Annual Green Supplement 2020 - 2021

December 2020

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Annual Green Supplement 2020-2021

CTGBC Honors the Frick Park Environmental Center with Best In Show The Frick Park Environmental Center in Pittsburgh was named Best In Show at this year’s Connecticut Green Building Council Awards. / Full story page 10

INDUSTRY EXPERT ARTICLES

FEATURING:

2020 Winning projects announced / page 10 4

Michael Lindstrom

6

Sarah Jane Visnick

Adria Boynton

8

Julia Nugent

12

Blake Jackson

14

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December 2020

Publisher’s Message

Get Green and subscribe Today.

Anastasia Barnes The idea of adaptive reuse is not a new one. Many architects and builders found themselves without work after the 2008 recession and had to get creative. The term most commonly pops up when you read about historical restoration: an old mill being converted to a brewery or a former school turned into condominiums.

Commonly recognized as a highly sustainable option, adaptive reuse has become a widely utilized alternative to demolition and new construction and, as Blake Jackson points out in his article (see page 14), “Existing buildings already have sewer, utility, and transportation infrastructure connections to the broader community, greatly lowering infrastructure costs.”

Take a look at the vacant malls all across America. The days of brick and mortar retail are gone. These empty, often two-story, buildings sit abandoned, taking up space. Housatonic Community College (HCC) in Bridgeport, Conn. is the

site of a former mall. In fact, the awardwinning Lafayette Hall at HCC (designed

by Amenta Emma Architects) is an example of how a once “tired mall” was transformed into a more welcoming open space that is now part of the city’s fabric.

The term “built environment,” which simply means human-made environment, was first coined in the 1990s and has been widely used ever since. The idea that we are responsible for the environment we create makes sense. It puzzles me that humans (mostly of Western society) will spend money on organic food or clothing, yet are slower to consider the positive impacts of green building practices.

However, we as an industry are choosing to build better more often, using carbon-negative materials like cross-laminated timber (see page 5)

and embracing net-zero and passive house technology. The idea that AEC professionals play a significant role in contributing to our society’s resiliency has definitely sunk in. It is truly the professionals in our industry that are taking the biggest steps to ensure a better future for our planet and the generations to come.

I’m proud to share this green supplement with you. My goal for HighProfile is to have every issue represent more professionals that are building green, which now in my opinion, has become part of the lexicon.

Enjoy the read!

Green facilities development news is featured in every issue of High-Profile Monthly.

To subscribe visit www. high-profile.com/subscribe.

CONGRATULATIONS Here’s to Wheaton College and 69 A Street for being the first to embrace Passive House and Mass Timber/Cross-Laminated Timber on their projects. We admire your commitment to improving your impact on the environment.

Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you.

69 A STREET, BOSTON, MA

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December 2020

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The Power Professionals

IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston contractors are proud to pioneer green energy innovation across the region. The time to invest in green technology is now, and together, we are committed to building a more sustainable future for our communities.

We stand at the forefront of green technology research and training, strategically investing our resources in the expertise of our workforce. Our members are ready to meet the challenges of the emerging renewable energy industry, including: Solar and wind energy installations, battery storage systems, ice cooling systems, LED lighting and control systems and more.

Contact the power professionals about your next project:

ThePowerProfessionals.com 617-436-3710

Lou Antonellis Business Manager/ Financial Secretary IBEW Local 103

Kristen Gowin Executive Manager NECA Greater Boston

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December 2020

Embracing Healthy, Sustainable Building in the Midst of the Pandemic

by Michael Lindstrom Early education centers, schools, and universities across the country are embracing sustainable, healthy, design in creative ways despite, or in some cases because of, the global pandemic.

Educational institutions increasingly want to make sustainability initiatives visible so that the building and landscape become part of the curriculum while interest in biophilia-based design is on the rise.

The studioMLA Architects design team understands that what is good for the planet is good for children and that green design – including natural light, fresh air, and access to the outdoors – aligns with Covid-19 guidelines.

Boston University prioritized a “healthy and green” early education facility. Renovating a historic house into a highly sustainable state-of-the-art Children’s Center required a careful rethinking of the building’s skin and the creative integration of high-performance

Boston University’s early education facility

mechanical systems into the highly constrained wall and ceiling structures.

Maintaining the historical character of the existing gardens and buildings (i.e. restoring the existing single glazed windows) was key to unlocking the project’s potential.

In addition to smart integration into the surrounding transportation grid which encourages walking and biking, creative use of recycled and natural materials, and high efficiency heating and cooling

systems, we created an interactive dashboard to provide children a window into the performance of the buildings systems. The dashboard also allows them to track a variety of sustainable initiatives that are a part of their curriculum such as recycling, gardening and composting, and

center embodies these values. Students connect to these values experientially through the abundant natural light, warm natural materials and direct access to the outdoors from each classroom. They also appreciate the tangible contribution to the effort to reduce global carbon emissions reflected in its net zero energy use. The simple, elegant design includes a high-performance building envelope with high-efficiency systems to minimize energy use, generous windows to facilitate natural lighting and ventilation, and a photovoltaic array providing plenty of clean energy to power the building.

At both Boston University and the Lincoln School, prioritizing health and sustainability in the design meant that re-opening to children during the pandemic, while not easy, required essentially no physical changes. The building and site designs support safe and appropriate practices and feel warm and welcoming in spite of masks and social distancing.

Educators immediately embraced these environments as important teaching resources and are thrilled to explain the

The Lincoln School

tracking bird sightings and the weather.

The Lincoln School in Providence, R.I. was founded as a Quaker school and among its core values are environmental stewardship and strong connections to nature. Their new net zero early education

connections to health, sustainability and nature that the projects demonstrate.

Michael Lindstrom, NCARB, AIA, LEED AP is the founding principal of studioMLA Architects in Brookline, Mass.

