YouthBuild Boston and the USGBC RGBC, MA Chapter 2016 Winterization Service Project

By USGBC MA


Come learn how to winterize your home by volunteering your Saturday to low-income elderly homeowners in need! On Saturday, November 19th, 2016, 24 volunteers from YouthBuild Boston and the USGBC MA Chapter will gather for a day of service in an effort to reduce heating costs and provide a warmer, healthier season for some of Boston’s most vulnerable citizens. The group of volunteers will winterize the home of 12 low-income elderly Boston residents in partnership with the Ecumenical Social Action Committee, who has referred several of their low-income senior clients for this project.

Register here!

The volunteers will gather at YBB’s main office at 27 Centre Street in Roxbury to kick-off the event with a welcome and light breakfast, then the group will be divided into small teams that will serve residents in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Hyde Park. In addition to eliminating cold winter drafts, the winterization techniques that the group will implement have been proven to reduce a home’s energy costs by 20-30% annually. By volunteering alongside young people who participate in YouthBuild Boston’s vocational training programs, USGBC MA volunteers are helping YBB students bolster their classroom learning with field experience training.

It is expected that YBB students and volunteers will use these new skills to winterize their own homes and the homes of their friends and neighbors in need. All YBB students earn a community service certificate by engaging in meaningful service opportunities that promote leadership development and social responsibility. Participating in service events alongside volunteers from our corporate and community partners provides an opportunity for an inter-generational learning experience that benefits the entire group of volunteers. Please consider volunteering for this upcoming service event. We are asking volunteers to contribute $25-35 towards the cost of supplies. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Register here!

Saturday, November 19th, 2016
9:00am – 2:00pm
27 Centre St.
Boston, MA, 02119

Seattle is Pushing for More Living Buildings

By Alexander Landa


Seattle is proving once again why it's a city to be taken seriously in the green building industry.

October 7th marked the day that Ed Murray – the mayor of Seattle – signed legislation to continue the Living Building Pilot Program until 2025. This update will allow a total of twenty buildings to participate in this program in Seattle.

This all comes back to Capitol Hill's Bullitt Center – currently the only Living Building in Seattle. The city is pushing for more construction, and green building is making a stronger presence than before, now. 

City planners won't have to wonder why they haven't seen any more living buildings, as the pilot program has expanded. In addition to allowing more buildings, the legislation also proposed technical adjustments to 'better align city laws with recent changes in state laws to streamline city buildings codes.' These changes will involve things such as requiring high-efficiency heaters, being ready for solar panels, etc.

Living Buildings are awesome! This emerging topic is picking up a lot of steam now, and it's a good time for you to get involved as well. As part of ABX 2016 November 15th-17th, the USGBC MA Chapter is sponsoring a few sessions. One of these sessions, B04: Living up to the Living Building Challenge: The Owner's Perspective, will cover this topic in great detail. On a related note, we're also sponsoring B68: Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy – a topic that couples well with Living Buildings!

You can also see our full list of sessions we're sponsoring here.

Image and Source 1: Capitol Hill Seattle

Source 2: 3BL Media

Baking Gone Green? Clif Bar's New Idaho Bakery is a Prime Example of Biophilic Design!

By Alexander Landa


You know what goes well with green buildings? Natural snacks! (Hey they're both healthy…) 

Clif Bar, a dominant name is trail snacks, recently opened up a new bakery in Twin Falls, ID, that makes this company not only innovators for healthy eating, but for healthy, sustainable design.

This new location is 300,00 square feet of healthy, biophilic design that comes in a tasty wrapper of 200+ windows, vaulted skylights, and other elements leading to a design healthier for the environment, and for its inhabitants. The company will be leaving a much smaller carbon footprint now, and will be much more energy efficient. 

Delicious.

It keeps getting better. In part due to its biophilic design, Clif Bar's new bakery uses 37% less water and 21% less energy than the common bakery we see every day. Oh, and 100% of the electricity comes from green & renewable energy via Renewable Energy Credits.

This is only the beginning of what this building has to offer. To get the rest of the details, read the full story at Inhabitat – it's all really cool stuff.

Are you interested in implement your own biophilic design for one of your future projects? Check out our ABX sponsored session devoted learning about his popular and emerging topic. You can learn more about A44: Beyond Inspiration: Implement a Successful Biophilic Project here.

We're also sponsoring a bunch of other awesome sessions at ABX! See the full list of USGBC MA sponsored sessions here.

Source: Inhabitat.com

Let's Go All-In At Our Greenbuild 2017 Kick-Off Party December 15th

By Alexander Landa


Boston has embarked toward a defining moment in its green building story: Greenbuild 2017. Get pumped up at our year-long journey to next year's Greenbuild in Boston at our kick-off party December 15th.

