Announcements:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is holding a series of town hall type meetings and webcast sessions on sustainable housing and communities.
(webcasts on March 9th and 11th)
Heidi to provide link

The Texas PUC is considering, on its own initiative, significantly increasing the energy efficiency goals for the State’s investor-owned utilities over the next several years.
http://www.goodcompanyassociates.com/files/manager/EERuleChange.pdf
Comments are due to the Commission by March 15.

USGBC Networking mixer March 11th, 6-8pm at Union Park

USGBC LEED building tours Friday March 12th in Georgetown 4:30-6:30pm
http://doublegreenbuildingtours.eventbrite.com/
Might have a fee associated with this. At southwestern University

The final working draft of the International Green Construction Code has been posted at the link below. This is the committee working draft and has been published in pdf to differentiate it from the 1st Public Comment Draft which will be published on March 15. The pdf version is not for public comment.
http://www.iccsafe.org/CS/SBTC/Pages/FirstDraftDevelopment.aspx
Richard Morgan has been leading the effort from the AIA side

KM: what would be the implication for LEED?
RM: This might be equiv to LEED Silver.
HK: Leadership means just raising the Bar in adoption of basic requirements into code.
KS: Is USGBC involved in it?

Gulf Coast Green registration is open. Early bird discount ends March 15, 2010
AIA members should contact mat@aiahouston.org or call 713-520-0155 for a discount code. Link to GCG registration: http://www.gulfcoastgreen.org/content.asp?secnum=106

ACI Home Performance Conference 2010
Austin, TX April 19-23
http://www.affordablecomfort.org/event/aci_home_performance_conference_2010
HK: It is in town this year.

Upcoming COTE activities:
· 904 West tour sponsored by AIA COTE
· White paper by Les Pittman (Fred Blood) AIA has a sustainability statement currently. Can we supplement this? How do we make people aware? What do we do with it?
· USGBC Green School Symposium Oct. 1, 2010 – this is a collaboration opportunity – we need to discuss ways for AIA to help and get involved.
· Summer school – we still need ideas.
Promotional publicity materials for local events – we still need ideas for this.

TOUR
HK: Project is aiming for 5 star AE rating. Should be in a touring condition is in April.
HK: Looking to ways to expand value of membership (AIA). As a result this will probably be a membership only tour.
BG: How would our committee sponsor it?
HK: A rep from Austin Energy would speak about the process. Lauren (AIA) would handle RSVP.
SC: Having a tour in itself could be added value.
BG: Would COTE membership have an impact in attendability (non AIA)?
HK: Clerestory might come out after tour date. She will coordinate with Archifacts for promotion ability.

WHITE PAPER and Call to Arms!!
BG: Fred Blood had some ideas about COTE getting a white paper issued.
SC: He wanted us to get our heads together clearly outlining what our knowledge and resources are for use at the policy making level.
BG: Les Pittman at Klaus associates could write a rough draft. Where do we go if a national statement already exist?
SC: Are we trying to affect the State, Federal, or local policy levels?
Group: all three…
BG: The national statement is written broadly. The problem might be needing to tap into TSA and legislation.
MN: TAC exists as a mechanism to influence State legislators.
RM: Maybe we make our local level plan.
HK: I think (Fred Blood) is concerned that state decisions are make in town and we are not involved with the process.
SC: OK, we have a national statement. Roughly outline a 5 year plan on paper what we think could be our efforts.
BG: an Action plan.
HK: We can have a working session if people commit.
SC: AIA Cote Road Map, Action Plan, Strategic plan.

GREEN SCHOOLS
BG: USGBC Green Schools will be in Austin this year and be bigger. Can we set up booths. Have credits? Introduce speakers? Be on the flyer? Will be held at the AMD (LEED Gold) campus. Will be a good opportunity to get exposure?
HK: Is there a discount at all for membership?
BG: Could be.
SC: I will be involved in the creation of this.
BG: This symposium is the biggest thing that this chapter does. USGBC will be looking to AIA to for getting exposure out.

SUMMER SCHOOL
HK: Summer School. Ideas are still needed.
SC: My dream would be able to see the actual use of the BIM and energy model.

Other blips on the radar
LEED V3
IGCC
Amendments to Austin energy code
Historical preservation and Green

ASHRE is holding a free webinare.
-end meeting 1:10

Mission Statement:
and 2010 Goals:
1) Austin Climate protection conference and expo.
This was recently and was a success with an overflow of attendees. Involved some speakers and panels. Would have further benefited from literature or material to be handed out about COTE and sustainability

2) Publicity for events
As evidenced at the recent expo material

3) Foster sustainable design through an event
Green policy speaker for lunch and learn at Summer school?
Coordinate with Activities committee

Need Champions…

IGCC
A green code is in the development phase. AIA national is trying to be proactive in the effort. Heidi sat down with the attendees for a dinner (who were in town discussing the effort)
An online version does exist, but a public comment version will be released in Mid-March. Want comments back by June.
We will schedule a working review session after the code is released.

