Gwendolen StSauveur
Username
Gwendolen StSauveur
Proposer First Name
Gwendolen
Proposer Email
gwendolen@bitethefrost.com
Proposer Last Name
St.Sauveur
Proposer Company/Organization
BTF Net Zero Designs
Proposer Job Title
Architectural & Mechanical HVAC Design Consultant
Boston 2023 Areas of Focus
Proposer Additional Info
A quick blurb about me as the presenter: My name is Gwen, I am the founder & CEO of BTF Net Zero Designs. My career started with degrees in Construction Management & Architectural design. I then fell into mechanical engineering for nearly a decade. I was a mechanical engineer for two firms specializing in commercial construction, working on projects all over New England. Our firm used energy modeling for sizing HVAC equipment. So my models were quickly tested in field w/ actual operating equipment. I've been responsible for the energy models of schools, offices, labs, hospitals, hotels, maintenance facilities - you name it. In 2015 I launched my own business specializing in residential net zero construction - and ran thousands of models more. I can comfortably say, through hundreds of energy models, in a dozen or so different softwares, and in all types & sizes of construction, the energy modeling process is essentially the same every time. Which allows me to happily share this presentation!
Proposed Session Description
When used early in the design process energy modeling provides unparalleled construction & carbon savings. As we move towards a resilient & sustainable future we can’t rely on expensive high end materials. Instead, energy modeling can be used as a tool for decision making, not only for sizing equipment but also for shaping buildings & selecting materials. With today’s tight building practices energy modeling must be a tool available to all. Learn to create energy models of your own today!
Diversity and Inclusiveness
This session offers an equitable & accessible training.
A significant challenge is the limited access for folks to learn these softwares & digital tools.
Learning how to create energy models is largely limited to those in engineering positions, which is a job title that often requires a college degree. Everyone in the building industry should have access to use energy modeling tools & I am happy to teach others how to use them!
Learning Objectives
Develop initial energy models for existing, new, residential and light commercial construction projects.
Compare & Analyze architectural design features and construction means & materials to make informed decisions early within the design process.
Constructively address & visually identify basic heat transfer/ thermodynamic principles affecting building energy usage.
Integrate building science attributes such as internal gains, infiltration, building assemblies, HVAC selections, climate zones, weather patterns ect. to create accurate & detailed energy models.
Has this session been presented before?
Yes
When and Where?
Efficiency Vermont's Better Buildings by Design (BBD) conference in Burlington Vermont hosted this presentation at the 2023 conference & has us returning for 2024 as it was such a hit.
For the BBD conference this session was approved for continuing education creds such as AIA and BPI CEUs
Below lists just some of the received feed back:
1. Very knowledgeable! Great presentation. Thank you :)
2. I appreciated the presenter's style
3. Good presenter in that she explains everything. She's enthusiastic.
4. Very good focus on the input information + data for an energy model
5. A lot of great info in an hour. Gwen explains very well & entertaining
6. Best presentation yet!
7. Huge topic - good job hitting the high points
8. Great presenting style for a technical topic!
9. My only critique is that this could have been longer and more in depth
10. Great presentation!
11. I'm really excited that the presenter offers to share examples of their work.
12. Too short for topic but overall well done.
13. Excellent approach to a potentially boring topic :)
14. Presenter was knowledgeable on the subject & provided a thorough presentation that was super easy to follow & great
15. Intro to tackling one of the most critical aspects/holes in design of custom high performance homes.
16. Great content + style! Very helpful info. Good balance of basics + details.
17. Great info! Wish there was a bit more on the different software that can be used to model + what it looks like to supply the inputs.
18. Really great breakdown to something that we all need to do - which can be overwhelming. A little deeper dive would be useful.
19. Gwen is a great presenter!
20. Excellent - favorite talk of conference.
Additional Comments
BBD Committee chair shared the feed back from this presentation with me & I'm happy to share it here. There were approx. 100 people in the audience of this session. Below is a list of just some of the feed back:
1. Very knowledgeable! Great presentation. Thank you :)
2. I appreciated the presenter's style
3. Good presenter in that she explains everything. She's enthusiastic.
4. Very good focus on the input information + data for an energy model
5. A lot of great info in an hour. Gwen explains very well & entertaining
6. Best presentation yet!
7. Huge topic - good job hitting the high points
8. Great presenting style for a technical topic!
9. My only critique is that this could have been longer and more in depth
10. Great presentation!
11. I'm really excited that the presenter offers to share examples of their work.
12. Too short for topic but overall well done.
13. Excellent approach to a potentially boring topic :)
14. Presenter was knowledgeable on the subject & provided a thorough presentation that was super easy to follow & great
15. Intro to tackling one of the most critical aspects/holes in design of custom high performance homes.
16. Great content + style! Very helpful info. Good balance of basics + details.
17. Great info! Wish there was a bit more on the different software that can be used to model + what it looks like to supply the inputs.
18. Really great breakdown to something that we all need to do - which can be overwhelming. A little deeper dive would be useful.
19. Gwen is a great presenter!
20. Excellent - favorite talk of conference.
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 2 - Some prior knowledge helpful.
Session Format
Workshop or skill-building session
Session Format Details
60 or 90 mins, either would work - 60 minutes leaves room for a question or two at the end.
This presentation was offered at the Better Buildings by Design Conference, hosted by Efficiency Vermont in a 60
minute session.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
90-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023
Comments about your speaker roster
BIO: Gwendolen St.Sauveur, EI LEED GA is the Founder & CEO of BTF Net Zero Designs. She has gained experience working on hundreds of commercial & residential projects nationwide, ranging from hospitals to off-the-grid homes. Prior to BTF, for nearly a decade she worked as a mechanical engineer for two mid scale firms: one consulting, one construction. Over her career she has worn the various hats of: Mechanical Engineer, MEP Designer, Architectural Designer, Construction Coordinator, Solar PV Designer & Estimator.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
Thank you for your consideration :)
Reviewer 1
Nielson, Christopher
Reviewer 2
Bossie, Greg
Proposal #
125
Committee Decision
Being Considered
Presenters
Full Description
Already an essential design tool, energy models are used for code compliance, utility incentives & green building certifications. As we move towards a resilient, sustainable & emission free future, energy modeling should be used as a tool for decision making. Not only for sizing equipment but also for shaping buildings & selecting materials.When used early in the design process, energy modeling can also provide unparalleled construction & carbon savings. For us to achieve zero emissions at scale, creating accurate models must be accessible to all industry professionals. In this technical presentation attendees are provided the tools & training to create energy models of their own. Allowing for better made & informed decisions industry wide.