2. Research into Thermal Performance and Energy Usage at Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
The principal objective of the presentation provided in the link below is to review and assess the actual energy consumption of in-service mid and high-rise residential buildings and to explore the impact of the thermal performance of the building enclosure on energy consumption. The contribution of gas and electricity to overall energy consumption and specifically, space heat and ventilation are discussed in detail, as is the disconnect between building energy consumption and billing to occupants for their total share of energy use. The results of the study will be used to develop better building enclosure design strategies that take into account energy conservation and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions in these building types.
Presented by Robert Bombino, P.E. Robert is a Principal and Senior Building Science Specialist with RDH Building Sciences, Inc in Seattle, WA. He has a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada and a Master’s in Architectural Engineering from Penn State. For the last 13 years (his entire career), Rob has focused on Building Science. Early in his career with Simpson Gumpertz and Heger in Boston, MA, Rob focused on investigating and repairing existing buildings on the east coast, in the mid-west and in California. Since 2004 with RDH, Rob has provided building enclosure design consulting on over 30 new construction projects of all types, primarily in the Pacific Northwest.
3. Designing and Building a Better Enclosure Part One
3. Designing and Building a Better Enclosure Part Two
This presentation focuses on how integrated design and construction teams can collaborate to create improved enclosures for high performance buildings. The five critical barriers of the building enclosure are reviewed. Special attention is placed on the two critical barriers that contribute the most to whole building energy performance: the thermal barrier and the air barrier. Numerous project case studies are presented to demonstrate how integrated project teams can work together in a proactive manner to develop building enclosure systems that can reduce energy usage over 50% while maintaining the long-term durability of the building enclosure and structure.
Presented by Mike Steffen, AIA, LEED AP
4. High R Walls for the Pacific Northwest
Reducing the energy consumption of new and existing buildings starts with the building enclosure. Working with Building Science Corporation, Walsh Construction Co. recently completed a study of almost two dozen wall assemblies that have been chosen to deliver higher insulating values than the walls with which we typically build. This study focuses on the actual insulating value of the wall assembly, while taking into account the changed hygrothermal performance of the wall and analyzes the relative risks inherent in building walls with increased amounts of insulation. This presentation delivers a comprehensive report on the study, including how the study was conducted, what walls performed best and which walls represent the best value to our clients.
Presented by Martin Houston, AIA, LEED AP. Martin is the Quality Director at Walsh Construction Co. in Portland, Oregon. He has a B.Arch. degree from the University of Cincinnati, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and is trained in Building Science Thermography. Since joining Walsh in 2006, Martin has been involved in ensuring overall building quality, while focusing on high performance envelopes and emerging technologies for building envelope commissioning and diagnosis. Martin also surfs and climbs mountains, which you can ask him about because he likes to divulge on such topics.
5. Building Reuse-Energy Retrofits
Buildings are responsible for almost half of all energy consumption and green house gas emissions annually. Each year five billion square feet of existing buildings are renovated or restored in the United States. While there are clear standards for improvements in energy consumption and clear guidelines for historic renovation, the two standards often conflict. This presentation delves into the referenced standards for each of these goals, highlighting both the inherent conflict and instances where synergies can be found. Several case studies are presented which illustrate strategies for achieving the goal of improving energy performance of existing buildings while preserving their historic character.
Presented by Martin Houston, AIA, LEED AP. Co-Presenter with Paul Falsetto. Paul is a project manager and preservation specialist for Carleton Hart Architecture, located in NW Portland. Paul has worked on or assessed over 50 historic structures in his 15-year career. His most recent projects with Carleton Hart include rehabilitation of the Ladd Carriage House, the Clifford Apartments and the Chaucer Court Apartments, all of which are listed in the National Register. Paul received his Masters of Architecture and Masters of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Oregon, and is an adjunct instructor at the UO in both disciplines. Subjects taught include Preservation Theory and “Eco-Preservation.” Paul serves as a Director for the Historic Preservation League of Oregon and as an Advisor for the Bosco-Milligan Foundation. He is the Chair of the American Institute of Architects’ Historic Resources Committee, and a member of the Mayor’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the Rose Quarter Redevelopment.
6. Mechanical Systems for Green Affordable Housing
Owners and developers of affordable multi-unit residential buildings are seeking strategies to reduce energy costs and environmental impacts from these buildings. This presentation explores the variety of available mechanical systems and proposes a set of systems that represent good, better, and best green approaches. The presentation discusses heating, ventilation, cooling, and domestic hot water systems with the intent to balance energy savings, costs (both first costs and life cycle cost benefits), ease of use and maintenance, constructability, comfort, and indoor air quality. The impact of resident behavior on systems are also considered. The goal of the presentation is to disseminate a baseline understanding of green mechanical systems for affordable multi-unit residential buildings that can serve as a reference point for consideration of project specific solutions.
Presented by Chuck Halling, AIA, LEED AP. Chuck is the Sustainability Director at Walsh Construction Co., involved with green building and sustainability initiatives. He has a Master’s in Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor’s in Art and Design from Stanford University. As a registered architect and LEED AP BD+C, Chuck is responsible for in-house LEED AP training and involved with third party certification of green construction. Chuck joined the Quality Assurance Department at Walsh Construction Co. in 2002 with 17 years of experience in project management, detailing, design, and construction administration. As a Quality Assurance Manager, he has been responsible for construction document quality control review and implementation of building science advancements.
7. GMET A Green Measure Evaluation Tool
There have been a number of studies of average costs for LEED across the country, but these lead to an unsatisfying generic estimated cost. Walsh Construction Co. created a Green Measure Evaluation Tool to evaluate the cost of LEED points before the design was locked in and examine the cost of alternatives before construction documents are prepared. The goal of this tool will combine an expanded LEED credit template with a LEED credit calculation tool and an estimating engine.
Presented by Chuck Halling, AIA, LEED AP and Ed Sloop, LEED AP.
Ed Sloop is a senior estimator at Walsh Construction Co./OR and a LEED Accredited Professional. Prior to working as an estimator, Ed spent six years in the role of superintendent and six years in the role of project manager at Walsh. He has a B.S. in Mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master’s in Engineering Management from George Washington University. Ed has a very well-rounded view of construction matters and provides a high degree of attention to detail as well as maintaining a perspective on the big picture of a given project’s overall goals. He is very interested in finding the sweet spot between sustainability and value for the customer. According to Ed, “Any day I learn something new is a good day. Most every day is a good day.”
8. The Quality Process
Owners expect high quality buildings and architects and contractors know the value of delivering a high quality project to their clients. Somewhere between the desire for quality and the delivery of quality is a process which is deliberate, focused, and planned. Executing a quality plan takes resources- time, money and people. This presentation looks at the cost of quality- and the cost of not having a quality process. Through case studies and examples of quality failures, this presentation highlights key quality concepts and practices that are essential to a successful quality assurance and quality control structure.
Presented by Martin Houston, AIA, LEED AP.