Trim Tab v.12 - Winter 2012 by Michael Berrisford

THE MAGAZINE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE PEOPLE + DESIGN

TR A NSFORM ATION A L THOUGHT

don’t be a

TOOL TR A NSFORM ATION A L DE SIGN

Breaking the Cost Barrier to Building Sustainable Affordable Housing: A Sustainable Living Planning Approach TR A NSFORM ATION A L PEOPLE

SIM van Der ryn

i s sue 012 L I V ING -F U T URE.org

WINTER 2012

E d i to r i n C h i e f

Jason F. McLennan jason.mclennan@living-future.org

e d i to r i a l d i r e cto r

Michael D. Berrisford michael.berrisford@living-future.org

s e n i o r E d i to r

Sarah Costello sarah.costello@living-future.org

M a n a g i n g E d i to r

Joanna Gangi joanna.gangi@living-future.org

C r e at i v e D i r e cto r

A dv er t i sing

C o n t r i b u to r s

Erin Gehle erin.gehle@living-future.org Joanna Gangi joanna.gangi@living-future.org

Michael Berrisford, Richard Iredale, Penny Martyn, Jason F. McLennan, Dale Mikkelsen, Sean Scott, Kim Sheagren, Paul Werder

For editorial inquiries, freelance or photography submissions and advertising, contact Joanna Gangi at joanna.gangi@living-future.org. Back issues or reprints, contact trimtab@living-future.org

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N A L D E S I G N By K im sheagren

Departments 08

Transformational Design:

Breaking the Cost Barrier to Building Sustainable Affordable Housing By Kim Sheagren

Transformational People:

Sim Van der Ryn By Michael Berrisford

w i n t e r 2 012 , I s s u e 12

Trim Tab is a quarterly publication of the International Living Future Institute, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. Office locations: 721 NW 9th Ave Suite 195, Portland, OR 97209; 410 Occidental Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104; 1100-111 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 6A3; 643 S. Lower Road, Palmer, AK 99645. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission and is for informational purposes only.

Winter 2012

Transformational Thought:

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Be A Tool â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Use Yours Wisely By Jason F. McLennan

contents w i n t e r Q u a r t e r 2 012

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N A L P E O P L E b y M i c h ael Berrisfor d

Features 40 46

Moving Toward the Climate Tipping Point

Nuts & Bolts 78

By Richard Iredale

Opportunity Outside of Shadow â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A New Paradigm for City Planning By Sean Scott

T R A N S F O R M AT I O N A L t h o u g h t b y j ason f. m c lennan

Book Review: Reinventing Fire by Amory Lovins Review by Faith Graham

Moving Upstream

FWD: Read This

Creating A Green Dividend â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Overcoming the (Presumed) Cost of Sustainable Construction By Dale Mikkelsen

Thriving As A Green Warrior By Paul Werder

The Building Materials Challenge: The Selection Process By Penny Mart yn

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Winter 2012

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Winter 2012

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by K im S heagren

Breaking the Cost Barrier to Building Sustainable Affordable Housing: A Sustainable Living Pl anning Approach South Quarter Phase IV

1. Sunny Pedestrian-friendly Franklin 2. PV Clad Sunshade/Balconies Reduces Summer Heat Gain 3. “Great” Envelope • R70 Roof • R40 Exterior Walls • Infiltration 0.24 CFM/SF @ 75 P 8

Winter 2012

4. PV + Rainwater Harvesting + Solar Thermal 5. Heat recovery ventilation 6. Roof Garden With Low Impact Landscape (Irrigation from Greywater) 7. CO2 Heat Pumps

hen aircraft designers set out to break the sound barrier, they were bent on breaking free from various forces that stunted flight and impeded further acceleration. Similarly, the South Quarter Phase IV project is resolved to break through cost barriers to building sustainable, quality affordable housing.

South Quarter Phase IV, in the culturally diverse Ventura Village of Minneapolis, Minn., is the ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fourth affordable housing development in a four-corner, urban revitalization project. The project, developed by non-profit partners Aeon and Hope Community, Inc., is aiming to transform the very process of developing high-performance, cost-effective affordable housing. Not only will it transform the process and outcomes of affordable housing development, it will provide a replicable model for others.

T ransformational D E S I GN

Sustainable strategies diagram, courtesy of Mithun.

8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Goexchange System Thermal Mass Wood (or other) Reinforced Concrete Rainwater to Potable System

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13. 14. 15. 16.

Play Area PV Pavilion Community Garden Rainwater for Irrigation

What motivates an affordable housing developer to pursue sustainability initiatives? Over the next 20 years, Aeon estimates that it and its residents will spend at least $130 million in energy and water costs, alone. That’s assuming: 1) a likely conservative, two percent inflator in utility costs, 2) adding only 100 units per year to the current 1,934 apartment homes Aeon manages, and 3) maintaining its current “green” development strategies. That’s not affordable. As a 25-year-old organization that owns, develops, and manages high-quality affordable housing, the commitment to sustainable development is already considerable. Aeon has established an internal sustainability model that drives its housing developments. The Three E’s: Environment, Economics and Social Equity are the main principles at play. Environment: The heart of green design is designing with nature as a central focus.

“The New Shade of Green” workshop participants worked through site details, from urban square footage and figuring solar capacity, to pedestrian needs and transit infrastructure. Images courtesy of Aeon.

Winter 2012

Economics: The economics must work financially for the project, its residents and the community. And Social Equity: As adopted by the late senator Paul Wellstone, Aeon believes “Everyone does better, when everyone does better.” With Aeon’s cumulative work in green building, it has yet to see an impact that will reach a level of considerable cost savings (both first costs and long-term operating costs). The holistic and performance-driven spirit of the Living Building Challenge™ allows it to launch to a new level of outcomes that it believes will achieve significantly better results than other sustainability programs.

Is it possible to build sustainable, affordable housing? It is inherent that affordable housing be economically viable. It is also critical to think beyond just keeping the rents affordable. Utility, transportation, health,

The design team worked on a number of massing schemes to find the most sustainable solution for South Quarter IV. Diagrams courtesy of Mithun.

food and similar costs also burden residents and impact the environment. Affordable, sustainable living – as opposed to housing – must be the end goal, including a plan to minimize more than just housing costs, and not just up-front, but over the long-term. In order to do that and keep developments operating optimally over time, the issue of energy and conservation must be addressed. Up to this point, Living Building Challenge projects with net zero energy and water opportunities, have been generally smaller in scale, non-residential and non-urban – projects such as nature centers, education facilities and corporate office buildings. South Quarter Phase IV is mixed-income apartment homes with a density of approximately 65 units per acre. A typical medium density urban development is eight units per acre. South Quarter Phase IV stands out as one of the

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few projects looking to use the Challenge in both urban and housing-dense environments. “One important characteristic of sustainability is density,” says Mark Shipiro of Mithun, the project’s design architect. “Higher densities are better served by sustainable solutions since residents have a variety of transportation options, live next to jobs and have easy access to amenities.” For urban densities of these levels, net zero aspirations are not easy but clearly feasible. When working on higher urban density projects, the opportunity for renewable energy income starts to hit limits depending on how dense you make the projects. Is it really possible for an affordable housing development project to perform at net zero energy and net zero water?

all players in affordable housing – including design teams, residents, and funders – need to embrace a paradigm shift in how to achieve, quantify and capitalize cost savings.

architects conceive the project first and then call in the engineers to make it work. The team’s first step was to conduct a series of three workshops called “The New Shade of Green,” led by Billy Weber of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Building Research. Aeon pulled together a cross section of experts, community leaders and residents to sort through what the Challenge framework means for South Quarter Phase IV. Technical experts, local engineers, top planners, local funders, public school officials, community members, transit officials, and residents attended – even a member of the city’s storm water department was in attendance.

The first two workshops did the following: 1) engaged everyone in learning about the Living Building Challenge and 2) focused participants on the Challenge’s seven performance areas and what opportunities and barriers may be present. The group generated ideas “The Challenge benchmark isn’t an all or nothing en- to remove obstacles and take advantage of strengths deavor,” says Shipiro. “If we have reduced our water and opportunities that the Challenge provides. The conservation by 90 percent, we have done amazingly third workshop involved all participants in a classic well. The point is that it sets up an aspiration to push charrette. Using 90 building blocks (demonstrating the industry of building sustainable affordable housing the number of new dwelling units), representative forward and transforming it over time.” paper Photo Voltaic (PV) and urban agriculture panels, parking, and other various component parts, parAlready, South Quarter Phase IV has made significant ticipant groups worked through building site details, strides toward being a change agent in the industry by: from urban square footage and figuring the solar ca1) setting a standard for an integrated design process pacity needed, to pedestrian needs and transit infrathat is data-rich for decision-making, and 2) discoverstructure. Each group came up with a site plan and ing cost breakthroughs in the business of sustainable gained a greater understanding for the potential of a affordable housing development. living building.

The integrated design process: platform for data-rich decisionmaking

Using the data from the workshops, Chris Velasco of PLACE, the project’s sustainability champion, recommended an integrated design team with the talent and expertise to achieve the Living Building Challenge™. In pursuit of higher performing standards and the They came together for three concentrated days of sustainability goals of the Living Building Challenge, work in a studio environment. The team used the comAeon implemented an interdisciplinary approach to bination of technology, metrics and goals to enact real the design process. They carefully hand-picked memworld results. bers of South Quarter Phase IV’s integrated design team -- architects, contractors, sustainability special- “We started from an engineering perspective, not the ists and engineers. Typical design processes don’t inte- typical pretty rendering which is characteristically grate all of a project’s players as early or as holistically the first step in a project,” says Gina Ciganik, Aeon’s as is protocol for South Quarter Phase IV. Normally, vice president of housing development. The team con-

Winter 2012

Site concept overview gives details of building orientation and overall green and activity spaces. Image courtesy of Mithun.

sidered orientation, scale, massing, envelope, energy modeling, renewable energy potential, rainfall on site, and constructability; and how to best integrate the project within the neighborhood context. Velasco recommended that the team use Building Information Modeling (BIM) – a robust three-dimensional modeling program – to actually design the building and reduce costs through better system integration and fewer costly change orders in the field. Energy modeling alternatives, conducted by The Weidt Group, proved critical for informed decision-making on the project’s efficiency. Excel Energy, a local utility company, put together energy schematics to help the team balance renewable energy options. The team worked through six possible massing schemes and went back to its workshop participants with one optimum scheme for feedback. What discoveries, so far, did the process uncover that has led the team to choose the particular design? It is

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one that realizes cost-savings breakthroughs, not only over the long-term, but in construction costs. Additionally, all players in affordable housing – including design teams, residents, and funders – need to embrace a paradigm shift in how to achieve, quantify and capitalize cost savings.

The business of green in building sustainable affordable housing The team’s commitment to seeing cost breakthroughs has never meant that it is aiming to build cheaper than conventional buildings. It really means the team is looking for the “sweet spot” between the various components that make up the fabric of the building. For example, the team set a building energy output goal of 15 kBtu/sf-yr (compared to the energy output of typical code building measuring 100kBtu/sf-yr). Based on achieving that goal, the team designed and evaluated alternatives. The team discovered that us-

South Quarter, Minneapolis, Minnesota: an early vision of urban transformation. Image courtesy of Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A.

ing a really high-performing envelope decreases the need for heating and cooling and reduces the cost on the HVAC system. This not only saves on first-costs but on the long-term operational costs of the building, not to mention the reduced carbon footprint over its lifetime.

than 10 years. We have to change our paradigm and recognize the importance of longer term investments.”

Certain design considerations drive project costs up. Some considerations require a change in how develRealizing cost breakthroughs to building sustainable, af- opers think. For example, designing a housing site fordable housing requires balancing long-term and short- with parking as the priority compromises the livabilterm costs. While Aeon is aiming for a $140 per square ity of the site and costs more money. It’s smarter to foot (or less) construction cost, it’s making decisions find a workable overall transportation solution that based on the total ownership of the life of the building, provides the possibility to eliminate costly parking infrastructure, and delivers multi-modal, shared trannot just first costs. sit options. These solutions are easier on residents’ “It’s critical that we do our math and evaluate the life of pocket books, the environment, better for project the building’s performance – its operating costs and lifecosts, and are also marketable. It may sound imposcycle costs of systems and materials,” says Ciganik. “We sible, but it’s not as long as the design team keeps the are sometimes too focused on very short-term paybacks intent of creating affordable living in mind. and eliminate systems because the payback is not less

Winter 2012

The development of South Quarter Phase IV is being watched by many in the housing development arena because of its goal to provide a practical, replicable and scalable model for developing sustainable affordable housing.

Building and operating sustainable affordable housing also necessitates changing the way residents think about daily living. Aeon and Hope Community are conducting a sustainable living, resident engagement pilot program at The Wellstone – a 49-unit, four-story (75 percent affordable) apartment building. The goal is to foster long-term changes in residents’ behavior around decreasing water and energy consumption and increasing recycling by providing education and encouraging resident leadership. Based on findings of the pilot, a program will be adapted to benefit residents of current and future properties.

or space. Building a high performance building means that 1) everybody’s money is better spent, 2) government programs that support affordable housing, Aeon and its funders see more money going to people and less to fossil fuels, and 3) the residents are less vulnerable to spikes in energy costs. Everybody wins.”

The learning lab: discovering sustainable solutions that are replicable

The development of South Quarter Phase IV is being watched by many in the housing development arena because of its goal to provide a practical, replicable and “Each person generates energy – reducing consumption scalable model for developing sustainable affordable and producing energy. Developers must work on monhousing. etizing the saving so they can in fact afford the elements that they want to put into the building,” says Shipiro. “It’s sound business to develop properties that can stay “The business of green is balancing the capital costs of affordable for its residents and function optimally over one category or another and making a way for the devel- time. South Quarter Phase IV is a learning lab for that; oper or the user to capture the savings and apply that to not only for Aeon, but for others who develop high-quala better performing building. You get what you pay for. ity affordable housing,” says Alan Arthur, Aeon’s presiWhen you are buying the right things, you are providing dent and CEO. From the start, Aeon has embraced the a cost-effective balance in what you are creating.” project’s planning process as a learning exchange and opportunity for sharing ideas. The team is documenting Velasco describes South Quarter Phase IV approach, its findings as they progress and will make its “business “It is a matter of intent. We must begin the design conof green” available for future building and to be replicatversation with the intent of creating affordable living, ed by developers who aspire to the same. not housing. This original intent drives the entire design, funding, construction and operation of the build- “I wouldn’t give a nickel for the simplicity on this side ing. It is simply not affordable to waste energy, water of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplic-

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Project Team Ow ner / Pa r tner:

Aeon

Ow ner / Pa r tner:

Hope Community, Inc.

