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On the road to Greenbuild 2017, we take inspiration from some of the top engineering firms in green building. The work of these companies demonstrates that whether a project is new construction or an existing building, in a domestic or international location, LEED certification is the hallmark of sustainable building everywhere.  

Skanska

Skanska aims to build key infrastructure like schools, homes, hospitals, offices and roads to propel development and economic progress. Their holistic approach to green building continuously evolves, along with their understanding of what shapes and constitutes sustainable societies. For every project, Skanska sets targets for energy, carbon, water, material selection and waste in accordance with an internally developed strategic tool that helps measure and guide its green activities.

101 Seaport, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

101 Seaport is a 17-story, 440,000-square-foot LEED Platinum office building, and the first in Boston to use an active chilled beam mechanical system. Other notable sustainability features include a triple-glazed curtain wall and rainwater reuse system, which cut energy use by 30 percent and water use by 40 percent.

Thornton Tomasetti

Thornton Tomasetti integrates proven green solutions into the planning, design, construction and operation of buildings. They apply whole-systems thinking and analytical tools to develop solutions that balance triple-bottom-line factors, knowing that sustainability goals are best realized when performance is measured and compared with targets. A USGBC Education Partner with two LEED fellows on staff, Thornton Tomasetti leads by example, demonstrating that education is critical to improving sustainability in the built environment.

Palazzo Lombardia, Milan, Italy

The Palazzo Lombardia (“Lombardy Building”) is a complex of buildings in Milan and the main seat of the government of Lombardy. The project includes five nine-story, wave-like buildings totaling 98,000 square meters, including a 43-story tower. The civic complex also features rooftop gardens, open-air public plazas between the buildings and a large piazza enclosed by an innovative roof structure.

WSP

WSP believes that they can bring the most influence to creating a sustainable economy through their expertise and customer service. Their “Future Ready” global client-facing program assists with preparing for the future, seeking ways to protect against challenges beyond the horizon. In a world of climate change, mass urbanization and expanding population, WSP ensures projects are ready for what comes next, with flexible designs and lower ownership costs.

270 Albert Street, Ottawa, Canada

270 Albert Street is the first commercial project in Canada to be certified under LEED v4, achieving LEED Gold for O+M. After a 2013 energy audit determined that the 14-story, 164,000-square-foot office tower was already operating efficiently, the building’s energy performance was improved by a further 25 percent through LEED. Despite having been built in 1975, the building achieved an impressive operational energy use intensity of 20 ekWh/sf and an Energy Star score of 91.

Check out this session for engineers at Greenbuild Boston:

Course: Speculative Platinum to Profitable Investment

Fri., November 10 from 8–9 a.m.

Learn how Skanska Commercial Development used a low-tech “clever-building” strategy to achieve a high-performance building and a LEED Platinum certification within recession-era financial parameters. Attendees will hear about specific strategies, including site planning and building orientation, energy efficiency, daylighting, solar controls, new cladding materials and structural design, as well as the community-based planning process.

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A charrette-style session that took place at WaterBuild 2016 is helping make Los Angeles more water-resilient. In preparation for WaterBuild 2017, here’s a look back at the part of last year’s program that focused on local issues.

The challenge

In April 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed county departments to create a forward-thinking water efficiency ordinance that seeks to make the county more water-resilient. At the time, only local California governments, such as San Luis Obispo County and the City of Santa Monica, had implemented water-neutral development ordinances. Though the L.A. County Board of Supervisors’ proposed policy was not the first, it would have the largest reach—L.A. County has a larger population than 42 states, and the areas the ordinance specifically targets consist of over a million people.

WaterBuild 2016

In partnership with USGBC Los Angeles, USGBC worked with Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles to tackle this challenge and kick-start stakeholder discussions. In November 2016, at the inaugural WaterBuild Summit at Greenbuild Los Angeles, a charrette-style session titled “Towards Net Zero Water in Los Angeles County” brought together nearly three dozen Greenbuild participants to help the county brainstorm approaches to reducing water consumption.

