Fun at the Summer Social!

By Grey Lee

On Wednesday July 24th, the Emerging Professionals (EPMA) hosted another great evening event bringing together a wide range of green building professionals. We took over half of the Atlantic Beer Garden and had a good time making connections.
 

Yeah: #MoreGreenBuildings!

Special thanks to Forbo Flooring for sponsoring the delicious eats. We appreciated your presentation about healthy materials and biologically-informed design. Glad you could make it out to meet the future of the green building industry. Thank you Matt & Jeff.
 

 

 
Congratulations to the organizing team from EPMA – Jessica, Jenna, Kristen, Stephanie and Adrienne.

 

It was great to meet over 50 emerging professionals from architects, engineers, illumination specialists, materials scientists, builders, roofing, fenestration & access pros, retrofitters, state public servants and more! See you next time!
 

 

Tour with the EPMA: LEED Gold Boston Public Library, East Boston Branch

By Grey Lee

We had a great time getting together as Emerging Professionals last Thursday evening in East Boston. Thank you to our tour guide Christine Schonart, Branches Manager of the Boston Public Libraries, and the designer team from William Rawn Associates, Sindu Meier and Carla Ceruzzi (who is now at Sasaki) for organizing the tour!  The Green Engineer project consultant had representatives on hand – Marie Nolan, Ryan Montoni and Matt Smity – to help interpret some of the technical aspects of the building. Thank you to all – especially the large contingent of Chapter members who attended who are from East Boston – I felt like we were about to start another regional group all of the sudden.
 

 

 
 
Loving the undulating, light-enabling ceiling:
 

 

 

Looks like another emerging professional to me!

 

 

 
Matt, Marie, and Ryan found something amusing in the mechanical room:
 

 

 
 
Here's a nice article in the Boston Globe about the project. The place really has a lot going for it; beautifully designed, engineered for real savings and efficiency, and a cool view through the Bremen Street Park (and old rail right-of-way) of Downtown Boston:

 

Thank you again to EPMA and the project team for organizing this great tour. We had a great pub-crawl around Eastie afterwards, but that is another story entirely. Hello KO!

See you all at the next EPMA event on July 24th. 

 

The Sustainability Superstition

By Shawn Hesse, emersionDESIGN

by Shawn Hesse, emersionDESIGN


There’s a superstition within the sustainability movement that codes, budgets, schedules, clients, consultants, or some other unseen thing controls the outcome of our work.  That is the reason we aren’t achieving the ambitious sustainability goals we all have for our projects. Whether it is net zero energy, LEED Platinum, Living Building Challenge, or something less flashy but just as important like lighting upgrades and system-wide change.

Boston was named the most energy-efficient city in the US by ACEE last year; yet each day, I ride the T to Central square and look up to see the platform lined with 8’ long, 2 lamp T-12 fluorescent fixtures.  Looking down the tunnel, I can see the same fixtures lining the tunnels that are all on 24/7. Lighting upgrades are the lowest hanging fruit.  How can we be in the most energy-efficient community with a major piece of infrastructure using such outdated technology? It’s like we are trying to run a marathon but have a hard time tying our shoes. 

In response, I’ve begun work on a volunteer project called “LED the T”. With a system-wide swap (approximately 70,000 fixtures) to LED’s, the MBTA could save thousands of dollars a month in energy costs and hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon. So why hasn’t anyone done this yet? They’ve already swapped signal lights to LED fixtures, with a payback of less than 4 months. 

I’ve spoken with several representatives at MBTA and it occurs to me that they’ve fallen victim to the Sustainability Superstition, that there are things outside of their control that are stopping them. A full-system swap of lighting fixtures throughout the MBTA system is achievable. It is fiscally responsible and it will reduce carbon emissions. The success of the “LED the T” project will demonstrate that we are a community that is ready to tackle the serious challenges of sustainability and resilient infrastructure, that we’ve moved beyond low-hanging fruit of lighting upgrades and are ready to work towards a sustainable and regenerative community. Most importantly, the success of “LED the T” will disprove the Sustainability Superstition and show that there is no such thing as “outside our control”.

Ready to give up your superstitions?