In 2008, Boston made history with the largest Greenbuild to date. We intend to make this 2017 Greenbuild the largest on record, outdoing ourselves from our 2008 showing.

Come meet the committees and the leaders who are supporting them, and decide how you, or your firm, may want to take part. 

The Greenbuild effect will center the international discussion on green building on our market, building stock, and local talent – both in the materials, tech and design realms. Don't let this opportunity pass you by, get in on the ground floor. Come be a part of the collection of strategists who are on the Host Committee working to connect firms, orgs and professionals with this catalyst event. 

Light refreshments and snacks will be available. It will be a great mixer and meeting of the minds! Don't miss it!

Thursday, December 15th, 2016
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Nitsch Engineering
2 Center Plaza #430
Fourth Floor
Boston, MA 02108

Register here!

USGBC MA Sponsored ABX Session C21: How Green Building Make Your Clients Smarter – Harvard Study

By USGBC MA


Coming up November 15th to 17th will be ABX 2016! As part of the Northeast's largest building industry conference and tradeshow, Architecture Boston Expo, the USGBC MA Chapter will be sponsoring multiple panels this year. This year, we're hosting multiple panels, so let's take a look at Wednesday's panel. C21: How Green Building Make Your Clients Smarter – Harvard Study.

Green Buildings have measurable positive effects on brain function. The ability to provide data on how design impacts occupant productivity is key to moving client towards valuing and advocating for green building features. This presentation will share the key findings from the Harvard Cognitive Function study and will review outcomes of the industry transforming research where cognitive function scores were better in green building conditions compared to the conventional building conditions across multiple functional domains, including crisis response, strategy, and focused activity level. On average, cognitive scores were 101 percent higher in enhanced green building conditions. CO2, VOCs, and ventilation rate all had significant, independent impacts on cognitive function. Because this study was designed to reflect indoor environments encountered by large numbers of people every day, these findings have far ranging implications for worker productivity, student learning, and safety.

Speakers

Jose Guillermo Cedeno Laurent Researcher Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Jennifer Taranto LEED AP ID+C, BD+C, WELL AP Director of Sustainability Structure Tone, Inc.

Augusta Williams Researcher Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

C21: How Green Building Make Your Clients Smarter – Harvard Study
Thursday, 11/17
10:00am – 11:30am
Room 107A

Healthy Materials Sponsor Profile: Mohawk Industries

By Alexander Landa


The Healthy Materials Summit on October 26th was an awesome event! We couldn't have put everything together without the help of a hosting committee, the volunteers, and especially our sponsors. We want to thank Mohawk for sponsoring the afternoon ILFI workshop, which got a good turnout and was a really fun, informative few hours.

As a leading global flooring manufacturer, Mohawk Industries creates products meant to enhance both residential and commercial locations globally. Known especially for their production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, and vinyl flooring, Mohawk's vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the marketplace.

Special attention should be paid to the Mohawk GreenWorks campaign. As the page says, they're “Inspired to do better ever day. Our commitment to innovation benefits the environment for everyone.” Mohawk is already a flooring leader in the industry, and they can add to their list of accomplishments that they're always seeking innovative ways to recycle, reduce, reuse, and renew. Through GreenWorks, this campaign develops energy-saving initiatives and eco-friendly flooring options.

Learn more about Mohawk here, and follow their devotion to sustainability here.

Review Article 37 at Our Boston's Evolution to Green Event 12/7

By USGBC MA


Come join us to connect with the City of Boston and to learn about their quest towards carbon neutrality. We will convene a discussion in the City's efforts through policy, reviewing Article 37, present ambitions towards net-zero and looking at the market's appetite for green real estate. 

Register for Boston's Evolution to Green event here!

The event intends to convene the real estate sector with policy makers and those who are stakeholders in the the transition towards a more environmentally friendly and marketable downtown. 

Stay tuned for presenters and event schedule.

Wednesday, December 7th, 2016
5:30pm – 7:30pm
Boston City Hall
1 City Hall Square
Boston, MA, 02201

Some information on Boston's environmental policy:

In January 2015, Mayor Martin J. Walsh updated the Greenovate Boston Climate Action Plan, reaffirming long-standing goals to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050 and establishing new goals to ensure that Boston is prepared for the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and more frequent temperature extremes and precipitation events.

Boston Zoning Code Article 37, Green Buildings (Article 37) and the Boston Climate Change Preparedness and Resiliency Policy (Resiliency Policy) and Checklist (Resiliency Checklist) ensure that major building projects are planned, designed, constructed, and managed to minimize adverse environmental impacts; conserve natural resources; prepare for climate change; promote a more sustainable city; and enhance the quality of life in Boston. All proposed projects subject to or electing to comply with Zoning Article 80B, Large Project Review are subject to Article 37.

