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A Publication of BuildingGreen, Inc. www.BuildingGreen.com Volume 25, Number 5 · May 2016 How To Run a Great Workshop: 37 Tips and Ideas Whether you call it a charrette, a workshop, or simply a meeting, We’ll start off talking about what kind these suggestions from experts will make your next event more fun of mindset to bring into a workshop, and productive. then move to: • how to plan one By Tristan Roberts • what kinds of exercises to do

A design team can enable real progress squeeze the life out of a room with an • some ideas for follow-up by setting aside a day or longer for agenda that feels like a forced march. a focused workshop. Or it could just You can read it from start to finish, waste a lot of high-priced time. This article is about design workshops: or skip around and pick out what’s who, what, where, when, and why. useful. You can break down barriers and My hope is that in reading it, you’ll build a functioning team if you bring pick up at least three ideas that you Whatever ideas or thoughts it sparks, together people in different roles who can’t wait to apply in your next work- or whatever feedback you have, please don’t usually get to talk with one shop—whether it’s a short internal consider sharing. There’s a flipchart another. Or you might just reinforce meeting, a half-day design exercise, or and marker (actually just a link to the existing stereotypes. a long charrette with dozens of people. online comment form) down at the end of the article, and you can email Get the right kind of discussion going, If this article had an agenda, it would me. I read every message. and you can move as a team toward be a pretty loose one. innovative solutions. Or you can How to Get into the Right Mindset Choreographing the project process includes designing key components, clarifying the role of workshops in a healthy process, and identifying what you call them and who should attend, among other things. 1. Think big, together

An early design workshop and a collaborative design process go hand in hand. While this article doesn’t go into the value of integrative design (see How to Make Integrated Project Delivery Work for Your Project and Integrated Design Meets the Real World), let’s take a minute to talk Image: BNIM about the value of a day-long (or longer) workshop with a large group The conceptual design for BNIM headquarters, “Building Positive” incorporates a public plaza that would help build a patchwork of native landscape for pollinators in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The idea of stakeholders. came out of a workshop exercise connecting the design professionals in attendance with living systems in the city around them.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 Copyright © 2016 BuildingGreen, Inc. All rights reserved. The Oregon Sustainability Center People in This Article That term feels dated—for a couple didn’t get built, but its five-day design BuildingGreen thanks the following for reasons. One is that the “eco-charrette” charrette led to numerous design speaking with us for this article. has become associated with a dry breakthroughs, including at least one Clark Brockman, AIA – Principal, exercise of dragging team members that has been used on other projects, SERA Architects down a checklist. Also, treating according to Lisa Petterson, AIA, Moshe Cohen – The Negotiating Table sustainability as a separate topic in senior associate at SRG Partnership. Richard Crespin – CollaborateUp its own silo simply doesn’t support Part of the workshop was focused an integrative process; it allows those Ralph DiNola – CEO, New Buildings on structure, and Petterson says that Institute concerns to be marginalized and green the structural engineer wanted to features to be value-engineered out. Rand Ekman, AIA – Chief use a box beam. “It wasn’t so terribly Sustainability Officer, HKS None of this is to suggest that having revolutionary,” she says, but it would Nadav Malin – President, a multi-day workshop isn’t worth it. If be applied on a relatively large scale, BuildingGreen, Inc. anything, the evidence is that having opening up new possibilities. “Every- Lisa Petterson , AIA – Senior Associate, a workshop moves a project along one got excited,” says Petterson. The SRG Partnership quickly and to a high level of perfor- mechanical engineer and the plumb- Josie Plaut – Associate Director, mance. And there is a trend of projects ing engineer had a place for ducts and Institute for the Built Environment that do multi-day events to dedicate pipes inside the beam. The lighting Jennifer Preston – Sustainable Design day-long workshops to sustainability-­ designer was happy at the prospect Director, BKSK Architects of a clean ceiling. “Everyone had a related topics like daylighting and Z Smith, AIA – Principal, biophilia. As discussed throughout place in this structural system for their Eskew+Dumez+Ripple discipline.” this article, the time invested in build- Phaedra Svec – Associate, BNIM ing a team and exploring key issues That idea didn’t last, however. The site Jacob Werner, AIA – Director of pays off over and over again. was constrained by transit on three Sustainable Design, Wilson Architects Inc. sides, and there wouldn’t have been 3. Call in a facilitator from room for cranes to safely erect the outside the team structure. The design moved to a more “Charrette” refers to the cart that conventional solution for Portland: a The professionals we spoke to for would come around to the design post-tensioned slab. But the idea of this article agreed universally on the studio in 19th-century France, pick- integrated HVAC and structure stuck importance of dedicated facilitation ing up student work for review. “As around. According to Petterson, the in a design workshop or charrette. the cart made its way by, you would team asked, “Why shouldn’t we put An architect at a firm can be a skilled likely be rushing to get every last line radiant heating and cooling in the facilitator, but there are advantages on the drawing or piece of wood in post-tension structure?” It hadn’t been to bringing in a third party, says Josie the model,” says Jennifer Preston, done, but the group, already function- Plaut, associate director at the Institute sustainable design director at BKSK ing well as a team, took the time to for the Built Environment, which Architects. The frenzy and anxiety coordinate on the design and embed provides facilitation services. of that scene, as well as the focus on hangers in the slab. the realm of the designer, is not what Without a facilitator, the emotional In the end, the whole project was we need when we bring together intelligence and inclusiveness in the shelved, but the viability of the project teams, she argues. “What room drop, says Plaut, or the conver- solution has been proven out on our process needs is less speed for sation gets centered around the person other projects that have used it, speed’s sake and more thoughtful who is most powerful but who might according to Petterson. decision-making.” not contribute the most. “Without a facilitator, you can still have all 2. Hold a workshop, not Clark Brockman, AIA, principal at the same people in the room but be a charrette SERA Architects, agrees, adding, playing a different game.” “Clients are more comfortable The term “charrette” isn’t going away investing in a workshop” than a A 2015 white paper, The Social Network anytime soon. However, a number charrette. of Integrative Design, from the Institute of people we spoke to for this article for the Built Environment, argues that prefer to call an extended design Even if you prefer the word a third-party facilitator is in the best meeting simply that—a meeting, or, “charrette,” don’t call it an “eco-­ position to create an effective team more often, a workshop. charrette.” environment because that is their sole agenda.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 2 3. Gives permission to take calculated risks, including unfamiliar technologies, strategies, and materials that might deviate from standard industry practice but can be effectively explored in an integrative process

