SimplymeCWB: April 2012

The ASHRAE / USGBC hosted a joint meeting with distinguished guest speaker Henry L. Green, Hon. AIA President National Institute of Building Sciences. ASHRAE, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers was founded in 1894; it is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. USGBC, The U.S. Green Building Council is a nonprofit organization that is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. Kent Peterson along with other sponsors organized what’s known as the “Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings”, [Standard 189.1], which is the common ground that these two organizations meet and discuss. Some topics include tools and technology to achieve these standards as well as reports on current conditions and goals for future achievement.

Networking in a room near capacity with primarily men whom mostly look like they’d been working in the field all day with HVAC units was a little intimidating to me; however, not to some of my peers. I knew that it came time to force my way in a conversation or continue to look awkward. So, I perked my ears a little harder to decipher the mumbling noises all around. Finally, I made out a few sentences of the five gentlemen gathered in earshot. One was actually making hand gestures at the projector and screen nearby…and there I went. I gently broke in and asked “does those gestures indicate that you are in anticipation of what’s to come?” As he replied, I felt relieved…I made it in. It was then that I introduced myself to Ralph W. Tayler, PE, CEM, and Energy Engineer at Duke Medical Center. We exchanged information on our professions. Well, he exchanged information on his role as an energy engineer and I listened, and then explained the interior architecture discipline and my career goals. He listened intuitively as we then made connections and conversed accordingly. I was so amazed when he began to speak of CRI, color temperature, and color indexing and green washing. Amazed that I was knowledgeable of the language [including the acronyms] and felt confident to speak on the topics. We began to speak about lamps and fixtures and how it’s not about aesthetics ONLY, but actually efficiency and performance. He told a story or two about on the job encounters of these matters. Mr. Tayler and I spoke at length and he wanted me to leave with the these few things, [1] think of the amount of square footage you designate for mechanical rooms [2] place them where they are easily accessible and sensible [3] choose lamps that are efficient to reduce the amount it will take to light the space and the number of times you’ll need replacements.

As I moved along, I ran into Jill Speah, who seemed rushed, as she would momentarily give the welcome greeting. We did however exchange a few cordial words as I began conversing yet again with one of the many intellects in the room, Mr. Ronnie Bailey, Associate Professor with A&T University, Engineering. We spoke about the engineering program at A&T and naturally IARC. He invited me to tour the campus and the facilities at any time; since I mentioned that I’d never been any further than the football field with Alums. The common ground is that both disciplines are concerned with the environment we live and students have the option of continuing their education at a school of architecture. I emailed Mr. Bailey a thank-you note and a request to keep in touch as a mentoree. He gladly accepted the invitation and therefore I will stay connected with him and possibly tour the school this summer.

The evening went similar to this for the remaining time. I did manage to eat the very tasty dinner provided. It was not a disappointment at all. During this time Mr. Green was introduced, immediately following he began his presentation. The National Institute of Building Sciences mission is “…to serve the nation and the public interest by supporting advances in building sciences and technology to improve the built environment.” Just what is Building Science? According to Mr. Green it is the analysis and evaluation of issues critical to the development of criteria, standards and practices that yield buildings and structures that respond to the environmental, societal, business and sustainable needs of our nation.  These three organizations under one forum were very appropriate and powerful in a sense. The ASHRAE is committed to implementing HVAC’s efficiencies in built environments, USGBC’s mission is gauging the efficiencies so that it creates a sustainable future, and Building Sciences is involved in the advances of both subjects in built environments and the technologies to achieve it. Mr. Green’s presentation began with a clear explanation of high performance building as it is defined by,

-Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 §401 (PL 110-140)

“High-Performance building means a building that integrates and optimizes on a life-cycle basis all major high-performance attributes, including energy [and water] conservation, environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost- benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations.”

He continued with the question “Why buildings Matter?” The statics and facts were unprecedented to me. I learned that people send 90% of their lives in a building. Other interesting facts about building included:

– Represents more than 50% of the nation’s  wealth

– New construction and renovation activity  amounts to over $800 billion annually

– Responsible for 13% of the GDP

– Employs over ten million people (5% total U.S. employment)

– Citizens spend 90% of their time indoors

– Today’s buildings will still exist for years to  come

– Everyone has a point of reference

Also related topics were the U.S. Primary Energy Use and the U.S. Building Water Use. Mr. Green’s philosophy is that, buildings don’t exist in isolation, but weather in an urban or rural community they are a key aspect of the economy. The presentation shifted gears to the facility lifecycle, attributes to a high performance building, identifying universal challenges, transition into the design and construction industry:

• New/better modeling tools needed to address design & operation connections

• Demonstrates importance of BIM and integrated design

• Component-by-component and discipline-by-discipline approaches will no longer produce the desired results. Contracting must reflect collaborative needs

I think I was partial to this section of the presentation. The language felt familiar and I was overwhelmed with joy to know that UNCG has properly prepared me to think critically on a variety of subject matters of a built environment. Continuing Mr. Green spoke on Green…slide was titled “H. Green on Green, and he swears he didn’t come up with that. The age of measurement and verification is here, no more green washing allowed. As he proceeded that topic he placed an strong emphasis BIM : the great integrator as he refers to it.

I think Tina should’ve been in attendance, I felt like I was in an integration of her building material and lighting combined with computer aide design.

Overall, networking is inevitable and unavoidable, but it’s still intimidating. Especially as students when you feel unsure of yourself. I count this experience as a success because I gained 2 additional mentors as well a made a few other contacts and I feel confident when speaking on subjects of buildings and what contributions I plan to make as opportunities present themselves.