Veolia Acquires Energenix Boston – Veolia North America, through its energy subsidiary, SourceOne Inc., has acquired Energenix, a Boston-based utility meter reading and billing service that provides services throughout Eastern Massachusetts. This represents a growth strategy focused on clean energy.

Energenix was created in 1994 by Guy Machnes, a former electrician who identified the need for efficient meterreading services and steadily expanded the business over the past 26 years.

Machnes recognized that in SourceOne he had found an experienced partner with the capabilities to offer technological advances and added services that will enhance the Energenix customer’s experience.

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“With this acquisition, we are strengthening our position as a trusted provider of energy services where innovation and vision lead to greater efficiency and sustainability.”

– Matt Madeksza, Veolia North America president and CEO “We are excited to welcome Energenix into the SourceOne family,” said Matt Madeksza, Veolia North America president and CEO. “With this acquisition, we are strengthening our position as a trusted provider of energy services where innovation and vision lead to greater efficiency and sustainability.”

December 2020

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First CLT Building in Boston Under Construction Boston – Commodore Builders, along with Boston-based architect Margulies Perruzzi and structural engineer McNamara Salvia, is currently constructing the first cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildout in the city of Boston.

The site, a five-story, 45,000sf multiuse space located at 69 A Street, utilizes 21,000sf of CLT in the floors, walls and ceilings of the historic buildout.

Construction on the former rivet factory began in July 2019 and is set to be complete in early 2021.

CLT, a carbon-negative material, is rapidly becoming the preferred choice in the industry. It is lightweight, easier to transport, erects more quickly, requires fewer additional materials, is more costefficient and emits less carbon dioxide than the production of steel or concrete.

“Cross-laminated timber offers a lightweight, environmentally-friendly option that retrofits easily into the post and beam construction in older buildings,” said Dan Hudd, senior project manager, Commodore Builders. “CLT is rapidly becoming a popular option for construction due to its versatility, appearance, ease of construction, and sustainability.”

A few fast facts about using CLT in this build over traditional building materials:

Finished CLT (cross laminated timber) ceiling and exposed glulam beams and columns

• Total of six days to erect each floor of CLT; total duration 20 days • Negligible impact to erect in winter/ cold climate as it eliminates the need for poured concrete, which requires a site to be wrapped and heated in order to set • Using CLT offers 26-31% less greenhouse gases than building with steel or concrete.

• CLT is a renewable material.

• CLT is an aesthetic value add for designers and real estate investors, as potential for exposed wood design gives spaces a unique and eye-catching look.

• CLT is lightweight at 35 pounds per cubic foot versus 150 pounds per cubic

foot with poured concrete, greatly reducing the load on a structure.

• 11,600 cubic feet of wood was used on the project.

• 250 tons of carbon was sequestered on the project.

• Sourced from a Forest Stewardship Council-certified plant in Chibougamau, Quebec. The plant is designed to limit waste, and any waste created is either kept on site for repairs in other panels or put in a chipper and sold for chip or heating fuel. The company also plants a new tree for every tree harvested.

The company also plants a new tree for every tree harvested.

Hoisting 50 foot by 8 foot plank to 4th floor

Beam to column connection

UI, SCG and CNG Offer Incentives Orange, CT – To help Connecticut large and small businesses reach their energy efficiency goals for 2020, more resources are being dedicated to support cost-saving upgrades and projects to help streamline operations. United Illuminating (UI), Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., are helping customers assess opportunities, execute updates and secure incentives that cover up to an unprecedented 75% of project costs.

UI, SCG and CNG have developed these enhancements for retrofit projects to support large Commercial and Industrial (C&I) businesses with rebates and incentives, however projects must be submitted by mid-December to qualify. Up to 75% of install measure costs for retrofit projects completed in 2020 can be covered under the current program offerings for projects estimated to realize at least 30% energy savings upon completion. Business customers are encouraged to begin planning for 2021 projects to take advantage of funding while it lasts.

Commercial property owners, energy modeling firms and architectural firms can also obtain attractive incentives for new construction. Eligible projects are based on whole building outcomes, including those that are using high performance interior and exterior lighting (LED), sustainable office design and system controls to meet or exceed green

building certification requirements. In addition, there are now more than 40 available incentive measures for HVAC and food service equipment. For the latest in available incentives, visit https://www. energizect.com/events-resources/energyarticles/incentive-status.

For micro-businesses like local restaurants, small retail operations, doctors’ or lawyers’ offices and private companies; virtual, no-contact energy pre-assessments are now available through the Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program to support electric and gas cost-saving measures.

The assessment allows business owners to address energy-saving improvements remotely with UI, SCG, CNG approved contractors, using mobile devices to share and identify areas where upgrades could improve energy use.

In addition to lighting systems or controls upgrades, measures can include sealing and weatherization, refrigeration controls and cooler upgrades, pipe insulation, HVAC system upgrades and controls or custom energy efficiency measures.

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December 2020

Happier, Healthier Workplaces: Designing with Efficiency and Awareness

by Sarah Jane Visnick Workplaces have always been designed with productivity in mind, but what about human health, energy efficiency, and corporate culture? Humans spend 90% of their lives indoors, a fact which compels designers to ask, “How do we make the interior experience the best one possible?”

Synergies between LEED and the WELL Building Standard highlight the journey to built environments which are innately good for both the environment and the end users.

Over the course of a building’s lifespan, 92% of costs are estimated to be focused on personnel. Payroll long out-costs initial construction expenses, as well as daily maintenance and operations.

Designers have the ability to alter the workplace experience by specifying materials with lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs), air ventilation systems which filter out pollutants, lights that provide proper levels to reduce eye

Parexel workspace area / Photo courtesy of Visnick & Caulfield

strain, and furnishings and finishes that manage acoustics.

