YouthBuild Boston Partners with McKinley Middle School for Green Apple Day of Service

By Paul Rouhas

by Paul Rouhas

For YouthBuild Boston’s (YBB) Green Apple Day of Service, we elected to complete an energy-efficiency project at McKinley Middle School.  YBB has previously completed service events at McKinley Middle School for Martin Luther King Day (January 2014) and with John Hancock employees (June 2014).  After discussing the project with school administrators, we determined that the Science and Technology room would be our target area.  The project involved installing energy-efficient surge protectors to support the room’s 4 PCs and printer, as well as a laptop charging cart for the 7 Chrome Books used in classroom instruction.  Surge protectors feature control switches that allow all PCs and equipment on each power strip to be automatically turned on or off by a designated control unit.  Each strip also featured 4 automatic switch outlets, which cut power when equipment is not in use; this would be helpful in eliminating “phantom electricity”.  Kilowatt meters were also installed so that students can monitor energy consumption and incorporate energy efficiency into their curriculum.  All of the laptop charging station was designed and built with support from YBB’s The Designery, an after-school architecture/design/build program.  These charging stations create a central charging area and is also equipped with a smart surge protector to limit energy consumption.  We want to thank NSTAR and the USGBC MA Chapter for providing financial support to complete this project.



The mission of YouthBuild Boston is to empower and assist underserved young people from the Boston area with the essential social, vocational, academic and life skills necessary to navigate a positive pathway to self-sufficiency and neighborhood responsibility.  McKinley Middle School is a BPS facility that focuses on the emotional, behavioral, and learning needs of 5-8th grade students (10-16 years old).  95.5% of these students are enrolled in special education courses focusing on social and emotional needs, 89% are minorities and 79% are low income (2012-2013 BPS data).



The project involved 6 YouthBuild Boston students, 5 YouthBuild Boston Staff, and 3 staff from McKinley Middle School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Curley K-8 involves many partners for Green Apple Day of Service

By Stephanie Selznick, Science Specialist

by Stephanie Selznick 

 

 

 

THANK YOU TO RE-STREAM FOR FUNDING THE
FOLLOWING GREEN APPLE DAY OF SERVICE PROJECT

The Curley K-8 School Green Apple Day of Service day was held on September 26th.  Our plan was to clean up the school grounds, plant bulbs, rake, and mulch our mini garden.  We had perfect weather for the day.  We started at 9AM and went to 2:20PM.  Volunteers came from Viridian, MASSCOSH, EPA, parents, students and teachers. 

 
We started by having 3rd grade students plant bulbs in the side and front of the school.  Each student dug a deep hole to put a bulb in, some students raked the outdoor classroom and some picked up the apples that fell on the ground.  Viridian volunteers and some students weeded the mini garden and raked. 
 
As the morning went on, more students came out and helped with the clean up.  Everyone wanted to rake, which was extremely surprising because the year before we did the Green Apple Day of Service, no one wanted to rake.  Students planted, dug holes, and even planted more bulbs.  The students were very serious about making the holes deep, which was nice that they really cared so much.  Our volunteers came for the entire morning and did plenty of work with the students.  In the end, tmini garden looked just as good as it did in the spring. I was very impressed and happy!
 
After lunch the teachers, parents, k-1 students, and autistic students grade 6 & 8 came out to help with the clean up and planting.  It was nice to see the middle school students helping the K-1 students with hole digging.  Everyone planted bulbs and raked the front and side yard of the school.  We planted over 400 bulbs, bagged over 20 bags of leaves and not one complaint by the students.  Every student had a smile on their face.  We really care for our school and it showed that day.
 

 

I can't wait till next year to do this again!

 

 
Stephanie Selznick 
Curley K-8 School
40 Pershing Rd.
Jamaica Plain, MA. 02130
Science Specialist
 
 
 
 
 
 

Blu® Homes Breezehouse Awarded First-Ever “2014 Dream Home of the Year”

By Grey Lee

Congratulations to USGBC MA Chapter Sponsor Blu Homes for being awarded the “2014 Dream Home of the Year” by Real Simple and This Old House!  The home, located in Southern California, was on display for the public each weekend in September and is highlighted in the September issues of Real Simple and This Old House magazines.