De sign A rchitect:

Mithun

E x ecu tiv e A rchitect: M.E.P.:

Interface Engineering

S truct ur a l: Civil:

Cermak Rhoades Architects

Tipping Mar Structural Engineering

Pierce Pini & Associates

Sus ta in a bilit y Ch a mpion:

PLACE

Sus ta in a bilit y Consulta n t:

Center for Sustainable Building Research of the University of Minnesota con t r actor:

Adolfson & Peterson

energy Modeling:

The Weidt Group

Project Details Sit e A re a :

2.27 acres or 98,881 sf

Buil ding A re a :

185,242 sf

Housing Space, ne w cons t ruct ion: Housing Space, e x is ting reh a b:

104,352 sf

27,420 sf

Number of Unit s, ne w cons t ruct ion: Number of Unit s, e x is ting reh a b:

Unit T y pe s for: 59 affordable apartments, 61 market rate, 12 long-term homeless Non-housing space: Cov ered pa rk ing:

10,000 sf

43,470 sf

PROPOSED AMENITIES: a

shared hybrid car on site, fitness room, variety of outdoor spaces (including an urban garden), children’s playground, pedestrian paths and lighting, and on-site structured parking. Parking: 19 surface spaces; 135 covered

Design team’s massing design selection is the most sustainable solution for the South Quarter Phase IV site. Diagrams courtesy of Mithun.

ity on the other side of complexity.” Citing Einstein, this sentiment reflects the commitment the team has to their goals. Pioneering the aspiration of sustainable, affordable living for multi-family housing is no small endeavor. When Aeon and Hope Community break ground on South Quarter Phase IV sometime in the next two years, they will have broken through cost barriers that impede creating sustainable solutions to affordable housing development. On the wings of the Living Building Challenge™, sustainable affordable housing development will become tangibly more cost-effective and provide living futures for residents and communities. To find more information about Aeon, please visit www. aeonmn.org To find more information about Hope Community, please visit www.hope-community.org

Kim Sheagren is communications manager for Aeon. With nearly 20 years experience in marketing for non-profits, Kim currently works to actively promote Aeon’s vision that every person has a home and is interconnected within community.

New Release

“Glumac is an impressive company of talented engineers who constantly work on innovative projects with passion and intelligence. I have always appreciated their approach to finding the best high-performance solutions that simply work well. This book explores many key ideas, principles and projects that can teach engineers and architects alike.” — Jason F. McLennan ceo, international living future institute

Ecological Engineer – Glumac by david macaulay Entering the second decade of the 21st Century, it is clear that the successful advancement of sustainable design offers a powerful means for transforming the built environment. The visionary design practitioners at Glumac are playing a pivotal role – charting new territory with innovative strategies for air, water, light, comfort and energy that continue to push the boundaries of green architecture. Ecotone’s newest book, Ecological Engineer – Glumac offers a comprehensive look at numerous iconic high performance buildings, processes and personalities behind the success of one of North America’s leading MEP sustainable design firms.

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Winter 2012

Opening Night Keynote

Thursday Morning Plenary

Friday Morning Plenary

Vandana Shiva

Jason F. McLennan

Carol Sanford

World-Renowned Environmental Leader and Thinker

CEO of Cascadia Green Building Council and International Living Future Institute

Author. Speaker. Consultant

Check out our roster of pre- and postconference events. See our website for full details on the dynamic program. LIVING-FUTURE.ORG/UNCONFERENCE 2012 Pre- and Post- conference events such as tours, workshops and extra-curricular activities are available as separate tickets, including opening night complete with access to our vetted Living Future Trade Show.

Get your ticket before it sells out.

Early Rate Pricing Ends 01.31.12 trim tab

by michael berrisford

Sim

Van der Ryn When I learned that the incomparable Sim Van der Ryn had accepted my invitation to be interviewed in Trim Tab, my excitement for the opportunity was only equaled by my expectations of the exchange. After all, this is a person that â&#x20AC;&#x153;got itâ&#x20AC;? (the fragile state of the planet at our hand, our inseparable role as part of the grand ecology and the nature/design connection) more than forty years ago and has been actively influencing change throughout his entire career. From where I stand, Sim embodies the vision and wisdom that pioneered the green building movement and is every bit as relevant today.

Summer 2011

T ransformational P E O P L E

Beyond the importance of the work itself, one of the

an educator at heart. His genuine humility is strik-

great things about the green building movement

ingly similar to some of my other eco-heroes that

is that the leaders, visionaries, and general movers

have graced the pages of Trim Tab. I guess what I

and shakers are accessible to the rest of us. In fact

am trying to say is – you’ll get no BS here, Sim is the

you can walk up, introduce yourself and strike up a

real deal. Enjoy.

conversation and despite how busy and in-demand the person may be, they will give you the time of

TT: I had the privilege of hearing you present at sev-

day – and more if you ask good questions. Still when

eral industry conferences however one of the most

Sim, one of a handful of green masters – a genu-

memorable moments was seeing you at the Living

ine pioneer of the green building movement agreed

Future unConference in Vancouver in 2008. Do you

to share a valuable chunk of his time with me (and

remember what gesture you made that brought

you), it is special and important to hear his perspec-

the audience to its feet with applause, cheering and

tive – and greatly appreciated.

whistling?

Sim is a potent spokesperson, an intellectual, a

SVDR: Hard to forget. As I went into the hall, I stopped

hard-ass on principle, a gentleman and lucky for us,

by the Cascadia desk to say hello and ask how things

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were going. The woman said that the new T-shirt with

concept “Natural Capital” while well intentioned is

“Living” on the front wasn’t selling well and I said, “Let

dangerous because it leaves people to assume that

me try and fix that”. She gave me one, and when I

while the entire living world has value, that values

went to the podium, I stripped off my shirt, pulled on

can, and inevitably will be monetized. Forty years

the “Living” Tee, raised my arms and waved my fin-

ago, a mentor of mine said, “We are burning down

gers with a Victory sign. The crowd went crazy!

the House of Life in order to toast marshmallows”.

TT: When you speak of “multi-scale design solutions

TT: How did your childhood inform your career path?

driven by Nature’s Intelligence” – what do you mean by that?

SVDR: I was born in Holland into a Dutch Jewish family with long roots in The Netherlands and a prosper-

“The most important thing designers can learn from nature is that we are not separate from nature.

ous fourth generation non-ferrous metal business. Just before Hitler invaded Holland in 1940, my parents, brother, sister and I left for America. The uprooting was hardest on my parents who lost touch with their extended families once the war started, and also had to start a new life from scratch. Thy never talked about it, but as a child I could sense

SVDR: What I believe is that at every scale of design,

their grief and sense of loss, which made me feel

we need to pay attention to how our design solution

like I’d done something wrong and I found my own

relates to the natural systems it connects to – directly

center in the little bits of ragged nature in outer New

and indirectly. For example, all the terrific electronic

York City, and in drawing and other forms of art.

gadgets we have access to – smart phones, tablets,

When the war ended, they learned that most of the

laptop computers – include toxic components which

family lost their lives in the death camps. It left me

affect the health of the foreign workers that make

with a feeling that I did not want to be a passive ob-

them and are often not safely recycled. In the build-

server of another Holocaust. The one we are fight-

ing sector, “green” and “sustainable” are not defined

ing now is a war against all nature and all humanity.

in comprehensive terms – The Living Building Challenge is the best route we have to achieve design so-

TT: You were involved with the resistance move-

lutions driven by Nature’s Intelligence.

ment of the Peoples Park at UC Berkeley. Tell us about your experiences at Berkeley and how/if they

TT: In your book, Ecological Design, you discuss the

influenced your design philosophy.

fundamental design principles that minimize our impacts on the world around us. What is the most important thing that designers can learn from nature?

SVDR: People’s Park in the Spring of 1969 in some ways was a model for the Occupy Wall Street Movement. In 1967-68, the University leveled several square

SVDR: The most important thing designers can learn

blocks of housing and small business close to the

from nature is that we are not separate from nature.

Berkeley Campus. As Chair of the Campus Housing

The last cultures that truly understood and practiced

& Environment Committee, I was told that the reason

this were indigenous hunter-gatherers, and the few

for this action was to build a new medical school, but

still living that way some 30,000 years later. The In-

I could find no plan or funding for such a project ap-

dustrial Revolution acted on the assumption that hu-

proved by the Board of Regents. To this day, I don’t

mans were separate from nature and set a course for

know why the land was cleared. It became a muddy

our own destruction by reducing all of nature to com-

eyesore filled with parked cars. In the Spring of 1969,

modities that could be monetized. The framing of the

a group of local people and students decided to turn

Summer 2011

the unused land into a “People’s Park”. Within a few weeks, hundreds of volunteers, including children, and families were busy leveling, digging, planting, designing, revising. Sometimes the frenetic work would stop and the assembled group would have an on-the-spot community design meeting. “We’re digging a pond”. “That’s a bad idea. Children might drown.” More discussion followed, “OK let’s fill it back in”. And so it went, a true participative design and construction process: spontaneous, chaotic, high energy, as a park emerged. I was teaching a graduate class in Design Methods and documenting the process of designing and creating People’s Park became our semester research project. The Campus authorities, goaded by Governor Ronald Reagan, were told to take action against “anarchists” and “communists”. I got the College of Environmental Design to agree to take over the project as a Field Station, an idea rejected by the Administration. A few days later, I had a call from the Chancellor. “You need to meet with the leaders of Park Project and tell them they have to leave”. I replied, “You don’t understand, there are no leaders. Why don’t you go to the Park and see what’s going on. It’s exciting”. He replied, “I’m too busy” and I asked, “When are you going to show some leadership?” and he replied, “I’m just a janitor for the Regents and the Governor. And tomorrow I’m off to Washington to chair the American Council on Education”. At two o’clock the next morning, work-

designed environments needed to be active partici-

ers showed up and built a fence around the site. By

pants in the process.

dawn National Guard units in full riot gear with rifles and bayonets surrounded People’s Park. Helicopters

TT: Generally “architecture” has a material, physical

sprayed the central campus and surrounding blocks

connotation and “communes” are more intangible

with poison gas, and armed sheriffs killed one person

though are certainly about people and community.

and injured others.

How did “architecture” and “communes” come together in your career?

Within a week, my wife and three children left our comfortable Berkeley Hills home and moved into a

SVDR: Through a grant from the National Institute of

five hundred square foot cabin an hour away in a

Mental Health in the sixties, I visited and studied a

forest close to the ocean -never to return to Berke-

number of communes that had sprung up in Califor-

ley. I was deeply shocked and depressed that a

nia and New Mexico. Very few of the communes sur-

great institution seemed so hollow at its core. I be-

vived more than five to ten years in their initial forms.

came more convinced than ever that end users of

Some were consensual communities, others were

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“What I often say to the many design professionals who come to me for mentoring and advice is, “We call it “The Present” because it’s a gift”.

more autocratic and cult like. “Architecture” tended

berth to explore and experiment. Claude Stoller, my

to be somewhat haphazard and none I visited had

first employer and colleague at Berkeley was always

been designed or built with professional help.

a great mentor and humorous mensch.

Starting in the seventies. I have worked with a va-

You were among the very first to thoughtfully consider

riety of spiritual and learning-based communities –

the “social side of architecture” – Please tell us more.

mostly Buddhist – on site plans and building designs. Most significant were San Francisco Zen Center’s

SVDR: By the time of People’s Park, I had already

Tassajara and Green Gulch sites, Findhorn in Scot-

initiated one of the first “Post-Occupancy Evalua-

land, Ojai Foundation School in California, Dharma

tions” of a built project. The idea is that architec-

Sangha in Colorado, and Farallones Institute that I

ture is related to human ecology and nature’s ecol-

founded in Occidental, California.

ogy, but we had no objective means to evaluate how users of a particular built environment were

TT: You are widely considered to be a pioneer of the

affected by it, and to what extent actual perfor-

green building movement and are a source of inspi-

mance of a building met the program objectives. In

ration to many. Who have been your mentors and

the “ Dorms at Berkeley” study, we used simple so-

wellsprings of inspiration?

cial science techniques – primarily systemic observation, (interviews with users, and questionnaires)

SVDR: As an Architecture student at University of

in an attempt to get an objective assessment of

Michigan in the early 1950’s, I was quickly bored with

how a building worked in human terms. Our ma-

the ruling modernist ideology. Then Bucky Fuller

jor conclusion was that the design template then

showed up and I got the big vision of design at all

popular in a huge program to provide “modern ho-

scales – particularly because his geometries were

tel-like” student housing: high rise double loaded

all found in nature. Gregory Bateson was important

corridors, two students to a room, gang bathrooms

in connecting human behavior and the living world

at the end of corridors, cafeterias and lounges on

for me. In 1976 I became a Fellow of the Lindisfarne

the first floor – was an expensive failure in terms

Association and its annual meeting has been my

of what students wanted. The long hard corridors

key intellectual inspirational community ever since.

were noisy late into the night. Two to a room made

Gary Snyder, Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, and

it difficult to find privacy or solitude for study or

Lindisfarne’s founder, cultural historian William Irwin

reflection. It was hard to make a tiny-shared hotel-

Thompson, have all been great teachers to me. As a

like room into a home away from home. The large

young Professor at Berkeley, Charles Moore was al-

expansive lounges were seldom used. Students

ways a kind and gentle presence who gave me wide

searched for spaces elsewhere on campus away

Summer 2011

from the dorms where they could study and find

numbers of change agents working in positive ways

quiet time and space.

in communities all over the world.