Providing office space which not only maintains a safe baseline, but actually encourages health and wellness, increases employee productivity, satisfaction and retention.

As displayed in Visnick & Caulfield’s recent project for Parexel, which achieved LEED Silver, energy efficiency and corporate culture easily go hand in hand.

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allow for employees to interact genuinely with one another, all while harnessing natural light and using efficient fixtures. The open office space features a white noise machine, an acoustic technique approved by WELL to increase productivity and comfort. VCA also took extra measures to specify materials with low VOCs,

which increases air quality for employees.

While WELL focuses on people and LEED focuses on planet, they combine to create the workplace of the future: a comfortable, productive, healthy place which cultivates happier employees.

Sarah Jane Visnick, WELL AP and LEED, is an associate at Visnick & Caulfield.

LEAN Program Saves Peabody $1.75M Braintree, MA – The Peabody Companies announced an annual savings of $1.75 million in gas and electric costs at its properties in 20192020, stemming from its participation in the Massachusetts LEAN Multifamily Program.

LEAN is the statewide network of local Community Action Agencies, which provide energy efficiency and other energy services at no cost to income-eligible clients. It brings together over 40 years of experience and funding from all different sources to identify, scope, manage, inspect and pay for energy efficiency installations in residential housing.

The LEAN Program is tailored to deliver complete, cost-effective gas and electric efficiency measures for affordable housing across Massachusetts.

Annual savings from gas and electrical projects at Peabody residential properties have been increasing every year for the last five years; $500,000 of this past year’s $1.75 million in savings is a result of the Peabody Companies’ partnership with Paradigm Energy Services of Somerville, recognized as a leading energy efficiency service provider for multi-family homes.

Paradigm, working in conjunction with Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), has completed 39 electrical projects at Peabody Companies’ communities since the

The Presidential Courts has 44 boiler rooms.

Pictured are four electrical pumps provided by Action, Inc. The larger boiler equipment on the left was provided by ABCD.

partnership began in 2018, including Commerce Apartments in Roxbury, Hearth at Olmsted Green in Dorchester, Julia Martin House in Jamaica Plain, Nate Smith House in Jamaica Plain, Roxse Homes in Boston, School House Apartments in Mattapan, and The Metropolitan in Boston.

Additionally, ABCD and Action Energy were brought together for the first time on a Peabody project to fund heating upgrades at the Presidential Courts in Stoughton.

ABCD initially committed to funding more than $196,000 on the boiler upgrades, and Action Energy then offered to fund $100,000 additional for the electrical work.

Together, the two groups provided $296,130 for the project. These high efficiency upgrades are being installed now and will provide increased comfort for residents this heating season and for years to come.

December 2020

Annual Green Supplement

The Anatomy of a Passive Building:

because it takes into account the power of the elements in the actual function of the home, most especially, the sun and the actual placement and orientation of the house on the lot. We typically position the house so that there can be a large bank of windows facing south. Even the windows are finely tuned to optimize the amount of heat gain they allow based on directional orientation, size, and climate. This enables the home to optimize natural, solar heat gain which dramatically reduces the need for mechanical heating.

ES: What are the benefits of the Passive Approach?

An interview with Chris Gerard of The Valle Group

by Ed Smith For those looking to achieve the highest degree of energy efficiency, there is no higher standard than Passive Construction.

While this specialized approach to building was first pioneered in the U.S. during the energy crisis of the 1970s, it was among Passive Home Builders in Germany that the five building-science principles behind Passive Construction were further refined, and where its rigorous energy efficiency qualifications were strictly formalized.

I recently sat with Chris Girard, a supervisor and PHIUS certified passive home builder at The Valle Group, to talk about what makes this approach to building so special.

Chris Girard

Ed Smith: What is Passive Building, in a nutshell?

Chris Girard: Passive Building can be thought of as the highest standard of building, not only in terms of energy efficiency but also in terms of quantifiable comfort and quality. At a basic level, it aims to optimize every aspect of the building’s energy efficiency by incorporating five specific buildingscience principles. These include super-insulated and thermal bridge free construction, envelope airtightness, optimized windows, balanced ventilation, and minimal use of space conditioning.

ES: What do these principles look like in practice?

CG: Let’s start with envelope airtightness.

One of the main goals of Passive Building is to create a building that is extremely airtight. This allows us to prevent all unwanted infiltration of outside air and all unwanted loss of conditioned air. We say “unwanted” because naturally every building needs a healthy exchange of air, but with Passive Design and Construction, we get to be the ones in control of where that exchange happens rather than letting the building just leak energy through its pores, so to speak.

Passive Homes typically utilize an Energy Recovery Ventilator with a heat

exchanging core so stale air is allowed to leave the building and to be replaced with fresh air while retaining up to 88% of buildings energy.

ES: How do you achieve such a high level of airtightness?

CG: The Passive House standard for airtightness is an incredible .6 ACH50, which is about five times tighter than an average building. We achieve this through a combination of in-depth design and modeling, well executed details, and high performance materials. One example is the “Air Control Layer,” a specialized airtight, but vapor-open, material applied to all exterior walls of the building.

When utilized in conjunction with the continuous insulation principle, high performance windows and doors and rigorous airsealing, we are able to achieve the airtightness standards required for Passive Building Certification.

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insulation (made from recycled materials) to be placed between the exterior wall and the interior wall.

ES: What can you tell us about the idea of Solar Gain Management?

CG: Passive Building is “environmentally conscious” in the true sense of the word

CG: Any time we build with an eye towards conservation of energy and responsible use of resources, we are doing ourselves, the planet, and future generations a great service. Owners can expect a finished building that is quieter, more comfortable, more efficient, more energy independent and with far lower energy costs than many other alternatives.

