Built Environment Plus

Construction Business Basics
2024-02-06 | Virtual Event
Twelve 2 Hour Sessions from February 6th to April 23rd.
About the Class
This multi-session course covers all the essentials of running your own construction business with a focus on the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, and Prosperity). Assess where your company is today, create a vision for the future, and take action to make your business more efficient, productive, and profitable. This training is designed for small business owners and members of your management team who are looking for a solid grounding in the basics of running a successful construction business. Each session is a combination of presentation, small group discussion, and Q&A. Each session is intended to help you apply what you are learning to your own business and develop a vision and action plan.
Registration closes on January 23rd.

About HELM
HELM offers innovative business consulting, coaching, project management, and training services. Our experienced team members work with owners, designers, and builders to create high-performance buildings and businesses throughout North America. Our purpose is to revolutionize the construction industry, centering the triple bottom line principles of planet, people, and prosperity to become a catalyst for climate justice.

What to Expect
Sessions will be held weekly via Zoom, every Tuesday from February 6th through April 23rd from 3:00-5:00 pm. We ask that all participants plan to join the Zoom session 5 minutes before the scheduled start time so we can begin promptly.
Each session will be 2 hours long, with a combination of presentation, small group discussion, and Q&A. Each weekly Zoom session is paired with a homework assignment to help you apply what you are learning to your own business and develop your vision and action plan. Each homework assignment will take roughly one and a half hours to complete.
At the end of the 12-week Basics series you will have:
• A 5-year vision for your business, with goals and actions to get you started
• A 2024 operating budget template to calculate the target gross profit margin for your business
• Access to the HELM Resource Library, with articles specifically curated for construction business owners and templates to help you manage your business activities and improve your performance
• Recordings and presentation materials from the Basics sessions for future reference
• A personalized one-on-one session with one of HELM’s business consultants

12 Sessions
Session #1 (2/6) – Your Business Vision, Mission, Principles
Session #2 (2/13) – Your Leadership Style & Your Vision
Session #3 (2/20) – Financial Planning & Reporting
Session #4 (2/27) – Sales & Pre-Construction
Session #5 (3/5) – Pre-Construction Phases
Session #6 (3/12) – Project Management Responsibilities & Strategies
Session #7 (3/19) – Estimating
Session #8 (3/26) – Job Cost Accounting
Session #9 (4/2) – Building Your Team – Hiring & Onboarding
Session #10 (4/9) – Operating Budget
Session #11 (4/16) – Communicating Your Vision
Session #12 (4/23) – Small Group Presentations

Funding Grants Available: Submit by January 16th, 2024
Funding Grants Available: Submit by January 16th, 2024
The Express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID#1135317

Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance
2024-02-07 15:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-03 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

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.

Embodied Carbon in Concrete and Wood
2024-02-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
This course looks at the carbon and environmental impacts of concrete and wood building materials, how they have improved over the years, and where they still fall short. We’ll focus on concrete’s carbon emissions problem and solutions, cement and concrete alternatives (including supplementary cementitious materials), and building code changes. We’ll also look at wood building materials, including mass timber and other engineered products. Forestry’s carbon accounting and environmental impacts are complicated and in flux, so we’ll dig in to some of those challenges, the state of forestry certifications, and life-cycle data/environmental product declarations. Discussion is encouraged.
The course is taught by Brent Ehrlich, Product & Materials Specialist, and Paula Melton, Editorial Director, at BuildingGreen.

Learning Objectives
• Participants will learn the carbon impacts of cement and the importance of low-carbon concrete.• Participants will learn about low-carbon concrete alternatives and how code changes can allow for their use.• Participants will learn about engineered wood products and their benefits and limitations.• Participants will learn about the current state of forest certifications and how our understanding of these is impacting wood’s embodied carbon.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by January 18th, 2024
The Express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID#1148973

Background photo by Bri Tucker on Unsplash

Emerging Professionals Roundtable
2024-02-08 17:30 - 19:00 | enviEnergy, 100 Summer Street, Boston, MA, United States
Emerging Professionals Roundtable
Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm | Location: enviENERGY Studio, 100 Summer Street, Suite 1600, Boston, MA
Join the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community for our monthly Roundtable. We will discuss upcoming Emerging Professionals events, and network over pizza and drinks. Registration is free for BE+ Members and Emerging Professionals.

Emerging Professionals Media Club
2024-02-15 16:30 - 17:30 | Virtual Event
Emerging Professionals Media Club
This event is for anyone interested in podcasts, economics, and climate solutions!
The BE+ spin on a bookclub! The Emerging Professionals Media Club will host recurring, multimodal discussions around sustainability topics. Please review the media below prior to the event and come ready to discuss!
February Topic: Tiny Homes + Sustainable Home Ownership
Topic description: A lot of us rent at the moment and as emerging professionals soon we may be in the housing market so this introduces some ideas for what a home could look like in a sustainable future and how they’re built.What is an Earthship? (Article)This Earthship is the Ultimate Self-Sufficient Urban Home! (Video)

This event was planned, and hosted, by the Emerging Professionals Planning Committee.Background photo by Dillion Shook on Unsplash.

Women in Green Roundtable
2024-02-28 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.

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.