Click here to learn more about the award and the Breezehouse 

 

 

 

LBC Public Presentation on Nov 6th!

By Grey Lee

What is the LBC?

The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a building certification program, an advocacy tool and philosophy that attempts to dramatically raise the bar from a paradigm of doing less harm, to one in which we view our role as steward and co-creator of a true Living Future.  The Challenge defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today and acts to rapidly diminish the gap between current limits and the end-game positive solutions we seek.  It is the world's most rigorous design and construction standard.

LBC’s goals overlap with the various leading industry groups out there, but also has its differences and benefits.  The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) recently released version 3.0 of the challenge. 

The local affiliate (the Boston Collaborative) is hosting an informational event on November 6th, 2014 at The USGBC MA’s new office at 50 Milk Street, 15th floor.  Mark your calendar!

The local Collaborative meets monthly.  Come join the conversation and don’t miss out by signing up for our distribution list here.
 

USGBC MA Chapter's Green Breakfast Club presents “Bring the Outside In”

By Matt Smith, Chapter Member & The Green Engineer

by Matt Smith, Chapter Member; The Green Engineer

“Bring the Outside In”

with:
Gunnar Hubbard (Thornton Thomasetti)
Dan Nall (Syska)

Congregating amidst a buffet of hot coffee, muffins, and bagels, local design and construction professionals met with Gunnar Hubbard of Thornton Thomasetti and Dan Nall of Syska as they presented “Bring the Outside In”: a presentation originally put together for Greenbuild 2013, graciously adapted and brought to 50 Milk St. for our Chapter’s morning meet-ups dubbed USGBC MA’s “Green Breakfast Club.”

 

The presentation provided a series of key figures outlining the economic impact as well as the indoor environmental benefits that can be achieved through the ventilation system designs within our buildings.  The means by which teams are including the ever-important outside air within their ventilation system designs have become more common and with these full, or partial, natural ventilation strategies (such as air-side economizers or night-flushing/pre-cooling), different climate zones are able to investigate and implement systems that are effective for their specific climate parameters.  Charts and graphs indicating these climates and their most effective methods showed impressive energy use savings, relative to the conventional or ‘baseline’ mechanical ventilation systems that would typically be designed within the buildings.

Mr. Nall continued with case studies that demonstrated key design problems and their subsequent solutions that allowed for these project teams to incorporate passive ventilation strategies and, in turn, demonstrate substantial energy use savings as well as improved indoor air quality.  Without giving away too much detail, all of the projects demonstrated issues that could be commonly found on projects in different climates and had successfully incorporated these passive ventilation strategies: contrary to conventional thought that may suggest otherwise.

 

Many thanks to Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Nall for taking the time to share this wonderful presentation with us and helping our Chapter move even closer towards More Green Buildings!

The 2014 LEED Project Showcase

By Grey Lee

It was a great LEED Project Showcase last night with the USGBC MA Chapter!  We convened over 150 people to review LEED projects and hear from a few specific sponsors who are champions of our mission for green buildings and sustainable communities for all.

Take a look at the awesome collection of photos that our media partner New England Real Estate Journal has produced – really wonderful to see so many great people together!

Thank you to all that came out to celebrate the LEED project achievements that Massachusetts professionals have worked on in recent months.  It was great to see the almost 50 boards highlighting the work of outstanding leaders in the green building industry.

Below, part of the Events Committee setting things up before our guests arrived.

We heard a few words from the team leader Kate Bubriski and then the Genzyme building facility manager Lou Capozzi and the Platinum Event Sponsors, National Grid and NSTAR (Mark Stafford and Kim Cullinane).  The crowd loved it – it was short and sweet!