Ed Smith is owner at Smith + Co. Marketing and Communications.

UConn Energy Systems Upgraded

ES: How do you know if you’ve achieved the standards required to be certified Passive?

CG: Along with submission of the energy model by the certified Passive House consultant, third party inspections are required throughout all phases of the building process to ensure the building is meeting the standards required for certification through the Passive House Institute of the U.S. All of these inspections are rigorous and many are quite complex.

ES: What role does insulation play in Passive Building?

CG: Continuous insulation and elimination of “thermal bridges” is one of the five principles of Passive Building.

It’s referred to as super insulation because it would be far above and beyond in comparison to standard houses, as would the resultant R45 rating in the walls and R75 in the attic. It’s both the amount of insulation used, and the quality of the material that is impressive. On our current project, the architect’s plans call for a double wall structure that enables 12 inches of dense packed cellulose

University of Connecticut (UConn) central utility plant upgrades / Photos courtesy of BOND Building

Storrs, CT – BOND Building Construction, Inc. of Boston has completed work on the Central Utility Plant (CUP) project for the University of Connecticut (UConn).

BOND constructed a more efficient and flexible chiller plant and upgraded the existing units that were underperforming as demand increased. The CUP was completed in support of UConn’s broader initiatives aimed at expanding hightech teaching, learning, and research capabilities with an increased focus on STEM. The scope of work consisted of replacing four gas fired chillers, heat exchangers, and pumps as well as the cooling towers within the CUP. The project was executed employing multiple phases and strict shutdown durations. The system just completed its first summer of operation to demonstrate reliable performance.

In addition to the CUP project, BOND

Building was selected to provide two additional construction management projects for UConn. The science quad supplemental utility plant (SUP) and the boiler plant and utility tunnel upgrades projects are being executed in parallel.

The purpose of the SUP is to address the continued growth of new buildings on campus and the need for more capacity in the central energy systems.

The SUP is a multi-phased project that will increase the campus’ capacity for chilled water and on-site electrical generation. The boiler plant and tunnel upgrades will demolish three field erected boilers and replace them with two packaged units plus add steam generation capacity at the SUP. The ability for the BOND Building team to execute this complex work within a mission-critical plant without impacting operations is a key requirement.

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December 2020

Strategies and Insights for Virtual Engagement in Light of COVID-19

by Adria Boynton Public outreach, engagement, and feedback are critical to the success of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects. Early public involvement improves the quality of the deliverable, saves money and time by avoiding redesigns, and increases support for the project and future funding for similar work. The COVID-19 crisis has required AEC professionals to adapt their in-person outreach and engagement to virtual formats. The lessons learned can enrich future engagement efforts, even when in-person meetings are once again feasible.

This article shares recommendations for inclusive and interactive strategies that incorporate equity and accessibility as primary considerations. These approaches apply to many project types, especially those with green development, sustainability, and climate resilience components. Sustainability and climate resiliency add additional complexity to already multifaceted technical projects, increasing the importance of making presentations accessible and inclusive.

Sustainable and climate resilient projects also offer important opportunities for public co-benefits. Ensuring everyone can be part of the conversation increases the project’s impact and public awareness and may inspire new partners to contribute to making our communities better places to live.

Inclusive Sharing engaging visuals can help

A still image from a public video translated into Spanish, and an accompanying online survey used to capture feedback

communicate technical information to non-technical audiences and tell a compelling story. Helpful tools to improve visual content include custom templates, stock photos, infographic and graphic design software, and online guidance to increase the legibility of text and colors for those with vision impairments.

Short videos can be posted online and on social media, shared in multiple languages, and can include captioning. For some, clicking on a YouTube video may be more accessible than attending an inperson meeting, allowing the participant to engage in the content in their own time.

Games and giveaways can encourage participant engagement and compensate them for their time. This can include playing virtual bingo, project-related trivia, or offering giveaways for attendees.

Giving gift cards to local restaurants can be the virtual equivalent of providing food during in-person meetings, can help support local businesses during

COVID-19, and can re-invest parts of a project’s budget into the community.

Interactive Social media platforms can provide opportunities for participants to contribute input. Such posts should be positive, grab the audience’s attention, provide easily digestible information, and share an achievable call to action. It is important to work with trusted organizations in the community to shape the messaging for these posts and get the word out through established accounts. Some social media platforms including polling, while online surveys offer additional space for public input, can be shared in multiple languages and pair well with webinars and videos.

Additional tools offered by virtual meeting platforms include simultaneous audio translation or interactive features like polls, breakout rooms, shared whiteboards, or annotation features.

Teams should address barriers to joining

a webinar by sharing instructions for joining, designating a staff member to answer technology questions, advertising a public location with free Wi-Fi, and sharing materials in advance for those joining by phone.

The recent necessity of transforming in-person outreach and engagement efforts has led to innovative virtual strategies that can enhance public engagement even after COVID-19. In some cases, virtual approaches may help increase accessibility for participants of varying degrees of health, levels of mobility, and those with schedules and commitments that do not allow for attending in-person meetings. Continuing to develop and refine a varied set of engagement tools can help AEC professionals reach new audiences to inform the development of work with a positive public impact.

Adria Boynton is resiliency specialist at Weston & Sampson.

Shared whiteboards that participants can use to collaboratively annotate meeting materials (l) and a YouTube video visually sharing step-by-step instructions in Spanish for how to join a virtual meeting (r)

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Annual Green Supplement

December 2020

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Renovation on Long Wharf Custom House Complete Building Expected to Achieve LEED Silver

Long Warf Custom House

Boston – Commodore Builders, a $400M veteran-owned construction management firm that specializes in refurbishing historic buildings, along with architect Stantec, recently completed significant updates to the historic Long Wharf Custom House lock in Boston.