Post Occupancy Evaluation was never popular and

TT: You led numerous energy and sustainability ini-

has been pretty much forgotten. Neither clients

tiatives during your work as California State Archi-

nor architects really want to hear that their great

tect during the Jerry Brown administration. If you

ideas didn’t work out. Today LEED offers the same

were to step back into that roll today with carte

challenge. On several occasions I was invited to join

blanche – what course of action would you imme-

USGBC Board Meetings as a provocateur/advisor

diately pursue?

and asked: “Why don’t you call it LEEP: Leadership in Energy and Environmental PERFORMANCE? I

SVDR: There is no role to step back into today that

know from having initiated energy monitoring of

bears any resemblance to what Jerry was able to

buildings built to Title 24 standards in California,

offer me in 1975. The state is broke. Far more money

that actual performance varied greatly from the

goes into the prison system than into the Califor-

design numbers.” Getting good information on how

nia University and State college system. There’s no

people respond to and use a particular environ-

money for new buildings or even maintaining what’s

ment is far more difficult than collecting quantita-

there. We’ve been in a thirty-year tailspin since

tive data on a building’s physical/mechanical per-

Ronald Reagan became President with the slogan.

formance. The “social side of architecture” needs

“Government is the Problem not the Solution”.

to be integrated into the design process from the beginning of programming and goal setting.

TT: You are a prolific author – six/seven books to date. The publisher in me suspects (and hopes for)

TT: Throughout your career you have been a cata-

a new release in the near future! Is there something

lyst for collaboration; the Farallones Institute and

in the works? Or if you were to undertake another

the Integral Urban House were iconic in their day

book project what might be the subject and scope?

– and you founded the Ecological Design Collaborative – a highly sought after and respected design

SVDR: I’m glad you asked. In the last few years, I

firm among others. If you were to hand pick a col-

have been organizing my archives and donating

laborative of visionary change-agents to advocate

them to the College of Environmental Design Library

on the world stage, whom would you select to speak

at UC Berkeley where I taught for thirty five years.

on behalf of nature and man – and fight against the

In doing this, I discovered over a hundred published

urgent global crises that man has created by disre-

pieces that give a picture of the growth of my de-

specting nature?

sign philosophy and practice over time. I’m planning to publish them with an Introduction that provides

SVDR: Emily Pilliton of Project H would be my pick

context and flow to my ideas and life’s work. Plan-

number one. Her book, Design Revolution should be

ning to call it, “Nature’s Mad As Hell!”.

required reading for every designer and student. Although I don’t know him personally, I like what Cam-

TT: How does the philosophy and platform of “Liv-

eron Sinclair has done with Architecture for Human-

ing Buildings, Sites and Communities” fit with your

ity. Emily and Cameron act for the other 90 percent

design philosophy?

on the planet who are less fortunate than us. Bill McKibben is the leader on climate change. He got

SVDR: It fits totally!!!!

the delay of US approval of the tar sands pipeline. And then there’s our man, Jason (McLennan)! Of

TT: You play an important role in a serious business,

course, we should also acknowledge the unknown

facing seemingly insurmountable predicaments, yet

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you appear to be enjoying life. How do you account

I’m fortunate to live in a beautiful and unusual ru-

for your endurance? What makes for a good quality

ral community. I never was truly an urban person.

of life for you?

We have a wonderful yoga studio in the loft of the town’s feed barn and daily yoga practice has be-

SVDR: Good questions. What I often say to the many

come an anchor in my life, along with stewarding

design professionals who come to me for mentoring

my five acres of forest, meadow, and raised bed

and advice is, “We call it “The Present” because it’s

gardens. My partner, Francine is an accomplished

a gift”. Yes, I had a full and fruitful career but at the

writer, teacher and gardener.

same time I often wasn’t present, driven by the goals I wanted to achieve. I, my family, and co-workers all

Yes, I spent most of my life trying to “save the planet”

paid a price for my frequent inability not to be fully

and now just want to tend a little piece of it. Gregory

present in the moment. The organizations I founded

Bateson used to say. “The world is mad for quantity,

started many community and school food gardens.

but the real issue is quality”. A “good quality of life”

When I visited them, the gardeners would often in-

is just that: focus on Quality not Quantity (of money,

vite me to spend a few hours learning to grow food.

fame, awards, Facebook Friends, etc. etc.).

I would dismiss them saying, “I’m too busy raising money for these projects, and keeping it all together”. In these last years living in the country, and having more time, I’ve learned to grow most of our own vegetables and fruits. My Garden Goddess Francine says, “Sim, you have a green thumb!” and I grin and answer, “Thankfully I learned before it was too late!”

Winter 2012

Michael berrisford is the Director of Ecotone Publishing for the International Living Future Institute and the Editorial Director of Trim Tab magazine.

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by jason f. mclennan

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be a

Use Yours Properly

Winter 2012

T ransformational thought

“If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail” —anonymous

“Measure twice, cut once” —old carpenter saying

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The green building universe has become awash with assorted tools. There are countless green certification programs, energy, daylight and natural ventilation modeling programs, green product labels and Life Cycle Assessment tools to name a few. The list has been growing longer in recent years as our relatively young movement struggles to figure out how to deliver on the promises we have made. But how do we actually reduce the environmental footprint of our buildings and other designs? How do we select the right materials and make the most informed choices for our projects? And how do we reassure our clients (and ourselves) that we are “on-track” to meet project goals while the project is still in design?

I m a g e © [g u]

his article speaks to matters that, like everything in Trim Tab, have important consequences. The tools we use to solve problems of any kind are critical in determining successful outcomes. Carpenters require quality tools to produce high quality craft, and a surgeon’s tool requirements are even more rigorous for achieving safe and effective medical outcomes. Individuals in the building professions who focus on reducing the environmental footprint associated with our work rely on a series of tools to help make informed decisions relative to energy and resource use and a host of other factors. However, just as a the wrong screwdriver will inevitably strip a screw, the wrong tools or even the right ones, wrongly applied, will result in negative outcomes.

Why, we use tools of course!

Everyone wants a magic tool to apply to particular situations to help us make the best possible choices. We especially like things that can seemingly make complex and multi-faceted issues both simple and definitive. We love getting charts, graphs and exact percentage answers that allow us to show how clever we are and how good and precise our decisions are. Part of our love for tools comes from the desire for the simple fix – we seek clear answers, not nuances. “Tell us what it will cost, tell us how much energy it will use.” “Tell us how many LEED® points we’ll get.” People demand answers– and our industry, often against its better judgment, tries to deliver. “Here you go,” we say… “We’ve done our analysis and this is the answer.” We distill down and segregate issues and provide our clients with what they want. And what many people want is the one-liner, the certificate or the plaque. We want tools, titles, ratings or labels to tell us when we have been “good enough,” that our choices are responsible “enough.” We want fancy bar charts to validate our decisions. We share a culture that desires certainty in a highly uncertain field and we seek the air of scientific certainty even for things that are, by their nature, impossible to quantify.

in our industry than people would like to admit. Whatever the case, it is clear that determining when and how to utilize various tools is the key - and having the good sense to avoid them or to use a different protocol or system is essential. What is also essential is understanding that our tools are not the point or end. Just like process is not the point or end. They are a means only – and they should not be treated as an end. Tools, no matter how powerful, should be respected but never revered or fully trusted.

I want to be perfectly clear. We do need tools. They are vital to furthering the performance of our buildings and the quality of our infrastructure. I have spent a great deal of my own professional career utilizing many of the tools used in the green building world as well as time creating the tools that our industry needs to move further, faster. Working with Bob Berkebile and my old team at BNIM, I provided a great deal of feedback to the first iterations of LEED and served on voluntary committees to improve standards. I have witnessed LEED used as an incredible force of change in the industry (see my defending LEED article, in the Spring 2011 Issue of Trim Tab) and also greatly misapWe are, culturally speaking, addicted to pushing a but- plied as people chase the cheap and easy points and ton and getting an answer from some authority… any seek shallow marketing benefits. authority at times. We want our guilt assuaged and we want our ideas validated, preferably by a third party. I led a building science team known as Elements that This validation is understandable and most often well extensively used energy, daylight and natural ventilaintended. Sometimes our tools of the trade really do tion modeling and collaborated with dozens of other help to illuminate a powerful path forward. And some- consultants who also used these tools – sometimes times intelligent tools in skillful hands do help to cre- powerfully, sometimes in ways that made me cringe. ate remarkable things that result in significant change I have worked with many leading LCA experts who in the industry. worked hard to make a highly unscientific process of material selection more scientific and in doing so At other times, however, the desire for the “answer” I have witnessed some significant abuses of the appushes us to unwise or even damaging decisions by proach as well as skilled analysis. I have helped create accepting assurances or information that we should tools such as Pharos that guide material selection and rightly question. Sometimes our tools unknowingly our own tool, Declare, that we will soon launch to help lead us down the wrong path, or we stand behind the make material selection easier in terms of avoiding perwrong tool and use it as a shield to justify doing what sistent toxic chemicals. I also created the Living Buildwe wanted to do all along. Often something as simple ing Challenge – a tool to challenge all of the industry to as user error leads us astray – the case of a good tool move rapidly to a place of restoration. I note all of these poorly administered, which occurs far more frequently tools, not to impress - because there are many individu-

Winter 2012

• Tools are critical to helping us move forward with careful and considered analysis.

istock.com

als more expert than I in each of the areas where tools are used in green building- but to provide context. I have seen the best and worst in the industry. And that is what this article is about in the end. I offer the following general points on tools:

Many well meaning and highly intelligent people misuse tools and the results become counterproductive and even damaging, sometimes leading people to exactly the opposite solution than what should rightly be realized. Yet, the right tool in the right hand can be a beautiful thing and we can learn a great deal from those individuals who truly understand how to use the right tools to make informed decisions. So, to this end, let us examine several tools.

• We need multiple tools to advance our understanding. There is not one single approach or paradigm Energy Modeling that will, by itself, help us reach a world of regenerative buildings in the time we have left to figure it out. One of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal are energy models. There are many different programs • We must remember that tools do not supplant skill available with different user interfaces and capabilities. and knowledge. To use any tool well you need to I am going to remain “tool neutral” here, but suffice it understand the issues that it affects or you are mereto say that few tools have more potential to improve a ly creating a misleading or dangerous condition. building’s environmental footprint than energy modTools inform knowledge and they are best used by els that are properly utilized. Yet I have seen a lot of individuals who often already “know” the answer. bad practices. Here are some things to consider: • Any tool should be used with a solid understand• Be wary of modelers who do not understand archiing of its limitations and all “answers” it provides tecture. I have seen a multitude of models where should be taken with a grain of salt. The real world a completely different “building” is being modeled rarely behaves like things in the laboratory. than what is actually being designed. Sometimes • Never, ever, overstate what the tool can do and it is due to a disconnect between the modeler and cannot do or you risk undermining the credibility the designers, sometimes the modelers cannot of the tool and misleading the people who are lookread drawings properly or they oversimplify. Guess ing for accurate and correct answers. what? If you have the percentage of glass complete-

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• Be wary of models that do not properly address passive solar or natural ventilation, the role of thermal mass and other critical strategies. Some mod• Be wary of modelers who do not understand eneling software simply was not designed to analyze gineering. Good modelers are hard to come by passive systems. because they have to understand the practice of engineering and architecture to model accurately. • Do not relegate the modeling process to someone well outside the decision-making scope. They have to be detectives and interpreters. They The leading architects and engineers should have to know what can be simplified and what caninform the models and learn from the models. not and why. They have to understand how to use parametric thinking to isolate particular strategies or systems in order to see how important it is for a • Immediately distrust any answer that sounds too given building type or climate. exact. Buildings never operate like the models. People use buildings differently than intended • Do not wait too long to model. Energy models are and buildings are never commissioned or built as best used early and often as part of an integrated expected. Treat all answers as guides or trends to design process to inform decisions. Understanding understand. properly how to do “quick and dirty” energy models and how to interpret the results is essential. If • Do not make claims about the energy performance of your project based on the modeled reyou wait until the end of the design process to do an energy model you have missed out on the major sults. Make sure you say, “it is modeling at ‘x’ or usefulness of the tool. we are targeting ‘y’.” ly wrong or the form of the building is inaccurate then the results are quite likely useless.

Winter 2012

Rating Tools

or cradle-to-cradle approach to understanding the best decisions to make about materials or technology choices Rating systems like LEED, BREEAM, Green Star is understandably exciting. We have learned the hard way and the Living Building Challenge have been essenhow single attribute thinking can lead us astray, and how tial for the maturation of the green building moveonly looking at a single phase of a product’s life can also ment and have been essential in changing the indusbe misleading. So, we all want to be able to use a scientific try. Yet many programs are abused as tools. In the process to give us better answers – or better yet – the anUnited States we have seen a wide degree of actual swer. The promise is significant. The reality – OMG. success from LEED projects – some are exemplary – and others embarrassing. Adopt Life-Cycle Thinking

By all means adopt life-cycle thinking. We have to take Do not game the system. Every rating tool has a a holistic view towards materials selection or the debuilt- in “logic model” and level of rigor that makes sign of any element of a project. Look upstream and it possible to game the system in some way. It is hudownstream and ask questions. Do not be swayed by man nature. But chasing the cheap and easy points single attributes like recycled content or whether the is shallow. Certainly go after them – but never at the “use phase” of a product is benign. Starting with Lifeexpense of doing the right thing or doing something Cycle Thinking is a great place to begin. that would have a more lasting, positive benefit. Given the choice, always seek to lower your environmenGarbage In- Garbage Out tal footprint even if it means a lower point score. AlThe important thing that people have to realize when ways try to do the right thing first and the thing that it comes to LCA is that much of the data we have availwill get you a medal or certificate second. able to feed ever more compelling LCA tools is garbage. Total mumbo jumbo in many cases. Most LCA’s Make no false claims. I get tired of projects that are using a mix of data that is either: use “LEED as a guide” only but do not want to certify – yet claim that they have achieved it. “Platinum • Old and outdated equivalent” is thrown around a lot. Rubbish. You were • From another country where conditions are different lazy or cheap and odds are you would not actually get • Incomplete the rating if you were to submit it. The whole point of • Averaged industry-level data across a wide spectrum certification programs is that they force a level of rigor Do you know what happens when you pile a ton of and accountability that is essential, especially on larger assumptions onto assumptions? Do you know what commercial projects. I have a similar disdain for projthat does for accuracy? People routinely overstretch ects that do get a rating but do not follow up to make the accuracy of their results based on faulty data. If sure that the buildings perform as intended after occuanyone tells you that they can give you an accurate pancy and yet continue to publish energy results that assessment for a whole building- well, they are smokthey know are not right. Performance counts. Do not ing something or just blowing smoke. What you can keep flaunting your 6 star project when you know it acget is a generalized sense of impacts and relative comtually does not perform as modeled and in reality, it is parisons between decisions – never precision. Decia 5 star project. mal points in the spreadsheet do not translate to realworld precision.

