If high end clients can’t “afford” Passive House or Net Zero Energy Certification, how can non-profit housing developers possibly afford both? Twin Pines Housing is taking on that challenge with a 29-unit... Full Description

Leadership effectiveness is keystone to an organization’s success, but not always a skillset supported in the education of design professionals. Developing your leadership capabilities begins with self-... Full Description

This session is CANCELLED - with our apologies.

For people of color, indigenous people, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, and women

Calling all people of color/indigenous people, queer, trans and gender non-binary individuals (lgbtqia),... Full Description

Whether net zero, Passive House, or other certification is your objective, incorporating a healthy materials strategy is as essential as figuring out how you will design the building envelope and mechanical... Full Description

Planning for big goals, like becoming a Net Zero community, while attending to the smallest details of managing a diverse building portfolio, is hard. This session will explore how the City of Cambridge, MA... Full Description

Creating high-performance buildings requires a balance of art and science. Design decisions can no longer be guided by aesthetics and intuition alone; they require careful study to achieve desired outcomes... Full Description

New Ecology, Inc. installed low-cost monitoring equipment in over 100 buildings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in fall 2016. Over two years later, there is a wealth of information to share! The initial... Full Description

Retrofitting existing buildings with occupants in place will be key to meeting our emissions reductions targets. This session will explore how a project team planned and executed a retrofit to target net-... Full Description

This session will discuss 3 successful case studies from Quebec City with collaborative approaches: a 13-story cross-laminated timber frame eco-condo project and an energy efficient affordable townhouse... Full Description

The Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF) is designing and building a Net Zero Energy office building to demonstrate that Net Zero Energy is achievable for the same cost as a conventional developer office building... Full Description

The session will present new information on the cost effectiveness of behind-the-meter energy storage; new incentives for installing storage, including rebates, performance incentives and zero-interest... Full Description

What is the secret to designing and building foam-free, airtight and vapor-open assemblies that are super high performing? Jesper Kruse will provide a deep dive look into the Passive House wall and roof... Full Description

For too long, the green residential buildings conversation has focused on new construction. Existing homes deserve their day in the sun. This occupied retrofit case study illustrates how homeowners... Full Description

It's been claimed that off-site construction can result in more tightly built, energy efficient buildings that cost less. What is the field experience developed using prefab components and systems? When and... Full Description

The affordable multifamily housing market is leading the expansion of Passive House in larger scale construction, supported by public policy and influenced by competitive state financing. This panel of... Full Description

In their quest for deeper energy savings, many projects expand building enclosure energy conservation measures (ECMs) opportunities beyond HVAC and lighting systems energy savings. The Air Infiltration... Full Description

Klatsch (noun) - a casual gathering of people, especially for refreshments and informal conversation

As a community, we have a gut feeling for R values, air tightness, energy metrics, and so on, but... Full Description

Detailed review of proper window and door and MEP flashing solutions. Watch or participate in a hands-on demonstration of flashing tapes and liquid flashing alternatives.

Sponsored by:

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After an extensive review of current epidemiological literature, the US EPA guidance for air cleaners in the home was updated and reissued in July 2018. The revised guidance includes major changes in... Full Description

We have much to learn from the successes and challenges faced by the first generation of large Passive House projects. This session will examine new construction and retrofits of mid-size and larger... Full Description

Come hear the results of a variety of innovative pilot programs in several states delivering deep energy savings to homeowners through access to renewable energy, heat pumps, and weatherization, while... Full Description

Building professionals have an essential role to play in forest conservation; they hold the power to shape forested landscapes through the materials they consume on behalf of their clients. Informed... Full Description

The City of Boston has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2050.  Buildings have a key role to play as they currently account for 75% of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers in the Institute for... Full Description

In 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources contracted with Arup to conduct an Energy Resilience Assessment of 12 state-owned care facilities which house difficult-to-relocate residents who... Full Description

Small is BIG for sustainability. High utility in modest space using fewer resources. Six dynamic & compact presentations: Why small? + How small? + Plan Solutions + Shared space + Urban challenges +... Full Description