The 81,000sf, six-floor building is situated on Long Wharf overlooking Massachusetts Bay and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Commodore created sweeping, open-air office spaces that comply with current COVID guidelines, fresh-air elements

permitting

and increased ADA accessibility. The property is being offered by Capital Properties.

The building renovation, which includes a meticulously-restored exterior facade as well as extensive functional and structural updates to the brick and beam interior, expects to receive LEED Silver Certification. Interior renovations include several open-air amenities well suited for COVID compliance requirements, including operational windows to allow for increased airflow, 12 harborside balconies, and socially-distant floor

assessments

design

Long Warf Custom House – side view

layouts with state-of-the-art air-filtration systems.

In addition, Commodore provided structural updates including a new central staircase, wider corridors, and two new oversized elevators, as well as high-end lobby finishes and bathroom upgrades. Additionally, HVAC systems were installed on the roof, as well as new electrical/mechanical rooms at the ground level equipped with flood doors and waterproofing for protection from tidal damage.

To accommodate the new rooftop

restoration

surveys

HVAC system, Commodore removed the now unavailable old timber roofing and replaced it with laminated-veneer lumber (LVL), an environmentally-friendly option that retrofits easily into the post and beam construction in older builds and is consistent with the traditional aesthetic of the property.

This recent modernization of the building includes increased accessibility at each floor by making a common, continuous hallway that runs the entire length of the building, with direct access to the elevators, stairs, and new restrooms.

enhancement

sustainability

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December 2020

CTGBC Holds Virtual Awards

Award of Excellence Best in Show winner, Frick Park Environmental Center

New Haven, CT – On Oct. 29, the Connecticut Green Building Council (CTGBC) held its 14th Green Building Awards Celebration as a virtual event.

Alicia Dolce, executive director and emcee of the event, welcomed everyone with a warm introduction to the evening.

is a net-zero facility where 100% of the project energy and water needs are met.

The award was accepted by Larry Jones, associate director of Atelier Ten, on behalf of architects Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and the project team who collaborated to create a self-sustaining building that lives in harmony with its natural landscape.

The award winners are:

The 2020 Award of Excellence was given to the Frick Park Environmental Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Frick Center

Judy Swann Green Advocate Award Karla Butterfield, Steven Winter Associates CTGBC Trailblazer Award University of New Haven

Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J.

Award of Excellence: Best-in-Show Frick Park Environmental Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. Public/Institutional Award of Honor Richard Weeks Hall of Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, N.J. Public/Institutional Award of Merit Patient Tower, University of Vermont M edical Center, Burlington, Vt. Passive House Award of Honor Beach-Green Dunes, Phase II, Far Rockaway, N.Y. Multi-Family Award of Merit Willow Creek, Phase I&II, Hartford, Conn.

Multi-Family Award of Merit Columbus Commons, New Britain, Conn.

Finch Cambridge Cambridge, MA

Single-Family Residence Award of Merit Zero-Energy Passive House, Guilford, Conn.

Out-of-State Award of Merit William Boyce Thompson Field House, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H.

Affordable

Housing

Experts And the Builder of the Award-Winning Finch Cambridge

Student Design Award of Merit (three tied) Eric Cantar, Pompeii Archaeological Laboratory; Wesley Moody, Pompeii Archaeological Laboratory; and Brandon Fuentes, Pompeii Archaeological Laboratory

Judy Swann Green Advocate winner, Karla Butterfield

Student Design Award of Honor Andrew Petersen, Hartford Lift Tower Keynote speakers Dr. Joseph Allen and Professor John Macomber shared their insights on healthy buildings, the importance of indoor air quality, and advice on how businesses and schools can reopen safely. Professor Macomber will be returning to host a follow-up program to present the business case for healthy buildings.

This year’s program also showcased CTGBC’s commitment through programming, training and advocacy to transform Connecticut’s built environment. ViceChair Melissa Kops mentioned Connecticut’s ambitious GHG emission reduction goals, stating, “This is why the Connecticut Green Building Council has stepped up to provide advocacy and expertise to state and municipal agencies.”

The City’s Very First

Passive House

Affordable Housing Development

GENERAL CONTRACTING

27 Pacella Park Drive, Randolph, MA 02368 | (781) 356-7666 | www.neigc.com

William Boyce Thompson Field House, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, N.H.

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Annual Green Supplement

December 2020

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Q&A with Dave Russo, Solar Energy Expert Q: How many solar sites has DiPrete Engineering worked on over the years?

communities are concerned with the visual impact of these developments. The developers work with landscape architects to create landscape buffering plans to visually screen the solar developments where necessary. Local municipalities have also increased buffer requirements within their ordinances to provide more visual screening of solar developments.

A: Solar is becoming increasingly more popular, and in the past few years our firm has worked on over 200 MW of solar projects in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Over 150 homes can be powered by just one MW and this means 200 MW could potentially power 30,000 homes. Continuing expansion of solar projects in both states will allow us to remain at the forefront of energy efficiency. It’s extremely rewarding for us to be involved in these types of projects.

Q: Why is there such a demand for solar?

A: We are living in a time where the need for various energy sources continues to increase. Over the last decade, solar energy has proven to be one of the most promising sources to replace fossil fuels to meet energy demands. Solar energy systems are an important alternative

Q: How have solar projects/regulations evolved over recent years?

Dave Russo

for an electric energy source due to the clean energy production system, easy installation, and low operating and maintenance costs.

Q: What obstacles do you see permitting solar projects?

A: Visual buffering is an important aspect of the design of solar developments. Many

ESC Promotes Amedeo West Hartford, CT – Environmental Systems Corporation (ESC), a provider of building technology solutions throughout New England, announced the promotion of Michael Amedeo to vice president of sales.

In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive business development strategy and budget, as well as providing day-to-day leadership of internal and external sales teams.