4. Holds the team accountable with owner-created design guidelines, performance contracts, or commit­ ment to earning third-party certification 5. Prevent design by committee

A common fear of an integrative design process bolstered by charrettes is “design by committee,” where non- professionals obstruct smart design Photo: Eskew+Dumez+Ripple decisions in the name of providing Eskew+Dumez+Ripple provided pro bono design assistance for the Youth Rebuilding New Orleans input. That’s not an unfounded fear, nonprofit, developing plans for restoring homes for low-income residents. Exercises like this one elicit the but it’s an avoidable one, according needs and values of stakeholders, leading to a shared vision of success for the project. to facilitators we spoke with for this The paper defines a third-party part of a core group of participants, article. facilitator as either someone from can help the facilitator plan the event. “Architects have a wide range of outside the design firm, who may be communication skills, which includes a consultant on high-performance 4. Pick a champion to nurture the group’s vision translation,” says Jennifer Preston. If buildings, or a member of the design occupants say they want a particular firm but without design responsi- type of window in the façade, “it’s our Referring to research contained in bilities. They may have specialized job as design professionals to under- the white paper, Josie Plaut also training or tools. stand what is the intent behind that emphasizes the need for a champion statement.” The occupant might be According to the paper, dedicated to support the kind of integrative envisioning a certain shape or size of facilitators offer three key benefits to design process found in workshops. window, but through careful listening, design teams: “You need someone who is a we learn that what they really want champion on the design side,” she is a comfortable place in the sun. • They foster a safe environment says, to ensure the integrative work- To create the right kind of space, where everyone can freely express shop process is supported and its the designer considers a multitude opinions. value maximized. “Preferably you of things—view, solar orientation, need the owner and the architect. If • They help increase the interaction context in the plan. To get the kind either one is opposed, then nothing’s among architects and other team of input you need from stakeholders, going to happen,” but she says you members. ask open-ended questions. Discovery can still move forward with having happens there, says Preston. • When architects are participating an integrative process if one is rather than facilitating, they learn ambivalent about it. Z Smith, AIA, principal at more and build stronger relation- Eskew+Dumez+Ripple, suggests Having a champion in the project ships with the participants. that one way to frame this conversa- leadership provides four functions: tion is around values. On a church Other experts note that it’s valuable project, he says, his firm didn’t ask for the facilitator to have a designated 1. Initiates an aspirational the church committee what they point person in the group, such as a vision, including design goals, wanted the building to look like. lead architect, to check in with. The performance goals, and goals for They provided a variety of images facilitator can only read the room so how the team will work together for inspiration, and talked about much while also running a meeting. 2. Clearly prioritizes integrative qualities of light and space. That They benefit from having a second process for the team, possibly allowed the client to articulate, says perspective, and someone to huddle including contract structures (like Smith, that they “want a space that’s and strategize with as the day moves integrated project delivery) and ordered in this way, and connected to along. The same person, possibly as support of facilitated workshops the outdoors in this way. It was not