Public officials from L.A. County and the City of Los Angeles facilitated tables of lively discussions among Greenbuild attendees. Participants tackled issues such as water data management, the costs and benefits of various water conservation and water reuse strategies, centralized and decentralized system solutions and how best to maximize public engagement throughout the process.

The result

A year later, L.A. County successfully built on the dialogue at WaterBuild and subsequent community conversations and developed a strong draft ordinance. Given the need to further engage relevant stakeholders, the Board of Supervisors granted the ordinance workgroup a one-year extension, to be finalized by April 2018.

The current draft proposes a set of nine enhanced water conservation measures (EWCMs) that may be required of all new development. The EWCMs range from the instillation of water-efficient plumbing, like kitchen faucets and Energy Star dishwashers, to rainwater catchment systems for landscape irrigation.

More specifically, renovations of single-family residences must feature at least one measure, while entirely new construction of single and multifamily residences must meet at least two measures and also potentially pay a mitigation fee to offset water use. In addition, the policy proposes a requirement for all buildings, both commercial and residential, to be retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures at resale, exempting affordable housing projects with the expectation that they build in the most efficient manner possible.

What’s next?

L.A. County’s new water conservation policy promises big results after adoption, and it sets a new standard for local water policy, encouraging governments statewide to make water conservation a California way of life, as it now is for state facilities. The City of Los Angeles, specifically, has prioritized water efficiency through Mayor Garcetti’s OneWater LA initiative, aiming to locally source 50 percent of the city’s water supply by 2035. The ensuing effort from Los Angeles has led to investments in green stormwater infrastructure, water reuse and recycling and new treatment methods.

We look forward to seeing Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles take these important next steps implementing some of the ideas discussed at Waterbuild 2016 into smart water policy in California.

USGBC will host the next chapter in our water resilience series at WaterBuild 2017 at Greenbuild 2017 in Boston. Participants will be invited to dive into a local issue focused on a set of land development issues in one of the largest areas in Boston slated for redevelopment.

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USGBC is “All In” for Greenbuild Boston. Our movement is driven by passionate and talented individuals, and we want to celebrate and recognize the local leaders and teams who improve their communities. We also remember USGBC’s forward-thinking past leaders who helped get us to where we are today, and are reminded of the dedication of Malcolm Lewis, PhD, who dedicated 30 years to his leadership in advancing the green building industry, market and movement.

The Malcolm Lewis IMPACT! Award, created in honor of Malcolm’s significant contributions, brings awareness to the amazing work of volunteer teams across the U.S. who are moving the needle for green buildings and communities. To help elevate awareness of each team’s great work, nominations are shared online as videos, picture slideshows or infographics for public voting. The nomination with the largest number of public votes will be recognized during the Leadership Awards Luncheon on Thurs., November 9 at Greenbuild.

In 2016, we recognized the Calvary Women’s Services Volunteer Team in Washington, D.C. Calvary is a nonprofit that empowers homeless women by providing housing, healthcare, employment and education. Their facility serves as a transitional home for 40 women and a space for programming.

The USGBC National Capital Region emerging professionals volunteer team dedicated over 200 volunteer hours and secured over $20,000 of in-kind service and material donations. An anonymous group of volunteers donated $7,500 in memory of Malcolm Lewis to Calvary Women’s Services in support of the volunteer team’s continued efforts. We are grateful to Malcolm Lewis’s friends, who will continue their generous donation in 2017 to further the work of volunteers in support of their project or initiative.

We encourage you and your team, who are making green buildings and communities a reality, to submit a nomination.

Timeline

Eligibility and submission requirements

The USGBC Malcolm Lewis IMPACT! Award recognizes a team of volunteers who have performed a high-impact project or initiative. Although we appreciate the work and impact realized by individuals, only teams of three or more volunteers are accepted for this award.

• Winners of the award are ineligible to resubmit for three years following their receipt of the award.
• All volunteer groups working within sustainable/green building are eligible to apply.
• Applicants are not required to be officially affiliated with USGBC or to contain USGBC staff or USGBC volunteers. USGBC staff are, however, eligible to submit.

