectural Acoustics group. He has over 20 years of experience in project leadership and consulting management of architectural acoustics design related to performance spaces and commercial, residential, and civic facilities. Ben consults on various aspects of acoustical design, utilizing computer modeling and auralizations to simulate acoustic environments. His practice includes room acoustics, sound isolation, mechanical systems noise and vibration mitigation, and environmental noise control. He is a frequent visiting lecturer at several architectural schools and universities including MIT, Cornell University, and Harvard University.An industry thought leader, he frequently lectures, speaks, and writes on topics related to building acoustics design, sound isolation, and noise control. He was the primary author of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Design Guide 30: Sound Isolation and Noise Control in Steel Buildings, and authored numerous articles published by design and construction media and technical journals.
Background photo above by Ren Ran on Unsplash.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by October 25th, 2022
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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1131194

ILFI Core Green Building Certification Training
2022-11-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Online event
Core Green Building Certification℠ (Core) is a simple framework that outlines the 10 best practice achievements that a building must obtain to be considered a green or sustainable building. Core puts the connection to nature, equity and the need for a building to be loved on even footing with the more typical water, energy and materials concerns.
In this course, you’ll be introduced to the purpose, key values, and advantages of Core Green Building Certification, the 10 best practice achievements of Core Green Buildings, and the steps for certifying a Core Green Building. You’ll learn how Core seeks to rapidly diminish the gap between the highest levels of established green building certification programs and the aspirations of the Living Building Challenge, and why such a program is needed now.

Speakers

DiAnn Tufts, LFA, Director of Sustainability at PCA and Living Future Community LeaderDiAnn has a passion for sustainable, well-integrated, place-based design. She strives to create high-performing structures with an emphasis on habitable, scale-appropriate spaces that contribute to the character of their community. At PCA, she guides the in-house Green Leaders group, informing them of the sustainable design process and educating staff on opportunities and building certifications such as LEED and beyond.

Jacob Bloom, LFA, Associate at CambridgeSeven and Living Future Community MemberJacob Bloom is a Living Future Ambassador and Associate at CambridgeSeven, a Cambridge-based interdisciplinary architecture, and design firm. Working with owners, developers, and the community, Jacob designs projects to be culturally, ecologically, and financially responsible.

Learning Objectives
Recognize the value of basic regenerative green building practices and how those requirements lead to healthy, more sustainable, and resilient projects
Describe the rationale for the restorative design principles that guide the Core Green Building Certification
Define the intents and requirements of the Core Green Building Standard for high-performing, sustainable, and resilient building projects
Give examples of successful strategies for compliance within each Core performance area

Background photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

Carbon and Energy Roundtable
2022-11-17 15:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-15 15:00 - 16:00, 2023-01-19 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-01-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Join the BE+ Carbon and Energy Roundtable, a venue for architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to discuss issues related to carbon and energy in buildings.
Reach out to carbonenergy@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.

*Roundtables are FREE for Built Environment Plus Members.
**New to the Roundtables? Join as a Newcomer, and come visit up to 3 times for FREE. After that, consider becoming a BE+ Member, or purchase general admission to return as you like.

Emerging Professionals Podcast Club: Language & Land
2022-11-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
You’ve heard of a book club, but get ready for…a podcast club! Listen to curated podcasts, then join this discussion.

This event is for anyone interested in podcasts, environmental justice and social equity!
In tune with the Thanksgiving season, we chose this episode to remind us of the relationship that Indigenous peoples have with their land.
Episodes are freely available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and the podcast’s websites.
Podcast:

Podchat 01: Indigenous Language & Land with Myia Antone

This event was planned, and is hosted, by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Committee.
This event is FREE for BE+ Emerging Professionals Members and Emerging Professionals who have been in the green building industry for 3 years or less.

Background photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash

Women in Green Roundtable
2022-11-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The BE+ Women in Green Roundtable is a venue for architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to collaborate as Women in the industry.
Reach out to womeningreen@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.
View the roundtable’s webpage

Group Leadership:

Chair / Moderator: Allison Zuchman, Senior Sustainability Consultant at The Green Engineer
Board Liason: Jenn Taranto, Director of Sustainability at STO Building Group
Board Liason: Kristen Fritsch, Sustainability Coordinator at Elkus Manfredi Architects

Topics & Featured Leaders

March 2022 - Owners and Real Estate Developers
This roundtable session will include leaders from the real estate development sector and higher education responsible for overseeing their organizations ESG initiatives, sustainable design, and green building certification projects. Learn about what led them to their current roles and what unique skills have made them successful. Learn how each are advancing sustainability efforts within their own organizations and within the building sector overall. Gain advice on working most effectively with developers and clients on your projects. Join us and bring your questions!

