Sustainability Focus at AIA Convention

This year we are very excited to lead three different sustainability focused sessions at the annual AIA Convention.

Alejandra Menchaca and Jeffrey Abramson are discussing how to achieve a more energy efficient glass facade for your projects. Our Director of Building Science, Andrea Love is speaking at two sessions, one on the 2030 Commitment and how we integrate research into our practice and in a separate discussion on the possibilities of creating sustainable glass buildings.

Transparency vs. Efficiency: Overcoming the Performance Challenges of Glass Facades (FR218)

5/20/2016 | 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 204AB

There’s no denying that glass looks good, but it often means a sacrifice of performance. Glazed facades provide transparency, daylight and connection, but can drive up energy consumption and utility costs. This session will explore a real project where architects, consultants and engineers collaborated to benefit both the design and performance of facades.

Join us to learn strategies to:
• Use building simulation tools to create a highly visible facade while achieving transparency, occupant comfort, and thermal performance.
• Choose optimal glass types and space conditioning strategies, such as natural ventilation, chilled beams, and shading systems.
• Actively engage engineers, sustainability consultants, and building scientists to inform early design decisions.

Panelists:
Alejandra Menchaca, PhD
Senior Building Scientist / Associate

Jeffrey Abramson
Associate, Payette

Bungane Mehlomakulu
Principal, Integral Group

Building Energy Literacy: The 2030 Commitment’s Transformation of Firm Culture (SA214)

5/21/2016 | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 109

The AIA 2030 Commitment has impacted both how architects design and how firms practice. The session explore the impact on firm culture as experienced by Payette and three other firms.

This session will feature case studies that cover:
• How the AIA 2030 Commitment impacts organizations’ culture and practice
• Paths to greater literacy and understanding of building
• Next steps for organizations in the push for ever-more efficient buildings

Panelists:
Andrea Love
Director of Building Science, Payette

Heather Holdridge
Sustainability Director, Lake|Flato Architects

Greg Mella
Vice President, SmithGroupJJR

Gwen Fuertes
Designer at Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

The Transparent, Glass Facade: Is Sustainability Possible? (SA102)

5/21/2016 | 7:00 AM – 8:00AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 115

Even as glass buildings continue to rise throughout cities, sustainability questions abound. What are the varying perspectives on the future of these buildings?

This session will investigate:
• How the market is demanding high glazing percentage for the daylight, views and tenant amenities
• Why large expanses of glazing can present a considerable hurdle in promoting energy efficiency in modern buildings
• Where experts agree — and don’t — on the debate surrounding the all-glass building

Panelists:
Andrea Love
Director of Building Science, Payette

John Hannum
Principal Engineer, LPI/Vidaris, Inc.

Daniel Nauman
Architect, Gensler