Intro to Living Building Challenge
2024-02-29 09:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
About the Class
This training course will provide an overview of the Living Building Challenge – a philosophy, advocacy tool and certification program that addresses development at all scales. Students will understand the basic philosophy of the Living Building Challenge and key components of the program. They will be able to discuss the rationale for restorative design principles and identify and locate the resources provided by ILFI for deeper engagement. This primarily lecture-based course can be either in person or virtual. Building Practitioners and Owners wanting to engage in a regenerative future would benefit from this course.
This course is taught by Jim Newman, Principal at Linnean Solutions.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by February 8th, 2024
Funding Grants Available: Submit by February 8th, 2024
The Express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID#1131180

Background photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

Certified Passive House Consultant CPHC® Training (Phius)
2024-03-04 | Virtual Event
Phase I: Complete prior to March 4th

Self-guided content (allot 2-3 months, 50-60 hours)

Phase II: March 4th to March 15th

(8) 3-Hour Live Online Sessions

About the ClassThis training is intended for Architects and Engineers. CPHCs learn to design to the Phius Certification climate-specific building standard. Projects earning Phius certifications (Phius CORE, Phius ZERO and Phius REVIVE) follow RESNET QA/QC protocols and achieve excellent HERS scores, US Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home status, and adhere to EPA indoor airPLUS requirements.
Express Grant EligibilityEmployers with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible to receive Express Program grants. In order to be eligible for Express Program grant reimbursement, an Express Program grant application must be submitted no fewer than 21 days before the live-session start date, and you must register for the course through BE+, not Phius. The cost of the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant Program, and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company.

About Phius
Phius (Passive House Institute US) trains and certifies professionals, maintains the Phius climate-specific passive building standard, certifies and quality assures passive buildings, certifies high-performance building products and conducts research to advance high-performance building. Phius established the CPHC program in 2008 to distinguish accomplished passive building professionals in the marketplace. CPHC ® is a registered certification mark of Phius used with permission.

Learning Objectives
1. Learn the principles of passive building design: heat transfer, air-tightness, thermal bridge free detailing, super-insulation, high-efficiency ventilation, moisture control.
2. Perform passive house verification using WUFI® Passive, the next-generation dynamic modeling tool developed in partnership with Fraunhofer IBP and Owens Corning.
3. Perform energy modeling by completing an entire project including energy balancing (static and dynamic).
4. Implement high performance building science principles and passive house techniques in residential, commercial, and retrofit scenarios across all North American climate zones.
5. Study built examples—including mechanical systems—for each North American climate zone.
6. Learn about suitable materials and components available in local U.S. and Canadian markets, and details for passive house applications according to climate.
7. Learn the best air tightness strategies, thermal bridge free detailing, and how to evaluate your design in THERM.
8. Learn how to assure quality and performance for your client from the design process through construction using Phius Certification and QA/QC.

Course Enrollment Structure: Phase I and Phase II
Phase I Enrollment
Upon registration and payment, BE+ will send you a link to set up a PHIUS account and start the course on the PHIUS website. If you previously completed training through the Phius Training site, sign into the Training site using your existing username and password
You will have access to the Phase I self-guided training materials for 12 months from your time of registration. This includes access to the Phase I Online Exam as well, 1 of the 2 required exams for CPHC® certification. The online exam can be taken at a time of your choosing, but must be completed within the 12 month window, and must be completed in one sitting. Additional information about the exam can be found on the Phius training site.
Phase I of the CPHC training comprises a series of pre-recorded online virtual sessions taught by expert instructors, collected readings, recommended resources, and quizzes; altogether comprising about 50-60 hours of learning material. Enrollees have access to Phase I materials for 12 months.
Phase II Enrollment
The second phase of CPHC training focuses on design exercises, and WUFI Passive and THERM software training. Both Phase I and II are required to successfully complete the course and to be eligible to take the final exam. Phase II also includes group projects, homework assignments and online tutorials.
All Phase II sessions will be held live online unless otherwise noted. Phase II consists of eight 3-hour instructor-led training sessions across 2 weeks followed by a design exam. See Training Schedule below.
ExamYou will be enrolled in the Phase II Design Exam that opens at the end of your Phase II session. The exam is due 4 weeks after it opens, and typically takes 20-25 hours to complete.

Training Schedule
Phase I: Self-Guided ContentStart 6-8 weeks prior to Phase II start date
Phase II: Live-Online ContentMarch 4th – 15th
Session 1: Monday, March 4th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 2: Tuesday, ,March 5th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 3: Thursday, March 7th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 4: Friday, March 8th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 5: Monday, March 11th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 6: Tuesday, March 12th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 7: Thursday, March 14th | 12:00-3:00pmSession 7: Friday, March 15th | 12:00-3:00pm
Exam: You will be enrolled in the Phase II Design Exam that opens at the end of your Phase II session.

Education Credits
Phius is an AIA National, International, and Distance CES Provider.Phase I: Earn 50 LU/HSW unitsPhase II: Earn 24 LU/HSW units
Phius CPHC Training is approved by GBCIEarn 32 CEU
Continuing education credits are available from the Building Performance InstituteEarn 37.13 CE credits

Technology and Course Requirements
Phase II focuses on energy modeling using WUFI Passive Software. WUFI Passive requires Windows OS. If you use a Mac, you must have a working copy of Windows installed. Mac users need to purchase and install VMWare Fusion, Bootcamp, or Parallels, along with a Windows operating system. VMWare Fusion is recommended.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by February 12th, 2024
Grant deadline: February 12th
Employers with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible to receive Express Program grants. Please note that you must submit an Express Grant application minimum of 21 days out from the live training start date. Complete an Express Grant application here.
$1,950.00 is eligible for grant funding. (The total course cost is $2,100. $150 is the cost of the exam and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company).
The Express Grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
Course ID#: C-2881Course provider: Built Environment PlusCourse cost: $1,950.00Cost type: Tuition

Building with Purpose: Selecting Green Materials (Lunchtime Series)
2024-03-07 | Virtual Event
(6) 1-hour lunchtime sessionsMarch 7th to April 18th, Thursdays
About the Class
$200 off New COURSE DISCOUNT!Use the promo code: EduNew200off
This multi-session series highlights concepts and trends in green material selection and reviews tools available to find healthier, lower-carbon products that are better for the environment and better for building occupants. Attendees will learn how to find greener products among the numerous material options, databases, certifications and rating systems. The series covers healthy materials concepts, chemicals of concern, and industry commitments; materials databases and documentation; embodied carbon; using materials selection to fulfill ESG commitments; and practical product selection for common products. This course will be held virtually and is a combination of presentation and discussion.
The course is taught by Brent Ehrlich, LEED AP, Product & Materials Specialist at BuildingGreen. Jill Maltby-Abbott, AIA, WELL AP, LFA, Director of Consulting, Paula Melton, Editorial Director, and Candace Pearson, Director of Integration, from BuildingGreen will also be joining Brent on some sessions as co-instructors.