Featured Leaders:
Jenny Whitson – Director, Sustainability & ESG at IQHQ
Heather Henriksen – Managing Director, Office for Sustainability at Harvard University
Neetu Singh Siddarth – Sustainability Manager at Boston Properties
Randa Ghattas – Senior Sustainability Project Manager at MIT

2021 Topics
November 2021 – Construction Leaders
Of all people working construction, women comprise only 10.3 percent. This roundtable session will include women from Boston area construction companies including a Passive House specialist, a sustainability manager, and project managers. Learn what led them to work in this industry including how they moved into their current roles, what challenges they may face and what unique skills have made them successful.
Join us for this lively conversation and bring your questions!
Sustainable Leaders:

Kate Starr – Project Manager at Commodore Builders
Alex Testa – Project Manager at Siena Construction Company
Caroline Murray – SPD Senior Project Manager / Sustainability Manager at Turner Construction & SourceBlue Manager, Architectural Products

Moderator:

Jenn Taranto – Director of Sustainability, Global Services at STO Building Group

August 2021 – Building Performance Leaders
This roundtable session will include three building performance leaders including a founding principal of a woman-owned energy analysis and sustainable design consulting firm, a building performance analyst with experience working at both an engineering firm and currently a local sustainable design consulting firm, and a technical principal in a sustainability practice within one of the world’s leading engineering firms. Learn about what led them to their current technical roles and what unique skills have made them successful. Gain some advice if you are interested in pursuing energy analysis work, and learn how to most effectively work with analysts on your current projects. Join us and bring your questions!
Sustainable Leaders:

Samira Ahmadi – Founding Principal of enviENERGY Studio LLC
Jasmine Abdollahi – Building Performance Analyst at The Green Engineer
Joelle Jahn, Associate – Technical Principal at WSP USA

May 2021 – Sustainability Directors, Coordinator, Manager
This roundtable session we have three sustainable design practice leaders representing a small, medium and large-size design firm joining us to share about their roles and how they integrate sustainable design into their practices. If you are interested in learning about sustainable design topics and practices that are gaining the most ground in their firms currently, getting advice on how to establish a role or how to be a sustainability champion in your firm, getting firm leadership on board and how to implement strategies, join us and bring your questions!
Sustainable Leaders:

Kate Bubriski – Director of Sustainability & Building Performance at Arrowstreet
Alison Nash – Architect and Sustainability Practice Leader at DiMella Shaffer
Kristen Fritsch – Sustainability Coordinator at Elkus Manfredi Architects

*Roundtables are FREE for Built Environment Plus Members.
**New to the Roundtables? Join as a Newcomer, and come visit up to 3 times for FREE. After that, consider becoming a BE+ Member, or purchase general admission to return as you like.

Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance
2022-12-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2023-02-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
Join the BE+ Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance hosted monthly roundtable, a venue for architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to discuss issues related to decarbonizing existing buildings.
Reach out to communications@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.
Existing buildings are major contributors to climate change. In 2015, existing residential and commercial buildings generated 1,913.3 MMtCO2e, or 29 percent of total U.S. emissions. To help address this sector, Built Environment Plus (BE+) with Rethinking Power Management LLC (RPM) are spearheading a coalition of organizations with expertise in GHG reduction and who are committed to supporting decarbonization in existing buildings.
This reoccurring monthly gathering is a roundtable which serves as a platform where practitioners and reporting entities can come together to discuss best practices, technologies, challenges, hear information related to the ordinance and its implementation, etc.
The Alliance’s objectives include:
– Increase awareness of energy disclosure ordinances including BERDO and BEUDO and enhance understanding of requirements.
– Provide information and resources to reporting organizations that answer “how do we comply” questions through general and building-sector specific webinars.
– Engage disadvantaged/underserved communities.
– Share best practices and lessons learned.
– Provide resources to building owners to help understand decarbonization pathways and create carbon reduction roadmaps.
– Work with non-profit partners to provide information about/introductions to established practitioners.

*Roundtables are FREE for Built Environment Plus Members.
**New to the Roundtables? Join as a Newcomer, and come visit up to 3 times for FREE. After that, consider becoming a BE+ Member, or purchase general admission to return as you like.