Submissions must be in digital form and submitted as a video, a picture slideshow or an infographic. Videos and slideshows should be no longer than 60 seconds in length. Nominations should

• Introduce the volunteer team.
• Identify the “problem” the team sought to address.
• Tell the story of how volunteers worked toward success.

People’s choice viral voting

To share the great work accomplished by the nominees with a greater audience, nominations are posted to Facebook. The online community is welcome to “like” any nomination they feel is deserving of this recognition. The nomination with the most number of likes by the closing of voting will receive the award.

Check out the 2016 nomination gallery.

Past awardees

• 2016 – Calvary Women’s Services Volunteer Team
• 2015 – Urban Food Studio of the Capital Area Food Bank
• 2014 – Hackett Elementary School Schoolyard Revitalization
• 2013 – Horatio B. Hackett Schoolyard Revitalization
• 2012 – Sustainability Through the Eyes of Children

Submit your nomination

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With Greenbuild 2017 just over three months away, now is the perfect time to celebrate the success of just a few of the green building movement’s most innovative architecture and design firms. We hope their work in LEED and SITES inspires you, as you prepare to come to Boston.

ZGF Architects

ZGF Architects considers stewardship of both the built and natural environment a core principle of their business. Masters of designing for integrated functionality, aesthetics and sustainability, ZGF’s projects are known for their ability to transform client needs into an experience that transcends expectations.

The Clif Bar Headquarters in Emeryville, California, achieved LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors in 2012. The multi-use office space is housed in a former World War II valve factory. Making strategic use of the natural light spilling down from the clerestory windows and incorporating four interior courtyards, it is an ideal workspace for nature enthusiasts. With bikes hanging from the rafters as decoration, and more than 12,000 board feet of reclaimed wood, the space is at once elegantly natural and adventurous.

Photo Courtesy of Peter Prato/Clif Bar & Company.

James Corner Field Operations

The firm behind sites that are quickly becoming iconic examples of landscape design, like The High Line in New York, James Corner Field Operations weaves together familiar and foreign elements to create places that defy classification. The firm believes in designing urban spaces with people in mind. Working with existing natural elements rather than attempting to control them, the Field Operations team coaxes out the best sensory experience out of every location.

The Woodland Discovery Playground of Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee, was one of the first projects to achieve SITES certification. Built on a former greyfield, the playground encourages children to engage with their environment and with each other. Located on the edge of a wooded area, the playground is integrated into its natural surroundings, providing a sense of flow that is rare in constructed outdoor public spaces. The playground reflects best practices in sustainable landscape architecture as well as child development.

Photo Courtesy of James Corner Field Operations.

Michael Maltzan Architecture

Michael Maltzan Architecture (MMA) operates with a fundamental belief that the built environment shapes our experiences and interactions. The firm envisions urban and public spaces that alter perceptions, and using space and design to engage entire communities, MMA’s body of work represents a fresh way of looking at architecture.

In 2016, MMA completed the Crest Apartments, a 64-unit affordable housing community with shared social spaces designed for the Skid Row Housing Trust. The project, which houses formerly homeless veterans, is designed to encourage interaction and the provision of support services to reduce the risk of reversion to homelessness.

The project achieved LEED Platinum under the LEED BD+C Multifamily Midrise adaptation in early 2017. Prioritizing natural lighting, energy efficiency and healthy materials, MMA created a space that supports the health and well-being of its residents.

Green building tours at Greenbuild

Want to see great examples of creative, sustainable architecture in the Boston area? Check out the Greenbuild green building tours on Mon., November 6; Friday, November 10; and Sat., November 11. You can explore parks, sports venues, neighborhoods and campuses, to name just a few.

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The topic of materials is one that spans every phase of a building’s life cycle. It includes considerations about construction waste, specifying materials for the building’s structure in the design and construction phase, making green cleaning choices while the building is in use and determining what happens to the building in the demolition phase.

Quick facts about construction waste:

• Construction and demolition waste constitutes about 40 percent of the total solid waste stream in the United States and about 25 percent of the total waste stream in the European Union.
• In aggregate, LEED projects are responsible for diverting more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills, and this volume is expected to grow to 540 million tons by 2030.

