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Bourne Again: Sustainability gets sly in a repurposed textile mill - GreenSource

2011-05-05 — Aaron

By David Sokol

In converting a neglected 1881 textile mill in Tiverton, Rhode Island, into mixed-income rental housing, its developer had two constituencies to satisfy. The first was the target consumer, Generation Y’ers gravitating toward stylish, sustainable products at market rates. The other comprised the state’s historic preservation office and the National Park Service, both of which demanded exercising extreme sensitivity with the building envelope in order to authorize tax credits for the project.

Wight & Company Begins the SPI Certification Process - Wight & Co.

2011-04-28 — Aaron

Darien, Ill. (March 3, 2011)—Wight & Company, a leader in integrated architecture, engineering and construction solutions, recently began the green firm certification process by the Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI), an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to mainstream green, healthy, efficient and intentional building and development. 

How to Save the Planet - TED Green Room

2011-03-17 — Aaron

Can green building save the planet? That’s the question posted by a headline on SmartPlanet.com consisting of lengthy coverage of the Intelligent Infrastructure conference (attended by “principals of major architecture firms”).

What’s the answer? Include in your skim of this the 12 site-visitor comments below the article (a few of which are long)—including:

The logical: “The existing building supply is what needs to be tackled. New construction standards are only as good as the public can afford. It will take more than 100 years to replace the existing building supply. The new building supply cannot compensate for the existing supply. Turnover of maintenance staff over time causes big problems with some of the technological reliances. The knowledge is not passed on.”

New "Green" Certification by the Sustainable Performance Institute - CaraGreen

2011-03-06 — Aaron

By Jessica McNaughton

The opportunity to be certified as “green” is now being extended to design and construction firms. The Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI) has launched a program that will recognize firms that can deliver on their promises of sustainability. The program has undergone a pilot phase in Boston, and takes the form of yet another credit based system that rewards leadership, project delivery and strategy among other criteria. The cost of certification can range from $2000 - $6000 per office, with an additional charge on a per office location of a few thousand dollars more.

Sustainability Now - Reed Construction Data

2011-02-17 — Aaron
By Wayne Engebretson

You might be a manufacturer who is seeking to have your product aligned or classified with green building products. Or perhaps you’re an architect or a construction professional who wants to provide better sustainable-oriented services. Yet you may be too busy building your business and find you don’t have the time or means to invest in the needed education. There is help available — imagine an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to making “green” and “sustainable” more than zeitgeist buzzwords, transforming what might still be perceived as secondary building practices into the norm. The Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI) has a big vision: in their words, “to completely transform the standard paradigm of development, planning and architectural design.” The new standard would be green: the organization would like to see [that] “all infrastructure, buildings and communities are designed, constructed and managed sustainably.”

Announcing the "Process, Meet Excellence" Webinar Series

2011-02-17 — Aaron

February 17, 2010- Excellence. In Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers: The Story of Success, “Neurologist Daniel Levitin says that scientific studies show that 10,000 hours are required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert — in anything” (MeetingsNet). 10,000 hours? That’s easy enough. Where do I sign up?

Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED is interviewed as part of the SPI Certification Program - Goody Clancy

2011-02-15 — Aaron

Goody Clancy is proud to be part of the Sustainable Performance Institute's (SPI) development of the first independent Certification program for design and construction companies. This evaluation measures the ability of firms to deliver consistent, high-quality sustainability services. Read More

To read more about the initiative and the first public comment period on the Green Firm Certification, please click here.

To see an interview with Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED regarding Goody Clancy's commitment to continuous improvement in the built environment through the program, please click here: SPI Certification: Is Your Company Ready?

SPI Tests Out Green Firm Certification Program - Multi Housing News

2011-02-09 — Aaron

By Barbra Murray

Boston–Many design and construction companies offer services that are not as green as they claim, so the Sustainable Performance Institute has created a new program to weed out the greenwashers, those entities that whitewash the level of sustainable services they offer. SPI’s new program is the first to provide independent green certification specifically for firms, as opposed to projects or individual professionals, and the organization is already taking steps to refine the program through a 45-day public comment period scheduled to end on March 18.

First Public Comment Period Opens for Green Firm Certification

2011-02-03 — Aaron

Sustainable Performance Institute Certification has established metrics to validate capability of design and construction companies to deliver sustainability services 

Top 10 Reasons Why Boston is a Cleantech City - Clean Techies

2011-01-31 — Aaron

By Shawn Lesser

The state of Massachusetts can be characterized by internationally strong industry clusters, a significant and growing venture capitalist base, the highest R&D spending in the US, world acclaimed universities. With that backdrop the City of Boston is at the heart of the cleantech movement in Massachusetts. Here are the top ten reasons why Boston, Massachusetts is ready to take its place in the forefront of the cleantech revolution.