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 3 about them designing the building but there. You’re serving the process and that Lisa Petterson uses to figure out articulating the qualities of value to the group.” what’s really on their minds. Fears them. We could hold onto the things might be in red and hopes in green. we were expert at, and they could Setting a Schedule and You write down everything and then hold onto what was of value to them.” ask people to vote on their strongest Agenda for Success sentiments. This approach worked In workshops involving stakeholders What should be on the agenda? well on a project that involved a who don’t know the design and renovation of an existing building construction process, make sure you’re Phaedra Svec, associate at BNIM, and a large addition. “One of the fears clear about who’s providing input sometimes gets asked by a colleague was [that] there wasn’t going to be and who’s making final decisions. to share her “best agenda.” She says, enough money to renovate the entire Integrative workshops typically have “As if that’s the magic! Even if you tell building, and there was going to be a democratic feel, but don’t let that the same story over and over again, hodge-podge” left over, she says. “It mask hierarchy in decision-making. you tell it differently depending on would have been easy to focus all the People are generally okay with this if your audience. The same is true to attention on the new building” in the it’s explicit and acknowledged. plan or design a good meeting agenda. workshop, she says, but because that 6. Plan well, but go with the flow And it’s incredibly undervalued as a concern had been aired, they knew skill.” they had to dedicate time to problems they wanted to fix in the renovation. Preparing for a workshop means a “The agenda process is a design “combination of having a plan and process,” says Jennifer Preston. “The 8. Ask them what success knowing ahead of time that you’re not consideration that goes into the how, looks like going to follow it,” says Moshe Cohen, who, and why of meeting setup is of The Negotiating Table. “You have critical. And it takes thought and input Numerous facilitators emphasize the to be responsive to what’s really going and discussion.” She distinguishes utility of a shared understanding of on in the room.” that kind of exercise from burdening what success looks like. To plow a a workshop with an over-precise Cohen, a negotiating specialist who straight line an a field, Moshe Cohen agenda where problems are listed and says, “You look at a tree on the other does training and facilitation, explains solutions produced. If the agenda is that his background is in mediation. side and never stop looking at the tree. well formed, “the meeting can be what That’s what guides you. This direction “In mediation, you never know where the meeting needs to be.” things are going. People come in com- you’re going in, how consistent is it plaining about one thing, and by the 7. Understand their greatest with that tree?” end you realize it’s about something hopes and fears Cohen credits Interaction Associates completely different than what you with a useful framework for that: thought.” The degree of preparation for a single desired outcome. Outcomes are nouns. workshop varies depending on the Workshops are not that different. Cohen likes to ask, if the workshop is facilitator and the goals of the event. “When I facilitate, I don’t know where successful, “What do we have in our A good rule of thumb, however, is to things are going to go. And I don’t hands at the end?” Or, “Let’s pretend spend at least as much know they are going to go well.” time preparing as the “The one thing participants won’t workshop will take: a day tolerate is any sense that the facilitator or more for a day-long is bullshitting them or is not workshop, for example. transparent with them,” says Cohen. One common way to He tries to project a sense of open- prepare is to interview ness and competence: “I don’t know participants about the everything, but we’re figuring this out. coming workshop and You need to give them this sense that what they want to get no matter how chaotic things are now, from it. This may even everything is going to be all right. take the form of a meet- That’s really reassuring.” ing of its own with a You also have to know when some- subset of the workshop’s thing’s not working. “I’ve undertaken participants. activities that totally belly-flop. You’ve Photo: Eskew+Dumez+Ripple Asking a client for their got to say to the group, ‘What do you highest hopes and their In post-Katrina New Orleans, three congregations had to merge in think is not working, and how can a restored facility. Using accessible tools and exploring what kind of greatest fears for a project we fix it?’ You can’t have any ego up values the groups held and how they would worship, this workshop is one approach that helped them become one.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 4 the session has started, it’s ended, it Crespin likes the format for two 11. Give them a night to was wonderful. What’s different?” reasons: sleep on it

