Climate Change and the Built Environment

This presentation follows a new approach involving presenting ethical dilemmas that arose in major projects. The presentation focuses on actual case studies showcasing dilemmas that arise in the world of construction and how the key players involved reacted to the situation. This program satisfies the ethics requirement for licensed professional engineers in New York.

Receive a thorough update to all the new building code changes in the New York City and state Building Codes, both of with are based on the International Code Council’s model codes. Learn about the growing need to incorporate energy efficient design features for commercial, residential, and institutional/public works projects.

Learn about the International Code Council’s code development process. Key changes to the International Building Code (IBC) will be reviewed as this is the model code being used in both the city and the state. The basis for these changes will be discussed as well as the potential impact on building design practices. The new requirements for structure and fire analysis will also be presented, including a discussion of the dangers of exterior insulation.

This program examines the use of concrete grid paving systems on LEED projects. Attendees will learn of the advantages of these types of systems for green strategies involving stormwater control on sites. The features and benefits of this system make a compelling case for sustainable site paving applications.

Addressing the need to expand the “Site Selection” portion of the LEED rating system, the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) is considering a new rating system “outside the building skin,” currently in its Pilot phase. Learn about the difficulties faced by the pilot projects and how practitioners can use the SITES “Guidelines and Benchmarks” in their projects.

Learn how to design buildings to leverage renewable energy, while minimizing operating costs and carbon footprint. In this advanced, interactive session – attendees will understand the strategies for designing zero energy buildings, through extensive case studies of both residential and commercial projects.

• Explore the interaction between roof and site plans and how they affect solar output and overall system efficiencies.
• Learn how roofing systems and solar installations can be married using best practices methods. Understand site plan requirements for geothermal HVAC ground loops and how to optimally place air source heat pumps.
• Explore interactions between building envelope/layout and HVAC system/ground loop sizing and energy consumption.
Become familiar with Industry Best Practices for renewable energy optimized buildings. Review case studies incorporating best practices renewable energy and efficiency