The MA IECC 2015 Energy Code, effective on January 2017, raises the bar for energy efficiency and continues a trend of 3 yr. cycled energy code upgrades towards a 2030’s Zero Net Energy Objective. Learn the economics of cost-effective energy efficiency design strategies to achieve 15%-25% or better energy performance beyond IECC 2015, supported with compliance paths to the section C406 additional efficiency requirements, now including renewable energy, and the updated Stretch Code. We will share the findings of a research study looking into energy efficiency measures’ incremental costs and paybacks, including a few building project case studies.
Buildings have a profound impact on our health and well-being given that we spend 90% of our time indoors. In this session, we will describe the research conducted by the For Health team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In particular, we will present findings from recent studies linking the built environment to cognitive function in commercial, academic, and residential settings. Importantly, we will discuss the design and operation solutions identified through the research to optimize buildings for health.
Wondering if your projects will meet new and expanded LEED v4 prerequisites? Concerned about the challenges of the new Materials Building Product Disclosure and Optimization (BPDO) credits?
A panel of local sustainable design experts will present a focused discussion of local recently completed and under construction LEED v4 projects including a medical office building, public school projects, and a college academic building. Discussion includes tips for achieving specific credits and a few challenges we encountered.
Occupants play a significant role when it comes to building energy use. Join us for an exploration of how design teams can bring occupants into the conversation about energy and building usage to achieve net-zero energy. This session will discuss the steps of the user engagement process and case study projects including the proposed net-zero energy King Open and Cambridge Street Upper Schools & Community Complex in Cambridge, MA.
Health and well-being as an outcome of the built environment have become a major focus across all market sectors. Between 2015 and 2016, two standards were released to help provide guidance to designers to help usher in greater health in the built environment. The first was Delos’ WELL Building Standard, which looked and operated much like a hybrid rating system of LEEDv4 and the Living Building Challenge.
At the same time, the Center for Active Design, a New York City-based non-profit, was developing a simpler, more cost-effective option to WELL: Fitwel. Fitwel is a new standard, which will be ready for release to a general audience in early 2017, which like WELL, marries evidence-based approaches for health and wellbeing with design strategies to help designers and building owners realize these impacts in the built environment. Come learn about this new standard and alternative to WELL, as well as to see where Fitwel fits into a spectrum of possibility for health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