Sessions
These lunchtime sessions are reduced versions of offerings in the BE+ Public Course Catalog. If you are interested in learning more, reach out to us to attend the full session of each topic.
Introduction to Healthy MaterialsMarch 7th, 2024 | 12 – 1pmThis session will introduce leading concerns across the building materials market and materials selection concepts and trends in optimizing product selection.
Better Materials Part 1March 14th, 2024 | 12 – 1pmThis session will introduce materials selection concepts and trends including how material transparency concerns align with the A&D Material Pledge (adopted by the AIA). Part 1 looks generally at concerns (e.g. chemical hazards, emissions, and carbon) and how vetting is applied across design phases, green building rating systems, and even reporting frameworks for ESG.
Better Materials Part 2March 21st, 2024 | 12 – 1pmThis session will introduce materials selection concepts and trends including how material transparency concerns align with the A&D Material Pledge (adopted by the AIA). Part 2 addresses the landscape of how teams validate optimized material claims, including the landscape of certifications today, disclosure documents, other tools leveraged across industry pledges and commitments, and reporting frameworks supporting ESG.
Embodied Carbon in Concrete and Wood IntroductionApril 4th, 2024 | 12 – 1pm (Rescheduled from March 28th)This course looks at the carbon and environmental impacts of concrete and wood building materials, how they have improved over the years, and where they still fall short. The course will focus on concrete’s carbon emissions problem and solutions, cement and concrete alternatives, building code changes, and wood building materials (including mass timber and other engineered products). Forestry’s carbon accounting and environmental impacts are complicated and in flux – the training will also dig into some of those challenges, the state of forestry certifications, and life-cycle data/EPDs.
Practical Product Selection: Choosing Green Materials for Common ProductsApril 11th, 2024 | 12 – 1pmHow do you find healthier, lower-carbon products among the numerous material options, rating systems, databases, and certifications? This course provides an overview of material choices in a couple of key product areas—insulation and resilient flooring in particular. Participants will learn the material health concerns of the product areas and will learn the basics of how to find better options. Built roughly around AIA’s Architecture and Design Materials Pledge framework, the course is a first step towards learning about product selection. The methodologies learned can then be applied to other product areas.
Healthy Materials: Lab 1 DemonstrationApril 18th, 2024 | 12 – 1pmIn this one-hour workshop, attendees learn how information gleaned from healthy materials, carbon, and ESG workshops can be used to select better products in real-world applications. Product choices often require tradeoffs. This course helps attendees wade through the challenges of first cost, value engineering, few “like products,” and more.

Education Credits
Earn 6 AIA LU/HSW unitsContinuing education credits are available from BE+, reported for each 1-hour session attended.

Learning Objectives
1. Participants will be able to contextualize material health concerns and claims through understanding key areas of analysis like human health, environmental health and carbon, ecosystem health and sourcing, circularity, and social health and equity (which represent the vetting buckets of the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge with the AIA) and the certifications that verify achievement in each key area.
2. Participants will learn how to find optimized products among the numerous material options, databases, and rating systems leveraging certifications, ingredient disclosures, and reporting.
3. Participants will understand basic applicability of material vetting to ESG as project-specific materials vetting rolls up to portfolio level reporting.
4. Participants will learn about ways to integrate material achievement across design and construction phases.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by February 15th, 2024
Funding Grants Available: Submit by February 15th, 2024
Employers with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible to receive Express Program grants. Please note that you must submit an Express Grant application minimum of 21 days out from the live training start date. Complete an Express Grant application here.
Express Grant Funding is only available for the full series.
Course ID#: C-7661Course provider: Built Environment PlusCourse cost: $525.00Cost type: Per trainee

A Just Celebration
2024-03-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Humanscale Showroom, 34 Farnsworth, Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Come Celebrate!
We invite you to join us for the 2024 Living Future New England Just Celebration to acknowledge organizations in our community who have taken the next step towards transparency in becoming a socially equitable and diverse business. This is an exciting opportunity to connect and celebrate with those raising the bar of social justice at an in-person gathering.
Celebrate the accomplishments of some hard-working organizations, hear what it takes for organizations to achieve the Just Label, understand the value of going through the Just process, and what companies are learning in the process.

What is Just?
The Just program is a voluntary disclosure tool for organizations by the International Living Future Institute. Just is not a certification program, it is a transparency platform for organizations to disclose their operations, including how they treat their employees and where they make financial and community investments. Learn More

Event Sponsors

Our Hosts

DiAnn Tufts
Host / Co-Facilitator
DiAnn is a Senior Associate and the Director of Sustainability at PCA, and co-facilitator of the BE+ hosted Living Future New England.

Jim Newman
Host / Co-Facilitator
Jim is founder and Principal at Linnean Solutions, and co-facilitator of the BE+ hosted Living Future New England.

Living Future New England promotes the transformation of communities throughout Boston and New England that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative.

Join the Conversation

The Location
Humanscale’s new Boston office suite and showroom is located in the Seaport District. To align with Humanscale’s corporate mission to provide environmentally-friendly product offerings, the space incorporates sustainable design strategies throughout the project, such as low-flow plumbing fixtures, daylighting, and energy efficient lighting fixtures.
We are excited to be hosted by a Just and Living Product Challenge certified organization!

Registration

Scholarships

Don't let cost keep you from participating. Apply for free admission.

