Sam Lawrence, LEED® AP

“Eighty-five percent of the buildings that will exist in the year 2050 have already been built,” said Joe Backer, Boston’s senior project manager for neighborhood housing. “So tackling the question of decarbonization in existing affordable-housing stock is super important.” Nice piece in the Globe today by Ivy S. https://lnkd.in/dBMiSEbf One caveat from our perspective here at ZCMA. One of the architects quoted in the story argues that one must always upgrade the thermal envelope of the building before electrifying heat. This is sometimes good advice, and can result in lower operational cost, but it should not be seen as a hard and fast rule. If you are at end-of-life of a fossil HVAC system, that is the time the electrify with heatpump(s). Don't make the mistake of buying a new 20-30 year fossil HVAC system if you can not simultaneously work on the building envelope. Remember, ~80% of HVAC replacements happen because of the sudden failure of the old system--it is simply not reasonable to expect everyone to have planned ahead and done their envelope weatherization in advance. Heatpumps can work just fine in cold weather climates now. cc: Lisa Cunningham Wendy Stahl Jesse Gray David Mendels

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If you like reading, there are a lot of book recommendations in here! 👇

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We are excited to share a link to the article published in The Boston Globe on Sunday highlighting the intersection of the CLIMATE and HOUSING crises with regional project solutions from pioneering architects, including Onion Flats Architecture. "Retrofitting existing buildings to make them more energy-efficient provides both sustainability benefits and an opportunity for affordable housing." Click below to read full article. @onionflatsarchitecture #onionflatsarchitecture #ofa_affordablehousing #ofa_deepenergyretrofit #ofa_fairweatherDER #ofa_affordablehousingDER

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Turner and ACS Group get "moving" The Spiral hosted this week's #IA Innovation Symposium in New York. The event brought together industry professionals across disciplines to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the design and construction of buildings and cities. Turner, together with the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, held the meeting whose central theme was "Exploring the Future of AI in the Architectural, Engineering and Construction Industry," where AI-driven productivity enhancements, the evolution of job roles, and AI's potential to surmount longstanding industry challenges were discussed. The discussion also emphasized the importance of governance and responsible use of AI in driving innovation in the AEC industry. The talks addressed in depth the future of urban development and the role of AI in creating more efficient and innovative buildings and cities, keeping as a top commitment to #sustainability ⭐. This event marks another step in Turner and ACS Group's continued commitment to adopting AI technologies and capabilities.   More information available at: #WeBuildABetterFuture #OneGroupOneTeam HOCHTIEF, Turner Construction Company, CIMIC Group Limited, Flatiron Construction, Iridium Concesiones de Infraestructuras, S.A. , Abertis

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The next series is about affordable housing over the last thirty years of Rietveld Architects New York. This is an old one. A very low key, pedestrian friendly infill project of 64 row- and courtyard houses. Half of which are in the "Social housing" catagory. A left over triangular piece of land between housing from the 60's, 70's and 80's.... 1

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The original official name for the (geographically) smallest state in the union is the largest and longest: "Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." Although it is small in size, it is big in aspiration and self-image. The state is really comprised of dozens of small towns and villages, many founded long before it became a state, and these communities all have their own pride, history and architectural character. A4 Architecture is fortunate to work in many of these communities, particularly the ones near the coastline (which is many of them since this is the Ocean State after all). One town that is right in the middle of the state but isolated and protected by being on its own island in the middle of the Narragansett Bay, is Jamestown. Here is a short article on this community that, like Rhode Island itself, is small in size but big in aspirations and pride of place: https://lnkd.in/evKWkAcb Thank you for reading, liking, commenting and sharing this post, if you find it interesting or informative! #JamestownRI #ArchitecturalHistory #PrideOfPlace #RhodeIsland #ShingleStyle #BeavertailLighthouse

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🏙️ New York’s high-rise buildings define the city’s iconic skyline. But did you know that many of these buildings are designed to waste heat into thin air? 🏙️ 🌀 Many of NYC’s 12,000 high-rise buildings were built before the invention of modern HVAC systems. Wasted energy was a necessary byproduct of utilizing conventional systems to condition indoor spaces. But new advancements in heat pump technology can provide substantial opportunities to retrofit these buildings and prevent wasted heat. ⭐️ In our latest research, conducted with @NYSERDA, we use public data on city buildings to explore several heat recovery retrofit solutions. Some of our key takeaways: ● Many of NYC’s 12,000 high-rise buildings are candidates for heat recovery as an early step on the path to full decarbonization. ● Replacing conventional chillers with heat pumps enables buildings to share heat between different building systems and zones. ● 5,000+ buildings, many in Environmental Justice Areas, have cooling towers with wasted heat that could be recovered with a heat pump, displacing fossil fuel use, improving local air quality and reducing carbon intensity to comply with LL97. ✨Learn more about how the city can seize opportunities for heat recovery by reading our full analysis: https://lnkd.in/eXSsyE5U

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Graham and I are speaking about adaptive reuse at the OAA conference today, comparing conversion of various building types into housing vs. new construction. Spoiler alaert: it is not more expensive, it’s more sustainable in terms of embodied carbon, and has better community buy in for affordable housing projects. https://lnkd.in/gKaCD6rx

