First annual bridging the gap seminar a big success

Collaboration was the operative word at the first annual seminar on bridging the gap from concept through operation for building sustainability and energy efficiency held recently at the U.S. Custom House in lower Manhattan. Sponsored by the New York Chapters of IFMA, ASHRAE, AEE, BOMA, CMAA, USGBC, ULI, GSA and NYSERDA, the day-long session was attended by over a hundred participants ranging from engineers to architects, facility managers, developers, consultants, government officials, businesses and academics. According to Gordon Holness PE, incoming ASHRAE president and opening moderator, the session's goal was to forge a closer working relationship among the participants in the design, development, construction, commissioning and operation process of the buildings that impact our environment. This is critical in New York City since the 950,000 buildings in the city generate 79% of the city's greenhouse gases compared to just 32% for the average U.S. city. With a growing emphasis on high-performance buildings, collaboration along the development and operation spectrum can affect maximum environmental benefit. Presenters made it clear that building professionals need to keep abreast of the huge volume of information and technology that is rapidly evolving. In fact, it is the sheer amount of data that makes collaboration so important. If the impact of buildings creates a negative affect on the environment, then a team of experts is now necessary to mitigate that impact and those experts become much more effective if they can draw upon other disciplines. Presentations ranged from setting ambitious goals, through the need and difficulties translating intent to reality. A panel consisting of Fiona Cousins, PE, LEED AP; Michael English, PE, CCP, LEED AP; Elizabeth Heider, AIA; Peter V.K. Funk, Jr., Esq.; and Michael Booker, M. Sc, CEM addressed this topic with slides, fascinating statistics and anecdotes to drive home the need to effectively communicate. Mayor Michael Bloomberg's PlaNYC was presented to an overflowing luncheon crowd by Ariella Rosenberg Maron, Deputy Director of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability. The city's ambitious environmental goals for housing, open space, the planting of one million new trees, management of brownfields, water quality and network, transportation, energy efficiency, air quality and climate change were discussed. Feedback from building operations teams to the design team provides the metrics upon which better design can be based. A panel consisting of Geraldine Walsh, manager of the Hearst Tower during its commissioning; Michael Gubbins, RMA, LEED AP, of the Albanese Organization; Brandon Mitchell of Full Spectrum; Elias Dagher, PE, LEED AP; and Murray Levy, AIA, LEED AP addressed this topic with case studies and feedback that engaged the audience in dialogue. Being able to measure building performance was a recurring theme of the day-long event. A panel made up of Byron Stigge of Burro Happold; Louis Nowicki of the Hearst Corporation; Scott Frank, PE, of Jaros Baum & Bolles; Lois Vitt Sale, AIA, LEED AP; and Adam Hinge, PE, of Sustainable Energy Partnerships focused on the need for better feedback. Mr. Nowikas gave details on the very positive and supportive reaction of the several thousand employees upon their relocation to the Hearst Tower. The day ended with a networking function and tour of booths and displays by the corporate hosts of the event. These were Smithsonian Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, New York City Economic Development Corporation and N.Y. City Mayor's Office of Long Term Planning & Sustainability, Duane Morris LLP, Mitsubishi Electric HVAC Advanced Products Division, Quadlogic - Advanced Metering & Enterprise Software Integration Co., Con Edison - Steam Business Development, Con Edison Solutions, Rentacrate, LLC, Tyga-Box Systems, Inc., Northeast Energy Systems, AKF Engineers, Schneider Electric, ASAP Sales - Water Conservation Firm, Green Buildings Technology and Elyon Solar Wind and Water, Trane Corporation, CDE Air Conditioning Company and Accardi Companies. John Poblocki of Real Estate Cost Strategies LLC and IFMA/GNY PR committee member, New York, N.Y.