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times – so beOverextending gan the saga from Charles Dickens. Where do I begin LCA is often abused to stretch into areas it has no busiwith this one? Life-Cycle Assessment is considered by ness stretching into. It is one thing to look at something many to be the Holy Grail. Taking a full cradle- to- grave relatively measurable like green house gas emissions

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and yet another thing entirely to try and come up with a single number to represent “impacts to human health” or “habitat impacts.” Using a reductionist process to get a single answer for something as holistic as health or ecosystem is abusing the tool’s capabilities. Shame on people who push answers that are not answers. Certainly links can be made – and certain pollution categories have known, measurable impacts to things like habitat and health – but do not present results as if they neatly translate into a holistic framing of those issues. Geeking Out

Simply put, work with LCA experts who have a healthy degree of skepticism for their own tools and who are upfront about their limitations and what they can and cannot do. Avoid experts who are enamored with LCA as if it is a religion. They are out there so best to run like mad and lock your doors.

powerful new tool in the designer’s toolkit – and one that can extend to engineers and contractors and affect the whole process of design and construction. At this point, I highlight just a few conclusions and issues: Experience is essential

I am repeating myself here, but you have to know how to put a building together – for real in the field. A model that looks highly convincing is not the same as contract documents that really work. The majority of the buildings we admire most in the world were done before BIM or computers even existed. That reality is important to keep in mind. BIM adds powerful functionality to our decision-making and design process but it is not the only arrow in the quiver. Using multiple paradigms

I am convinced that the process of drawing and sketching and building physical models leads to a critical path of discovery. Models should suppleUse LCA whenever you can ment, not replace, the tools we have used for centuSeems like a paradox, doesn’t it? No, it is not. Each ries. I am always sad to see whole offices with only a analysis that we conduct offers significant potential to single drafting board left. We utilize different parts inform our decisions and to focus on the challenges in of our brain when we draw versus when we use a comthe industry. We need better data and we need conputer. Both are important. Remember that any tool sistent standards for data and more transparency. We you use in some way imposes itself on the act of creneed to encourage life-cycle thinking and try our best ation. Our tools always define our art and science to to make informed holistic decisions. It is like a chainsome degree. Being aware of that aspect, respecting saw… highly useful for cutting things up – but not very it and honoring it is essential. precise and, in the wrong hands, deadly. In the right hands… well, you have seen the handy work of chainsaw artists. Some of them are even quite good. FINAL THOUGHTS There are many other tools and programs that I could discuss in more detail that are often misused such as green product labels, daylight models, and personal accreditations that need to be considered and adI have to admit it, BIM is sexy and captivating. Builddressed....and perhaps I will, another day, in another ings are three dimensional objects – and the promise article. But for now, I leave you with a few summary of designing all systems in tandem in 3D can lead to thoughts on tools: much more integrated solutions. And while the purpose of BIM is not solely for improving our environ- • There is a wide selection of tools available in the mental performance, it has significant potential to market to help you design a green product – evaludo so and the ability to tie into other modeling and ate many, and seek help from experts to understand analysis that does help inform better decisions. It is a what works best, when and why.

Building Information Modeling BIM

Winter 2012

• Do not overstretch the abilities of any design or • Do not undervalue or ignore the things your tools performance tool and always take results with a cannot handle or address. grain of salt. Outputs are never truth. They merely • Contribute to the movement! If you see that a tool approximate a potential truth. is missing... then get to work creating it yourself! • Do not substitute learning a tool that gives easy answers for learning the principles behind it. A tool does not replace good engineering or architecture – a tool augments it and informs it. • For real expertise measure and seek out real-world validations of the tools you use whenever possible. Monitoring and measuring actual projects is always the most instructive. • Be truthful and admit limitations and uncertainties when you do use tools to provide information to inform design. Transparency and disclaimers need to be upfront and center when presenting outputs and predictions.

jason f. mclennan is the CEO of the International Living Future Institute. He is the creator of the Living Building Challenge, as well as the author of four books, including his latest: Zugunruhe.

There's a big difference between a CleanBin and a hole in the ground. These jobsites demonstrated the difference: Epiphany School – Sellen Construction Russell Investments – Sellen Construction St. Elizabeth Hospital – Sellen Construction zHome – Ichijo USA Co., LTD dba “Howland Development Issaquah”

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Pace-setting, integrated, sustainable design.

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World’s First Dual LEED Platinum project:

Christman Building Lansing, Michigan LEED CI 2.0 LEED CS 2.0

World’s First LEED Platinum college dorm:

Duke University The Home Depot Smart Home Durham, North Carolina LEED NC 2.1

World’s First LEED Platinum federal project:

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World’s First LEED Platinum project:

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Meet 15 extraordinary people transforming the way we live, including our own Jason F. Mclennan. click > trim tab

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by richard iredale

Moving toward the climate tipping point This is the first in a series of three Trim Tab articles that assess the tools available now for reducing North American greenhouse gas emissions. This first article summarizes the current science. A second article will analyze US industrial emissions. I will argue that it is possible to cut emissions dramatically, and without delay. The third presents a set of practical proposals that will help us achieve this goal. Some of these proposals are for new green technologies, others are for stronger anti-pollution regulations, and others are for lifestyle changes that will (directly and indirectly) cut fuel use. The fourth article will lay out exactly how these proposals will work. The general conclusion: we can cut emissions by 40% to 60% of our current levels by 2050 if we have the courage to make these changes.

Winter 2012

However, there will still be very hard times ahead. According to the latest climate models and the very discouraging observations coming out of the arctic, it is too late now to avert catastrophic global warming. We are going to have to adapt to a hot, dry and hungry planet. The principal message I hope to convey is this: buildings and neighborhoods must be reengineered to capture their waste and to support a local food supply. We have to radically redesign our settlements to adapt to the hot, dry and hungry world that awaits us. A roadmap for change will be the subject of my upcoming book to be published by Ecotone.

If a horde of lemmings was running toward a cliff and you were one of those lemmings, albeit a little smarter than the rest, would you continue running with the pack toward the cliff? Or would you step aside and try to warn the other lemmings of the imminent danger? —Andrew Weaver – Canadian Climate Scientist, November 2007 (Keeping Our Cool, Penguin Books, c. 2008)

sult of global warming, they are thawing and bubbling up to the surface, beginning to release vast amounts of planet-heating methane into the atmosphere. Another grim picture comes from the Canadian artic. Last summer Inuit children near Inuvik discovered a new game: throwing matches onto newly-formed meltwater ponds in the tundra2 . Methane gas (which is lighter than water) gurgles up from the rotting permafrost below ground and floats on the surface of these ponds. The gas bursts into flame when the children toss their matches.

These are signs of things to come. The arctic is warming faster than predicted by even the most pessimistic computer climate models. Natural feedback systems like permafrost rot and methyl-hydrate thawing will add nature’s fury to the affects of man. Satellite measurements taken in summer 2011 show that the Arctic Hard times ahead sea-ice and West-Antarctic Ice Shelf reached new and Current climate science presents an alarming picture unprecedented seasonal lows 3. The poles are melting of the future of our planet. For the past century, hufar faster than we predicted. As this is written, scienman civilization has glutted itself on fossil fuel and the tists are revising their estimate of sea level rise by the result is a climate that will soon be warmer than at any year 2100 from half a meter to about 2 meters 4. Few time during the last six million years. Sea levels are rispeople fully understand the astounding implications of ing. Rivers are drying up as glaciers melt, and droughts such a rise in sea level: billions of people living in loware beginning to spread across the planet’s warm belt lying regions will likely lose both their homes and their where six of the earth’s seven billion people live. Everyarable land sometime in the next century. one will soon be affected. Many will die. Individuals will die of starvation or drown in floods or fall prey to Challenges to human survival disease. They will be killed in wars over water-rights and land use. But the real cause of their deaths will be It now seems that the challenges to human survival global warming. will start hitting us sooner rather than later – certainly within the lifetimes of people now under 30. The Recent data shows that the rate of warming is worse year that the real struggles begin will likely be closer than climatologists earlier predicted. In the summer to 2030 than 2080. By 2030 the earth’s average temof 2010 a Russian arctic-research vessel “Vostok” (aptly perature will have risen to 2 degrees Celsius above prenamed) happened upon clusters of mysterious methindustrial levels – 1.3 degrees higher than in 2011 5. Heat ane bubbles rising out of the arctic ocean 1 . Researchers and drought will be endemic. Wheat, rice, soy and corn investigated the source of these fountains of methane crop yields across the globe will decline by 30% to 50% and discovered a horrifying truth: due to rising sumas plants wither,6 and we will have to farm and live with mer air temperatures, the outflow of the nearby Azov much less water – particularly in the warm middleriver has grown much warmer. The warm river water third of the planet 7. run-off has in turn heated the surrounding ocean sufficiently to cause frozen methyl-hydrates on the sea bed Canada and northern US states will not only be faced to melt. These pockets of methane have lain frozen and with intense demands for freshwater from a hot and inactive for over 50 million years. Today, as a direct re- dry southern US states and Mexico, but we will be

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asked to absorb vast numbers of climate refugees. Our crowded cities will get even more crowded as the rest of the world struggles to escape regions that have become un-livable. The ability of our military to maintain peace and order at home and to help manage disaster in desperately stricken neighboring countries will be sorely tested 8.

But somehow we have to open our eyes and ears to the overwhelming evidence that life, as we know it, is in grave danger. We have to face the fact that our generation has only about twenty years to turn things around. We must immediately return atmospheric greenhouse gases to 350 PPM.

Moving toward the climate tipping point

That’s the question that these articles seek to answer.

How?

Society has vast amounts of capital invested in the fosIn the past ten years Earth’s atmospheric CO2 level has sil fuel industry. The powerful few are still getting rich continued to rise at an astonishing rate of 2.5 parts per from oil and coal and gas and are committed to busimillion (PPM) per year 9. This is despite the best ef- ness as usual. Their proxy governments, such as Canforts of environmentalists and engineers. Earth’s at- ada’s Conservative Party, seek to distract us with false mospheric CO2 will reach 400 PPM in 2012. This level, promises of temporary oil jobs. Yet we have to cut fossil as climate scientists have long known, puts planet earth fuel use by 50% by 2050. Over the next fifty years, after dangerously close to a point of no return. 450 PPM is 2050, we will have to continue to reduce our consumpusually considered the critical tipping point 10. Once at- tion of fossil fuels until we can eventually wean ourmospheric greenhouse gas begins to exceed 450 PPM, selves entirely by 210014. a series of natural feedback mechanisms will accelerate The rich have to be persuaded to abandon their oil warming at an exponential rate, with the likely result wealth and to invest instead in renewable energy. The that earth becomes inhospitable for life 11. remaining 99%, the normal middle class patrons, need to Climate simulation models developed by research labs realize how critical and imminent global climate change in Canada, the US, Britain and Germany estimate that is and have the ability to change their behavior in order we need to return CO2 levels to around 350 PPM to re- to reduce our dependence on non-renewable energy. tain hope for long-term survival 12. Even if we manage to achieve this goal, the actual outlook remains disturbing: Notes and Bibliography: warming gases, once emitted, linger in the atmosphere 1) Methane releases from the arctic ocean. for hundreds of years, in some cases thousands. And the 2) Methane observed in arctic melt water ponds planet-warming effects, once established, last far lon3) Summer Arctic and West Antarctic melting: Dr. James ger. Even if we cut emissions now, our descendants will Hansen, “Storms of My Grandchildren”, Bloomsbury USA, have to survive thousands of years of drought, storms C.2009, P.167. This information is also presented in Andrew and sea-level rise before the climate re-establishes balWeaver, “Keeping our Cool”, Penguin Canada C.2008 P. 38. ance. But at least they will have a chance of survival. If More recent information is available at … we don’t stop runaway global warming, homo-sapiens 4) Estimates of Sea Level Rise: Dr. Andrew Weaver, Ibid, P.213 faces near certain extinction 13. 5) Estimates of 2030 Temperature Rise: Ibid, P. 210

This is hard reading. Most people will want to turn 6) Estimates of crop yield reductions under 2 degree temperaon the football game at this point and reach for a cold ture rise: Anna Lappe, “Diet for a Hot Planet” . beer. When we feel helpless, confused and deeply un- 7) Precipitation and drought estimates: Dr. Andrew Weaver, comfortable a common human response is denial. Like “Keeping our Cool”, P. 216. Summarizes results of fifty-eight ostriches facing attack we try to “bury our heads in the simulations from 19 international climate modeling groups, sand.” We distract ourselves. We avoid confronting the compiled by Daithi Stone of Oxford University. painful and difficult truth.

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8) Affects of global warming on global security: Gwyn Dyer, “Planet Wars” … 9) Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels: Dr. Peter Tuns, US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association / ESRI website. Estimate of total anthrogenic CO2 emissions: 2009 Report of the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IGPCC) 10) The idea of a 450 PPM Tipping Point for out-of-control natural feedbacks such as West Antarctic ice sheet collapse and methyl-hydrate released is discussed in Andrew Weaver P. 231, and James Hansen P. 160. In “Target Atmospheric CO2: Where should Humanity Aim” , Open Atmospheric Sciences Journal (2008) Hansen presents Deep ocean temperature records over the last 65 million years. Atmospheric CO2 of about 450 PPM occurs at the transition to an ice-free Antarctica. This transition would produce 75M sea level rises. 11) The devastating effect of natural feedbacks is discussed in Hansen, Ibid, P. 233 12) Climate models that predict 350PPM as a “safe” level of CO2 are discussed in Hansen, Ibid, P. 164 and Weaver Ibid P. 252. Both propose 450PPM as a maximum. 13) The devastating effect of the methyl-hydrate is discussed in Hansen, Ibid, P. 233. These heat spikes, termed “Paleocene-Eo-

cene thermal maximums”, resulted from carbon emissions of about 300 gigatons - equivalent to burning all known fossil fuels, - and seem to have been triggered by natural global warming due to normal perturbations in earth’s orbit (the Malenkovich series). Major methyl hydrate releases 52 and 42 million years ago caused earth’s temperature to spike by 5 degrees Celsius and caused mass extinctions. 14) The target of zero carbon emissions by year 2100 is presented in Weaver, Ibid. P. 250. The goal is to stablilized earth’s climate at 2 degrees above pre-industrial level, assuming a “climate sensitivity” (i.e.temperature increase) of 4.5 degrees Celsius which each CO2 density doubling. 15) Renewable energy share of US production: US Department of Energy 2010 Report “30% Wind by 2040”.

richard iredale is partner at Iredale Group Architecture in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia and is a Vice-Chair of the Cascadia Green Building Council.