Name

Email Address

Job Title

Company

What would free registration to "A Just Celebration" do for you?

How will you use this opportunity to help others?

Submit

Health & Wellness Roundtable
2024-03-08 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.

BE+ CONNECTS Office Hours
2024-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
BE+ CONNECTS is the premier online tool for finding high-performance building professionals with proven project experience. Wondering how to best utilize it? How is it informing our upcoming Net Zero Report? Bring your questions to this hourlong lunch-and-learn where BE+ will give a tutorial of the platform and explain how we are using it to track net-zero projects across MA and the country.

Emerging Professionals Roundtable
2024-03-14 17:30 - 19:00
Emerging Professionals Roundtable
Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm | Location: Elkus Manfredi Architects, 25 Drydock Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Join the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community for our monthly Roundtable. We will discuss upcoming Emerging Professionals events, and network over pizza and drinks. Registration is free for BE+ Members and Emerging Professionals.

Phius Certified Rater Training
2024-03-21 | New Ecology, 294 Washington Street Suite 830, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
March 21st and 22nd, Two Full Day Sessions8:00 am – 5:00pm, In person in Boston (location information below)
Phius Certified Raters focus on single-family residential projects. The course is geared toward experienced RESNET and BPI professionals, and provides grounding in passive building principles as well as a guide to onsite quality assurance for the Phius Certification program. This training is delivered live, online over three days. Each session is three hours. Approximately 8 hours of self-guided material is provided before the first session for review. Training is open to all. Knowledge of HERs rating practices, and experience with Energy Star Homes, Indoor airPLUS and DOE ZERH Programs is helpful. Those who wish to pursue certification after training must meet the certification exam prerequisites, apply for the certification exam, and be approved to complete the exam.

Location Details
New Ecology294 Washington St., Suite 830Boston, MA 02108
When attendees arrive, take the elevator to the 8th floor. Upon exiting the elevator, the entrance is to the left. The door will be locked prior to the course starting.
This is a two-day, in person training being held at New Ecology’s Boston office on March 21st and 22nd from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Lunch will be provided on both days, and there will be a site visit on the afternoon of March 22nd included in the training.

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

Funding Grants Available: Submit by February 29th, 2024
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# C-3770

Background photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash.

Carbon & Energy Roundtable
2024-03-21 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.

Topic: New energy codes, regulations, and the future of sustainability impacts on scope and services
In this roundtable we will discuss additional or non-standard project scope and services required to design and construct buildings to the MA Stretch and Specialized Energy Codes, Inflation Reduction Act federal incentives, BERDO/BUEDO, embodied carbon, and other emerging sustainability goals. What more does an architect, engineer, design consultant, owner/developer, and contractor need to know/do for these new requirements and trends?

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.

Introduction to the Ladybug Toolkit
2024-04-02 12:00 - 16:00 | Virtual Event
(2) 4-hour sessions April 2nd and April 4th
About the Class
This is an introductory course for building industry professionals that covers the most practical early design studies with Ladybug Tools and the overall philosophy of a flexible software toolkit. Participants will learn how to import and analyze weather data to answer specific design questions; create interactive climate visualizations that illustrate particular findings; set up custom geometry analyses to inform the decision making process; and customize the display of results to effectively communicate them to others. This course is useful for participants of all experience levels. This class is held virtually and is a combination of presentation and discussion.
This course is taught by Chris Mackey, Co-Founder of Ladybug Tools.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by March 12th, 2024
Funding Grants Available: Submit by March 12th, 2024
The Express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID#1131363

Background photo by Zan on Unsplash

Living Future Roundtable
2024-04-04 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.

Certified Passive House Consultant CPHC® Training (Phius)
2024-04-08 | Virtual Event
Phase I: Complete prior to April 8th

Self-guided content (allot 2-3 months, 50-60 hours)

Phase II: April 8th to April 18th

(8) 3-Hour Live Online Sessions

About the ClassThis training is intended for Architects and Engineers. CPHCs learn to design to the Phius Certification climate-specific building standard. Projects earning Phius certifications (Phius CORE, Phius ZERO and Phius REVIVE) follow RESNET QA/QC protocols and achieve excellent HERS scores, US Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home status, and adhere to EPA indoor airPLUS requirements.
Express Grant EligibilityEmployers with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible to receive Express Program grants. In order to be eligible for Express Program grant reimbursement, an Express Program grant application must be submitted no fewer than 21 days before the live-session start date, and you must register for the course through BE+, not Phius. The cost of the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant Program, and must be paid for out-of-pocket by the company.

About Phius
Phius (Passive House Institute US) trains and certifies professionals, maintains the Phius climate-specific passive building standard, certifies and quality assures passive buildings, certifies high-performance building products and conducts research to advance high-performance building. Phius established the CPHC program in 2008 to distinguish accomplished passive building professionals in the marketplace. CPHC ® is a registered certification mark of Phius used with permission.

Learning Objectives
1. Learn the principles of passive building design: heat transfer, air-tightness, thermal bridge free detailing, super-insulation, high-efficiency ventilation, moisture control.
2. Perform passive house verification using WUFI® Passive, the next-generation dynamic modeling tool developed in partnership with Fraunhofer IBP and Owens Corning.
3. Perform energy modeling by completing an entire project including energy balancing (static and dynamic).
4. Implement high performance building science principles and passive house techniques in residential, commercial, and retrofit scenarios across all North American climate zones.
5. Study built examples—including mechanical systems—for each North American climate zone.
6. Learn about suitable materials and components available in local U.S. and Canadian markets, and details for passive house applications according to climate.
7. Learn the best air tightness strategies, thermal bridge free detailing, and how to evaluate your design in THERM.
8. Learn how to assure quality and performance for your client from the design process through construction using Phius Certification and QA/QC.

