SPECIAL FEATURE
Jason Boutin What interested you in getting involved with sustainable building and the newly formed AIA BROOKLYN COTE Committee? I’ve always been drawn to buildings that are well designed, well suited to their surroundings, and well crafted in their detailing and construction. For many years, I considered a building to be a success when the design challenge was met responsibly and when the space exhibited a sense of delight and joy. More recently, however, I’ve found that my own assessment of a building’s quality now takes sustainability into consideration. Of course, I am not alone. Right now, we’re seeing an industry-wide shift in perspective. Sustainability is no longer regarded as a supplementary consideration; it is becoming synonymous with the overall quality of a building. There are methodologies, like Passive House, that are changing how we conceive of the machinery of our buildings and facilitating the creation of structures that can significantly benefit both the occupants and the environment. These methods will continue to evolve, spawn new technologies, and advance building practices. In the future, I envision many of these initiatives — Passive House, WELL Building, LEED, Net Zero — coalescing into a codified body of best practices. My interest in sustainability goes hand in hand with my approach to architecture: I aim to be a responsible steward of the built environment. And my interest in the Brooklyn COTE Committee is to learn more about these best practices and, in turn, help disseminate that knowledge.
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How do you actively incorporate sustainability of the environment into your work and life? CWB Architects has extensive experience with Brooklyn’s brownstones, which gives us a unique perspective on sustainability. Over the last 25 years, we have rehabilitated more than 125 historic rowhouses in New York City. We’ve established design standards to help us update spaces for modern living, while also giving the structures another 100 years of life. As technologies change, we’ve incorporated new sustainable materials and construction methods into our standard practices. Currently, our goal is to incorporate Passive House methods into each project, which can significantly reduce energy usage. If the site can support it we also attempt to include renewable energy generation with the goal of approaching a carbon neutral living environment. I believe what drives our firm’s notions of sustainability starts with a deep appreciation for the rowhouse typology, the traditional building methods used in their initial construction, and the sense of community the rowhouse fabric supports. An often overlooked but powerful component of sustainability is the simple reuse of an existing structure and the cultivation of pedestrian-oriented communities. How do you think the Committee will benefit Chapter members? In June, the North American Passive House Network