Net Zero Energy Building Certification is a new program operated by the International Living Future Institute using the structure of the Living Building Challenge – the world’s most rigorous and progressive green building program. Certification is simple, cost effective and critical for integrity and transparency. For more information visit www.living-future.org/netzero

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62.8% WATER USE BELOW EPACT BASELINE

Richmond Olympic Oval Richmond, BC

INFORMED DESIGN AND BUILDING ADD UP TO RESOURCE SAVINGS

PRE-DESIGN

Cannon Design has organized specialized sustainability services in response to the collective challenge of working with increasingly limited and valuable resources. By working with clients at all stages of the building lifecycle, we uncover new possibilities to create enduring value.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION ECONOMIC

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Rand K. Ekman, AIA, LEED-AP BD+C, Director of Sustainability, rekman@cannondesign.com Baltimore / Boston / Buffalo / Chicago / Los Angeles / Mumbai / New York / Phoenix / St. Louis / San Francisco / Shanghai / Toronto / Vancouver / Victoria / Washington DC / cannondesignblog.com

International Living Future Institute: Research and Technical Consulting Tools and Resources to Transform our Future

Our research advances the adoption and understanding of the Living Building Challenge and other high performance policies, programs and standards throughout North America and beyond. Contact us to learn more and how we can help your organization envision a living future.

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by sean scott

Opportunity Outside of Shadow A new paradigm for city planning

INTRODUCTION Imagine your team just completed your firm’s first Living Building! This is an incredible accomplishment and a milestone in building performance. Then, just as the project enters it’s second year of life, the building ceases to perform as intended due to an adjacent property. A new project emerges to the south of your building and now shadows your project for a portion of the year. It’s not a large portion of the year, but it’s enough to erase the net zero performance of your efforts and interfere with your investment. The new project meets all applicable regulations and even though you are financially burdened there is no recourse. This mater would be easily resolved If only all buildings had a collective moral obligation beyond current statutes, allowing solar access to neighbors as a collective right. Its too bad all projects aren’t living buildings as the Living Building Challenge does indeed insist on this standard.

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Imperative 18 of the Living Building Challenge sets a limit of shadow height on neighboring buildings based on the surrounding density (or transect). Transect L5, for instance allows 15 meters, which is about a 49’ high shadow. Transect

L2-L3 L4

Maximum shade 6M 10M 15M 20M height on adjacent 19’-8” 32’-9” 49’-2” 65’-7” facade measured to Winter Soltice between 10am-2pm The Rights to Nature imperative officially states:

That a “project may not block access to, nor diminish the quality of, fresh air, sunlight and natural waterways for any member of society or adjacent developments”.

Broad solar access substantially benefits the entire community in many ways. • results in energy security / savings • reduces operating costs • acknowledges finite resources • helps to curb climate change • provides comfort, aesthetics, and contextual responses • supports community based thinking, moralistic aspect of social justice through the “right to light” concept

is a maximum 3D volume a building could occupy and still allow solar access to neighboring facades. Think of SOLAR ENVELOPES as the “Upstream” version, and SOLAR ACCESS as the “Downstream” version of solar flow from the sun. For example, the City of San Jose precisely describes what constitutes a solar access dwelling unit. The amount of shade on the dwelling unit defines its level of solar access. Shading from a structure and/or vegetation must not exceed specific amounts to comply with the community requirements.10

PRECEDENT AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Other countries also have laws in place, some that build on historic efforts based on the fundamental premise that natural sunlight was a privilege common to all landowners. In the United Kingdom, the Prescription Act was passed in 1832, noting “When the access and use of light to and for (any building) shall have been actually enjoyed therewith for the

There are 36 states (and multiple other municipalities) that limit building envelopes from shading neighboring structures. Some are required by civil law, and others are more explicit within zoning regulations.1 These zoning regulations sometimes refer to “Solar Envelopes”, which

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Brown states have solar envelope regulations in some form.

full period of 20 years without interruption, the right thereto shall be deemed absolute and indefeasible…” 2 This was reiterated in 1865 by the “Right to Light” easement, giving a an owner of a building the right to prohibit neighboring construction if the owner has enjoyed access to direct daylight for 20 years or more. Debates continue over methodologies to enforce it, but the history is deep rooted toward this concept.7 In the Dutch building codes, the principal façade of houses must receive 3 hours of direct sunlight between the dates of March 21st and September 21st, the vernal point and autumnal points of the equinox, when the solar elevation is about 38°. For East and West oriented houses, the solar elevation is lowered to 32°, which reflects the sun’s path across the sky.8

hardly any building attempted to use solar in urban settings and not enough daylight? Simply turn on your florescent lights was the common theme! But times are quickly changing, and access to the sun is quickly meaning much more. For instance, the need for energy security, the protection of investment in decentralized energy infrastructure and soon property values will increase that are tied to energy efficiency. In a peak oil world the sun is more important than ever.

Most blatant, allowing solar access to our neighbors through the use of solar envelopes is paramount because of energy security, climate change, community based thinking, comfort, aesthetics and other contextual responses. Any forward thinking city should begin to invest in rules and regulations that ensure future resilience and protect the responsible investment in decentralized renewable energy. Doing so CHANGING HOW CITIES FUNCTION – does not mean a city gives up density – or necessarVALUING THE SUN ily condemns itself to uniform heights as this article For years our society has viewed almost all develop- will quickly demonstrate. Indeed communities can ment as a positive thing. It typically brings jobs and become more interesting and responsive to place, latiinvestment into an area. Bigger is better, or so people tude and climate through the thoughtful application think and who cares if an adjacent building loses its of solar zoning. daylight and ability to generate energy? Until recently

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HISTORIC SOLAR RIGHTS LAWS

1832 Prescription Act provided England, “When the access and use of light to and for (any building) shall have been actually enjoyed therewith for the full period of 20 years without interruption, the right thereto shall be deemed absolute and indefeasible, any local usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding, unless it shall appear that the same was enjoyed by some consent or agreement, expressly made or given for that purpose by deed or writing. . . “ 2 1865 “Right to Light” is an easement from English Law giving a an owner of a building the right to prohibit construction if the owner has enjoyed access to direct daylight for 20 years or more. Methodologies were developed further in 1865 by Robert Kerr RIBA. 50/50 rules, Daylight Factor rules, tables, and other rules of thumb were created. We are fairly certain they didn’t have Sketch Up which makes this analysis and iterative studies a bit easier. 3 1932 In the center of London, near Chinatown and Covent Garden (particularly in back alleyways) signs stating “Ancient Lights” can be seen marking individual windows. The design and construction of Broadcasting House was affected by locals declaring their right to ancient lights. It resulted in a unique asymmetrical

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sloped design that allowed for sunlight to pass over the building to the residential quarters eastward.4 1862 Bushnell v. Proprietors of Ore Bed – Court rulings decided it was not worth the restrictions placed on new projects. In this case solar access laws were integrated, only to be weakened by the supreme court and other cases around 1875 and 1896. 12 1959 Fontainebleau Hotel Corp vs. Forty-Five TwentyFive, Inc. – Florida Appellate Court stated “ancient lights” doctrine has been unanimously repudiated in the United States. 5 2006 “Right to Light” has been the basis for legal action as recently as 2006, Regan vs. Paul Properties. Others have followed.6

Early efforts to protect solar access took the view that every landowner’s right to natural sunlight deserved protection. It was later realized that broad solar access substantially benefited the entire community in many ways. However we have forgotten some of these balance points to a middle-ground between maximizing FAR and allowing others to have their rights.

Figure 1

Diagonal orientation yields preferred solar access to street grids over cardinal orientation and yeilds more FAR potential than orthogonal grids.

Testing What It Takes To Respect Solar Rights

As a way to visualize the impacts of the Living Building Challenge requirements, a hypothetical city was created with various street widths, maximum street grade, natural features and public space. (See Figure 1) The goal was to investigate what affects these variables had on the overall height, volume and Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.), and to build on the fundamental theories established by Ralph L. Knowles13: 1. Diagonal streets are better than a cardinal orientation.

ing up at 10% as designated (F = flat, E = up toward the East, S = up toward the South, N = up toward the North). Every conceivable street width and physically adjacent slope was represented. On winter solstice, it was assumed that there would be a higher priority for sunlight passage into buildings than outdoors spaces. Thus, public spaces would have direct sun for most of the year, but not as much during the winter solstice.

The maximum bounding volumes for compliant 2. An East-West orientation yields the highest ridges / buildings are shown in Figure 3. They are not inmost volume. North-South yields less volume, and tended to be viewed as the final form of the builddiagonal ridge has the least volume. ings, but rather denote the solar envelopes that result from applying the current Living Building Challenge 3. Using solar envelopes as a concept allows the 4th requirements. Note how the public spaces affect the dimension of a site (time) to become integrated, remaximum heights: The park with an east-west orieninforcing the pulse of the site. For example, a highly tation has the most dynamic affect on its surrounddense urban area allowing sun into a court during the ings. The river running mainly along a north-south lunch hour allows for more frequent use of the court. axis also has a large impact on potential development. Each street number had a different width; the higher The buildable volumes grow toward the sun, introthe number, the wider the street. All grades are slop- ducing themes of biophilia.

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TEN DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR SOLAR ENVELOPES Using the metrics in the Living Building Challenge as a guide, five different solar envelope studies within the hypothetical city were completed. The results inspired the following design principles: 1. Buildings can still have generous heights if properly located within the city. Current Living Building Challenge requirements yield densities beyond the average base FAR allowed, and roughly double the actual FAR for a mid-sized city such as Portland, Oregon. This was tested with grade variation, street width variation, and other realities of urban design. 2. Using solar envelopes creates homologous instead of monotonous building massing opportunities. They come from the same source, but are not repetitive. The resulting buildings range from 4 to 30 stories high. Variance between buildings would be even more true in the hands of qualified designers, as the massings represented below were created by an unqualified designer. 3. Creating solar envelopes (as a design process stepping stone) is about “sculpting light” instead of “sculpting buildings”.

ever, buildings do not necessarily have to conform to the urban grid, but maximizing profits pushes the design toward this goal. 8. Solar envelope volumes are heightened as street widths increase. This is blatant, but how much? Going from a 60’ right of way to a 98’ right of way yields about 1-3 more floors in a building. 9. The further from the equator, the less of a difference street width makes. Conversely, the further from the equator, the less allowable height available for given specific solar access rules. HOUSTON, TEXAS LAT 30 8 levels @ 60’ wide street 11 levels @ 98’ wide street 3 levels difference, 9.5 average levels. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA LAT 38 7 levels @ 60’ street 9 levels @ 98’ street 2 levels difference, 8.5 average levels. BOULDER, COLORADO LAT 40 7 levels @ 60’ street 8 levels @ 98’ street 1 level difference, 7.5 average levels.

4. An appropriate scale is reinforced when integrating PORTLAND, OREGON LAT 45 solar envelopes. This reinforces the concept previ6 levels @ 60’ street ously published in Trim Tab called, “The Tyranny 7 levels @ 98’ street of the Big” as it relates to building scale. Most re1 level difference, 6.5 average levels. sulting building massings are around four to fifteen levels, but not all are restricted to this range. 10. The Factors influencing solar envelopes in order of greatest magnitude to least. 5. Solar envelope volumes and heights increase the closer the site is to the equator. - Month - Hours 6. To an extent, the more an offset from due south in- Public space creases, the allowable volume and height of a solar - Latitude envelope decreases. - Size of block - Shift of urban grid from due south 7. The further from the equator, the larger the differ- Topography ence is from shifting the grid from due south. How- Street width

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Spanish steps, Rome - Public space with solar access extending it’s comfort hours

As a point of reference, Portland, Oregon has an average base allowable FAR of about 6 within the city center. The same area has an actual FAR of 2.5 (existing buildings). Almost all of this area would fall into Transect L6 according to Living Building Challenge rules. The studies that follow are based on L5. Even with this lower shadow height restriction assumed, the studies showed FAR allowed within the solar envelopes allowed by The Living Building Challenge exceed current allowable FAR in the heart of Portland. In other words, the current rules within The Living Building Challenge work for L5, let alone L6 requirements when compared against what’s allowed by this given city. To illustrate these “Recent Principles”, we can study the latest solar envelope research performed. A hypothetical city was created with various street widths, maximum street grade, natural features, and of course, public space (see figure 2). The goal was to investigate what affects these variables had on the overall height, volume, and FAR possible WITHIN The Living Building Challenge current rules. Each street number had a different width; the higher the number, the wider the street. All grades are sloping up at 10% as designat-

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ed (F = fl at, E = up toward the East, S = up toward the South, N = up toward the North). Since west is symmetrical to East (for the most part), West was not required. Therefore, every conceivable street width and physically adjacent slope was represented. The massings that follow are solar envelopes that result from applying the current Living Building Challenge Figure 2

NOR

TH SOU

EAST

FLAT TH

SOU TH

NOR

FLAT EAST

FLAT

EAST

NOR H

T SOU

EAST TH

SOU H

T NOR

FLAT

Portico Scots Church Housing above cathedral with solar access to park to south. Sydney, Australia.

rules. They are not meant to be the end forms of the buildings. Rather, they are the resulting bounding volumes that compliant buildings could occupy at a maximum. Note how the public spaces affect the maximum heights. The East-West running park has the most dynamic affect. The river running mainly North-South also has a large impact. Massings fitting within these maximum volumes grow toward the sun, thus becoming more biophilic. What about shading outdoor spaces? It is assumed that allowing light to buildings is a higher priority than allowing light to outdoors spaces during the winter solstice. Thus, public spaces would have direct sun for most of the year, but not as much during the winter solstice.

of 55 degrees, thus focusing on that range of latitudes for a world-wide goal would be pertinent. 2. An exception in hot climates where shade is coveted. 3. An exception if energy needs are supplied by the project to adjacent shaded buildings. 4. Measuring solar access via areas / SAR instead of total height. What if we considered the concept of FAR applied to Solar Access Rations (SAR)? What if restrictions could be relaxed by, say 25% on a given block, if other parts were increasing solar access by 25% from the maximum height allowed? SUMMARY

So what? What does this mean to my project? What it means is there is an opportunity (Living Building project or not) to consider the conditions that lay beyond the property lines. Check your local laws (not 1. Varying requirements based on latitude. Anchorage just codes) in Pre-Design, especially if the project is is dark on Dec 21 10am to 2pm. Allowable shadow within an urban area. Consider a higher goal than heights could be adjusted for every 15 degrees of lati- the minimum required to keep professionals out tude away from the equator. Most of the World pop- of jail. Consider this challenge as any other design ulation lives between the equator and north latitude challenge, finding opportunities through terraces, From the â&#x20AC;&#x153;10 Design Principles for Solar Envelopes,â&#x20AC;? it may be worth considering the following in the next generation of solar access / envelope considerations.