Course Enrollment Structure: Phase I and Phase II
Phase I Enrollment
Upon registration and payment, BE+ will send you a link to set up a PHIUS account and start the course on the PHIUS website. If you previously completed training through the Phius Training site, sign into the Training site using your existing username and password
You will have access to the Phase I self-guided training materials for 12 months from your time of registration. This includes access to the Phase I Online Exam as well, 1 of the 2 required exams for CPHC® certification. The online exam can be taken at a time of your choosing, but must be completed within the 12 month window, and must be completed in one sitting. Additional information about the exam can be found on the Phius training site.
Phase I of the CPHC training comprises a series of pre-recorded online virtual sessions taught by expert instructors, collected readings, recommended resources, and quizzes; altogether comprising about 50-60 hours of learning material. Enrollees have access to Phase I materials for 12 months.
Phase II Enrollment
The second phase of CPHC training focuses on design exercises, and WUFI Passive and THERM software training. Both Phase I and II are required to successfully complete the course and to be eligible to take the final exam. Phase II also includes group projects, homework assignments and online tutorials.
All Phase II sessions will be held live online unless otherwise noted. Phase II consists of eight 3-hour instructor-led training sessions across 2 weeks followed by a design exam. See Training Schedule below.
ExamYou will be enrolled in the Phase II Design Exam that opens at the end of your Phase II session. The exam is due 4 weeks after it opens, and typically takes 20-25 hours to complete.

Training Schedule
Phase I: Self-Guided ContentStart 6-8 weeks prior to Phase II start date
Phase II: Live-Online ContentApril 8th – 18th
Session 1: Monday, April 8th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 2: Tuesday, April 9th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 3: Wednesday, April 10th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 4: Thursday, April 11th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 5: Monday, April 15th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 6: Tuesday, April 16th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 7: Wednesday, April 17th | 7:00-10:00pmSession 7: Thursday, April 18th | 7:00-10:00pm
Exam: You will be enrolled in the Phase II Design Exam that opens at the end of your Phase II session.

Education Credits
Phius is an AIA National, International, and Distance CES Provider.Phase I: Earn 50 LU/HSW unitsPhase II: Earn 24 LU/HSW units
Phius CPHC Training is approved by GBCIEarn 32 CEU
Continuing education credits are available from the Building Performance InstituteEarn 37.13 CE credits

Technology and Course Requirements
Phase II focuses on energy modeling using WUFI Passive Software. WUFI Passive requires Windows OS. If you use a Mac, you must have a working copy of Windows installed. Mac users need to purchase and install VMWare Fusion, Bootcamp, or Parallels, along with a Windows operating system. VMWare Fusion is recommended.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by March 18th, 2024
Grant deadline: March 18th
Employers with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible to receive Express Program grants. Please note that you must submit an Express Grant application minimum of 21 days out from the live training start date. Complete an Express Grant application here.
$1,950.00 is eligible for grant funding. (The total course cost is $2,100. $150 is the cost of the exam and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company).
The Express Grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
Course ID#: C-2542Course provider: Built Environment PlusCourse cost: $1,950.00Cost type: Tuition

Information Session: Solar Decathlon Professionals Training
2024-04-16 15:00 - 15:45 | Virtual Event
Learn more about the MA Net Zero Cohort: Solar Decathlon Professionals Training starting in June. Join us for this virtual info session. Chris Schaffner (the instructor) will provide an overview of the training and answer any questions that you have. We expect this training to fill quickly so don’t miss out!
About the TrainingThe Solar Decathlon Professionals Training is designed to provide mid-career building industry professionals, facility managers, and higher education faculty with an opportunity to further develop their building science expertise and gain practical experience designing zero-energy projects.
The training includes:• 10 live weekly sessions, Thursdays 3:30-5:00pm, June 18th – August 27th• On-demand building science education sessions• A project activity
Weekly course topics include high-performance project planning and goal setting; passive design; zero energy building; building envelopes; HVAC systems; lighting; plug loads; life cycle analysis; retrofits; and renewable energy.
This course is taught by Chris Schaffner, PE, LEED Fellow, WELL Faculty, from The Green Engineer.

Certified Passive House Designer (PHI) Training
2024-04-18 | Virtual Event
About the Class
This course provides tools, techniques and tips for how to build via passive house principles for all building types, diving into Passive House building concepts and building a foundation of knowledge and skills to integrate PHI building design standards into building projects. This course is specifically designed to teach the international Passive House Standard (PHI) to design and construction professionals in the U.S. and is required prior to taking the CPHD/C professional certification exam. It can be held online or in person, and is a combination of presentation and discussion.
This 8 week training includes live online training and Q&A sessions and followed by 4 to 5 weeks of exam prep. Trainees who successfully complete the training are eligible to take the certification exam the final week of the course. Additional course materials including access to the on-demand Using PHPP in Passive House Design and Certification course, Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) software individual license, and supplemental exam preparation materials are also provided.
The total cost for the course is $2,295. $1400 is covered by the Express Grant, and an additional $895 fee for on-demand course materials and the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company.
Background photo above is by Steve Pancrate on Unsplash.

