Andrew Steingiser
Username
Andrew Steingiser
Proposer First Name
Andrew
Proposer Email
asteingiser@rdh.com
Proposer Last Name
Steingiser
Proposer Company/Organization
RDH Building Science
Proposer Phone
(617) 939-4648
Proposer Job Title
Senior Project Architect

Boston 2023 Areas of Focus

Proposer Additional Info
Andrew is the Passive House lead in RDH’s Boston office and a Senior Project Architect. Andrew engages building owners and design teams as an early-phase design partner, consulting with them on scalable climate-resilient solutions. He champions operational and embodied carbon reduction of the built environment through clean, resilient, and future-proof buildings. An expert on local and regional regulations, Andrew helps RDH’s clients futureproof their projects. Andrew serves on the Board of Directors for Passive House Massachusetts and the DOER Stretch Energy Technical Advisory Committee.
Proposed Session Description
Stretch Energy Codes depart from the traditional relative metrics and are adopting various absolute metrics and new requirements based on building science that have a profound effect on the design of building enclosure systems. This is creating a paradigm shift in the traditional design process. We will explore the challenges posed by evolving Stretch Codes and solutions we have developed through our integrated building enclosure and energy consulting experience.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Standardizing requirements such as those in the new Stretch Code begins to provide equal access to thermal comfort and passive survivability in the built environment, in the face of changing climates.
Learning Objectives
Understand the impact of updated Stretch Code requirements on the design of building enclosure systems.
Dissect the Enclosure Backstop requirements and evaluate feasible enclosure design solutions for large scale buildings.
Contrast stretch code requirements of Massachusetts and other jurisdictions that are adopting stretch codes
Be able to discern the key levers in the design process and understand their impact on the balanced energy budget of buildings.
Has this session been presented before?
Yes
When and Where?
Building Enclosure Council Boston, 2023. Passive House Massachusetts monthly meeting, 2023.
Additional Comments
Similar to past presentations with expanded discussion of other stretch code development in other states, with a response to recent industry critique of the Massachusetts Stretch Code.
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 2 - Some prior knowledge helpful.
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Recommended Length
60-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023

Reviewer 1
Graeff, Marcell
Reviewer 2
Guerrieri, Alex
Proposal #
127
Committee Decision
Being Considered

Presenters

Full Description
Building owners and the AEC community are faced with deciphering the updated Stretch Energy Code and are challenged in creating designs that are compliant with the various new metrics introduced, as well as parts of the code like the Building Enclosure Backstop. In addition, some of the building enclosure systems traditionally used struggle in meeting the system U-values required by the code, requiring further innovation, particularly from the glazing industry.