Making “Cents” of Incentives
2022-12-08 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
Making “Cents” of Incentives: Using Revamped MassSave Incentives and IRA Tax Credits to Meet Ambitious Climate Goals

Are you unsure about how Inflation Reduction Act renewable, electrification, and efficiency tax credits will impact your community’s building and renovation projects? Do you have the feeling that Mass Save offerings have evolved but haven’t heard about their new incentives and heat pump adders? Then this is the workshop for you. Discover the details and then learn how the Town of Lexington is actively layering them to build two Net Zero schools, among the first in Massachusetts. And learn how utilities are upgrading the grid to meet projected demand.

Agenda:
12:00 PM: Introduction by Meredith Elbaum, BE+ and Lisa Cunningham ZeroCarbonMA
12:05 PM: Mass Save Commercial New Construction (Path One) Net Zero/Low EUI Incentive – Kim Cullinane, Eversource
12:10 PM: Mass Save Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Incentive – Jim Piermarini, Eversource
12: 15 PM: Mass Save Multifamily New Construction Passive House incentive and All Electric New Home Incentive – Luke McKneally, ICF
12:20 PM: How Mass Save can stack with the IRA provisions – Jerome Garciano, Attorney at Polcinelli
12: 30 PM: Lexington’s Two Net Zero Schools – Mark Sandeen, Lexington Select Board member
12:40 PM: How utilities are upgrading the grid - Jacob Lucas, Eversource
12: 50 PM   Thank you to everyone – Meredith Elbaum, BE+
12:55 – 1:30 PM: Questions and Discussion

Co-Sponsors:

Speakers

Kim Cullinane has worked in the green building industry as a champion for sustainable buildings since 2002. She Supervises Eversource’s tri-state residential and commercial new construction energy efficiency team and co-chairs the Mass Save New Construction Subcommittee where she advances Mass Save policies and program support for low EUI buildings. Kim works daily with Eversource customers, developers, architects, and engineers to provide technical assistance and incentives for highly energy-efficient building design and construction across Eversource’s tri-state service territories.

Jim Piermarini has been committed to advancing energy efficiency and sustainability efforts in both Large Commercial & Industrial and Residential programs in the Northeast for over a decade. He is currently Supervisor of Energy Efficiency Strategic Initiatives for Eversource in MA and NH, focusing on program improvements and go-to-market strategies for the Large C&I efficiency team. Jim also chairs the Energy Committee in his hometown of Williamsburg, MA as well as sits on the Mass Save Weatherization Sub-Committee.

Luke McKneally is a registered Architect, certified Passive House consultant, and senior account manager at ICF – the lead vendor for Mass Save’s Residential New Construction incentives. He and the high-rise team support developers across Massachusetts through the Mass Save standard and high-performance multifamily offerings.

Jerome Garciano is an attorney in the firm’s Tax credit Finance Practice Group in the Real Estate and Financial Services Department. Jerome’s practice focuses on state and federal tax financing incentives affecting the built environment. Mr. Garciano provides tax and finance support for developers, lenders, syndicators, investors, nonprofit sponsors, and government agencies in renewable energy and real estate developments using the Historic, New Markets, Renewable Energy, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. He is a LEED-accredited professional and has advised clients on utilizing energy efficiency and renewable energy tax incentives. He also works on tax policy initiatives promoting green energy and real estate development. He is also a certified public accountant and has worked as a finance associate at a national nonprofit organization and a financial services firm. Jerome’s sustainability practice focuses on the building and development of sustainable projects, including energy efficiency, renewable and alternative energy, green building, smart growth, water resources, and preservation of natural resources.

Mark Sandeen is a Lexington Select Board member and former chair of the Sustainable Lexington Committee, which won Massachusetts’ Leading by Example award. He was also co-chair of Lexington’s Getting to Net Zero Emissions task force. He led Lexington’s development of a sustainable building policy, enabling Lexington’s two newest schools to be among the first net zero energy schools in the state. Once their solar energy systems installations are interconnected, Lexington’s solar energy systems will generate 64% of Lexington’s municipal electricity. Mark is a frequent speaker on sustainability, solar energy, energy storage, & net zero buildings and is the author of the “All Things Sustainable” column in the Lexington Times Magazine.