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

Training Schedule
Week 1 & 2: Modules 1 & 2April 18th, 2024 | 12 – 1 PM ET Kickoff
Week 3: Module 3 – 5May 2nd, 2024 | 12 – 1 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 4: Modules 6May 9th, 2024 | 12 – 3 PM ET Webinar 1 & Access Exam Prep Modules
Week 5: Modules 7 – 9May 16th, 2024 | 12 – 1 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 6: Module 10 – 12May 23rd, 2024 | 12 – 1 PM ET Q&A Session
Week 7: Module 13Week of May 27th, 2024
Week 8: Module 14June 6th, 2024 | 12 – 3PM ET Webinar 2
Week 9: Module 15Week of June 10th, 2024
Week 10: Review Exam Prep ModulesWeek of June 17th, 2024
Week 11: Exam ReviewJune 27th, 2024 | 12 – 2PM ET
Week 12: Tech SetupJuly 1st, 2024 | 10 AM – 11 AM ET
Week 13: PHI CPHD/C Live-Online ExamJuly 9th, 2024 | 10 AM – 1 PM ET

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

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

Funding Grants Available: Submit by March 28th, 2024
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
The total cost for the course is $2,295. $1400 is covered by the Express Grant, and an additional $895 fee for on-demand course materials and the certification exam is not covered by the Express Grant and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID# C-2881

BE+ Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
2024-04-20 09:00 - 14:00 | Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
BE+ Earth Day Scavenger Hunt
The BE+ Emerging Professionals Community is excited to host a one-day Sustainability Scavenger Hunt this year! This in-person event will kick off at 9AM on Saturday, April 20th* at a central location in the Boston Common, where we’ll provide everything you need to complete the day’s missions. We’ll reconvene at 2PM at Hub Pub to celebrate and share stories from the day. The event will take place around Boston, using only public transportation and your own legs to get around! This is the perfect Earth Day activity for any company advancing the sustainability of the built environment.
This event will feature similar, sustainability-inspired missions as previous years, with written, photo, and video submissions. Come dressed as a team and be ready for some healthy (but fierce) competition! All participants get free entry to the BE+ Earth Day Celebration on April 25th, where we will announce the Scavenger Hunt winners.
For examples of previous missions, see our 2023 Scavenger Hunt event page.
This event is hosted by the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community, but is open to anyone with an interest in the built environment, a passion for sustainability, or a competitive spirit!
*Rain Date for this event is Sunday, April 21st from 9AM-2PM.

Sponsors

Scholarships

Don't let cost keep you from participating. Apply for free admission.

Name

Email Address

Job Title

Company

What would free registration to "BE+ Earth Day Scavenger Hunt" do for you?

How will you use this opportunity to help others?

Submit

BE+ Earth Day Celebration
2024-04-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Cisco Brewery, 85 Northern Ave, Boston, 02210, United States
Join us for a celebratory Earth Day event at Cisco Brewers, where we’ll unveil the 2024 Update to the MA is Ready for Net Zero Report. We’re excited to recognize the top contributing companies and celebrate the hard work and progress of our dedicated Community!
Cisco Brewers SeaportThanks to WS Development, we are thrilled to bring this year’s Celebration to Cisco Brewers Seaport Beer Garden. Located at 85 Northern Avenue, this outdoor beer garden is in its sixth season bringing a slice of Nantucket to Boston.

BE+ All-Communities Roundtable: LEED v5 Public Comment
2024-04-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Join this special BE+ all-communities roundtable to put our heads together for the first public comment period for LEED v5.
Join other green building practitioners and leaders to discuss this new comprehensive framework for decarbonization, social health and equity, and ecological conservation, restoration, and resilience. Come prepared to share some aspects of LEED v5 that you like and some that you’re concerned about and would like to change. Hear key insights from others and think about how to use the public comment period to help shape the final version.

Close the Gap(s): Decarbonizing Large Buildings Symposium
2024-05-02 08:30 - 13:30 | Greentown Labs, 444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA, 02143, United States
Are you struggling with decarbonizing large buildings?

You’re not alone. As energy codes and emissions reduction ordinances force the issue, the building industry is waking up to a new landscape. Decarbonizing large buildings – new and old – is critical to achieving Massachusetts Climate Targets. While the technologies, skills, and strategies for decarbonization exist, we need to rapidly develop the industry’s capacity to implement these at scale. From knowledge gaps and funding gaps to policy gaps and technology gaps, we have our work cut out for us.
This half-day symposium will address knowledge gaps through a series of short training sessions on strategies and technologies to overcome current obstacles in decarbonizing large buildings. Topics include Preservation and Performance, Low Carbon-Cement, Carbon and Components, Funding High Efficiency Retrofits and more.
The event will begin and end with networking time and include coffee, snacks and lunch for attendees.
Presented by the BE+ Carbon & Energy Community and Decarbonize Existing Buildings Alliance, in partnership with Greentown Labs and the Sponsors of Mass Save®: Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil.

Event Details
Thursday, May 2, 2024 | 8:30am – 1:30pmGreentown Labs444 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA 02143

Who will be there?
Architects, Engineers, Contractors, Developers, Owners and Owner Reps struggling with decarbonizing large buildings.

Agenda
8:30am – 8:50am | Arrival, Coffee, and Networking
8:50am – 9:00am | Opening Remarks by Joe Curtatone, President of Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC).
9:00am – 10:00am | Session 1 – Money Matters, Funding High Efficiency Retrofits
10:00am – 11:00am | Session 2 – The Carbon and the Component Conundrum
11:00am – 12:00pm | Session 3 – Preservation and Performance, Mutually Inclusive!
12:00pm – 1:30pm | Lunch and networking