Green Firm Certification Goes National at Greenbuild

2010-11-16 — Aaron

Certification provides a roadmap for design and construction firms to deliver truly sustainable services and provides owners with third-party verification when hiring teams
 

Sustainable Performance Institute (SPI) Company Certification - High Profile Monthly

2010-09-24 — Aaron

SPI Company announced a first-of-its-kind sustainable performance certification program for the design and construction industry. This is the first program to recognize a firm’s capability to deliver consistent, high quality services.

Barbra Batshalom said, “After many years working with A/E/C companies and providing a lot of support and training, we realized that Sustainable Performance Institute had distilled the elements of a framework that could apply to any firm. The SPI framework embodies all of that experience and has created a program that helps firms achieve their goals more efficiently, or recognizes the achievements of those who have really integrated sustainability into their core practice. This certification program addresses all the issues that owners care about, and aren’t addressed in any other program.”

Two Leading Organizations Work Towards Mainstreaming Green Affordable Housing

2010-09-21 — Aaron

The Green Roundtable / NEXUS Selected by Enterprise Green Communities to Join Prestigious Technical Assistance Provider Network
 

Boston, MA, September 21, 2010 – The Green Roundtable / NEXUS was selected by Enterprise Green Communities to join their prestigious Technical Assistance Provider Network.  Enterprise, a national leader in green affordable housing, chooses service providers based on demonstrated expertise in design, construction, rehabilitation and operations of green affordable housing. The goal of Enterprise’s Technical Assistance Provider Network is to match green technical experts with affordable housing developers to reduce energy consumption and create healthy living environments for low-income residents.

Use LEED as a Guide, Not a Bible - Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

2010-09-02 — Aaron

By Kara Hiltz

Green building and sustainable design become more important to the architecture and engineering industry each year. But many design professionals dread the extra time, effort, paperwork and expense necessary to pursue the verification afforded by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification — to the point where they’d rather avoid green building completely.

Boston Design and Construction Firm Certified Green - Green Building Elements

2010-06-21 — Aaron

By Dawn Killough

Boston’s Green Roundtable/NEXUS and Gathering Pace Consulting are offering a sustainable performance certification program for the design and construction industry.  The program, called the Sustainable Performance Institute,  recognizes a firm’s capability to deliver consistent, high quality services in the green building industry.  Eligible firms include architects, engineers, contractors, and real estate and facilities organizations.

Barbra Batshalom Speaks at UN Conference - IDRC Davos 2010

2010-05-30 — Aaron

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Sustainable Development in Communities At Risk, Barbra Batshalom, Sustainable Performance Institute, United States of America

Sustainable development has been gaining increasing support among private sector developers, multinational corporations and the public sector. In order to be naturally resilient and highly functioning, sustainable planning must be rooted in public-private sector partnerships, with an understanding of natural resource issues and how to design infrastructure to be resource regenerative and cost effective. The benefits of resilient sustainable development include a decreased capital investment in infrastructure, a more robust social structure reinforced by the built environment and a better ability to prevent and recover from natural disasters. This session will clarify the frameworks and processes that are successful for long term sustainable development planning and illustrate how to fully integrate resilience and disaster preparedness strategies into decision making with both public and private sector stakeholders.

USGBC Massachusetts Chapter Gives Top Honor to The Green Roundtable

2010-04-22 — Aaron

The USGBC MA Chapter's Innovation in Green Design Award brings recognition to Massachusetts green building innovators. The Green Roundtable was awarded the top honor in 2010 for its innovative Net Zero Energy Training Program.

MSBA Adopts New Sustainable Building Guidelines With Help From GRT - MSBA

2010-04-05 — Aaron

On March 31, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) established the Authority as a leader when they voted to adopt new sustainable building design guidelines for new construction and addition/renovation projects seeking funding from MSBA. The Green Roundtable / NEXUS provided technical assistance and policy support in the development of the agency's sustainable building design guidelines and green schools funding program model.

PeoplesBank's New Office Receives GreenSeal Designation - AZO Building

2010-02-25 — Aaron

 

According to John Judge, Chief Development Officer for the city of Springfield, companies receiving the designation have committed to reducing their energy baseline and environmental impact. “We developed the GreenSeal to encourage organizations and individuals to help foster a greener, sustainable, and livable city. It is a great pleasure to award the first GreenSeal to PeoplesBank in honor of its LEED Registered building at 1051 St. James Ave. - the first building of its type in our city.”

GBS Staff Attends Energy Modeling Course - Harvard Office of Sustainability

2010-02-23 — Aaron
By Jesse Foote
 
Kevin Bright, Jessica Parks, and Jesse Foote have just completed a two-day hands-on training on Energy Modeling. This course, held at the Green Roundtable’s Nexus center in Boston, taught a step-by-step procedure for completing building simulation analyses using the eQUEST modeling software.