Awards and recognition of Green
The awards committee is open to working together. They would prefer keeping the categories as they are to prevent “dilution” of overall quality. Alternate recognition methods were proposed. One option is a rotating boards focused on a knowledge committee

There is a link to a green map of rated buildings on the AIA Austin website.
Austin energy is involved with another effort as well.

Michael Knox works on downtown emerging projects map.

An Integrated map of architecture is a potential project to tackle as a group. Members are encouraged to talk with other knowledge committees for possible content generation of an integrated map.

Green by design Event
BG presented ideas for events.
One idea is a Barkatecture-esque used waste event. This could collect certain “waste” from construction projects around town and designers would create something with it. It would be judged.
Could do an advice event free to the public

Fred Blood presented a charge to the COTE committee
His main theme was Advocay, advocacy, advocacy

There are boards and commissions that make decisions –how can architects be on these?
CoA is searching for a sustainable officer. A link will be sent in order for AIA to add comments to this public process for determining the criteria for this position.
He suggested to join and present to Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.
Sponsor a science fair?
Energy efficency and speakers
Try to affect change in legislation as well. Why not incorporate code ideas for future energy needs. I.e. conduit runs, roof space? How can show we as a group show green ideas relate to the economic situation of today? Can we establish a framework of talking points for publications or speaking? Illustrate how these ideas are the Least cost to society, but most cost to a specific group.

Speakers
Heidi finished out the meeting asking the group to think about speaker options and what the champion event/ focus/ topic will be for the year.
Some names brought up:
Michael Weber
Dr Lang

12:05
Rick Herweck started presentation on CHP initiative

Cogeneration can double the efficency of your grid provided enegry. Effectively already in use Hospitals, Prisions, etc.

1/5 of all power in Texas is already Cogenerated

Cogeneration is an old technology that the industry is exploring scaling down to the residential level.

90% of generatiio is Natural Gas.

Discussion of how to connect with the architecture community and what topics would be best presented.
1:05 end of presentation

At 12:00 the scheduled presenter began.
Kathleen Zarsky presented “Living Buildings” to the AIA Austin COTE group:
Challenge: What can be a next step beyond LEED: platinum? Living Building can be a one effort towards that goal “Beyond LEED”
The living building concept started with David and Lucile Packard. It is now an institute and more info can be found at ILBI.org.
All requirements are mandatory with exceptions for recognized code impediments.
The designation is based on actual, measured performance; not models. Building must be in operation for 12 months prior to certification.
There are Similar Header categories to other systems like LEED or Green Globes with 16 prerequisites
(3)Site
(1)Energy
(5)Materials
(2)Water
(3)Indoor Air Quality
(2)Beauty & inspiration
Click the links below for more information
Living Buildings_Presentation to Austin AIA COTE
LBC_Red_List_Letter_Template
09-0729 code paper Eisenberg
LB_FinancialStudy_Comparison_Matrix
buildingmaterialsquestionnaire0812

The scheduled Presenter finished at 1:00pm

Heidi adjourned the meeting at 1:15pm

Comments on Energy code:
Review of city of Austin ammendment

Interior wall vs exterior wall applicability clarity
Exterior wall insulation retro= mold potential
no Green Roof option, solar panel, tree shading, durable (permanance of alternates to reflectivity)
insulation placement in older renovation

Question about relevance for historical structures

Question about threshold option to allow partial upgrades. eg. hvac system component.

There were indications that comments would need to be integrated sooner rather than later.
Heidi will work on gathering comments and matching contact info with the person.

IGCC International Green Construction Code
Thursday Friday Saturday meeting in January

Discussion of how City of Austin reviews, amends, and adopts codes for energy.

Green Guide for Healthcare-possible option for future speaker.

COTE involvement with homes tour involvment.

Matt M. brought up process of listing what other AIA committies you are on and report back to COTE for possible future speaker info.

Comments back to:
Stuart Samply
AIA city liason

The History of GBI and GG:
Mark outlined the history of GBI and how it is recognized by leading third party institutions and related parties to the construction industry.

Green Globes uses the Energy Star program as a reference point. It is Accepted by numerous insurance agencies. And it is Recognized by government at federal level (presidental initiative). Currently 19 states formally recognize GG through legislation/ regulation. It originated from BREEAM UK and through a few iterations came to be Green Globes-US/CAN.

