This workshop will investigate the design process for analyzing and constructing a building envelope to meet aggressive air-sealing goals for new and renovated commercial and institutional projects in cold climates. Example details from four case study buildings will be shared with a central focus on decisions, changes, best practice guidelines, thermal analysis, lessons learned and specific challenges encountered during the construction process.

Designing high performance commercial buildings will cost 10% - 25% more to build than conventional buildings – right? Adam Cohen of Structures Design/Build, LLC has been designing and building Passive House Commercial Buildings at costs comparable to typical new construction and is achieving Passive House level results. This workshop will explain the basics of Passive House design principles specific to Commercial Buildings. It will then go into the details of how buildings like medical clinics and college dormitories can be built at market rate while achieving Passive House standards.

Historic New England’s approach to weatherization emphasizes preservation over intervention. But as shown by the energy retrofit that achieved an over 60% reduction in energy usage at the Lyman House, a National Historic Landmark, energy performance and preservation can co-exist. This session will discuss HNE’s preservation philosophy and how it guides the organization’s energy conservation projects. We will share an energy usage analysis of all 36 HNE properties and discuss how that information is used to prioritize actions.

Significantly reducing energy use in commercial buildings is a challenge. Doing so in cold climates even more so. Getting to Net Zero Energy use in these climates, now that’s what we call a tough. But with good design and engaged tenants, the near impossible becomes entirely possible, practical, and fun. This panel will describe key strategies for greatly reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings in cold climates with a focus on smart choices for building design, high performance mechanical systems and the tenant’s role.

This session will showcase a range of ZNE non-residential projects — office buildings, institutional buildings, retail, and others. The presenters will discuss the roles and relative importance of team, process, design, and technology in achieving their results. They will also present energy use data.

As architects, engineers, and municipal planners, how can we rethink the built environment to install more urban food production and distribution in the city? An urban permaculture will frame the session, discussing practices such as: green roofs, pink houses, vertical growing walls, a farm-in-a-box and vertical farms. We will mix short presentations with facilitated conversation about how we, as urban practitioners, can shape the built environment to include urban food.