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Implementing heat pumps, all-electric appliances, and triple-pane windows transforms aging structures into modern, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient residences. Green retrofits are crucial in preserving architectural heritage while safeguarding future sustainability. These improvements also contribute to creating healthier living environments in the affordable housing sector. Read the full Boston Globe Media article here: https://lnkd.in/gbQFEAMr #Retrofits #Sustainability #HeatPumps

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The search for solutions to the ongoing housing shortage in Massachusetts continues alongside the implementation of new regulations for increased sustainability and energy efficiency. However, residential developers in the state face the challenge of balancing environmental responsibility with financial feasibility. Adapting to new building codes and evolving sustainability expectations requires innovative solutions to ensure project cost-effectiveness. Our recent article explores the critical themes and concerns influencing the Massachusetts residential development market, shedding light on our strategies for addressing the complexities of these new regulations and consumer expectations through thoughtful home design. https://lnkd.in/e7QKhaNK #home #habitatdesign #architecture #designservices #residential #residentialdesign #multifamilyhousing #multiunitdevelopment #residentialdevelopment #masterplanning #luxuryhomes #sustainability #homeinnovation #thinkoutsideofthebox

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🌟 Executive coaching isn't just a tool for personal development; it's a proactive strategy for growth, emphasizing vulnerability, introspection, and resilience. Marci Reed's journey shows how seeking tailored coaching can transform leaders, providing invaluable support for managing emotions, staying authentic, and advancing leadership skills. I'm currently completing a year-long executive coaching course that wraps up after this summer. If you're seeking support in navigating leadership challenges, I'd love to help! 📅 Book a call with me: https://lnkd.in/dzSK4pNs #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #GrowthMindset #LeadershipSkills

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On the advice of my good friend Michelle Amt, FAIA I am participating in #ShowYourStripes Day!  Here's a graphic that shows temperature change in New York since 1895 (red is above since 2000 in our region and continues to go up to present day average temperature). This is why we are experiencing a heatwave now in the region. #climatechange #savetheplanetnow #bethechange https://lnkd.in/e9iuaXmr

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A collection of case-studies that prove how the industrial past can be preserved while making way for a new future Based in a number of American cities, including Detroit, New York and Pittsburgh A worthwhile read for anyone interested in modernising architecture Based on best-practice examples in American cities such as Detroit, New York, or Pittsburgh, this book shows successful cases of adaptive reuse that preserve the legacy of the industrial past while turning it into a key ingredient for urban regeneration. An aquaponics farm in a former meatpacking facility or a freight train railroad converted into a linear park: these are just two successful examples of the creative and effective reuse of abandoned industrial infrastructure. Culture, leisure, sport, research, education, design, services, production, housing, and even agriculture regenerate former factory sites and upgrade cities economically and culturally. Eight steps guide the way through the process of adaptive reuse, from choosing an existing site to their vision, design, and funding, and finally implementation. Professionals, activists, decision-makers, as well as entrepreneurs and committed citizens worldwide are therefore provided with a practical toolkit to discovering the unused potential of their city. https://amzn.to/49V3YAU

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Minor accomplishment: finally finished this four-course Historic Preservation certificate at Boston Architectural College. "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know" was never truer. - Architectural Materials Conservation - Adaptive Reuse (historic tax credit application start to finish incl National Register of Historic Places nomination) - Historic Preservation Philosophy & Practice - Cultural Heritage Tourism

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Listen to my latest episodes on TheAntiArchitect.com #TheAntiArchitect #AntiArchitect #Podcast #Architecture #Design #AEC

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More on gentrification In the realm of architecture, there have been successful gentrification projects that managed to balance revitalization with community preservation. One notable example is the High Line in New York City. The High Line is an elevated linear park built on a historic freight rail line on Manhattan's West Side. The project transformed a disused railway into a vibrant public space that incorporates greenery, art installations, and gathering areas, revitalizing the surrounding neighborhood while preserving its industrial heritage. Another example is the Tate Modern in London. The Tate Modern is a contemporary art museum housed in a former power station on the banks of the River Thames. The adaptive reuse of the industrial building into a cultural hub has not only revitalized the area but also integrated the local community through art and exhibitions, creating a space that is accessible to a diverse audience. These projects demonstrate how thoughtful design and community engagement can lead to successful gentrification projects in architecture, where new developments enhance the urban fabric while respecting the history and identity of the neighborhood.

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Once the #CityOfYes rezoning goes into effect, expect NYC to look like the Wild West for a couple of years while the market figures it out. The largest zoning change in 40 years, COY turns the proverbial envelope on its head. Since the introduction of Quality Housing in the 1980's, the City has always focused on keeping the City "contextual" while providing increasingly higher amounts of floor area, through localized up-zonings and Inclusionary Housing. With City of Yes, the Mayor has adopted a new approach which focuses, almost exclusively, on providing as many new units as possible. To this end, parking requirements, density restrictions, floor area caps and yard regulations have either gotten significantly reduced or altogether thrown out the window. This 'update' will change the character of almost every neighborhood, making it very "un-contextual". Traditional pricing metrics, like FAR, now take a back seat, and developers have to find an efficient method to determine the optimal number of units to stuff on the lot. This effects the whole real estate market, as property values (and property taxes) get inflated by higher FAR ratios, and construction costs now trend more closely to price-per-unit than price-per-square foot. We still have a way to go before it actually gets approved an implemented, but it could go into effect by the end of the year, and I recommend to every one I speak to that they start looking seriously at the upcoming changes before they risk getting blindsided. #zoninghacks Meltzer/Mandl Architects., P.C.

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