Chris Briley
Username
Chris Briley
Proposer First Name
Chris
Proposer Email
cbriley@briburn.com
Proposer Last Name
Briley
Proposer Company/Organization
BRIBURN
Proposer Phone
(207) 286-6774
Proposer Job Title
Architect - Principal
Boston 2023 Areas of Focus
Proposed Session Description
This summer, Taunton released the ‘Pretty Good House’ book. It is a distillation of discussions from the decade-long Building Science Discussion Group in Portland, ME, as well as articles and comments on Green Building Advisor. Two of the four co-authors will go through the essential elements of what makes a Pretty Good House and share how it can help make low-carbon energy efficiency more accessible to contractors, designers, and clients. This session would be appropriate for the novice to moderately advanced design and construction professional.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
It does not take on this topic specifically. It does however focus on trying to make sustainable building and design accessible to everyone. (understanding that "everyone" is anyone attempting to design or build a house. Also understanding that the above description of "everyone" is a small and "financially well-positioned" percentage of the American population, but a population nonetheless that will be constructing millions of houses this year). The authors are white, cishet, college educated. Three are male, one is female.
Learning Objectives
Navigate the sometimes-overwhelming quantity of “things to think about when designing and building a house” and organize them into categories of importance that make sense for a high-performance house on a realistic budget. (without the dependance on a rating system or certification) (though we will share with attendees how they can download their own certificate if they really feel they deserve it).
Recognize the importance and relevance of the many issues of climate, health, and comfort, and address them through the implementation of proper design and detailing.
Observe and appraise the implementation of building science concepts in Pretty Good House examples (case study excerpts).
Become motivated to improve the quality of their own projects and bestow them with the tools and information to allow them to pass that knowledge on to others within the trade. We will then serve kool-aid and tell them about the new church we are starting.
Has this session been presented before?
Yes
When and Where?
Sort of. Each of the authors (sometimes together, usually in pairs) have given different versions of this presentation in different formats. We have also been interviewed on Duo Dickenson’s podcast and of course have been featured on the BS + Beer Show.
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Session Format Details
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion – can also involve all four authors for a panel discussion followed by questions and answers.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
90-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023
Comments about your speaker roster
Two of the presenters have been hosting the weekly on-line BS & Beer for over two years. Two have hosted podcasts. All have presented at conferences multiple times, including previous BE’s. Three have moderated an in-person building science discussion group many times. If the committee prefers a panel session, all authors will present. If a presentation session is preferred, the authors will have an axe throwing contest where the two that hurt themselves the least will present and the other two will just heckle from the be audience assuming they have been released from the hospital.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
Part of our motivation for 'Pretty Good House' is de-mystifying high performance, low carbon building to make it more accessible to people with smaller budgets, less education or experience, and a wider variety of housing stock.
Reviewer 1
Tilton, Clay
Reviewer 2
Tilton, Clay
Curator
Veerkamp, Danny
Proposal #
189
Session #
401
Committee Decision
Accepted
Presenters
Full Description
The type of construction we, as NESEA members, know needs to be done is still seen as a niche market. How do we make it something more people see as achievable and less threatening or expensive? This approach acknowledges the fact that across the country millions of homes are being designed and constructed… poorly. Although NESEA’s focus is shifting toward larger buildings of higher density that affect a greater population, we feel this session is important in addressing the process of good design and healthy sustainable construction and making the concepts and technical understandings accessible to builders and designers of all levels of development. The reason the authors wrote this book was not for fame, glory, or money, it was to move the market and make a difference.