Nicole Schuster
Username
Nicole Schuster
Proposer First Name
Nicole
Proposer Email
nicole@positive-trace.com
Proposer Last Name
Schuster
Proposer Company/Organization
Positive Trace Architecture PLLC
Proposer Phone
(315) 559-4369
Proposer Job Title
Owner
Boston 2023 Areas of Focus
Proposer Additional Info
I'm a native of the Northeast (Syracuse, NY) and was raised with a love of nature which has grown into my passion as an architect for sustainability and environmental stewardship. The founding of my company, Positive Trace, has enabled me to focus on high performance consulting with positive impact on the surrounding environment and communities.
Proposed Session Description
Discover the key to cost-effective energy-efficient design: simplicity. Drawing from experience on recent Low-Rise Multifamily Passive House projects we’ll explore synergies and impacts of HVAC and DHW system selection and layout, building envelope construction and overall performance. We’ll use WUFI model results and Passive House performance evaluations to assess individual components while maintaining a bird’s-eye view and inform future decision making.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Speaker is a female, new business owner, and mother of 2 small children.
Learning Objectives
Discuss how different DHW systems impact overall building energy use to inform system selection.
Compare distributed to centralized ventilation strategies for energy-efficient, low carbon results.
Implement detailed systems and performance conversations with project teams early and often to help ensure performance and decarbonization goals are met.
Identify trade offs between systems, envelope, cost, and overall performance.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 2 - Some prior knowledge helpful.
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Session Format Details
One 40-minute interactive presentation followed by Q&A and experience-sharing from the audience.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023
Comments about your speaker roster
Nicole is an Architect, Certified Passive House Consultant with Phius, and a LEED AP with almost 20 years of experience working with multiple project types. Prior speaking engagements include the North American Passive House Conference (now PhiusCon), the New York State Green Building Conference, and the New York Passive House Conference, along with presentations for the State University of New York and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on Passive House and Energy Efficiency topics.
Reviewer 1
Nedzinski, Megan
Reviewer 2
Nottonson, Emily
Proposal #
195
Committee Decision
Being Considered
Presenters
Full Description
Cost-effective energy efficiency is more critical than ever - with more affordable renewables making the cost-effective part challenging, but still necessary as we transition the grid and in locations where renewables may not be feasible. As increased climate events due to climate change put more strain on grids and resources, energy efficiency and Passive House provide additional resilience. Simplifying systems and components while maximizing synergies for optimal performance will greatly help us all on the path ahead.