Sessions
Session 1 – Money Matters, Funding High Efficiency Retrofits – We have (carbon) goals. But these goals cost (quite a bit of) money. How do we achieve our (carbon) goals and pay for them? We shall discuss current programs in the Rebuilding America program and what methods are being used to control the costs of doing so as well as fortifying a gap in workforce development—another project cost impact as cited by the recent HBRA Wentworth/MIT Study.
Moderated by: Stephen Moore of Steven Winter AssociatesConfirmed Panelists: Eri Furusawa of HR&A Advisors, Afshin Pourmokhtarian and Payam Bakhshi, PhD, PE of Wentworth Institute of Technology, Ilene Mason of RPM, Tom Chase of MassCEC
Session 2 – The Carbon and the Component Conundrum – Concrete is a significant contributor to carbon pollution. But how can we build without it? So is insulation. But we need to get the performance. We will talk with folks that are working the carbon OUT of building components so we can both build and reduce. Be it low carbon concrete, air sealing materials and strategies, or retrofitting comfort systems—all will play a role.
Moderated by: Karla Butterfield of Steven Winter AssociatesConfirmed Panelists: Beverly Craig of MassCEC (on concrete), Derek Stein of Adept Materials (vapor barrier), Tom Holmes of AeroSeal (air sealing), Tommy Gibbons of Hempitecture (insulation), Aaron Baskerville-Bridges of AeroShield Materials, Inc (windows)
Session 3 – Preservation and Performance, Mutually Inclusive! – As we look to incorporate latest practice decarbonization efforts in both the new construction and existing building realms, the latter presents unique challenges—particularly when they are occupied and/or historic. Two that are pertinent to the discussion are the Hotel Marcel (in CT) and Rubin Hall on NYU’s Campus—that both underwent high efficiency efforts with very limited ability to change the exterior facades.
Moderated by: Dylan Martello of Steven Winter AssociatesConfirmed Panelists: Bruce Becker, FAIA of Becker + Becker Architects (remotely/video), Caitlin Robillard Director of Real Estate Development for Allston Brighton CDC, Jonathan Hernandez of Brightcore Energy

About Greentown Labs
Greentown Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit catalyzing climate solutions through entrepreneurship, partnership, and collaboration. As the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, Greentown brings together startups, corporates, investors, policymakers, and many others with a focus on scaling climate technologies. Driven by the mission of providing startups the community, connections, and resources they need to thrive, Greentown offers lab space, shared office space, machine shops, electronics labs, tool shops, software and business resources, and a large network of corporate customers, investors, and more. With incubators in Somerville, Mass. and Houston, Texas, Greentown is home to more than 200 startups and has supported more than 500 since the incubator’s founding in 2011. These startups have collectively created more than 11,000 jobs and raised more than $5.7 billion in funding. For more information, visit www.greentownlabs.com or follow Greentown on LinkedIn.

Getting There
Parking is incredibly limited at Greentown Labs and we encourage attendees to consider taking advantage of public transportation. We’re a short walk from the recently opened Union Square station, as well as 1 mile away from both the Harvard and Porter MBTA stations. Union Square in Somerville is also easily accessible via the #86 and #91 MBTA buses. We offer indoor bike parking on-site and the closest Bluebikes stations are at Dane St., Conway Park and Union Square.

Registration

Scholarships

Don't let cost keep you from participating. Apply for free admission.

Name

Email Address

Job Title

Company

What would free registration to "Close the Gap(s): Decarbonizing Large Buildings Symposium " do for you?

How will you use this opportunity to help others?

Submit

Passive House 101: An Introduction to Passive Buildings
2024-05-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual Event
In this course, we will provide an overview of the Passive House building standard including certification metrics, common design elements, and net-zero potential, as well as the impacts Passive House has on carbon and health. Examples of various building types will be presented and information on funding opportunities will be provided. Get your questions answered on what Passive House is and how to achieve it, and see how it is expanding throughout the state and region. Both standards will be discussed.
This course is taught by Aaron Gunderson, Executive Director of Passive House Massachusetts.

Learning Objectives
• Learn what the Passive House standard is and what the requirements are. • Learn about design & construction elements of success projects. • Learn about the energy, carbon, and health benefits of PH buildings. • Learn from examples of built projects in the region.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by April 11th, 2024
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID#: C-2571

Background photo above is of Finch Cambridge taken by Anthony Crisafulli for Icon Architecture

Emerging Professionals Roundtable
2024-05-09 17:30 - 19:00
Emerging Professionals Roundtable
Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm | Location: BR+A – 10 Guest St. 4th fl. Boston, MA 02135
Join the BE+ Emerging Professionals Community for our monthly Roundtable. We will discuss upcoming Emerging Professionals events, and network over pizza and drinks. Registration is free for BE+ Members and Emerging Professionals. This session will be hosted by BR+A and will feature a panel of building energy experts to answer our burning questions about energy codes and regulations. Join us!
Featured Subject Matter Experts:Mickey Chapa, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHC| Building Scientist | PAYETTEJoelle Jahn, NCIDQ , CPHC, LFA, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador | Deep Carbon Reduction Leader | JB&BRomeo Michael, PE, CEM | Senior Associate | BR+AAmy Prange | Vice President – Development | WS Development

Health & Wellness Roundtable
2024-05-10 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.
March 10th, 2024 – How Architects and Designers Select Healthy MaterialsDuring our May 10th Roundtable we will have a few subject matter experts talk about the approach they take to selecting healthy materials, followed by a lively discussion. Please come ready to share your thoughts on selecting healthy materials. This could include how you work with clients to set healthy materials goals, products and materials you struggle with, or databases you find helpful.

Featured Subject Matter Experts:Alexandra Gadawski, HMFHKeihly Moore, Studio GXoey Teixeira, Perkins EastmanMatt Hyatt, BergmeyerDieter Cartwright, Dutch East Design

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.

Phius CPHC® Training New England Cohort (Virtual)
2024-05-14 | Virtual Event
Phase I: Complete prior to May 14th

Self-guided content (allot 2-3 months, 50-60 hours)

Phase II: May 14th to May 24th

(6) 4-Hour Live Online Sessions

About the ClassThis virtual training is intended for Architects and Engineers. CPHCs learn to design to the Phius Certification climate-specific building standard. Projects earning Phius certifications (Phius CORE, Phius ZERO and Phius REVIVE) follow RESNET QA/QC protocols and achieve excellent HERS scores, US Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home status, and adhere to EPA indoor airPLUS requirements.
InstructorsThis New England based cohort will be led by Prudence Ferreira of Thornton Tomasetti, and Chris West of Eco Houses VT.
Grant Funding Available (also see pulldown section below)Express Grant Eligibility: An Express Program grant application must be submitted by April 22nd and attendees must register for the course through BE+, not Phius, to receive the grant reimbursement.MassSave: Companies of all sizes are eligible for a 50% reimbursement for Phius or PHI accreditation trainings for up to two MA professionals per company per training.