Shawn Hesse RA, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, USGBC Faculty

emersion DESIGN LLC | ARCHITECTURE INTERIORS SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING ENGINEERING

45 Prospect Street | Cambridge, MA 02139 | P 617 682 0262 | emersiondesign.com

Shawn is an architect and sustainability consultant and leads the Cambridge office of emersion DESIGN, a multidisciplinary firm driven by advancing clients that advance society. If you would like to get involved with “LED the T” email him at: shawn.hesse@emersiondesign.com

EPMA Earth Day Service Project

By Kristin Malyak, EMPA; Designer & Workplace Strategist at Gensler

By Kristin Malyak, EPMA; Designer & Workplace Strategist at Gensler
 
 

A handful of chapter members braved the cold, damp weather this past weekend to participate in the 15th Annual Charles River Cleanup. The group was assigned to clean up a section of the Cambridge riverfront near Buckingham Brown & Nichols and covered a lot of ground in a short time! You may be familiar with the area – also known as “Hell's Half Acre” – just south (though going upriver) of the Eliot Bridge and the BB&N boathouse. The largest freshwater marsh along the Charles in either Boston or Cambridge.

Our work was part of an exercise in dividing and conquering – in the way that the Charles River Watershed Association organizes over a hundred different volunteer groups to help out at various sites along the Charles. It is truly a testament to the power of strength in numbers. By each making our own small contribution, we are all able to enjoy the rich, vibrant outdoor space the Charles provides us with so close to our urban centers.
 

We found a lot of amazing trash. It was a great chance to catch up with people and you can have interesting conversations while trying to figure out what strange object you've just confiscated! It felt good to give back to the community and make our natural areas a little bit nicer for others.

Thank you to those that coordinated and attended the event this year and hopefully we can make it an annual chapter Earth Day tradition for years to come!

 

The Challenge for Sustainability: A Better City's Awards Winners

By Mihir Parikh, Sustainability Programs Coordinator at A Better City

Courtesy Mihir Parikh, Sustainability Programs Coordinator at A Better City

Prominent Boston Businesses Lead Charge on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

Emissions reduced 18% since 2009; leaders celebrate at Annual Challenge for Sustainability Awards
 

Boston March 20th, 2014 – Over 100 of Boston’s largest buildings and employers came together at the New England Aquarium to honor and celebrate their accomplishments at A Better City’s 5th Challenge for Sustainability Awards. The Challenge for Sustainability works with Boston business leaders and properties to improve energy efficiency and overall sustainability, leading the efforts of the private sector towards the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020. Since the program’s debut in 2009, participants have collectively reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a staggering 18% and implemented over 1,500 sustainability actions. 
 

The Challenge Awards recognize businesses who achieved significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in their overall sustainability. This year’s award for Greatest Energy Reduction went to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Shields Warren building, which achieved a 20% drop in electricity use and saved nearly 200,000 kWh of electricity. 

The Most Improved Sustainability Score was awarded to Nixon Peabody LLP and John Hancock at 601 Congress Street, taking home the award for Highest Sustainability Score. 

The award for Largest Greenhouse Gas Reduction also went to John Hancock for their 197 Clarendon Street building, which has seen a 40% drop in greenhouse gases since then. “We are honored to receive these awards from ABC’s Challenge for Sustainability”, said Bruce Pearson, Managing Director of US Corporate Real Estate at John Hancock Financial Services.  “It is extremely gratifying that these awards recognize John Hancock's continuing commitment to finding ways to decrease energy and water consumption and increase sustainability initiatives.  Each year we evaluate how we can better operate and manage our buildings through energy conservation initiatives and improved business practices. From recycling and composting, to support of employee bicycling, to capital efficiency projects, John Hancock’s investments in these initiatives help the environment and make good business sense.” 
 

A much prized Peer Award, voted on by fellow program participants recognizing an individual for their outstanding contributions to the program, guidance, and leadership, was presented to Fred O’Grady, Chief Engineer at One Beacon Street (managed by CBRE). 

Additionally, 59 facilities representing over 25 million square feet of commercial real estate received certificates for achieving their sustainability goals and excellence in the following categories: People, Energy, Water, Waste, Purchasing, Cleaning & Toxins and Transportation. See a full recap of the winners and event here
 

In 2013, participants in the Challenge for Sustainability collectively reduced CO2 emissions by 2.2%, including a reduction of over 18 million kWh. These electricity reductions saved participants over $1.4 million in electricity costs. According to Mike Cantalupa, Senior Vice President of Development at Boston Properties and Chairman of A Better City, “The Challenge for Sustainability has proven its success amongst Boston’s commercial real estate sector. This effort is helping businesses reduce their energy costs while moving the City and State closer to achieving aggressive goals for sustaining our climate.” 
 

About the Challenge for Sustainability 

ABC’s Challenge for Sustainability is a voluntary program that engages buildings and businesses in Greater Boston with a holistic approach to implementing sustainability and energy efficiency programs. 