Materials decisions are impacted by an array of stakeholders who work with the built environment and those who support it, as well as by those who work, learn, live and play within those buildings.

What LEED does with materials

Since its initial launch, LEED has always addressed materials, and the newest version of the rating system is no different. LEED v4 brings a shift that goes beyond materials decisions focusing on single attributes and moves the market toward conversations about optimizing environmental, social and health impacts and gaining a better understanding of the trade-offs.

The LEED Building Design and Construction materials credits and prerequisites include:

• Prerequisite: Storage and Collection of Recyclables
• Prerequisite: Construction and Demolition Waste Management Planning
• Prerequisite: PBT Source Reduction—Mercury
• Credit (5–6 points): Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction
• Credit (2 points): Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Environmental Product Declarations
• Credit (2 points): Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Sourcing of Raw Materials
• Credit (2 points): Building Product Disclosure and Optimization—Material Ingredients
• Credit (1 point): PBT Source Reduction—Mercury
• Credit (2 points): PBT Source Reduction—Lead, Cadmium and Copper
• Credit (2 points): Furniture and Medical Furnishings
• Credit (1 point): Design for Flexibility
• Credit (2 points): Construction and Demolition Waste Management

The LEED Operations and Maintenance materials credits and prerequisites include:

• Prerequisite: Ongoing Purchasing and Waste Policy
• Prerequisite: Facility Maintenance and Renovation Policy       
• Credit (1 point): Purchasing—Ongoing           
• Credit (1 point): Purchasing—Lamps  
• Credit (2 points): Purchasing—Facility Management and Renovation
• Credit (2 points): Solid Waste Management—Ongoing
• Credit (2 points): Solid Waste Management—Facility Maintenance and Renovation

Join USGBC at Greenbuild 2017 in Boston, India and China, to learn more about LEED and materials. In addition to educations sessions, Greenbuild in Boston and India will feature expo halls where attendees can interact with the newest and most innovative products the market has to offer.

The Boston Greenbuild event will also include a special session on LEED v4 and its materials and resources section:

Course: LEED v4 and Materials: Interactive Session

Thurs., November 9 from 5–6 p.m.

During this session, attendees will get an overview of the LEED v4 materials section, learning what has changed, what’s been added and how to implement key strategies, including reading and comparing EPDs.

Register for Greenbuild Boston

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Gather with green building champions, at one of our upcoming Women in Green events at Greenbuild 2017.

Greenbuild China: Women in Green Power Breakfast
October 18 from 7:30–9 a.m.
Learn more

Greenbuild India: Women in Green Power Lunch
November 3 from 1–2:30 p.m.
Learn more

Greenbuild Boston: Women in Green Power Breakfast
November 9 from 7–9 p.m.
Learn more

Women are change agents in business, in education, in health care, in technology and cutting-edge research, in service of our common defense, in government and in our homes. Without the powerful voices of women seeking change, so much progress would be stifled or delayed. Attend Women in Green to hear from groundbreaking women who will call upon attendees to speak up as individuals and as a group to achieve change in the workplace and the world.

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Registration is now open for Greenbuild India. Held annually in the United States since 2002, the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. This November, the award-winning event will be held for the first time in Mumbai, India.

EDGE and resource efficiency in buildings will be front and center at Greenbuild India, where GBCI is offering its full-day EDGE Technical Workshop. This workshop helps EDGE project teams understand the EDGE standard, use the software application and navigate the certification process. It also prepares EDGE Expert candidates to take the EDGE exam. 

This is the last in-person EDGE Technical Workshop that GBCI will be offering in India this year, so register now to claim your seat.

The EDGE Technical Workshop is not included in the conference pass for Greenbuild India. After the workshop, attend the conference for two days of speakers, networking opportunities, an expo hall featuring the latest green building products and technologie, and tours of Mumbai’s green buildings.

EDGE Technical Workshop

Date: November 1, 2016, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
GBCI continuing education credit: 8 hours
Cost: 7,500 INR (early bird price, for registrations before Sept. 8)

Please email GBCI with any questions.

Register to attend the workshop