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Figure 3

Solar City Park Blocks Spring Equinox 2:00 PM

Solar City following The Living Building Challege rules, showing 350â&#x20AC;&#x2122; plus heights possible, and illustrating the Top 10 Solar Envelope Recent Design Principles

Solar City Southwest quadrant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FAR Plate Model

The massings at left are solar envelopes that result from applying the current Living Building Challenge rules. They are not meant to be the end forms of the buildings.

balconies, stepping of the massing, and so forth that allows the maximum FAR while balancing this with other community needs. Educate others within the project team that the Living Building Challenge Imperative 18 rules are no more restrictive than numerous other city zoning restrictions. Consider Ecotect, Sketch-Up, and other tools to quickly study variations and their impact. Consider the top 10 recent design principles found in the research, as well as the future considerations being discussed. As we move forward as an industry, it’s comforting to note that there are numerous examples of solar envelope integrations occurring all around the world. references http://www.statesadvancingsolar.org/policies/policy-andregulations/solar-access-laws 2. http://www.solarabcs.org/solaraccess/ 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Statute_Law_Database 4. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fpkDA A A AQA AJ &printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Ancient+lights+%22&as_ brr=3&client=firefox-a&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Lights

6. http://www1.american.edu/dgolash/fontainebleau%20 v.%204525.htm 7. http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jba/journal/v4/n1/ full/jba200818a.html#ftnote2 8. http://www.lawlectures.co.uk/RTL-1.pdf 9. MVRDV. FARMAX: Excursions on Density. 010 Publishers. Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 2006. ISBN 90-6450-587. page 206 10. Kettles, Colleen McCann. A Comprehensive Review of Solar Access Law in the United States. Solar America Board for Codes and Standards. 2008 11. http://www.energysavers.gov/renewable_energy/solar/index.cfm/mytopic=50013 12. http://www.ilbi.org 13. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/rpt/2007-R-0498.htm 14. http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~rknowles/sol_env/sol_env.html

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Sean K. scott is a leader in sustainable envelopes, speaking at numerous national events, writing a book called “Envelope Tools” and performing independent research. Sean works at SERA Architects, teaches at the University of Oregon part time, and walks his dog every night.

by D ale M ikkelsen

Winter 2012

Creating a Green Dividend Overcoming the (presumed) cost of sustainable construction

henever you’re facing a barrier that’s actually been given its own name, you have to know you’re up against a resilient roadblock. Such is the case with “the green premium” – the presumed cost of constructing buildings that are environmentally responsible. As soon as you hear those words, you can be sure that the next question in everyone’s mind is not whether green buildings cost more; it’s how much more?

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Right: Windmill at Harmony Residences. Below left: Conerstone building green roof. Below Right: Trails at Serenity Residences

Winter 2012

Our development, UniverCity, is unique, but we work continuously to make sure that the best of what we do here can be replicated – easily and affordably – elsewhere. That’s not fair. Certainly, it is not accurate. In creating the UniverCity development on Burnaby Mountain in Metro Vancouver, we at the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Community Trust have proved time and again that you can raise the bar on environmental performance and stay competitive with “browner” buildings. We are on the verge of demonstrating that you can build a Living Building™ for less than the cost of a conventional alternative. It’s not necessarily easy. There is a learning curve (and those can always be expensive). There is resistance to be overcome. But the “premium” that we all should be worrying about is the long-term cost of ignoring the value (and values) inherent in green design.

adjacent to Simon Fraser University, by wide agreement the best comprehensive university in Canada. SFU was built in the mid-‘60s, and its far-sighted designers – the architects Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey Massey – included plans for a neighboring suburb, the profits from which could help underwrite the costs of running the university. Three decades passed before any work began on SFU’s “endowment lands,” and by then, the idea of a fourhomes-to-an-acre suburban tract had lost its appeal. Instead, then-SFU President John Stubbs called for “a model sustainable community.” The SFU Community Trust was formed in 1997 to make that vision a reality – and in the process, has transferred between $155 million and $170 million (today’s dollars) in development proceeds to the university for teaching and research.

Our development, UniverCity, is unique, but we work continuously to make sure that the best of what we do here can be replicated – easily and affordably – elsewhere. Those were our marching orders when this Concentrate Development new community was initiated in the mid-1990s. The first job was to concentrate development, it beThe location – high on Burnaby Mountain, in the geo- ing both cheaper and greener to build and service the graphic center of Metro Vancouver – is immediately same number of homes on a smaller property. SFU

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Above: University High Street. Below: Verdant playground

donated 800 acres (320 hectares) to the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area in return for density and development rights on the remaining 160 acres (65 hectares). That’s nearly five times the value of the “Habitat Exchange” mandate of the Living Building Challenge™. The Trust then set about creating a community plan and a set of construction standards that would make the neighborhood sustainable even as it assured that development would be profitable.

notion that green design is something that gets added to a project – therefore they must add costs.”

At UniverCity, we have worked to build the notion of sustainability into the very core of the community, including in the pedestrian and transit-oriented layout, and we have (and required) our developers to do the same, avoiding toxic materials, sourcing supplies locally, maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing water use and, especially, attending to the quality – and the flow – of rainwater into One of the first challenges was overcoming the notion the “stormwater” system. (The community sits above a that “green” was something special – and therefore ex- salmon-bearing watershed that would be damaged if wapensive. The international construction consulting firm ter was polluted or diverted into a storm-sewer system Davis Langdon identified this perception in a landmark that reduced seasonal flow rates. We are committed to 2006 report, Cost of Green Revisited, which confirmed: building a development at the top of the mountain that “There is no significant difference in average costs for the salmon won’t notice at the bottom.) green buildings as compared to non-green buildings.” Plan Early, Plan Often The problem, Davis Langdon reported, is this: “We continue to see project teams conceiving of sustain- One of the biggest barriers to success – and one of the able designs as a separate feature. This leads to the greatest opportunities for a “model” community – is

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One of the first challenges was overcoming the notion that “green” was something special – and therefore expensive.

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overcoming inertia, convincing development part- building on hillsides into an advantage and cost savners and regulators alike to do things differently. ing through terraced forms and increased ventilation and exposures. This creates a planning burden that is the single unavoidable cost of green development. If an engineer As Karen Marler points out, a building that is situatknows exactly how to lay out wide roads with large ed and insulated for passive solar heating also doesn’t storm sewers, it will take extra time to design narrow need some of the expensive mechanical components roads with bioswales and infiltration galleries to cap- that drive up the cost of conventional buildings. You ture and clean runoff. If an architect has been design- have to spend your money differently on a green ing medium-density residential units with baseboard building, but you shouldn’t have to spend more. heaters, thin walls and poor orientation, it will be a burden to imagine a building with a geothermal heat Be Flexible, Be Firm source, better insulation and oriented to maximize This leads to the question of how best to plan and acaccess to solar energy and light. credit green designs. In addition to its comprehensive submission criteria and associated fees, the LeaderAnd if the already overburdened health approval ofship in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ficer is accustomed to signing off on standard sewage system tends to be prescriptive about features that a connections, you can expect resistance when (as we building must include to qualify for LEED® certifidid with our UniverCity Building Childcare Centre) cation. At UniverCity, we prefer performance-based you propose to treat and clean grey and blackwater standards, like the Living Building Challenge. We for reuse or infiltration back to the natural watershed. don’t tell developers what heating systems to use; we just specify a target level of energy efficiency (45% The advice here would be: give yourself time for inbetter than baseline) and allow them to find the most novation. A green building doesn’t have to cost more convenient and affordable way to get there. We’ve – and ultimately should cost less. But your first green even added our own infrastructure developments building may come with a steeper learning curve. (such as a neighborhood energy utility) to help them Karen Marler (of Hughes Condon Marler), the excelmeet those goals. lent architect who designed the Childcare Centre, says that she added innovation time in her budget We began with performance guidelines – and had – but not enough. Still, as the only architect on the excellent response from those in our development continent who has designed a childcare centre that community – but in 2010, we worked with the local can meet the Living Building Challenge™,– at no explanning authority, the City of Burnaby, to embed tra cost – we’re confident that she’ll make up for lost high standards in zoning requirements. As a result, time in future projects. every building in the third and fourth phase of UniverCity will have to be at least 30% more energy Do More with Less efficient and 40% more water efficient than those If you want both profit and sustainability, think not built under Canada’s Model National Energy Code about what “green” might add to your development, for Buildings. The bylaw also requires builders to but what it might take away. The simple notion of reduce their use of toxic substances, and to source building orientation mentioned above is one exam- materials locally. And it establishes a 10% density ple. For example, an increasing number of UniverCity bonus for developers who bring in buildings that are buildings have been designed townhouse-style, with 45% more energy efficient or contribute more to our exterior entrances, or oriented to maximize environ- groundwater and stormwater goals, for example by mental gain. Designers have turned the challenge of building green roofs.

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We consulted developers beforehand, to ensure that our standards were flexible and achievable, but the best have actually said that they appreciate the requirements being set in law. “It’s nice to have a level playing field,” says Kerry Kukucha, Development Director for Porte Developments. Porte was the first to develop a building under the new bylaw – and buyers snapped up the 75 units in its Origin pre-sales so quickly that Porte then bid on a new UniverCity parcel, on which it plans a 48-home development called Lift. This new building also hit the higher energy-efficiency target, thereby giving Porte the density bonus.

meet the UniverCity requirements are falling into the high Silver or Gold range. Three examples include: Verdant, a residential building developed by VanCity Enterprises and specifically designed – in both its financing and its construction – to be affordable for SFU faculty and staff; the Hub, a mixed-use project on the High Street; and the University Highlands Elementary School, which will be the first LEED Gold retrofit school in Canada, as well as a BC Hydro solar demonstration project. Invest in Quality

One of the purported advantages for non-green builders is that they can build structures with low capital The Trust and the City of Burnaby review the green cost, but high operational and maintenance costs. building standards at three stages during construc- This is a non-green premium that everyone winds tion, with final approval concurrent with the occu- up paying in the long run. But the alternative – high pancy permit. If buildings fall short of the required quality, low-maintenance buildings – can come with performance, the Trust retains a performance bond up-front costs that builders and buyers sometimes that it can reinvest in other green infrastructure, but find daunting. there have been no such failures in the first four structures built under the new requirements. UniverCity has found a couple of solutions to this challenge. In the Verdant project, developed at a When developers seek LEED® Certification for their discount for university faculty and staff, the Trust own corporate or marketing objectives, buildings that partnered with reSource reThinking Building on a

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60-unit structure that is one of the most energy-efficient woodframe buildings in Canada. Verdant has a geo-exchange heating system, as well as a passive solar hot water system, both of which were financed through a separate mortgage. Residents now pay the equivalent cost of energy for a traditional building, and use the operational savings to pay down the mortgage. When the mortgage is retired, residents’ costs will drop – probably while everyone else’s energy costs are skyrocketing. Our second solution is a Neighborhood Energy Utility, a hydronic system that ultimately will provide heat and domestic hot water from a central biomass facility, fueled with construction wood waste that would otherwise be landfilled. This system, which will begin operation early in 2012 with a temporary high-efficiency, natural gas boiler, will remove the need for furnaces and hot water heaters in every residential unit in the third and fourth phases of our development, helping developers meet their energy-efficiency requirements. The biomass facility is also expected to replace the aging gas incinerator that currently serves the university’s institutional buildings, reducing related greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70%. The truest test for all this innovation is whether the market can “afford” it, and by that measure, UniverCity is passing with high marks. Developers such as Porte are successfully pre-selling whole buildings

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before beginning construction. And far from finding the sustainability standards a burden, Porte’s sales manager, Kristie Marsden, says that buyers quickly identify them as a primary selling feature. “I get two kinds of buyers,” Marsden says, “Some people are on a mission: they’re only going to purchase a home built to the highest green standard. Others are looking here because they like the community, and they’re pleasantly surprised.” Once they see they can have energy efficient homes that were built to high environmental standards, they don’t want to accept anything less. When it comes to assessing the “cost” of a building, that’s the last word: no matter how much money they “save” in construction, if a developer can’t sell a project, it was not “affordable.” We’re proud, at UniverCity, to be building a community that people want – one that will be enduring and, especially, one that has a light environmental footprint. The long-term savings from that approach will benefit everyone, whether they helped pay for it or not. Dale Mikkelsen is Director of Development at SFU Community Trust.