The Challenge for Sustainability provides participants with a concierge level of service that leads them through a complete benchmarking of their facility, the development of a comprehensive sustainability action plan, and offers them valuable technical assistance as well as peer-to-peer networking/sharing of best practices in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to create a more sustainable work site. 

The Challenge for Sustainability is designed to leverage the private sector’s ability to influence change and make Boston a leader in energy efficiency and sustainable business practices. The program challenges businesses, institutions, and building owners to meet a broad range of sustainability standards and practices within energy efficiency, water efficiency, transportation, waste reduction & management, cleaning & toxics, program implementation & policies, purchasing, and renewable energy in order to reduce environmental impacts as well as improve the economic competitiveness and preparedness of businesses throughout the region. 

About A Better City 

A Better City (ABC) is a Boston-based, non-profit organization that represents the business and institutional community on issues of transportation, land development, and the environment. ABC improves the economic competitiveness and quality of life in the Boston region by providing leadership on significant policies, projects, and initiatives related to the commercial real estate sector.

EPMA Soiree! Good times with the Emerging Professionals

By Adam Kreitman

By Adam Kreitman, EPMA
The 2014 EPMA Soiree (held at the Baseball Tavern on 12/20/14) was a great success, thanks in part to our incredible attendees and Lee Kennedy Co., Inc. for sponsoring! 
The night was full of networking, trivia and our first ever “EPMA Baggo Madness Tourney.” Even though the event was rescheduled due to the never-ending weather curve balls, we were able to meet many new faces and draw in several new members!
 
The night concluded with a giveaway of multiple raffle prizes such as gift cards to Starbucks, Evoo, Henrietta's Table and the Fireplace. Our winners of the “Baggo” Tournament were Scott Balboni (Chapman Construction) and Tyler Murphy (Suffolk Construction). We saw a lot of good moves on the floor during Baggo.
 

 

As is usual at our EPMA networking events, we had free appetizers (from the Tavern) and drinks were underwritten by Lee Kennedy. Though there were a lot of “regulars,” about half the crew were fresh faces and we made a lot of new contacts. In fact, LinkedIn reported a significant jump in connections the next day due to our event. 
 
 
But seriously, one of the reasons these EPMA events are so cool is that people are coming from a lot of different companies – we have construction, architecture, engineering, retrofits, schools, and many more backgrounds. If you go to your standard industry thing, you are just surrounded by your (friendly) competitors. At the USGBC and EPMA events, you connect across the industry.
Thank you all who made this night so enjoyable! 
[Editor's Note: special thanks to the EPMA leadership team – Stephanie MacNeil (HMFH), Javier Burgos (Navigant), Kristin Malyak (Gensler), Jenna Dancewicz (Suffolk Construction) and especially to Adam Kreitman for organizing this event and securing the sponsorship from…Lee Kennedy.]
 
 
 

Innovations in Sustainabiltiy & Resiliency

By Grey Lee

We had a great program in our EcoDistricts series. Thank you to event sponsors EnerNOC, the City of Boston, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and to District Hall for hosting us!

From the Boston Redevelopment Authority:

On Tuesday, 2/4/14, the BRA and the Massachusetts Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) hosted an Innovations in Sustainability and Resiliency panel discussion. Panelists representing the finance and tech industries, as well as government, came together to discuss the development of EcoDistricts and the role of resiliency in Boston's Innovation District and beyond. The EcoDistricts framework emphasizes sharing energy solutions amongst area stakeholders. Over 100 attendees participated from a broad cross section of the sustainability community that included architects, engineers, developers, financial consultants, and federal/state/local government officials.
 

 

The first keynote speaker was Kairos Shen, Chief Planner at the BRA, who emphasized that the biggest challenge facing the creation of Eco Districts is partnerships. Shen stressed that the technological solutions already exist, but it's the partnerships that will allow them to be effective.
 
The second keynote speaker was John Aubrecht, President of the Longwood Medical Energy Collaborative, who represents Boston's greatest concentration of medical institutions that includes over 2,000 hospital beds. The concentration of critical energy users in the Longwood Medical Area (LMA) rely on the Medical Area Total Energy Plant (MATEP) for heating, cooling and electrical services. Aubrecht's presentation focused on building partnerships between LMA institutions, financial institutions, and energy markets. He also discussed the challenge of finding organizational strategies for the multiple stakeholders in an Eco District.
 