Register here!

USGBC MA Sponsored ABX Session B68 – Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy

By Alexander Landa


Coming up November 15th to 17th will be ABX 2016! As part of the Northeast's largest building industry conference and tradeshow, Architecture Boston Expo, the USGBC MA Chapter will be sponsoring multiple panels this year. This year, we're hosting multiple panels, so let's take a look at Wednesday's panel, B25: Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy.

Net positive energy is a key component in the battle against climate change. Buildings emit nearly 50% of carbon emissions, and architects can play a leadership role in moving beyond incremental reductions to regenerative design now. Net positive water design is more nuanced. Institutions of higher learning can provide thought leadership by advocating for global water awareness, even if water is plentiful on a local level. Regulatory agencies are not prepared for the conversation, but in some cases are helpful in moving demonstration projects forward. In this session, you'll hear from architects who are designing net positive energy and net zero water systems for a 16,000 SF, two-story campus building. Topics explored: – Performance goals and philosophy behind net positive design – Design concept and construction details behind energy systems – All aspects of water systems, including rainwater collection, filtration, composting, grey water treatment, and storm water management – The regulatory and permitting processes.

Speakers

Jason Forney AIA, LEED AP Principal Bruner/Cott Architects

Jason Jewhurst AIA, NCARB Senior Associate Bruner/Cott & Associates

B68: Designing for Net Positive Water and Energy
Wednesday, 11/16
3:30PM – 5:00 PM
Room 157C

Register here!

Come to the Biomimicry & Living Building Exploration Event Sat. 11/5

By Biomimicry New England


Our friends over at Biomimicry New England are holding an event this Saturday, November 5th in Amherst, MA, entitled Biomimicry & Living Building Exploration. Instead of spending your Saturday sleeping or catching up on YouTube, make it a productive weekend (and save sleep for Sunday!) by attending this informative event discussing and touring living buildings.

From 9:30AM to 4:00PM, this day will feature lectures as well as tours of two new living buildings, followed by a panel discussion on bio-inspired planning.

The program will include a lecture and tour of the Hitchcock Center by architect Sam Batchelor of designLAB architects. Jason Jewett of Bruner/Cott will discuss the design of Kern Center at Hampshire College and lead a tour of that building. This will be followed by a panel discussion about biomimicry and urban planning.

Panelists will include: Josh stack, Counselor at law & Resilience; Jim Newman, Linnean Solutions and Elisha Long, CV Properties & Biomimicry Professional. Moderator, Peter Lawrence, Biomimicry New England.

Register for the event here!

November 2016 USGBC MA Newsletter

By Grey Lee


Read our full newsletter here!

Greetings, all!

I hope no one was too freaked out last night – I was on red alert all day. It is fun to get a little “out there” and get in the swing of the holidays, keeping us bright as the temps drop.

What are you working on at the end of the year here?  How are you contributing to net positive outcomes through the built environment? 

At the USGBC MA, we are exploring what it means to make a difference. How can we help you push the envelope? How can we help you lead your firm or organization to more audacious goals?

There's a lot of momentum in our community. A lot of goodwill.

Our Emerging Professionals (EPMA) recently held a fun networking event (at Peabody Office thanks to the Behr team for a great presentation). There was some mad ping-pong and the jenga-scraper was consistently high before crashing.

The EPMA was also busy earlier this month producing a tour of the new UMass Boston: University Hall complex. An awesome new green building! Thanks to Pare Corporation for sponsoring and the whole team for guiding us and teaching us. It is awesome to spend time with our emerging pros – the up-and-coming and super energetic principals of the future!

We continue to convene a leading conversation to inspire, educate and nurture our movement.

The Healthy Materials Summit drew together over 150 people to engage on that important topic. If you didn't get to go to the Healthy Materials Summit, get the full recap here and try to go to next year's event! See pictures from this year's event here.

Pretty soon our community will come together at ABX – make sure you are registered. And register for our sessions in the “green building” track – what an amazing collection of instructors. Truly leaders in our work. If you're looking to network, join us for our Pre-Mixer with Amanda Sturgeon on Nov. 14, and the Quebec is Quality Reception Nov. 16

And if you want to help us lead, please come out and join us. The next big event is our All-In Party on 12/15 at Nitsch Engineering. This will be your opportunity to step onto the stage and work with our organizing team to host the most wicked green Greenbuild EVER!

We still have lots coming up soon! We have another WELL AP exam prep course November 22nd, and a LEED exam prep course November 29th.

Thanks for your support, your energy, and your commitment to transforming the built environment for net positive benefit.

Thank you,

Grey

Read our full newsletter here!

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