About Phius
Phius (Passive House Institute US) trains and certifies professionals, maintains the Phius climate-specific passive building standard, certifies and quality assures passive buildings, certifies high-performance building products and conducts research to advance high-performance building. Phius established the CPHC program in 2008 to distinguish accomplished passive building professionals in the marketplace. CPHC ® is a registered certification mark of Phius used with permission.

Learning Objectives
1. Learn the principles of passive building design: heat transfer, air-tightness, thermal bridge free detailing, super-insulation, high-efficiency ventilation, moisture control.
2. Perform passive house verification using WUFI® Passive, the next-generation dynamic modeling tool developed in partnership with Fraunhofer IBP and Owens Corning.
3. Perform energy modeling by completing an entire project including energy balancing (static and dynamic).
4. Implement high performance building science principles and passive house techniques in residential, commercial, and retrofit scenarios across all North American climate zones.
5. Study built examples—including mechanical systems—for each North American climate zone.
6. Learn about suitable materials and components available in local U.S. and Canadian markets, and details for passive house applications according to climate.
7. Learn the best air tightness strategies, thermal bridge free detailing, and how to evaluate your design in THERM.
8. Learn how to assure quality and performance for your client from the design process through construction using Phius Certification and QA/QC.

Course Enrollment Structure: Phase I and Phase II
Phase I Enrollment
Upon registration and payment, BE+ will send you a link to set up a PHIUS account and start the course on the PHIUS website. If you previously completed training through the Phius Training site, sign into the Training site using your existing username and password
You will have access to the Phase I self-guided training materials for 12 months from your time of registration. This includes access to the Phase I Online Exam as well, 1 of the 2 required exams for CPHC® certification. The online exam can be taken at a time of your choosing, but must be completed within the 12 month window, and must be completed in one sitting. Additional information about the exam can be found on the Phius training site.
Phase I of the CPHC training comprises a series of pre-recorded online virtual sessions taught by expert instructors, collected readings, recommended resources, and quizzes; altogether comprising about 50-60 hours of learning material. Enrollees have access to Phase I materials for 12 months.
Phase II Enrollment
The second phase of CPHC training focuses on design exercises, and WUFI Passive and THERM software training. Both Phase I and II are required to successfully complete the course and to be eligible to take the final exam. Phase II also includes group projects, homework assignments and online tutorials.
All Phase II sessions will be held live online unless otherwise noted. Phase II consists of six 4-hour instructor-led training sessions across 2 weeks followed by a design exam.
ExamYou will be enrolled in the Phase II Design Exam that opens at the end of your Phase II session. The exam is due 4 weeks after it opens, and typically takes 20-25 hours to complete.

Training Schedule
Join your New England local peers and colleagues in a special 6-session format of the CPHC Phase II Training.
Phase I: Self-Guided ContentStart 6-8 weeks prior to Phase II start date
Phase II: Live-Online ContentMay 14th – 24th
Session 1: Tuesday, May 14th | 1:00-5:00pmSession 2: Wednesday, May 15th | 1:00-5:00pmSession 3: Friday, May 17th | 1:00-5:00pmSession 4: Tuesday, May 21st | 1:00-5:00pmSession 5: Wednesday, May 22nd | 1:00-5:00pmSession 6: Friday, May 24th | 1:00-5:00pm
Exam: You will be enrolled in the Phase II Design Exam that opens at the end of your Phase II session.

Education Credits
Phius is an AIA National, International, and Distance CES Provider.Phase I: Earn 50 LU/HSW unitsPhase II: Earn 24 LU/HSW units
Phius CPHC Training is approved by GBCIEarn 32 CEU
Continuing education credits are available from the Building Performance InstituteEarn 37.13 CE credits

Technology and Course Requirements
Phase II focuses on energy modeling using WUFI Passive Software. WUFI Passive requires Windows OS. If you use a Mac, you must have a working copy of Windows installed. Mac users need to purchase and install VMWare Fusion, Bootcamp, or Parallels, along with a Windows operating system. VMWare Fusion is recommended.

Funding Grants Available: Submit by April 22nd, 2024
Express Grant deadline: April 22nd
Employers with 100 or fewer Massachusetts employees are eligible to receive Express Program grants. Please note that you must submit an Express Grant application minimum of 21 days out from the live training start date and you must register for the course through BE+, not Phius. Complete an Express Grant application here.
$1,950.00 is eligible for Express Grant funding. (The total course cost is $2,100. $150 is the cost of the exam and must be paid out-of-pocket by the company).
Express Grant Course ID#: C-2542Course provider: Built Environment PlusCourse cost: $1,950.00Cost type: Tuition
MassSave FundingCompanies of all sizes are eligible for a 50% reimbursement for Phius or PHI accreditation trainings for up to two MA professionals per company per training. Reimbursement is contingent upon successful accreditation. Apply for MassSave funding.

Carbon & Energy Roundtable
2024-05-16 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.
May 16th @ 3:00 – 4:00 PM
TOPIC: Envelope Derating Office HoursAs we delve into the intricacies of the 2023 MA Stretch Code’s new requirements for thermal envelope performance, it’s important to consider key questions: Who should be part of our team to navigate these changes effectively? When is the best time to conduct these calculations? And what insights can we gain from others’ experiences with envelope submissions? Our upcoming roundtable discussion, moderated by Joelle Jahn (JB&B Deep Carbon Reduction), will adopt an office hour style format with enclosure consulting experts Andrew Steingiser (RDH), Alex Barmas (Socotec) and Matt Colturi (SGH), focusing on topics like envelope derating, thermal bridge requirements, assembly ratings, effective U/R values, and strategies for compliance.
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.