He brings over 25 years of experience in commercial facility management and engineering to ESC, which will position him to support the company’s multiple divisions and major accounts.

Amedeo previously managed ESC’s energy division, where he oversaw sales and operations to support the delivery of turnkey energy efficiency solutions. This involved working with utility companies to maximize incentives and coordinating closely with other divisions of the firm, particularly building automation and mechanical services.

Prior to joining ESC, Amedeo was

Mike Amedeo / Photo by Peter Billard

the director of engineering services at OneSource Energy Services’ corporate center in Danbury.

“We’ve worked with Mike for many years now and have long been impressed with his ability to immerse himself into each division and offer an overarching perspective on operations and sales,” says Michael Mullin, chief operating officer.

Boston Solar Named Top Contractor Woburn, MA – Boston Solar has been named a 2020 Top Solar Contractor in Massachusetts by Solar Power World.

It is the fifth consecutive year that the company has received this recognition.

Based in Woburn, Boston Solar markets, designs and installs residential and commercial solar, as well as energy storage and EV chargers throughout Massachusetts.

The Top Solar Contractors annual list is developed by Solar Power World, a publication covering technology, development and installation. It celebrates

the achievements of U.S. solar developers, subcontractors and installers within the utility, commercial and residential markets, and ranks contractors by kilowatts installed in the previous year.

Boston Solar is a rooftop contractor and its ranking was based on installs in the residential market. In 2019, the company’s 68 workers installed 3810.0 kilowatts (KW) of solar power in Massachusetts.

Since its founding in 2011, it has installed more than 30 megawatts (MW) of solar, powering thousands of homes in the Bay State.

A: Over the past five years, solar development within the state has increased substantially. Municipalities have updated their ordinances throughout this five-year period, and this has altered the allowable size and location of these developments.

Q: What future challenges do you foresee for the solar industry in Southeastern New England?

A: I believe the biggest challenge will be finding suitable sites that work both for the

developers and the local municipalities.

Although challenging, I still see a way for compromise so that these projects are viable for investors while taking the community’s concerns into account. My job is to work with both the clients and regulators to achieve a win-win. It’s very rewarding when that happens.

Dave Russo is senior project manager at DiPrete Engineering.

Net Zero Winners Announced Manchester, NH – The third annual NHSaves Drive to Net Zero Home Competition showed that homeowners across the state are building homes that embrace the best in green building.

Net zero homes produce as much energy as they consume by minimizing energy use through efficiency and meeting their remaining needs through renewable energy systems.

This competition was introduced in 2017 for single- and multi-family homes.

Prizes are awarded to the top three entries: $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second, and $1,000 for third.

The winners were: First place: John and Barbara Williams home in Franconia. Tilia Restoration of Franconia was the builder and Eversource was the utility partner.

Second place: Jerry and Corrine Curran home in Conway. Beam Construction of North Sandwich was the builder and Eversource was the utility partner.

Third place: Daniel DiPiro and Carol Voloshin home in Concord. RH Irving of Salisbury was the builder and Unitil was the utility partner.

Whether it is building in a flood plain or designing a smaller footprint, homeowners are working with architects and builders throughout New Hampshire to construct creative, beautiful, and energy-efficient homes that meet their unique challenges and vision

for a comfortable home.

“Going ‘small’ was the best choice for overall cost- effectiveness for our budget and, more importantly, the environment,” John and Barbara Williams of Franconia say of their 1,300sf home. And while a minimal footprint was important to the Williamses, so was a commitment to being as energy efficient as possible.

“Whenever possible, we used local, green and/or more sustainable or durable building materials,” they say. “Our floors are hard troweled concrete slabs that should last forever. Our roof is steel and should outlive us and hopefully be recyclable. The triple-pane windows were manufactured by Matthews Brothers, located in Maine. Our pine shiplap siding is both economical and sustainable.

Also, many of our interior fixtures were reclaimed from local dealers, and of course all of the lighting is LED.” The DiPiro/Voloshin home is built near the Contoocook River on an open foundation that exceeds the FEMA 100year flood elevation height. “Of course, this means the underside of our house is exposed, which makes our net-zero house unusual. Our builder had to innovate,” DiPiro says.

“What we have learned from this competition is that more people are looking to build net zero every year,” says Michael Loughlin, energy efficiency services program manager for Eversource.

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December 2020

Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Zero Net Energy Schools

by Julia Nugent Once considered technically infeasible and cost prohibitive, a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) public school is now within reach for most school districts. The new Annie E. Fales Elementary School in Westborough, Mass. pushes this goal even further. It is projected to be one of the first Positive Net Energy schools (PNE) in New England, producing 10% more energy than required to operate the school itself. With the school now in construction and slated to open next fall, a few key lessons are worth sharing for other teams seeking ZNE success.

Select the Right Team Zero Net Energy initiatives require early, informed expertise and dialogue across multiple disciplines. Siloed design efforts just will not work, as an energy conservation approach that is optimal for one aspect of the building may be detrimental to the requirements of another. The collaborative effort for Fales included the architect, mechanical engineer, renewable energy consultants, energy modeler, and construction manager working together to define challenges, discuss trade-offs, and come up with a holistic solution.

For Fales, more than 30% of the energy performance savings were realized before or during the schematic design phase,

through analysis and consensus decisions about the building’s siting, shape, and basic mechanical and envelope systems.

Fine-tuning the design in later stages moved the dial further, but the range of options to reduce energy diminish as the design progresses. In other words, the commitment to pursue a ZNE building needs to take place during schematic design at the latest.

