Fidele Mazimpaka Presents on the Campus’ Building Automation Systems

Fidele Mazimpaka Presents on the Campus’ Building Automation Systems

by Katherine McCusker Comment Closed
Fidele Mazimpaka, the UMass Amherst Campus Energy Engineer, presented the final lecture of the Fall 2021 semester.  Overall building performance can significantly be improved through continuous monitoring and adjustment of operating parameters through building automation system (BAS). Parameters are automatically adjusted based on weather, occupancy, changes in condition and building loads. Programs in the BAS use inputs from multiple sensors on the equipment and in the buildings to constantly adapt the equipment operation to actual space conditions. The lecture presented an overview of how BAS is used in building operations and how it can be tied to other systems for alerting and reporting purposes.  https://youtu.be/2vmo5TizmL0 Links UMass Facilities & Campus Services ...
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Presentation on the Rise of Women in Construction

Presentation on the Rise of Women in Construction

by Katherine McCusker Comment Closed
UMass's Director of Design and Construction Management, Carolina Cudemus-Jones, along with two high-profile colleagues (Denise Berger, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, AECOM and Joanna Kripp, Operations Manager, Gilbane Building Company) presented a lecture on women in the construction fields.  The percentage of women in construction hovers between 9 to 10% across the industry, in the field only 3%.  The industry is changing – not only the number of women in the field, design, engineering  and construction management is increasing, the industry now recognizes that women bring an additional layer of diversity, experience and management style that have innovated and energized an industry known for its traditional male dominance. Construction in general is experiencing shortages in skilled knowledge across the disciplines and women have become now the future of the industry at all levels. https://youtu.be/FAAq-hsVkb8 Links Design and Construction Management at UMass Amherst AECOM Gilbane Building Company ...
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Peter Pinchot Presents on Climate Smart Forests and Green Construction

Peter Pinchot Presents on Climate Smart Forests and Green Construction

by Katherine McCusker Comment Closed
Peter Pinchot, Co-Founder and CEO of Whole Forest gave a talk titled, "Climate Smart Forests and Green Construction: Designing with Biogenic Carbon to Achieve Climate Positive Structures". Whole Forest, based in Ecuador, presents a model of sustainable forestry, community partnership and the creation of wood products that support rainforest conservation. https://youtu.be/231wSv44j34   Links Whole Forest...
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Ruth Ann Norton Presents on the Importance of Health and Racial Equity in Housing

Ruth Ann Norton Presents on the Importance of Health and Racial Equity in Housing

by Katherine McCusker Comment Closed
Ruth Ann Norton, President & CEO of Green & Healthy Homes Initiative, delivered the first of the Fall 2021 BCT Lecture Series... in person! https://www.flickr.com/photos/193789799@N08/51510916171/in/dateposted/ Ms. Norton spoke about how substandard, energy inefficient housing has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown Americans because of the legacy of racist and discriminatory housing policies. These policies paired with historical disinvestment prevented these communities from accessing resources to maintain livable standards. Directing resources to improve housing quality, address health and safety hazards, and improve energy efficiency, leveraging existing programs, and exploring innovative sources of funding and financing can help to advance health and racial equity.   https://youtu.be/8LGlzkN8I4Q Links Green & Healthy Home Initiative Ruth Ann Norton ...
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Bill Maclay Presents on Net Zero Financing

Bill Maclay Presents on Net Zero Financing

by Katherine McCusker Comment Closed
Bill Maclay, Principal of Maclay Architects, shared a tested and proven financial methodology which demonstrated that positive energy buildings are typically the least cost option on a cash flow basis when compared to fossil fuel code buildings. Net Zero projects also accrue long term financial, social equity, ecological, and health benefits. Maclay Architects has developed and successfully used this process for over 12 years to assist owners in evaluating financial performance of positive energy buildings. Commercial, institutional, nonprofit and other residential case studies illustrate the detailed and interwoven financial/energy analysis process, metrics, and templates used to guide positive energy projects from initiation to completion. This includes the design and financial analysis of a net positive energy, plus carbon storing, single family home design that meets the current need for cost effective operational and embodied energy buildings and design. https://youtu.be/Eg7ubvN04to Links Maclay Architects The New Net Zero Book ...
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