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B Y Paul werder

Thriving as a Green Warrior

All of us long to “do well by doing good.” It is sometimes called right livelihood when we make our living with our integrity intact by not compromising our values for the sake of the almighty dollar. But that’s just the beginning.

the opportunities all around you to do well financially by “doing good” for our planet? It’s a great question because, whether we want to admit it or not, we are all in business for ourselves one way or another. Whether you are a solo entrepreneur, company executive, or a young professional working in an organization, your In Embedded Sustainability (Stanford Business financial future will be determined by your ability to Books), Chris Laszlo and Nadya Zhexembayeva pro- contribute at the highest level possible and negotiate a vide a scholarly, engaging, and compelling case that fair return for your contribution. “green” is no longer a fad, or optional “bolt it on” way to gain public approval. They assert that embedding Contribution comes in two categories: professional sustainability is not simply a strategy, but the only path expertise and leadership effectiveness. You have to be to both shareholder and stakeholder value in the future an excellent engineer or architect or project manager - for all of us. But they go further with the assertion but that’s not enough. You also need to develop a way that there are immense opportunities for innovative of being that is influential, can work through problems entrepreneurs to become very profitable by creatively and failures effectively, and bring the best out of othsolving our most challenging social and environmental ers. Leadership effectiveness is the core competency of problems. I believe it is a “must read” for anyone seri- every green warrior who wants to optimize their conously exploring the “business of green” opportunities tribution and not become overwhelmed with stress as that are all around us. they do so. But here’s a question worth your personal investment right now. How prepared are you to take advantage of “Green Warrior” phrase coined by Jason F. McLennan.

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And the truth is we all can do better at our own effectiveness. But we rarely invest in our own leadership

Mastery for a green warrior involves surrendering to a lifetime of service, discipline, and excellence. And mastery for someone who considers themselves in business for themselves involves all of that - and the We mostly focus on developing our professional exper- ability to make a difference in a way that provides an tise; and get by with the level of effectiveness that has equitable financial reward. gotten us this far without much focused attention. If it’s good enough for you to be “good enough” then read But how does mastery occur? Practice, practice and no further. But if becoming a masterful change agent more practice. But not merely practicing what you is an intriguing idea to you, then this article is about to have already been doing that is “good enough.” You need to identify the best practices to perform over and get really interesting. over again if you want to become a master. What is mastery? Most people confuse mastery with perfection but forget that even the best baseball players And that’s where Jason met Paul. Jason F. McLenin the world strike out often, and get one hit for every nan is the CEO of the Living Future Institute, who two outs they make. Mastery is the ability to walk back authored the Living Building Challenge, an interinto the dugout after striking out with your head up, national green building program, and co-created learn from your missed attempt, and come back and Pharos, the most advanced building material rating wallop the next one when it really counts. Mastery system in North America. In his book Zugunruhe, is the ability to learn from every life situation that is Jason wrote “Profound change requires deep peruncomfortable or challenging. It is the unconscious sonal effectiveness that is not taught in our schools access to the competencies you need when you need or is rarely discussed in the environmental and green building movement.” After writing his book Jason had them most. skills. We just don’t easily recognize that we need to take great care of the goose that lays the golden eggs. Yes, I am talking about you!

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you can enter at your own pace and go as far as you desire. The cost of entry is low enough that everyone can participate and still receive an unexpected level of support. THE

ZUGUNRUHE MASTERY GUIDE

EXPANDING YOUR CONTRIBUTION AS A LEADER

By Paul Werder with Jason F. McLennan

A companion to the groundbreaking book Zugunruhe – The Inner Migration to Profound Environmental Change by Jason F. McLennan with Mary Adam Thomas

many emerging green warriors coming to him asking, “Now that I am awake what do I do?” Jason realized he needed to find someone who could provide best leadership practices to the thousands of green warriors it would take to fulfill the expansive vision he carried for the Living Future Institute. So we have collaborated to offer you a set of best leadership effectiveness practices. These practices are the skills you will need to optimize the contribution you make with your professional expertise. These skills will also equip you to optimize the return you receive on the investment you have already made in your career. It’s a given that you work hard and will continue to do so, so why not master your craft and feel you are being fully rewarded for the difference you make? The Zugunruhe Mastery Guide is the product of our collaboration, but it is so much more than a product. It is the doorway to a radical new way of being that will allow you to accelerate your leadership effectiveness. One of the best aspects of this doorway is that

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You will find it to be a simple toolbox that illuminates how to resolve your most relevant challenges. While the simple tools are easy to understand, you will come to the same conclusion as we have, that “common sense is not so common.” This is because the simplicity of effectiveness does not make it easy. It’s often difficult to tell the truth, live up to your commitments, and be coachable when others are not having an easy time working with you. But if you could trade in your negative, limiting self-talk for clarity, peace of mind and wisdom, wouldn’t you take us up on this invitation? You can transform yourself over and over again on the road to mastery if you are willing to do the work. The financial investment is more than reasonable, and the investment in time is certainly manageable. The real investment is in giving up your ego to discover the power in your heart. And that is where our journey begins. If you are ready to take your next steps towards mastery, new actions will be required. There is much more information available about the various ways to begin at www.cascadiagbc.org/education/zugunruheguide/zmgmain. Invest in yourself!

Click here to buy the Zugunruhe Mastery Guide: ecotonedesign.com Paul Werder , CEO of LionHeart Con-

sulting Inc, is the author of Mastering Effectiveness. You can reach him at paulw@lionhrt.com.

B Y P enny M artyn

The Building Materials Challenge: The Selection Process VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre + Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability at the University of British Columbia

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At the Centre for Interactive Research Sustainability the naturally lit laboratories and offices surround a courtyard with a daylit auditorium. The solar aquatic wastewater treatment system is prominently located behind the corner glazing on the ground floor.

Perkins+Will has recently completed two projects in Vancouver, British Columbia that are targeting Living Building Challengeâ&#x201E;˘ certification. Both the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre opened to the public in the Fall of 2011. The projects are based on a holistic approach to sustainability, closely aligned with The Living Building Challenge (the Challenge). Both of the buildings are integrated into the environment beyond their site boundaries and will have a positive overall effect on their surroundings, a key concept envisioned by the Challenge. Selecting the most appropriate and sustainable materials for each building is complex; there are many parameters to consider in terms of design intent and the life cycle environmental assessment of building products. Choosing to pursue the Challenge has provided a framework of specific targets for materials.

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Windows open automatically above the metal heat sink as part of the passive ventilation system at VanDusen’s new Visitor Centre.

University of British Columbia’s Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability.

gardens to its urban surroundings, and help to increase visitor attendance. Features include prefabricated wood roof panels, a geo-exchange system, a roof mounted solar UBC’s Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainabilthermal system, roof rainwater collection, a blackwater ity (CIRS) is a 60,400 square foot office and laboratreatment system, a passive ventilation system and a green tory building. The design concept for the building is a roof which ramps down to the garden. “living-lab” in which researchers can perform interactive research and assessment of building systems and Living Building Challenge technologies; the project goal was to create a building Materials’ Imperatives that could provide an example of regenerative design and act as a catalyst for future building projects on the The selection of materials is an important part of the UBC campus. The building is projected to have both overall design of both building projects. The inherent qualities of materials have an effect on the building in net positive operational energy and water use. terms of aesthetics, functionality and sustainability. The focus of this discussion is to specifically look at VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre the Challenge’s Imperative requirements. The VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre is a single story, 20,000 square foot building at the eastern edge The Living Building Challenge is comprised of seven of a 55 acre botanical garden. The client wanted an iconic broad performance areas or petals: Site, Water, Engateway facility to visually and ecologically connect the ergy, Health, Materials, Equity and Beauty. The fo-

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Top: The VanDusen Visitor Centre roof petal forms were inspired by an orchid. Below: Polishing the concrete floor has a higher initial cost than sheet flooring but will last longer and be easy to maintain.

The selection of materials is an important part of the overall design of both building projects. The inherent qualities of materials have an effect on the building in terms of aesthetics, functionality and sustainability.

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cus of this discussion is on three specific Imperatives within the Materials Petal which directly affect materials selection: Red List, Appropriate Sourcing and Responsible Industry. These three Imperatives have provided design teams with ambitious targets in addition to project goals related to the use of materials. Red List The most difficult Living Building Challenge Materials Imperative to successfully achieve is the avoidance of items on the Red List, a list of substances that cannot be used in projects because they have been determined to be detrimental to human health and the environment. The intent of the Imperative is to avoid the use of any material that contains within it a Red Listed substance and applies to products throughout the building, including electrical and mechanical components. There are some temporary exceptions to the list granted by The

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Courtesy of healthy building network

International Living Future Institute to acknowledge that compliant products are not always available. Despite these exceptions, it remains extremely difficult to find the products required in complex buildings types that meet the terms of the Red List Imperative. Perkins + Will found that of all the items on the Red List, Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of the most prevalent. A constituent of PVC, Vinyl Chloride, has been classified as a carcinogen by the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) and IRAC (International Agency for Research on Cancer). PVC is typically present in many architectural, mechanical and electrical products. A resourceful and interesting solution at VanDusen was implemented to replace standard PVC foundation drain tile. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic pipe was substituted and drilled on site to create drainage holes. The local building inspector required that a particular pattern of

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holes specified by Canadian standards be drilled into the ABS before permitting its use. Appropriate Sourcing Another challenging Living Building Challenge requirement is that all materials must be appropriately sourced according to a logical sourcing radius relating to the weight of the product, its potential to contribute to the ongoing performance of the project, and opportunities to reinforce place-based solutions. For example concrete, a heavy material, has to be manufactured and extracted within 500km of the project, whereas ceiling tiles, a lighter product, can be manufactured and extracted from a radius of up to 2000km. The appropriate sourcing requirement is harder to meet in Vancouver than in many places on the continent because the manufacturing base, the source of a great many typical building products, is

Courtesy of Perkins+Will

on the east coast. Vancouver’s location on the Pacific coast is remote from the industrial heartland of North America and the sourcing radii stretch over the Pacific Ocean, making it much harder to meet the sourcing requirements. For example sheet flooring is required to be sourced within 2000 km of the building, but no products could be found that were both manufactured and sourced within this radius. Responsible Industry In addition to the Red List and Appropriate Sourcing requirements, the Challenge’s Responsible Industry Imperative requires that projects advocate for third party certified standards for sustainable resource extraction and social justice. Presently requirements for this Imperative are that all wood products be certified to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 100% labelling standards, from salvaged sources or

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Facing page: Overlapping watch lists complied by various organizations. Left: Living Building Challenge sourcing radii from Vancouver, BC, showing remoteness from manufacturing on the east coast.

from the intentional harvest of timber onsite. FSC is a worldwide organization that provides a certification system for sustainable harvesting of wood in each location which includes logging restrictions and fairness for workers. FSC-certified wood in Canada is mostly produced in the east; so much of the projects’ new wood actually comes from FSC sources in the western United States. Salvaged wood is available for purchase, but the market is limited and often requires that the wood be sourced ahead of time. The older salvaged wood is in demand as it is often of better quality than more recently harvested wood and has a desirable patina. Materials Requirements Adding to the complexity of sourcing, the Living Building Challenge requires that specified products comply with all Imperatives. For example, a wood beam

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must: not contain added formaldehyde (Red List), be sourced within 1000km (Appropriate Sourcing) and be either FSC-certified or salvaged (Responsible Industry). Often after research, a product could not be sourced that complies with all the requirements. The Challenge allows for exceptions for the limiting factors between Imperatives in these cases, particularly allowing for an increased sourcing radius to include products without Red-Listed substances or FSC-certified wood products.

Industry Imperative have been used in different applications throughout the project.

The FSC-certified prefabricated roof panels, composed of glue laminated beams, framing lumber and plywood were built in a local FSC-certified shop. Each of the 60 panels have a unique three dimensionally curved shape, some as large as 60 feet long and 10 feet wide. The panels were designed by the architect using Rhino and Revit software and the 3D model was then used by the fabricator to build the panel geometry and incorporate services into the curved Use of Wood panels. Insulation, sprinklers, wood ceiling slats and At the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre the first layer of roof protection were all installed by wood products are used extensively. Timber is readily different trades in the shop. The finished panels available in the Pacific Northwest and has low embodwere delivered to the building site, hoisted by crane ied energy and renewable qualities, making it more apand bolted into place. The wide truck turns meant the propriate to use than other structural and material sysmain street next to the botanical gardens had to be tems. The nature of photosynthesis that allows wood closed and delivery had to occur in the middle of the to sequester carbon is an invaluable asset that concrete night. and steel can never possess. All three of the options allowed for sourcing wood products in the Responsible

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Salvaged wood and timber from the site were incorporated into landscape elements and millwork. Lumber salvaged from a demolished breezeway on the site was resawn and used to construct several new bridges and benches in the landscape. The wood doors and millwork were salvaged from an office building in Seattle. This salvaged wood forms the finished visible surface of the millwork and has a weathered patina that fits the architectural design intent. The number of trees that had to be cut down on the site were minimal; the timber that did become available was seasoned and used to construct exterior benches. The building was located in a section of the gardens in which very few trees were growing and, in fact, invasive species were present that were identified and removed. Rammed Earth

contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas at room temperature. At VanDusen, polished concrete floors were used in the public spaces instead of adding sheet flooring. In addition, the curved concrete walls throughout the project were not covered by additional finishes. The concrete walls were not cast in the usual way, but sprayed onto curved forms using shotcrete and then trowelled on the most visible side. This construction method gave the concrete walls a beautiful, organic look which did not need to be covered by additional finishes. Watch Lists The elimination of materials that can be detrimental to human health in buildings is a universal concern; the Living Building Challenge Red List is one of a number of excellent lists that have been compiled by different organizations in an attempt to eliminate toxic materials in our buildings. Perkins+Will Architects has developed its own Precautionary List of substances commonly found in the built environment that have been classified by regulatory entities as being harmful to the health of humans or the environment. This tool is intended to promote transparency and be a resource for project teams. The Precautionary List (and suggested alternatives) is available to the public online at www. transparency.perkinswill.com.

