Seth Clarke
Username
Seth Clarke
Proposer First Name
Seth
Proposer Email
sclarke@bensonwood.com
Proposer Last Name
Clarke
Proposer Company/Organization
Bensonwood
Proposer Phone
(603) 756-3600 x125
Proposer Job Title
Director of New Project Development
Boston 2023 Areas of Focus
Proposer Additional Info
As Director of New Project Development for Bensonwood, Seth works with architects, homeowners and institutions to deliver sustainable, Net-Zero, Passive House building envelopes using mass timber and bio-based products and rapid, off-site construction methods. Seth is inspired by the potential and power of design to transform the world and the way we live, work and learn. He operates at the intersection of the built environment and human collaboration to create the spatial conditions that foster creative innovation and change. In his 12 years as a registered architect, Seth's built work has spanned health-science education and research, residential life, historic renovation, collaborative workspace, cultural institutions and commercial enterprise. Prior to 2021, Seth led design teams at Boston-area firms Sasaki and Payette including new facilities for Bryant University, The University of the Sciences, The University of North Carolina and Cape Cod Community College.
Proposed Session Description
The Tufts University Wood Framed Housing Projects present a compelling case study for decentralized, scalable, wood-based, pre-fab construction as a rapidly deployable solution for institutions where land is scarce or budgets and schedules may not allow for large-scale, multi-year dormitory projects to meet their growing housing demands. This presentation and panel discussion between architect, client, builders and PH consultant will highlight how factory-built, wood-based construction delivers a high-performance solution to common housing challenges faced by urban/suburban institutions and beyond.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
We'll be discussing the interface with communities at large outside of the University, providing accessibility, and exceeding code standards for students of special need requirements.
Learning Objectives
How institutions can think differently about solutions to their immediate housing and other needs.
How decarbonizing through material selection does not have to come at the expense of high performance wall assemblies.
How master-planning work can anticipate an eventual design-build project team and winning solution for clients.
How offsite construction methods can dramatically improve outcomes in PH-level air-tightness, project schedule and risk management.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Session Format
Interview or structured conversation among panelists
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Session Format Details
30-40 minute project presentation/discussion by panelists, followed by 20 minute Q&A.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
90-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023
Comments about your speaker roster
Becktel Frank Erickson Architects conducted the original planning study that led to this housing project for Tufts University. The project team that collaborated on the three dormitories has subsequently gone on to successfully team up for the development of similar, upcoming opportunities for other area school housing needs. We're also bringing our happy client to share the lessons learned and the opportunities ahead for small but scalable, woodframed student housing built to a passive house level using offsite construction. Our speakers were each heavily involved in the process for completing three such dormitories, with developing plans to build more in another Massachusetts private school in 2023. Each person on our panel is an expert in their field and a compelling speaker with enthusiasm for the NESEA mission and the GreenBuild audience.
Reviewer 1
Nielson, Christopher
Reviewer 2
Nielson, Christopher
Proposal #
192
Committee Decision
Being Considered
Full Description
Colleges and Universities struggle to keep pace with the increasing demand for campus housing to match their development goals, particularly where the cost and availability of large sites are concerned. It's also critical that these same institutions lead the change to a more sustainable methods of construction, made more accessible in this scalable, decentralized form factor. The use of bio-based materials and shorter construction duration as a priority also deserves study for wider application.