 
 
Here we see Grey Lee with Tracey Beckstrom and Mark Stafford from National Grid
 
 

Here’s the team again: Steve Muzzy, Phoebe Beierle, Alana Spencer and Kate Bubriski (Tiffany King must have been helping someone out, and John Picard was doing some filming in the back hall).

At the end of the evening, many of the “regulars” of the Chapter were in a good mood after seeing so many great LEED Projects.  Here we see folks from Suffolk Construction, Boston Public Schools, Arrowstreet, emersionDESIGN, Linnean Solutions, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Boston University.

 
Thank you to Genzyme for hosting us at their awesome LEED Platinum facility in Cambridge! 
 
You can read more about the many projects by taking a look at the electronic version of the Showcase Spotlight magazine, produced by NEREJ. 
 
Thank you everyone for participating and we’ll see you next year!

Member Spotlight: Shawn Hesse

By Grey Lee

Our latest member profile is of a transplant from Ohio who brings some expertise in Architecture and Sustainability.  He's also a part of our Membership Committee.  Meet Shawn Hesse!

USGBCMA: What is your current job and how does it differ from past jobs in Sustainability?

SH: I am an architect and sustainability consultant.  I lead the Boston office of emersionDESIGN.  At previous jobs I was one of the few individuals interested in sustainability.  However at emersionDESIGN, I am surrounded by people that share my passion and interest in making our work more sustainable.  There would constantly raise the bar for one another.

USGBCMA: When did you first become interested in Sustainability?

SH: My interest in sustainability is rooted in spending the entire summer outside while growing up, playing in the nearby woods, creeks and lakes in and around Cincinnati.  But my understanding that I have a role and responsibility to improve sustainability of our communities as an architect was developed at architecture school.

USGBCMA: Why are you a member of the MA chapter and how did you get there?

SH: I have been involved with the USGBC for almost 10 years now in Cincinnati, serving on the chapter board in several roles including board president.  I have also served on the USGBC Regional Committee representing Ohio as well as the Heartland Region and also at the national level.  I just recently moved to the Boston area and have begun to get involved here on the Membership Committee and also as a the facilitator for the Living Building Challenge Boston Collaborative.

USGBCMA: How are you an environmental steward?

SH: I have worked hard to turn my day job as an architect into my passion of making a sustainable future a reality.  I am also in the process of planning my wedding next June.  My fiancee and I are writing the “Living Wedding Challenge”- zero waste, carbon offset, public transit to the event, local food, etc.

USGBCMA: How do you help raise environmental awareness?

SH: I do a lot of public speaking about sustainability.

USGBCMA: If I needed to find you on a Saturday afternoon, where would it be?

SH: On any given Saturday, I could be out hiking, camping, at a beer tasting, escaping zombies or just at home restoring my 1960s radio.
 

Emerging Professionals Tour of Hostelling International – Boston

By Jenna Dancewicz, EPMA & Suffolk Construction

By Jenna Dancewicz, EPMA & Suffolk Construction
 

Last evening, green building enthusiasts from all around attended the USGBC EPMA tour of Hostelling International (HI) Boston.  HI-Boston is the third largest hostel in the USA and is located in the historic Dill Building, which was originally built between 1886-1888.  The building is LEED-Silver certified and it is the City of Boston’s first accommodation provider to achieve LEED certification! You can read about the building's green features here.  HI-Boston has also won several green and sustainability awards, including the 2013 USGBC MA Green Innovation Award.

 

 
HI-Boston emphasizes sustainability and community within its core values.  One of the many ways to learn about the green features in the building is by scanning one of the bar codes in a room and information pops up on your phone with its sustainable features.  Very innovative!  All the wood tables are reclaimed wood from the demolition of the interior of the building.  The metal chairs in the cafeteria are made from 100% recycled soda cans.  HI-Boston also prides itself on a green housekeeping program by using environmentally-friendly products and encourages travel-goers to reuse their linens and towels for at least 7 days.  From the pool tables in the game rooms to an open cafeteria to community rooms, HI-Boston makes it easy for travelers from around the world to connect.
 
