PBDW 2030 Commitment

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Saint David’s School

The Packer Collegiate Institute

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Fellows Hall, Williams College

Park Avenue Armory

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Saint David’s School

Riverdale Aquatic

PBDW Architects is committed to sustainability and is proud to be a signatory of the 2030 Commitment. We strive for excellence in design on every project and believe that incorporating energy efficiency into each project is an imperative of the profession. As an early leader in environmentally responsive design, we were responsible for the first school in New York City, and the first K-12 school in New York State, to be LEED certified (Silver) in 2008. We have been advocates of reusing existing buildings as an inherently sustainable strategy since the firm’s inception over five decades ago. Our portfolio of LEED projects has grown to encompass numerous examples of new construction, adaptive reuse and the retrofitting of existing buildings, including two major historic landmarks. Our long track record also includes a Net-Zero energy residence hall and one of the first apartment buildings in New York City designed to Passive House standards.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN ROAD MAP:

In order to meet the goals of the 2030 Challenge, PBDW Architects will make energy and environmental performance a priority within the practice, creating systems and tools to set targets, share information, and measure progress. Building performance will be an important measure of design excellence.

The following five steps outline our proposed approach to meeting the Challenge:

1. Integrate 2030 Commitment goals into each project.

2. Adopt a data-driven approach to designing building systems.

3. Collect data and report on progress of each project towards established goals.

4. Empower staff to be environmental advocates.

5. Streamline office operations to reduce energy consumption and waste.

Our 2030 Goal: To design each of our projects so that they require no fossil fuel or greenhouse-gas-emitting energy to operate by 2030.

INTEGRATE 2030 COMMITMENT GOALS INTO EACH PROJECT

1. Use an integrated design process to include sustainability holistically from the earliest stages of the project. In addition to operational energy, consider how project siting, embodied CO2, indoor air quality, water usage, material selection, restorative offsets, and community engagement could be improved through design decisions. Start each project with an eco-charette that includes the client and consultants. Share our 2030 goals with the client and all team members.

2. Establish an explicit energy performance goal with the client at the beginning of each project.

3. Build a library of sustainable design strategies for both new and existing buildings.

a. Outline best practices.

b. Create standards for internal Quality Assurance (QA) on project documents with sustainability “checklist” for all projects.

c. Create standard specification for low-carbon materials and building systems.

d. Create a graphic library of air-barrier continuity details, thermal breaks, insulation, etc.

4. Conduct document QA on sustainability measures at each phase.

5. Prioritize energy goals to all stakeholders (contractors, consultants, and owners) at every phase of the project, including during the bidding/negotiation phase to ensure that sustainability project goals are on track.

6. Evaluate our design approach periodically to confirm that it meets the established performance goals.

ADOPT A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO DESIGN

1. Establish an EUI baseline for current projects using the AIA 2030 Challenge Zero Tool. Set firm targets for reduction in Predicted Energy Use Intensity (pEUI).

2. Use in-house energy analysis software throughout the design process to determine alternative paths to achieving sustainability goals.

3. Create a system of in-house incremental thresholds to serve as a guide in attaining energy reduction targets on each project. Revisit and refine this system annually.

4. Apply low/no cost passive design strategies to achieve maximum energy efficiency using the 2030 Palette as a resource.

5. Explore design options for building systems to identify the most effective strategies for energy reduction by:

a. Using in-house energy analysis software for all projects

b. Engaging consultants to create energy models for larger projects

6. Implement strategies to reduce the amount of fossil-fuel based energy (GHGs) in each project.

7. Provide guidance and customized recommendations on the above alternatives to each client and for every project.

8. Incorporate on-site and/or off-site renewable energy to meet the percentage of remaining energy demands as required by the 2030 Commitment thresholds.

9. Engage in iterative energy modeling throughout the design process to understand the interactive effects of various design decisions and to assess progress toward meeting the EUI target.

10. Evaluate building user-experience through post-occupancy surveys and discuss results with owner.

7896 WILLIAMS COLLEGE – AS-BUILT ENERGY ANALYSIS 4

Figure 1. Annual Energy Performance

Figure 2 Monthly Energy Performance

COLLECT DATA AND REPORT ON PROGRESS ON EACH PROJECT TOWARD ESTABLISHED GOALS

1. Collect the following data for each project:

a. pEUI (kBtu/sq. ft. per year)

b. LPD (lighting power density)

c. GHG (greenhouse gas emissions)

d. EUI (actual building energy consumption)

2. Evaluate the following:

a. Percent difference between pEUI and 2030 CBECS baseline standard

b. Benchmark against local, state, and other more stringent standards and regulations (ASHRAE, etc)

3. Report the following:

a. Per project performance to AIA 2030 DDx annually

b. Per project performance internally at quarterly meetings

All projects to perform energy analysis; gather applicable energy codes for NY & NJ

EMPOWER STAFF TO BE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES

1. Introduce staff to 2030 Challenge goals and explain PBDW’s approach to achieving these goals.

2. Establish the role of the Sustainability Leadership Team within the office.

3. Train staff in the use of design-based energy modeling software (Cove Tool or similar).

4. Share all project metrics within the office.

5. Promote office-wide sharing of sustainable knowledge and strategies being employed on individual projects through:

a. Project presentations focusing on sustainability

b. Regular project meetings with Sustainability Leadership Team

6. Support staff in expanding credentials for LEED, Passive House, etc. and help to support continuing education efforts.

7. Encourage staff to participate in sustainability-focused lectures and events outside of the office.

8. Schedule sustainability focused lunch and learns for staff education

Conserve Power

STREAMLINE OFFICE OPERATIONS TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND WASTE

1. Expand recycling program within the office.

2. Introduce composting program within the office.

3. Turn off computers, desk lights and personal heaters at night.

4. Track and report printer usage.

5. Create lunch-and-learn approved (plastic-free) vendors list and send reminder email to all vendors prior to scheduled date.

6. Encourage paperless correspondence and meetings.

7. Maintain different thermostat set points during summer, winter, and off-hours.

8. Provide daylight sensors on light fixtures near the windows.

9. Provide occupancy sensors in the conference rooms.

10. Offset the office CO2 emissions by buying clean energy through our provider.

We are committed to doing our part for a greener, carbon neutral future.