Set Shared, Clear Goals As leadership guru Peter Drucker once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Establishing purposeful and attainable strategic ZNE goals at the outset of the project gave the Fales team a clear road map for decisions and became the basis for community dialog and consensus building. One key energy performance goal was the building’s target Energy Use Intensity (EUI), the amount of energy per square foot needed to operate the building over the course of a year (measured as kBTU/sf/yr). At the Fales School, we set an ambitious EUI goal of 25; projected performance is currently tracking slightly better than the original target.

Factor Utility Savings into Project Financing A second, however no less important, goal for Westborough was to achieve Zero Net Energy use without relying on increasing property tax revenue to pay for it. Yes, the energy savings provisions increased the construction cost of the new Fales School, which in turn increased the annual municipal bond payment by $200,000. However, taking the older, energy hog school off-line will save the town roughly $200,000 per year in utility costs. The new Fales School will have no

The Fales Elementary School building site / Rendering courtesy of HMFH Architects

Aerial view of the Fales Elementary School building site / Photo courtesy of Gilbane Building Company

utility bills for the life of the building, and the 10% excess energy produced will be credited toward energy consumption at other town schools. The bottom line is that the annual utility savings entirely offset the excess annual bond payment.

The shift in affordability for Zero Net Energy comes at an opportune time. As

the consequences and cost of climate change come into closer view, our clients want to contribute to the solution by pursuing low-carbon, highly sustainable school projects for their community.

Julia Nugent is a principal with HMFH Architects, a Cambridge-based, women-owned design firm.

Building Energy Retrofit Resource Hub Launched Boston – The City of Boston, recently named a top U.S. city for energy efficiency, and Eversource announced the launch of the Boston Building Energy Retrofit Hub, a new online resource that connects Boston building owners, facility managers, and tenants of large- and medium-sized buildings that are over 35,000sf or 35 units to Eversource’s energy efficiency services, incentives, and technical support to complete energysaving projects.

Buildings account for more than 70% of greenhouse gas emissions in the city, and the partnership is the latest initiative in Boston’s goal to reduce emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050.

“The Boston Building Energy Retrofit Hub is an important resource as we strive to achieve carbon neutrality and mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the city of Boston,” said the City of Boston chief

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owners, operators and tenants are actively collaborating and implementing new solutions to reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions,” said Eversource VP of energy efficiency, Tilak Subrahmanian.

of environment, energy, and open space, Chris Cook. “Hands-on support and access to the latest information, trends, and specialized building technologies can be a catalyst for change. The resources and energy expertise offered through the partnership with Eversource is designed to drive greater awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency and more participation in these nationally-recognized programs.”

“The city of Boston is a top performer in energy efficiency because building

“The hub is a strong example of how we’re working with customers to share expertise and streamline access to incentives and programs that make energy efficiency projects achievable. We’re proud to support this collaboration and help the city and businesses achieve their energy efficiency goals.”

– Tilak Subrahmanian, Eversource VP of energy efficiency “The hub is a strong example of how we’re working with customers to share expertise

and streamline access to incentives and programs that make energy efficiency projects achievable. We’re proud to support this collaboration and help the city and businesses achieve their energy efficiency goals.”

In 2014, Boston adopted the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) to educate building owners, tenants, and other stakeholders about their energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and the tools to reduce both.

It also requires owners and managers of Boston’s large- and medium-sized buildings to report their annual energy and water use. Buildings covered must also show concerted efforts to reduce their emissions every five years through energy actions or audits. Overall, BERDO helps property owners save money and reduce emissions to help the city meet its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, as laid out in its Climate Action Plan.

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Energy Provider Commits to Net Zero Carbon Emissions Boston – Vicinity Energy, the nation’s largest district energy provider, announced its plan to reach net zero carbon emissions for all of its operations by 2050.

Vicinity Energy provides heat, hot water, cooling, chilled water, sterilization and humidification to over 230 million sq. ft. (nearly eight square miles) of customer facilities in major cities across the United States.

For more than 50 years, Vicinity has adapted and innovated to deploy cleaner energy technologies and strategies as they’ve become available, helping to reduce the carbon impact in cities like Cambridge, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kansas City. In this next phase of its long-term energy vision, the company will continue to introduce renewables into its fuel supply mix and integrate large- and small-scale combined heat and power (CHP) resources to increase the efficiency of its district energy systems.

By building on this foundation to achieve net zero carbon emissions, Vicinity is clearly focused on a greener, cleaner, more sustainable future. Key strategies in the plan include: • Utilizing biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels • Electrifying generation to further reduce carbon emissions as the grid gets greener

• Investing in efficiency projects and district infrastructure • Engineering microgrid and distributed energy solutions that leverage biofuelcapable CHP systems to improve resiliency • Purchasing renewable electricity for Vicinity plants and auxiliary assets • Exploring other innovative technologies, such as renewable natural gas, battery storage, hydrogen, CO2-based dispatch, and more.

By formalizing its commitment, the company will continue to provide 99.99% reliable, resilient services with a lower carbon footprint at highly competitive prices in relation to other energy alternatives.

“Our goal is to preserve the environment for future generations and ensure that energy remains affordable to our customers so they can continue to put their dollars toward missioncritical core operations. As clean energy technologies continue to evolve, our team is dedicated to leading the transition to a net zero carbon future by innovating, adapting quickly to renewable strategies, and developing opportunities to green our system,” said Bill DiCroce, Vicinity president and CEO. “Together with our employees and strong local partners, we will reach this goal by 2050 so that our

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Vicinity Energy provides sustainable heat, hot water, cooling, chilled water, sterilization and humidification to over 230 million sq. ft. of customer space, reducing carbon impact in major cities across the United States.

communities can thrive in a much greener future.”

Currently, Vicinity eliminates more than 500,000 tons of CO2 annually from its operations, the equivalent of taking 110,000 cars off the road. Its new Clean Energy Future is intended to reduce an additional 1.7 million tons of carbon

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across the 12 major cities where it operates, which means reducing emissions by an additional 55,000 tons every year to reach net carbon zero by 2050.