Rammed earth walls were chosen not only to complement the curvilinear design but also because their ingredients are locally available and free of Red List items. The rammed earth walls are double wythe construction with insulation sandwiched between the interior and exterior layers. The rammed earth mixture, which resembles a dry concrete mix, was pneumatically tamped in layers inside heavy duty formwork. The organic layers were part of the design intent, but the lack of transparency in the disclosure of proprietary ingredients made the structural design of the walls and tracking of materials challenging. Product Transparency

Increased transparency in the market place is crucial to understanding and improving building materials in One basic strategy for improving the environmental the future. At present, product information available footprint of products in a building is to reduce ma- from manufacturers is variable in factual content and terials redundancies. This can be achieved either by often misleading. A valuable aspect of the the Chalavoiding the use of certain building products alto- lenge, besides specific criteria for building materials,, gether or by simplifying the design, resulting in the is that project teams are asked to write letters to manuuse of fewer materials. Reducing redundancies is facturers addressing human health and environmental beneficial environmentally because less material is concerns relating to specific products. For example, used and problematic materials can be eliminated. the Red List Imperative indicates letters must be sent The design team thoughtfully reduced the need for from a project team member to manufacturers who applied finishes on the interior of both buildings, as have Red List items contained in their products, statthey often contain Red List items and are not manu- ing that the project team does not endorse the Redfactured locally. In addition, many interior products Listed component of the product, even though there contribute to poor interior air quality because they is a temporary Living Building Challenge exception. Reducing Redundancy

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Writing such letters is a controversial position for many project teams to take, but this kind of advocacy has already started to be a powerful tool in the market-place, especially as companies with larger buying power get involved.

project schedule and must be a collaborative process. The designers start by thinking of concepts for materiality at the project outset and continue researching options as the project contract documents and specifications are prepared; they must be ready to change course during construction if issues with product The Pharos Project, developed by the Healthy Build- sourcing become apparent. The builder needs to ing Network, is currently the most thorough resource. tirelessly explore possibilities and alternate solutions The Pharos website is beginning to provide scientific with the team that meet the stringent requirements evaluation tools for selecting building products as well and work within the budget. The client’s support is as information on substances and materials. Pharos vital to achieving Living Building Challenge requireprovides in-depth and illuminating information and ments, which are often far from typical and challenge helps to expose “greenwash” (marketing that is used to the status quo of the building construction procepromote products as environmentally friendly, some- dures. No one individual member of the team can times misleadingly). achieve these goals on his or her own, everyone must actively participate. Complexity in Specifying Specifying building materials for high performance Specifications for buildings that accommodate Living buildings is a complex process. The Living BuildBuilding Challenge Imperatives are complicated being Challenge has provided a good framework and cause of the intertwined requirements and additional target for project teams at both CIRS and VanDucomplexities are introduced by the typical specifying sen throughout research, design and construction. methods used for some building systems. SpecificaThe Red List, Appropriate Sourcing and Respontions reflecting requirements for building products sible Industry Imperatives have guided selections are unfamiliar to the construction industry making and required a rigorous process, as well as organizthe process onerous for all, just as LEED requireing a process of advocacy for more transparent projments were perplexing when first introduced. Some ect information. The use of wood and minimizing building products and systems are necessarily specibuilding materials have worked well as strategies and fied by performance rather than by a more descripblended well with Living Building Challenge requiretive method because that end result is paramount. In ments. The enthusiasm and skills of the entire team the performance based model the actual materials have been essential in meeting challenging materials within a specified system are left to be chosen by the requirements at VanDusen and CIRS and has helped contractor and submitted during the construction to develop strategies that can be carried forward. submittal process. For example, the complex systems such as blackwater treatment are typically bid as a Future Articles: design build package with specific key performance This article is the first in “The Building Materials Challenge” series. Article II will focus of materials transparency, article III will outcomes specified. Finding alternatives to red- explore FSC and article IV will be about materials sourcing. listed neoprene gaskets and valves containing lead References: typically included in the system becomes a necessity Living Building Challenge 2.0 during the construction process. (Editor’s note: The Liv- Environmental Impacts of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Building Materials, A ing Building Challenge includes a Small Component exception for complex products. A small component must be discrete and retain its form as introduced into the product’s assembly, as well as be less than ten percent of a product by both weight and volume.)

Team Collaboration The process of selecting materials that will comply with Living Building Challenge carries through the 76

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briefing paper for the Health Building Network, By Joe Thorton PhD

Penny Martyn, MAIBC, LEED® AP BD+C is a Senior Architect and Specification Writer for Perkins+Will Canada with over 20 years experience working for architectural firms across Canada.

Start the year off on the right path.

Become a Cascadia member! Stand with the bioregion’s leading green building thinkers and practioners. Make an investment in your green building community and join Cascadia today.

At WSP Flack + Kurtz, our mission is to ensure that today's built environment preserves the natural environment in which we live.

DID YOU KNOW Built Ecology is a specialty group that works exclusively with WSP F+K engineers to provide our clients with cutting edge, integrated, innovative, and deep green design solutions that link building systems and architecture. Built Ecology’s focus is on:

• 50% of membership dollars directly support your local branch* • Receive discounts on all Cascadia events, including Living Future • Earn up to 14 LEED CE hours, at no extra charge

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by Faith G raham

Book Review:

Reinventing Fire By Amory Lovins

Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2011

Imagine waking up in your super comfortable and healthy home and deciding what form of transportation you will take to work today â&#x20AC;&#x201C; personal electric vehicle, bicycle share, highly predictable mass transit, or telecommute on the information super highway. Your home and office are comfortable and quiet because they are designed to take advantage of natural systems. They are smartly sited, extremely well insulated and ventilated with plenty of fresh air. Your workforce is more productive and absenteeism is largely a problem of the past. Your home and office building have become energy harvesters and storage receptors. Rather than paying for electricity to heat and cool your home, you now get a monthly check from your utility company for the excess power you generate and sell back to the community. The news headlines are no longer dominated by stories of war and unrest in the Middle East in part because the United States no longer fuels the feud in order to protect the precious oil reserves once thought critical to maintaining the American way of life and indeed world prosperity. Price volatility at the pump is irrelevant. Economic prosperity is more

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widespread. New career pathways persist. American businesses are rewarded for ingenuity and the national budget deficit has been steadily reduced. Is it possible to imagine such a future, one that is pervasive, lasting and attainable in short order? Amory Lovins, co-founder and chairman of the Rocky Mountain Institute, thinks it is and his newest book Reinventing Fire, Bold Business Solutions for a New Energy Future delivers a roadmap to wean us from our fossil fuel dependence starting right now. Not only that, but Lovins delivers a convincing argument that such transition will unleash enormous economic potential for a broad and diverse set of stakeholders and participants. Amory Lovins has never suggested a timid approach. It is no small task to eloquently articulate a better energy future and a method of achievement while thoroughly examining the real barriers to implementation. Reinventing Fire does exactly that in an easily digestible form told with a voice of hope and inspiration. Through

“It is no small task to eloquently articulate a better energy future and a method of achievement while thoroughly examining the real barriers to implementation. Reinventing Fire does exactly that in an easily digestible form told with a voice of hope and inspiration. ”

Reinventing Fire, Lovins and the Rocky Mountain Institute examine how to eradicate dependence on fossil fuels, in large part by drastically reducing energy waste, in an effort to curb environmental degradation, social unrest, and economic uncertainty.

At the end of this book, Lovins implores “Shall we continue down the path we’re on, toward economic stagnation, rising costs, unpleasant risks, social upheaval, and an ever more dangerous world, or shall we make a bold break and start laying the energy foundations of a world without waste, want, or war?” Reinventing Fire Reinventing Fire examines the four dominate sectors entices readers with promises of vast economic opporof the economy that consume fossil fuels – transpor- tunity, social benefit and environmental healthy while tation, buildings, industry, and electricity generation. exposing a plethora of current tools to achieve the enEach sector is broadly described including its current visioned new energy future. All that is needed is a bit dependence on fossil fuels and a vision for liberation. of human ingenuity, self-interest and passion. Sounds Once the goal is articulated, Reinventing Fire details like a recipe for success. the business opportunity for fossil-fuel free energy in terms of dollars and scope, an overview of current tools What piece of the action will you take? and innovations, anticipated challenges, and policy enablers. The examination not only yields an abundance of relevant information but also suggests implementation of an integrated strategy, one based in technology, Faith Graham is a sustainability lawyer focused on energy efficiency and real policy, design, and new business models. The message estate finance in Portland, Oregon and is one of hope: current tools and strategies employed currently serves on both the Internaby opportunistic businesses can get us to a secure entional Living Future Institute and Cascaergy future that does not depend on fossil fuels. dia Green Building Council boards.

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Moving Upstream ‘Place-based’ Plans to Conquer Child Poverty A group in Vancouver, BC called The Inner City

Yet Another Innovative Approach to Biomimicry – the Sunflower + Solar Power

Response Initiative organizes a network of place-based

Biomimicry – studying the designs of nature for

services to nurture children and their families from

sustainable models. This time, the sunflower’s pattern

infancy to graduation. This idea of a “fully-supported

has turned the heads of MIT Scientists. They very well

upbringing within one neighborhood leads to a better

may have revolutionized the effectiveness of concentrated

future” is an interesting and compelling strategy that

solar plants by emulating the pattern found in the

many cities should adopt.

sunflower. Learn more about the sunflower’s power.

The United States Green Building Council’s Project Haiti It has been just over 2 years since the devastating

Seattle’s Green Building Evolution The City Green Building team takes an exciting new step in 2012. Beginning in January, part of the “green

earthquake hit Haiti that affected approximately 30

team” will join forces with the Office of Sustainability

million people. The USGBC and the architecture firm

and Environment (OSE). As this next step unfolds,

HOK have joined forces to design and construct Project

both DPD and OSE will continue to develop and

Haiti – an orphanage and children’s center in Port-au-

implement innovative approaches to building sustainable

Prince that is aiming to be LEED Platinum. Watch the

neighborhoods including supporting the Living Building

video to learn more about the inspiring project.

Challenge pilot program and potential adoption of the International Green Construction Code. Read more about this exciting news.

making progress? Do you have a lead on cutting-edge green building progress in the region? Contact joanna-gangi@living-future.org and put “Moving Upstream News Lead” in the subject line.

Winter 2012

Customized support for

IN-HOUSE WORKSHOPS

Designed for your needs, delivered to your office.

CHARRETTE FACILITATION

The Early Bird Gets The Worm.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE

Measure Twice, Cut Once.

WHAT IS IT? Customized training is available as an optional service for organizations and project teams to ensure that everyone has a shared fundamental understanding of the Living Building Challenge or particular Petal area. HOW DOES IT WORK? Whether there is a specific area of interest or a desire for a private presentation of an established curriculum, the Institute can bring the education to you. The most common workshop requested is a full-day introduction to Living Building Challenge that also includes discussion of contextual information such as development patterns and density, and regulatory, financial, behavioral and technological barriers and incentives.

WHAT IS IT? To steer teams toward innovative yet feasible solutions for their Living Building Challenge projects, the Institute offers an optional service to lead the kick-off meeting or “charrette” and help define fundamental, strategic goals. HOW DOES IT WORK? The charrette should take place at the beginning of a project when the potential to explore is at its fullest. The one-day meeting format focuses on fostering an interactive dialogue that allows participants to consider each area of impact. The two- or three-day format allows time for a deeper examination of promising ideas. The Institute designs the agenda, facilitates the session, and provides a follow-up summary.

WHAT IS IT? This optional service is intended to improve a project’s potential to comply with the Living Building Challenge requirements at a point in the design process where adjustments are still possible. HOW DOES IT WORK? The Institute spends a day with the team to learn how the project accounts for each Imperative of the Living Building Challenge (an option for a virtual meeting is also available). Following a review of the project documents, we will issue a report outlining our guidance for the team to improve their ability to succeed. It is possible to receive feedback on the Imperatives within a single Petal, select Petals, or all seven Petals of the Living Building Challenge.

HOW DO I GET STARTED? For more information on fees and scheduling, email: certification@livingbuildingchallenge.org

Living Building ChallengeSM is a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program that addresses development at all scales. It is comprised of seven performance areas: Site, Water, Energy, Health, Materials, Equity, and Beauty. At the International Living Future Institute, we believe that a compelling vision is a fundamental retirement of reconciling humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

www.livingbuildingchallenge.org

Are you inspired by the Living Building Challenge? Do you want to transform your community? You’re not alone. Discover your local Living Building Challenge Collaborative and engage in innovative, place-based discussions. A Collaborative is a community-based, in-person group of Living Building Challenge ambassadors that meets regularly to share ideas and experiences. Your activities create the local conditions that support development of Living Buildings, Sites and Communities. Collaboratives are open to all, and they thrive on a diverse range of perspectives. •

Check the Ambassador Network Map to find a Collaborative near you, and connect with fellow ambassadors through your local Collaborative’s Facebook page.

•

If you don’t see a Collaborative in your area, we hope you’ll be inspired to form one. Sign up online to receive the training and support to successfully facilitate your local group.

WE ARE ALL AMBASSADORS.

livingbuildingchallenge.org/ambassador

fwd: read this! CLICK

Shining a Light in the Philippines

Many people living in the slums of Manila, Philippines do not have access to electricity and live in relative darkness. Until some inventive and creative thinking citizen discovered that an old plastic soda bottle, water and the sun will shine much needed light on this dark situation. The recycled plastic bottles are filled with water and wedged in a hole cut in the roof, with the help of the tropical sun the makeshift bulbs generate 55 watts of light – with no electricity involved. Click above to learn about this inventive plan.

CLICK more park

Life in the Slow Lane: One less parking space, one

There are now more than two-dozen parking spaces that have been turned into pedestrian nooks in the year of 2011 in San Francisco. San Francisco’s “Pavement to Parks” project is seeking to temporarily reclaim these unused swathes and quickly and inexpensively turn them into new public plazas and parks. This project has been inspired by similar projects in New York City where plazas and seating areas have been designed and built into excess roadway by treating the asphalt, installing movable tables and chairs and placing protective barriers along the periphery. Read more to learn about parklets and this spreading trend.

CLICK

Urbanized. A documentary film by Gary Huswit

Did you know over half of the world’s population now lives in an urban area, and 75% will live in cities by 2050? Urbanized is a new documentary by Gary Huswit – the filmmaker of Objectified and Helvetica. This film is about 21st – century urbanization with interviews featuring designers, professors, and community activist who explain the meaning and ideal purpose of a city. Watch the documentary to learn from these careful selected images and thoughtful interviews.

CLICK

Top 10 Energy Efficiency Tips for the New Year

Want to start the New Year off with a bang? Learn the top 10 ways to create healthy, bright and sustainable spaces from our friends at the Rocky Mountain Institute.

FWD: READ THIS! If you have something that should be included here please send it to us at trimtab@living-future.org.

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