Green Globes Strength Highlights:
Emphasizes Energy
Benchmark against Energy Star
Incorporates LCA (life-cycle-analysis)
Minimizes Point Chasing
Requires third party site visits for certification
Cost effective and scalable
(accounts for competing requirements from governing bodies that make some requirements N/A)

There are Two programs for assessment:
GG for New Construction
GG for Continual Improvement

Green Globes is currently transitioning to being ANSI certified (for both programs) and should be complete by the end of the year. The main purpose is to make the program better, easier to use, and easier to be recognized by governing bodies.

The Environmental Assesment Areas:
1) Management
2) Site
3) Energy-(Most heavily weighted category)
4) Water
5) Resources
6) Emissions and Storage of Hazardous Materials
7) Indoor Environment

Similarities and differences exist between LEED and GG. There is
85% similarity overlap but, GG places more emphasis on energy and LSA (using the internal LSA calculator).

Used in Commercial Retail, University, Healthcare, Government GSA, office, etc. Not used for Single Family Homes at this time.

The ANSI approved Program will be referred to as (GBI 01-200XP). It is made up of alliances with Industry, Users, And Third-party committee members.

Requirements for rating a project:
A major difference from Leed is that there are no standard prerequisite requirements. There are minimum point amounts required in each category, but it is up to the design team to choose how to achieve the points. This is to stress the flexibility of the program and adaptability.

A Minimum of 35% points need to be achieved in each category for compliance (ANSI version).

Upon registration of a project online there will be a unique project report generated. This evolves as users input more detailed information at each phase of design. A report is generated by GG at the end of each phase and this allows tweaking along the way to ensure project is hitting target score desired. This online tool is designed to Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement and Improve.

A Visual report for each section exists per project upon login.
Questions increase in complexity/ Detail required as project moves along. The Report will have hyperlinked info to help educate the design team about products and principles that will help achieve the rating desired.

The Certification Process:
The architect starts the process for 3rd party assesor to review application and on-site report by completing the online project document/ report and requesting a review.

The rating system is as such: 1 through 4 globes designation (only 2 four globe projects in existance in US to date). Division of globes is designed to match LEED rating system.

A major feature of the system is the LSA tool. It provides Cradle to Grave implications in the summary for the assessment area. It is also available for free from ATHENA EcoCalculator. The purpose of the tool is to shift from prescriptive to performance based buildings.

Certification options from the GBI:
There is a GG Professional (for an architect/ designer to get a certified rating in use of product/ process).
There is also a 3rd party Assessor (for establised, educated, industry related individuals)

Currently accepting applications for both programs
Online training 2 month process starts October 15th

www.thgbi.org
mark@thegbi.org

There is a free 30 day trial of the program.

Typical costs for a project are:
$500 registration per building. This provides the access to the assessment tools and report.
The 3rd party Assessment (Certification) is ususally $6000 (handled through GG).

http://www.greence.com/

The Citizens’ Bond advisory committee advised AISD to have an enhanced environmental focus and as a result AISD identified some proven methods for sustainability through a group of consultants (ACR Engineering, Gail Viteori, and others) that were hired.

These consultants have continued to have monthly meetings with AISD to advise how the entire school system can get more focused on environmental stewardship. This is not just in building construction but also a joint effort with the science department in the curriculum.

One goal for all new work was to work with the Austin Green Building Program to aim for at least a 2 star rating.

To this point AISD has received 1 million in rebates from Austin Energy due to the sustainable principles

Paul expressed his gratitude to the architectural community in Austin for their help in achieving these sustainable goals.

Paul reviewed some of the practices and principals that have been incorporated into the bond projects to date.

Scott Rouse recaped what specific hurdles his project has gone through in the development of the site. PSP is the architect of record for the project and is working with the sustainability consultant team to meet the goals of AISD. They have worked with the city arborist to help maintain as much of the site in a natural state. AISD has looked at color tinited glass to help in reducing the heat gain load. AISD has raised the typical ceiling height to increase daylighting. Motion sensors are tied to lighting and mechanical equipment. Reflective roof coatings, sunshades, low VOC paint and automated controls on plumbing fixtures and accessories are also incorporated. They also worked with the houskeeping department to change the chemicals used in maintenance.

Scott explained how Distrcit building standards require single pane glass due to security and cost issues. There is currently a high rate of replacement due to vandalism across the district.

Steve Oliver inquired if the District had analyized energy use of different types of school circulation concept (external circulation, vs interior circulation).

Scott Rouse explained the systemwide energy maintance system.

Travis Young brought up the relationship of interior furnishings to off-gassing and indoor air quality. Scott Rouse thought this would be a good talking point with the purchasing department.

Shelly Comer talked about the possibility of AISD being held to LEED standards either through state legislation or voluntary adoption.

The COTE chapter raised some issues related to school campuses: Land trusts for affordable teacher housing on school campuses; Mobiliity study of alternative modes of transportation; How exactly does the curriculum tie back to sustainable issues. Paul suggested contacting him for more possibilites for synergies between existing organizations (pturner@austinisd.org)