The immediate next step in the plan includes incorporating biofuels in select district energy facilities, starting this winter.

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December 2020

Four Reasons to Consider Adaptive Reuse and Retrofitting Reducing Your Building’s Carbon Footprint and Saving Money are Just the Beginning

by Blake Jackson To reach net zero carbon, we’re going to have to design new buildings with carbon appetites (embodied and operational) of slim to none. But before we build another building, there’s one carbon-reducing practice that’s worth exploring: taking a serious look at existing buildings.

Broadly speaking, when one takes life cycle and embodied carbon into account, there’s nothing greener than a building that already exists. And reducing carbon footprint is just the beginning – there are several good reasons to look at existing buildings in the development of new space.

Reason 1: Embodied Carbon and Waste Architecture 2030 research shows the Building Materials and Construction Sector represents 39% of total greenhouse gas emissions. The reuse of existing buildings offers an immense opportunity

to curb these emissions by prolonging the useful life of materials already in place.

In Boston, The BEAT (a reuse of the former Boston Globe building) incorporates existing structure and envelope elements into the updated building to allow these materials to continue to store their embodied carbon in place without the need for new virgin materials and their associated embodied emissions, while also curbing landfill waste.

Reason 2: Budget From a life-cycle perspective, waste is expensive. By recycling buildings, labor, time, and materials are saved, while also avoiding carbon emissions to merely replace them.

While developers have to work with what existing buildings have in place, regarding their thermal envelope and form/orientation, they can greatly curb their baseline emissions through sensible upgrades to both the envelope and mechanical systems. And, if they happen to be historically significant, there are many tax credits pinpointed specifically for their continued use through local, state, and federal programs, which support the economics of saving existing structures.

Report: Clean Energy Jobs Pay 25% More Washington – Clean energy jobs paid 25% more than the national median wage in 2019 and were more likely to include health care and retirement benefits, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis of federal occupational wage and benefits data prepared for E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and the Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) by BW Research Partnership.

The Clean Jobs, Better Jobs report, the first comprehensive analysis of wages and benefits across the clean energy sector, comes amid the growing national dialogue around clean energy as federal and state leaders look for ways to restart the economy.

The findings underscore the opportunity to advance smart clean energy policies that create higher-wage opportunities, putting Americans back to work quickly rebuilding a cleaner, more resilient and more equitable economy.

Overall, median wages in clean energy are significantly higher than median wages in sectors such as retail, services, recreation and accommodations, especially when it comes to entry-level wages.

Clean energy industries also employed about three times more workers than

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Reason 3: Smart Land Use Planning Reusing existing buildings alleviates demands on new land development.

Existing buildings already have sewer, utility, and transportation infrastructure connections to the broader community, greatly lowering infrastructure costs.

Reason 4: Memory, Urban Fabric Continuity, and Creative Juxtaposition Existing buildings play a vital role in the history of a place and the memory of its people; thus, their preservation is more

than just retaining its physical form; it is equally the retaining of collective memories, experiences, and events of the community.

While most of us think of renovation as messy and slow, there are many benefits to reap. Before demolishing an existing building, consider adaptive reuse and retrofitting first – the benefits to you, the community, and our planet are worth a second look.

Blake Jackson, AIA is sustainability design leader at Stantec.

AIA Publishes New Study Washington – A new study published by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) finds that data and culture gaps are obstacles architects are facing in fighting climate change.

The report, Sustainability in the Architect’s Journey to Specification, identified a number of common obstacles that could be improved by the building products industry to help architects support climate action, including: • Supplying useful, timely, and accurate product information and data • Reducing barriers – primarily high costs – to products to increase adoption of sustainable products, especially as clients are increasingly concerned about sustainability being too cost-conscious in the short term In other findings, nearly all architects said third-party testing or certification

is crucial for new product adoption.

Architects also indicated that continuing education from building product companies is the most convenient way to learn about new products and innovations.

“Architects are increasingly motivated to commit to climate action and evolve the built environment,” said 2020 AIA president, Jane Frederick, FAIA. “Our members have an important role to play, but they cannot do it alone.

Everyone in the design and building product industry must do their part, and that means more than just making materials that contribute to sustainability.

Informed product and material knowledge is essential if we are going to succeed.

Committing to innovation is essential.”

Sustainability in the Architect’s Journey to Specification is available on AIA’s website.

PCA Addresses Climate Change

fossil fuels did in 2019 and, unlike fossil fuel jobs, clean energy jobs are available in every state, regardless of geology or geography.

Before COVID-19, clean energy had been one of the nation’s fastest-growing sectors. At the end of 2019, clean energy employed nearly 3.4 million workers across 99% of U.S. counties, according to E2’s Clean Jobs America report.

View the report at https://e2.org/ reports/clean-jobs-better-jobs/.

Washington – The Portland Cement Association (PCA), an association representing cement manufacturers in the United States, announced an industrywide ambition to reduce carbon emissions and further address the impacts of climate change.

As PCA members continue to drive down the carbon intensity of their operations and products, PCA will develop a roadmap by the end of 2021 to facilitate its member companies achieving carbon neutrality across the concrete value chain by 2050.

Industries, environmental groups and local governments across the U.S. are increasingly working to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future, and this roadmap positions the cement and concrete industry as a leader in the construction

sector in delivering cleaner and greener infrastructure across the country.

“As the second most used material on earth and a cornerstone of our economy, we understand the critical role cement and concrete play in our nation’s future, and we are committed to an industry-wide effort that achieves carbon neutrality,” said Tom Beck, chairman of the Portland Cement Association and president of Continental Cement. “We look forward to proactively working with stakeholders across the built environment, policymakers and environmental groups toward this ambitious target.”

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