Green Attributes of PeoplesBank LEED Registered Office

2010-02-19 — Aaron
'Environmentally sound and aesthetically pleasing buildings like this are highly desirable assets in any community,' suggests John Vetere, President of Strategic DesignWorks, a Reading, MA, design consultancy firm providing architecture, interior design, and project management services to financial and other institutions.
 

Boston Society of Architects Presents Honor Award for Design Excellence to The Green Roundtable

2009-11-17 — Aaron

The Boston Society of Architects presented the Honor Award for Design Excellence to The Green Roundtable for its work on the Community Rowing Boathouse.

Boston Society of Architects Presents K-12 Education Facilities Design Award to The Green Roundtable

2009-11-17 — Aaron

The Boston Society of Architects presented the K-12 Education Facilities Design Award Honor Award for Design Excellence to The Green Roundtable for The Children's School in Stamford, CT.

Sustainable Performance Institute Launched - High Profile Monthly

2009-11-11 — Aaron

Boston, MA – The Sustainable Performance Institute, which is providing resources, training and a certification program that measures and recognizes the capability of architecture, engineering and construction firms to deliver consistent, high quality services, was launched today. This Certification provides many benefits, from risk reduction and quality control to profitability and increased performance. Additionally, certification makes a company eligible to receive a discount on their professional liability insurance.

AIG Insuring for Green Building Risks - GreenSource

2009-09-11 — Aaron

By Emily Bragonier, BuildingGreen.com

Green insurance coverage is not a new concept, nor are the risks associated with green building considered extraordinary. Nevertheless, American International Group (AIG) is now offering two advanced insurance policies for property owners and managers of green buildings via its Risk Management Green (AIGRMGreen) product line: Indoor Environment Coverage and Reputation Coverage.

Greening Your Design Culture to Gain a Competitive Edge - Architectural Record

2009-02-01 — Aaron

By B.J. Novitski

Slumps in the construction economy are good times for firms to rethink many things, including the philosophies that underlie their design work and the way they collaborate with consultants. One strategy that potentially accomplishes all of these things, according to consultant Barbra Batshalom, executive director of the Boston-based Green Roundtable, is to “green” your practice. Many U.S. firms are already encouraging staff to earn LEED certification and research sustainable materials, but she believes this is not enough. Truly greening your firm requires a substantial restructuring of firm culture and design processes.

Eco-Leader Barbra Batshalom Answers Your Questions - GreenExchange

2009-01-09 — Aaron

Barbra Batshalom talks back...

Barbra Batshalom, Founder and Executive Director of The Green Roundtable, Inc. (GRT) was featured last month as our Eco-Leader. She received many wonderful questions from our web community and has provided a select number of responses.  Please read on to see if your question was answered and to learn more about GRT.

Main Street Architects Designs Staples' First LEED Certified Building in the Boston Area - New England Real Estate Journal

2008-12-19 — Aaron

Roslindale, MA- When Staples wanted to open an office supplies store in Roslindale Village, mayor Thomas Menino said he wanted it to be "green" and he wanted it LEED certified. LEED certification is a program that certifies buildings based on a nationally accepted point system headed up by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Commercial Development Benefits of Green Building - New England Real Estate Journal

2008-12-01 — Aaron

By Barbra Batshalom

In many people's perception, green design strategies are seen as an added cost or unnecessary expense to "normal" development. In reality, most principles of green development aim at improving the traditional development process and increasing certainty and, therefore, profitability. The goals of green development are to increase health for people and the environment, and decrease the use of resources while increasing efficiency.

Green Enthusiasts Attend Annual Conference - WCVB TV Boston

2008-11-19 — Aaron

BOSTON -- The latest in energy efficiency and cutting-edge sustainability filled the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center at the annual Greenbuild conference, which is in Boston this week.

Green Enthusiasts Attend Annual Conference

NewsCenter 5's David Brown reported that more than 50,000 green enthusiasts learn from top green builders. It's a $100 billion industry aiming to be gentler to the earth. "It's to reduce the energy consumption, water consumption other impacts to the environment and also the indoor environmental quality for the health of the occupants," said green building consultant Jacob Knowles.

Boston’s Green Revolution - GreenSource

2008-11-01 — Aaron

By Michael Prager

Saying “GREEN” in a Boston version of a word-association game used to yield the reply “monstah,” as in the locals’ affectionate name for Fenway Park’s imposing left-field wall.

The Genzyme Center, the biotech giant in Cambridge’s Kendall Square,designed by Behnisch, Behnisch & Partners, was an opening volley in Boston’s green revolution, earning a LEED Platinum rating in 2003.

