We are always following the advancement of Green Buildings from the perspective of the Architect, Engineer and Construction firm but, I would like to take a moment to share the, industry changing, efforts at the academic level. Last semester, Professor Charest visited our Green Breakfast with her class of civil engineers. We were impressed with input in the conversation as well as their ambition as emerging professionals. Since, we have been keeping an eye on Wentworth and all that they are doing. The following is the story of Wentworth's alumna who is now working as a green building educator at her alma mater:
Dr. Nakisa Alborz, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Technology, and Wentworth alumna, CET '04, was honored with the Technical Excellence Award at the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) International 2015 Annual Meeting. Alborz was honored for her work on the paper “Post Occupancy Evaluation (POEs) of LEED Buildings as a Project Controls Function.”
ACCE International’s Technical Board bestows the award as a means to recognize outstanding technical contributions to the Association by an individual in the project and cost management community. Technical excellence may be accomplished through significant achievement or contribution to technical division work or administration and by playing an instrumental part in the development of technical products.
The ACCE International's is also due to spotlight Alborz in their upcoming Women in Project Controls event and she will be a part of one of their webinar series in August.
Alborz joined AACE International in 2010 and is an active member in the New England-Boston Chapter. She is a LEED accredited professional with a specialty in building design and construction. Her professional work experience entails a decade of cost estimating and civil design works for consulting companies and contractors in the areas of heavy civil infrastructure, residential, and commercial properties.
Alborz was additionally awarded the 2013 AACE US Scholarship and presented at AACE’s first international Total Cost Management Conference in Dubai, UAE and AACE’s 56th Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
The Wentworth Institute of Technology will be a special sponsor present at our Building Tech Forum. Unlike most groups, who provide useful sustainable services or consulting or who develop and roll-out sustainable goods, Wentworth is a university committed to sustainability and a greener future. As an incubator of future STEM, business, and political leaders, a college campus must embody these forward-thinking concepts and it is refreshing to see Wentworth so willing and able to promote sustainability.
Sustainability can mean many different things. At Wentworth, our approach to sustainability aspires to improve environmental, social, and economic performance, drawing from the Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The Wentworth Creed, which dates back to 1904, echoes this in its principle of Economy, stating, “We seek to use our resources wisely at all times. We accept our obligation to safeguard the earth, its resources, its life, and its energy for the benefit of future generations.”
The mission of the Wentworth Sustainability Committee is to provide leadership for reducing the Institute’s impact on the local, regional, and global environment. We recommend approaches for increasing the Institute's commitment to sustainability in all areas of the campus including materials and energy use, waste management, construction, purchasing, and the campus curriculum while staying within the boundaries of the Institute’s financial resources and good business practices.
The American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment is an essential tool for Wentworth to promote communication and education about sustainability issues and achievements, and to encourage sustainable practices within Wentworth and the neighboring community.
We look forward to seeing Wentworth at the Building Tech Forum!
