Green

from February 2022

Philanthropy

ULI’s 2022 Sustainability Outlook Released

Washington – Real estate industry experts anticipate a growing acceptance of, and scope of responsibility for, the race to net zero in 2022, according to a new report from the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Greenprint Center for Building Performance in collaboration with Ferguson Partners, a global boutique talent management company.

To accelerate decarbonization and create a more sustainable future for the built environment, the report emphasizes the need for unified leadership and a holistic approach driven by a long-term strategy, aggressive capital management, and agility to adapt to climate change.

ULI Global Sustainability Outlook 2022 addresses many of the challenges in the market and raises some of the issues that require more industry leadership and collaboration amid the growing climate crisis. The report is an annual publication first launched in 2021, and is a vehicle for ULI to share insights from member experts on the key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues that will impact strategic decision-making each coming year.

“The real estate sustainability industry is evolving and advancing faster than ever before,” says Marta Schantz, senior vice president of the ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance. “Rising stakeholder expectations from investors, governments, and occupants are increasing pressure on real estate owners and developers to address their impact on climate change in transparent and

ULI Global Sustainability Outlook

20 22

accelerated ways, all while still achieving traditional returns and fiduciary duties. The Global Sustainability Outlook 2022 demonstrates the increasing sophistication of the global real estate industry when it comes to ESG, the progress of which is critical amidst the urgency of the climate crisis.”

The second annual Sustainability Outlook is based on interviews with members of ULI Americas Sustainable Development Council, ULI Europe Sustainability Council, and ULI Asia Pacific Resilient Cities Council who were asked what sustainability topics and issues are on the rise, why they matter, and what the industry should do about it. On the basis of the knowledge shared by these experts, Greenprint identified five issues that will shape real estate decision making in the months ahead and beyond: advancing the net zero agenda, navigating the reporting and measurement landscape, confronting climate risk, prioritizing existing buildings, and focusing on building materials.

Connecticut Restaurant Makes Energy-efficiency Upgrades

Bridgeport, CT – Beverly Pizza, located in Bridgeport, was recently approached by Artis Energy Solutions about an opportunity to save energy through United Illuminating’s (UI) Small Business Energy Advantage Program.

Providing free energy assessments and recommendations for efficiency upgrades, the program is designed to help customers save energy, and improve operation costs. There are a variety of small business incentives offered by UI and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc.

With incentives from UI totaling almost $43,000, the restaurant was able to make nearly $61,000 in improvements. The upgrades included new interior and exterior lighting, LED bulbs installed in its two outdoor signs, replacement of the old gas furnace and gas fired water heater with new high-efficiency equipment, installation of an ENERGY STAR certified high-efficiency air conditioning unit and updated vending machine controls.

Operating in a distressed community with a qualifying average peak demand energy use, Beverly Pizza was also able to take advantage of UI and SCG’s

Beverly Pizza

Micro Business Energy Assistance Pilot (MBEA) incentives, which covered 75% of project costs. MBEA incentives are going to be integrated into the Small Business Energy Advantage program for 2022.

“The incentives made the project financially feasible and allowed them to save energy, which is good for the environment, and make improvements that are good for the business and the neighborhood,” said Kim Peters of Artis Energy Solutions. “The upgrades made are critical to restaurant businesses to ensure their customers are comfortable.”

Energize Connecticut programs are designed to help small businesses find ways to make their operations more energy efficient and support improved comfort and aesthetics. “This project is a great example of how the program has evolved through the years, not just to provide the latest in technology and solutions, but also to assess the bigger picture and apply a variety of offerings to help our customers,” said Colleen Morrison, UI small business program manager.

Trends and Hot Topics Preventing Condensation at the Demakes Family YMCA Aquatics Facility

by Scott Henriques

To provide a state-of-the-art recreational facility and investment in a growing and changing gateway community on Massachusetts’ North Shore, the YMCA of Metro North recently undertook a multi-pronged modernization project to replace their outmoded YMCA in Lynn. This effort resulted in the construction of the Demakes Family YMCA, a new modern 70,000sf facility that features an elevated track, a gymnasium, several exercise studios, weight and cardio equipment spaces, sauna and steam rooms, a preschool area, cafe, teaching kitchen, and an aquatics center. The former YMCA building is slated for redevelopment in the next several years as a dedicated Youth and Teen Center.

Much like at other YMCAs around the country, the pool was a major focal point of the Demakes Family YMCA modernization. In this case, the aquatics facility was an 8,700sf, 2-story natatorium with lap and teaching pools and a splash pad. Project architect Maugel Architects of Harvard, Mass. retained Weston & Sampson to provide mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection services (MEP/FP) for the new pool project.

Most natatoriums have a substantial amount of window glazing, and like with other indoor pools in New England, one of the biggest challenges is a build-up of condensation of the moist indoor air on the cool glass surfaces during the winter months. In extreme cases, excess condensation can “rain” within the pool area. Condensation build-up is not just an aesthetic issue, it can also increase the risk of airborne mold particles and lead to health problems. Mold can also find its way into the structure of the building, causing premature deterioration.

The solution to prevent condensation from forming requires a multidisciplined, coordinated approach. The most insulative 3-pane window assemblies will not prevent the glass surface temperature from dropping below the dewpoint, nor will blowing hot air on a 2-pane assembly. To prevent excess condensation and provide a healthy pool environment, Maugel Architects designed the natatorium with super-insulated glass and Weston & Sampson provided a highly engineered HVAC system capable of blowing hot air down the fenestration to the natatorium deck 26 feet below. Providing the correct wall of hot air to “wash” the windows required careful application of high air flow diffusers, corrected for the downward “throw” of hot air. The proper application of the ductwork velocity was also critical to the throw performance of the diffusers. The solution was a success, and the pool windows at the Demakes Family YMCA did not experience any condensation build-up during the first winter of operation in 2020-2021.

Our design also included seamlessly integrating the MEP and fire protection systems into the building’s unique architecture using a high efficiency, gasfired condensing boiler plant that provides heat to the building and is integrated into the pool’s water heating system.

The result is an attractive, functional, and healthy aquatics facility that remains dry and causes no undue moisture build-up.

Scott Henriques, PE, LEED AP, CEM is a senior project manager at Weston & Sampson.

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