 

 

Thank you to Martine McDonagh and Paul Kuhne with HI-Boston for having us as well as Dee Spiro (Bergmeyer) and Katrina Walther (Suffolk Construction) for helping with the tour!
 
 

 

This is only a small amount of information about HI-Boston.  To learn more, please visit their website here!

The EPMA continued our tradition of heavy networking at Sweetwater's pub just down the block from HI-Boston and continued to build relationships across industry sectors. #moregreenbuildings!
 

Hull Public Schools – Green Apple Day of Service connects High School and Elementary School

By Nicole Palermo Cristaldi

by Nicole Palermo Cristaldi

 
The Green Apple Day of Service project for Hull Public Schools took place at 180 Harborview Road on the beautiful peninsula of Hull, Massachusetts.  What a fantastic day for all involved!  The Mini-Grant awarded by USGBC MA Chapter and their generous sponsors allowed students from Hull High School to join forces with students from the Lillian Jacobs Elementary School to erect their long awaited gardens on September 24, 2014.  The efforts of the Hull Parent Teacher Organization, coupled with Holly Hill Farm, educated students on the food cycle, the basics of preparing raised bed gardens, as well as basic carpentry and gardening skills.  We would like to thank Truimph Modular for sponsoring this event!
 

 

 

Since April 2014, the Students of Lillian Jacobs Elementary School have been learning the cycle of food through their cafeteria composting program.  The composted apples, oranges, bananas & undressed veggies tuned into beautiful, nutrient-rich soil in the New Age Composter provided by The Massachusetts EPA’s Green TEAM!  The Green Apple Day Project will allow the students to witness the next stage of the food cycle – growing your food!
 
 
 
At each recess, the younger students watched as the high school students prepared the earth for the new gardens by measuring the plots of land (4×8) and removing grass and weeds from the area.  The untreated rough cut pine was then measured and cut to size.  After the beds were screwed together and reinforced by the students, the beds were filled with organic soil.  Soon after they were finished, all students outside were invited to join Jon Belber from Holly Hill Farm to plant the first organic radish seeds, taking only 24 days to mature.  The students we so excited to plant their seed into the soil and they were even more motivated to water their little accomplishment!
 
The Green Apple Day Project impacted over 500 students and inspired the High School students to start the process for implementing their own gardens at Hull High! 
 
 

Brooke Mattapan Charter School's Huge Green Apple Day of Service Collaboration

By Scott Knox

by Scott Knox
 

The first of the 300 volunteers arrived at 6:30 AM on September 23rd to start the arduous task of building a playground in one day.  Brooke Mattapan Charter School, in conjunction with the national playground building non-profit KaBOOM!, planned for months their design, logistics and preparations. In addition to the support from UnitedHealthcare and the New England Patriots, Brooke was able to purchase materials used in the build and will be used for continued playground maintenance with the GADOS Mini-Grant awarded by USGBC MA Chapter and Arrowstreet.  Check out Arrowstreet's blog for more pics and a video from the day!
 
The volunteers completed the construction of the playground and over a dozen side projects in just under 5 hours — it was an amazing feat!  Volunteers were separated into 15 groups with specific tasks.  In addition to building the playground, which included two slides, a rock climbing wall and monkey bars, the volunteers built benches, picnic tables, flower beds, and painted murals that will add to the community feel of the playground.  Toward the end of the day, special guests from the New England Patriots and Revolution arrived to lend a hand and meet the students at the ribbon cutting ceremony — even Pat Patriot rolled up his sleeves and helped out! 
 
 
 
Brooke scholars and the surrounding Mattapan community are so excited to have a safe, fun place to play for years to come.  This would not have been possible without the support of the volunteers and donations from organizations such as USGBC MA Chapter. 

 
In total our project was made possible through:
  • 48 staff members from Brooke Mattapan that contributed to the build in one shape or form: recruiting volunteers, lending tools, helping with student thank you notes, etc.
  • 300 volunteers (parents, Brooke supporters, corporate volunteers)