Jacob Lucas is the Director of Transmission System Planning at Eversource. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Master’s degree in Power Systems from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The Transmission System Planning department at Eversource proudly serves as a catalyst for clean energy, decarbonization, and grid modernization. The team is innovating with some of the region’s most cutting-edge projects as well as supporting the development of Eversource’s offshore wind projects. In addition to his time at Eversource, Jacob worked at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C.

Background photo by micheile on Unsplash

Women in Green: Rising Collective
2022-12-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Hei La Moon, 83 Essex Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
This year’s annual “BIG WIG” networking breakfast is back in-person!
OUR BIGGEST WOMEN IN GREEN EVENT OF THE YEAR!

Visit the Women in Green 2022 Webpage

Health and Wellness Roundtable
2023-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Join the BE+ Health and Wellness Roundtable, a venue for architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to discuss issues related to healthy buildings.
Reach out to wellness@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.

*Roundtables are FREE for Built Environment Plus Members.
**New to the Roundtables? Join as a Newcomer, and come visit up to 3 times for FREE. After that, consider becoming a BE+ Member, or purchase general admission to return as you like.

May 2023 – Induction Stoves in Housing & Health Impacts of Gas in Buildings

Topic description and Subject Matter Experts TBA

Introduction to the Passive House Standard
2023-01-24 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
About the Class
Passive House goals and methodology change the way architects and builders think and work, making the architectural design itself a driver of climate, health, and social solutions. This is a 4-hour course that dives into the basic principles, history, certification, and the new frontiers of Passive House design as it continues to challenge and change industry expectations. All theory is then illustrated through several case studies outlining specific Passive House principles. This course is provided by The Passive House Network.
Participants will need to provide their own laptop with internet capabilities.
4 AIA/HSW Continuing Education Units are available for this training.
Graphic background photo is a rendering of 201 Hampden via Placetailor

About PHN
The Passive House Network (PHN), formerly known as NAPHN, is a high-performance building literacy program. We provide comprehensive, high-quality Passive House education to stakeholders across the building industry – from architects and engineers, to builders and developers, to regulators and policymakers. We demystify the impact of design and construction choices, form knowledge-sharing networks, raise expectations, and transform how professionals fundamentally think and work.
Passive House is widely recognized as the most powerful tool we have today to produce buildings that rise to meet our challenges, forming the cornerstone of climate mitigation and adaptation, public health, and equity impacts. Read The PHN Difference, for a description of what makes us uniquely positioned in the US building industry.
Our Vision: A sustainable, post-carbon, all-renewable energy future – supported by buildings that are efficient, comfortable, affordable, resilient, and healthy.
Our Mission: The transformation of the built environment, using the tools developed by the Passive House Institute, is a critical effort to combat global warming. We provide training, conferences, and other events to both engage and educate design and building professionals, policymakers, and the general public. We support the success and vitality of the Passive House community.

Why Should I Attend this Course?
Gain a foundation in passive house principles that can influence all your building projects, including single-family, multi-family, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial.
Develop the background needed to pursue further education and certification in Passive House.
Explore case studies of passive house buildings from a variety of projects.

Who Should Attend?

This course was developed for a wide range of student profiles include architects, MEP and structural engineers, facade, energy and sustainability consultants, contractors, developers, policymakers, regulators, and more.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Outline the basic principles of the Passive House Standard
Outline the history of the Passive House Standard
Cite specifics of a few Passive House case studies

Funding Grants Available: January 3rd, 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. Learn more and get in contact.
Course ID# 1135251

Emerging Professionals 2023 Kickoff
2023-01-26 17:00 - 19:30 | The Beantown Pub, 100 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
Join the Emerging Professionals Community for our 2023 kickoff event!
Come to our first in-person event of the year to network, meet the Community leaders, and hear about exciting upcoming events. Registration includes admission and 2 drink tickets.
Location:
The Beantown Pub – 100 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108
This event is $10 for Emerging Professionals and is free for Emerging Professionals from Community Stewards.
This event was planned and is hosted, by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community

Living Future Roundtable
2023-02-02 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual Event
Join the BE+ Living Future Roundtable, a venue for architects, designers, construction managers, and sustainability professionals to discuss topics and issues related to International Living Future Institute (ILFI) programs.
Reach out to livingfuture@builtenvironmentplus.org with any inquiries, questions, or concerns.

*Roundtables are FREE for Built Environment Plus Members.
**New to the Roundtables? Join as a Newcomer, and come visit up to 3 times for FREE. After that, consider becoming a BE+ Member, or purchase general admission to return as you like.