The panel on Eco Districts was moderated by Galen Nelson, Director of Market Development at the Mass Clean Energy Center. Nelson discussed his time in Hamburg, Germany where an old grain silo was used to create an energy bunker that now produces enough heat for 3,000 households and electricity for 1,000 homes. Other panelists included Karthik Rao from EnernNOC, who discussed how each individual building can contribute to local energy markets; Vice President of Natural Systems Utilities Bruce Douglas, who discussed the use of waste heat in sewer systems and capturing underutilized sources of energy throughout the city; Director of SustainServ Matthew Gardner,  who discussed emerging technology used to measure the energy of a city and showed how it was applied in the Innovation District; Director of Boston Global Investors Charlie Reed, who discussed his company's planning strategy for district energy in the Innovation District.
 

 
More panels discussing EcoDistricts beyond energy technology are forthcoming, including EcoDistricts in the context of water and organizational models. Stay tuned via the BRA EcoDistricts page.
 

Photos by Grey Lee
 

EPMA Committee hosts USGBC MA's 6th Annual Sustainable Buildings Bike Tour

By Grey Lee

 
 
 
(Guest Post by Javier Burgos)
 
On Saturday August 17th, the USGBC chapter gathered for the 6th annual Sustainable Buildings Bike Tour that was organized by the EPMA (Emerging Professionals) committee.  It was a gorgeous day for a bike ride!  The ride was a great success, as nearly 30 bike riders traveled along the streets of Cambridge and stopped at different buildings to learn how each one incorporated sustainable building practices.  Several of our riders used the 'Hubway' bike-sharing system with great results! 

 

The bike tour gathered in Kendall Square and all sorts of bikes were there.

 

 
The bike tour started in Kendall Square, went up towards Harvard, and came back towards MIT before ending up at Kendall Square again.  The bike tour included stops and descriptions of:
 
 
Attendees stop along the Esplanade to learn about Harvard's sustainability initiatives. 
 
In addition, we were fortunate enough to have a representative from the Cambridge Public Library (CPL) speak to us and provide a quick tour, as well as a representative from Harvard's Green Building Services group.  Mike Craig of the CPL provided a great description of the libraries green features, while Joel Mckellar of Harvard rode with the group and provided a long description of all of Harvard building and emissions goals.  A big thank you to both of them!
 
Joel McKellar of Harvard's Green Building Services group talks about the green buildings on campus as Kristin Malyak (EPMA Bike Tour organizer) listens in.

 

Javier Burgos (EPMA Bike Tour Organizer) talks about MIT's sustainable building goals and initiatives.
 
At the end of the tour, a group of riders headed towards a local bar to continue our green building conversations.  We are already looking forward to next years event!
 
Map of the bike route

 

List of green buildings visited

 

 
 

 

Appreciating Members!

By Grey Lee

We had a great event on Tuesday night. The photos are forthcoming (thanks Carlos!!!)

And the winners of our various Member Awards were:
 

Most Likely to Send an Email at 3AM – Carrie Havey
 
Most Likely to Take Recycling Home from the Office – Dee Spiro
 
Most Likely to Be Completely Off the Grid in a Year – Laura Fitch
 
Advocate of the Year – Kathleen Arthur
 
Educator of the Year – Chris Schaffner
 
Mentor of the Year – Jim Newman
 
EPMA Rising Star – Laurel Kruke and Javier Burgos
 
AND we had a special mention to our awesome previous Chapter Operations Manager Suzanne Abbott, who's now at Vidaris. She showed up in style and managed to score the biggest contribution of the night – a $1000 sponsorship from Jack Mackin at Sterrit Lumber – Thanks you Suzanne, and thank you Jack!
 
It really was a great time had by all. Many of the old familiar faces, but also a whole slew of new folks. Thanks to all of those who signed up to become members due to the event. We are ambitiously kicking off a membership drive in the new year, so it's nice to see that our messaging and outreach is already starting to pay off. Thanks, once again, to all the members for joining the Chapter.
 
Thanks must also go to Rachel Zsembery and her team on the Special Events committee – Dee, Katya, Keith, Krista, Suzanne and Carlos. You all know how to make it happen, with style. Thanks again for all your hard work.
 
The night also meant the community had a chance to give back – our philanthropic beneficiaries this year have been the Jowney Elementary School in Brockton – combined, we brought in $667 for the kids for school supplies. We have partnered with the school as they have been working on greening the facility and engaging the students very well and we want to continue to support their efforts.
 
Thanks again, everyone, I'm proud of this Green Building Community.
Grey