Developing a Green Mindset and Understanding Green Design - New England Real Estate Journal

2008-10-17 — Aaron

By Moshe Cohen and Barbra Batshalom

In the past few years, chances are you have encountered green design on one of your projects, and if you haven't, you will soon, most likely. For those of you who haven't, green design, also known as sustainable design, is the term used to describe the processes, technologies, and strategies that aim to make a project both environmentally friendly and cost effective.

Myths and Opportunities About Green Building - New England Real Estate Journal

2008-09-19 — Aaron

By Barbra Batshalom

The purpose of buildings is to deliver three basic things: shelter, comfort and, arguably, aesthetics. Unfortunately, design and construction methods developed over the past 200 years in this country don't always deliver these things. When they do, they come along with unnecessary waste, inefficiency and pollution, adding direct costs to building owners, occupants and the community in the short and long term. Unfortunately, the associated costs to society, human health and the environment are "externalities" that do not show up on any projects' balance sheet.

Taking the Lead - New England Condominium

2008-09-08 — Aaron
By Laura V. Scheel
 
Keeping up with soaring energy costs has nearly everyone scrambling to make some changes. Unit owners are driving less, turning out lights, and keeping a close eye on the thermostats.

But when it comes to reducing energy use and enacting conservation measures at the condominium level, the board itself and property manager have a chance to exert the biggest impact.

Go Green & See Green - Sociedad Latina

2008-08-30 — Aaron

 Video about how the young people of Sociedad Latina in Mission Hill, a community of Boston, are tackling climate change.

‘Green’ buildings sprouting in R.I. - The Providence Journal

2008-07-17 — Aaron

By Peter B. Lord

Rhode Island College recently celebrated the “green” certification by a national building organization of its new, 367-bed residence hall at its Providence campus. The five-story building uses special window glass and lights, heat exchangers and other innovations to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs each year.

How to Successfully Green Existing Buildings

2008-03-01 — Aaron

By Barbra Batshalom

The current focus of much mainstream media is climate change and global warming. In the design and construction community, green design is now commonly considered one important solution for reducing energy consumption and therefore global warming. The common perception of green design has always been in the context of new construction; however, that is changing. Recently, there has been a shift in the commercial and institutional sectors towards greening existing building property.

Tankless Water Heaters - Elle Decor

2008-03-01 — Aaron

By Jill Connors

Next time you reach for the hot water handle at your kitchen sink or in the bathroom shower, consider this: The energy required to heat water in a typical American household represents 15% of the average monthly energy bill.

If you’re looking for ways to cut down your energy use, consider switching from a storage water heater to a tankless unit. According to the Department of Energy, a tankless water heater can be 24% to 34% more energy-efficient than a storage water heater.

The Greener Good - Museum Magazine

2008-01-01 — Aaron

By Sarah Brophy

Fresh water from six eastern states mixes with salt water flowing in from the Atlantic Ocean to create the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. While it was once a haven for shellfish, fin fish and waterfowl, its environmental health and the economic well-being of the population have been seriously affected by pollution, the loss of wetlands to development and over-aggressive fishing.

High-end Residential Housing Sector Slowly Goes Green - Boston Business Journal

2007-06-25 — Aaron

By Mary Moore

Most people agree that building green is the right thing to do, and doing the right thing is a lot easier if you have deep pockets, yet the luxury housing market has been slow to go eco-friendly.

Affordable housing has offered green features for years, particularly when it comes to energy conservation measures that have been made financially feasible through subsidies. Meanwhile, the luxury residential market in Massachusetts barely blinked an eye.

NAWIC New Hampshire Chapter Honors The Green Roundtable

2007-02-07 — Aaron

The New Hampshire Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction honored The Green Roundtablefor its leadership in the green building movement.

Designing Green: Eco-friendly Ideas Take Root in Boston - Improper Bostonian

2006-05-03 — Aaron

By Courtney Humphries

Green design, which aims to create buildings with less environmental impact is transforming the buildings around Boston, and while it's only on the cusp into the residential market, interest in green homes is ont he rise. Maybe it's a growing awareness of global warming. Maybe it's escalating energy costs. Or maybe it's just that green products have become more hipster than hippie. Whether you're building a home, transforming an existing one, or even renting, there are many ways to make your living space a little greener.

Smart Energy: Spark For A Better Boston Future? - Boston Unbound

2003-01-01 — Aaron

There’s opposition on Cape Cod to the proposal for 130 massive wind turbines on Horseshoe Shoal on Nantucket Sound. But the energy yield could be substantial. Think a few years ahead and those wind mills’ great blades could be a symbol of a collective will for sustainability in a new age.Is there a single, overriding issue that could propel Greater Boston to 21st century success?