An all-electric Passive House renovation of an 100-year old skyscraper: lessons learned

Jeff Rios
Proposal Status
Ready for Committee Review
Username
Jeff Rios
Proposer First Name
Jeffrey
Proposer Email
jrios@akfgroup.com
Proposer Last Name
Rios
Proposer Phone
(646) 729-9808
Proposer Job Title
Partner
Proposed Session Description
Rubin Hall is a landmark, 18 story, 156,000 square feet building currently houses 700 NYU residents. The pre-war building has a brick and masonry construction with steam heat, typical of over one billion square feet of pre-war multifamily construction in NYC. An all-electric heat pump renovation is underway. Targeting Passive House EnerPHit certification, potentially making it the largest certified building retrofit of its type in the world. The retrofit brings many challenges: preservation, mechanical, architectural, constructibility, and cost. The session will cover lessons learned throughout the process from the pre-design study, financial analysis and owner approval, through incentives, funding, and finally construction.
Why is this session important?
As NYC strives to decarbonize all buildings, including the significant existing building stock of pre-war residential, Rubin Hall is typical of over one billion square feet of pre-war multifamily construction in NYC. This project brought many challenges: preservation, mechanical, architectural, constructibility, and cost. But because it is so representative of needed electrification and energy efficiency through NYC's building stock, its success can be a model for buildings throughout the city.

Comments

Lauren Hildebrand Mon, 05/02/2022 - 10:11 am

YES - great speakers. We need to keep focus on upgrading massive existing buildings to all electric using the PH retrofit example. Maybe they can address financial gaps/opps. 

Elaria Turton Mon, 05/02/2022 - 1:36 pm

Round 1: YES - Retrofits on these older buildings represent are a major part of meeting the city's sustainable goals. I think this case study will be a great session.

Aidan Mayer Thu, 05/05/2022 - 9:16 am

Round 1: YES - What a great project! I think that this will be a perfect fit for the conference, I can't wait to hear more about it. My only critique is I would like to see more direct connections to the gaps of the conference, but other than that this is a strong contender.

Ben Sachs-Hamilton Mon, 05/09/2022 - 11:58 am

Round 1 Discussion:Very relevant, good case study with lessons learned, existing building. Where is the process? How did they decide to do all electric heat pumps?

Elaria Turton Mon, 05/30/2022 - 11:06 am

Round 2: YES! According to the data Jeff discussed with me, this building is typical of the city's large pre-war multifamily buildings, so it is a great case study. Jeff confirmed that the speakers will cover financial and technological gaps. All speakers are confirmed and have been intimately involved with this project. The project is currently still in design phase with bids out and preconstruction should start in May 2023. It will be interesting to see how the project develops over time.

Diversity and Inclusiveness
The project presented is hoped to be a pioneer for renovations of buildings across the city, particularly similar building stock used for affordable housing. The early adoption here will bring down costs through market development and early adoption. Full electrification on this site is a step in reducing emissions that affect all communities across the city.
Learning Objectives
Discuss the challenges with retrofitting a historic building in NYC to be carbon free.
Identify the EnerPHit requirements as they relate to this particular building stock.
Describe Lessons learned from designing an all electric HVAC system in a historic/landmark building
Improve the adaptation of all electric retrofits within NYC.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Additional Comments
Has not been presented yet, but has been submitted to ACEEE Summer Study

NYC 2022 Areas of Focus

Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists

Strongest Content Connection - NYC 2022

Comments about your speaker roster
The speaker roster was all intimately involved in the design process at Rubin Hall and worked closely to make the project a success. We are excited to share our experience and lessons learned!
Reviewer 1
Mayer, Aidan
Reviewer 2
Turton, Elaria
Proposal #
109
Committee Decision
Being Considered

Presenters