It can take asking a few times to get • Giving the audience the first word: Even if it’s two half-days, being able to the heart of the matter. The group “They are in control. They are to include a night’s sleep in the middle might say that they want to discuss driving the agenda.” of a workshop is invaluable, says key issues—which isn’t yet a clear out- Clark Brockman. The logistics some- • Clear direction to speakers: “Left to come. Cohen will ask, “Let’s pretend times make it impractical, he says, but their own devices, they might have we had the discussion. What do we when it works, “It’s remarkable what spoken right past these issues.” have in our hands at the end that happens overnight.” makes it worth having?” They don’t need to make things up, and they don’t have any reason Brockman likes to “make sure that in “By the end of that initial conver- to waste time formulating bland the first day you get all of the hairy, sation, you have a set of desired speeches. difficult issues laid out. You really outcomes, and maybe you prioritize want people to go to bed with their The workshops wrap up with commit- them,” says Cohen. “Let’s pretend we heads filled with a thorough and ments—something each attendee is don’t have time for all them; which honest view of the complexity of the willing to do within a short period of of these do we really want to have in project.” According to Brockman, the time. “They are now part of something hand?” group knits together as a functioning larger than themselves,” says Crespin. team on day one, and on day two, the To bring the agenda to life, incorporate 10. Don’t make people miserable solutions “are just better.” outcomes into it. Rather than blocking off time for “daylighting,” dedicate Don’t get too focused on a narrow You have to be okay leaving things time to “identify, for each major unresolved, “which can be pretty un- occupancy, five ideas for how day- definition of success, says Moshe Cohen. “It’s nice to have the results. comfortable,” cautions Brockman. He lighting could contribute to occupant recalls a workshop on materials and experience and energy savings.” But there are miserable processes to go through, [and] there are more fun health that was particularly success­ 9. Give the audience the reins processes to go through.” He says, “I ful at laying out, on the first day, all want to ask them, ‘What do you want the reasons why the problem was Depending on the workshop, you this conversation to look like?’” hard and could never be solved. Had could establish trust, put specific he taken things too far? The second topics on the agenda, and guide Most people don’t want to sit brain- day, “Everyone came back ready to specific discussion topics in one fell storming for eight hours straight, if work, and a lot of interesting things swoop. they can even last that long without happened.” getting bored, disengaged, or tired. 12. Start on time; end early Richard Crespin of CollaborateUp But different groups have different is facilitating a series of workshops, priorities. Do they want to move Fill the mornings and go easy in the through a grant from the Robert Wood around? Do they want small chunks? afternoons, says Ralph DiNola, CEO Johnson Foundation, to look at how Do they want to break things up with of the New Buildings Institute, who businesses can play more of a role in pecha-kucha style presentations? says he’s gone from doing eight-hour community health. With 200 people Different groups will name different sessions to preferring five or six hours. sitting around tables, and a slate of preferences that can be used in Once you decide you’re not going to speakers on a dais, Crespin gives the designing a workshop. push on to 5 p.m., the day typically audience the first word. He asks the breaks down into three chunks (with people at tables to introduce them- Of course, keep in mind that the breaks between): selves to each other and name what facilitator, as with the role of the architect discussed earlier, is a they think is the number-one barrier to • First morning session a healthier city. Each table confers and translator. Look for what the group agrees on one item, then shares it with wants the day to feel like, not • Second morning session the whole room, generating about 20 necessarily what the specific activities items. Then every single speaker has are. • Early afternoon session to get up and speak to one of those “After that, it’s hard to do anything,” topics. The rest of the workshop goes says DiNola, based on his experience back and forth between the stage and with dozens of workshops. the small groups.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 5 13. When you’re short on time For a net-zero-water project, Svec wants “everybody who has a stake Ralph DiNola has been a part of five- in water in that system,” from waste­ day charrettes and half-day ones. If water plant engineers to irrigation you’re pressed for time, what should system designers to the plumbing you focus on? engineer to a landscape architect or engineer who’s an expert in living He breaks it into the following systems. hierarchy: you start with a vision or mission statement. In order to achieve Take the right people and the right that vision, what are the goals? (They workshop activities, “and then some- should be measurable.) Then get down how because you’re all there together, to the core strategies that will help you you have enough of the little pieces achieve those goals. of what you need to make the whole solution. And it’s really kind of “The tactical part,” he says, “the action magic,” says Svec. plan, is something you can outline and continue to work on later with a more 15. Let wallflowers bloom thorough work plan.”

Awareness of differences in how Photos: David Katzenstein How to Set the Table— introverts and extroverts contribute to a workshop, and how to support A recent design workshop at BKSK Architects For the Right Group of included a spread of whole foods, including eggs everyone’s voice, was a common pickled with beets. BKSK’s design team believes in People theme from experts we spoke to for nourishing project participants in a way that aligns this article. with their values and supports an encouraging Who you invite, how you frame the atmosphere. conversation, and even the food you “I mix up the process,” says Moshe Their interests might not be shared serve, can all be design opportunities Cohen. “There might be introverts by others, but you have to work with to bring you closer to your goals. who won’t say a word in a large what’s there, says Cohen. Either group, but get them into small groups, 14. Run a diversity check individually or in the group, get them and they are really comfortable.” to talk about their interests—which Change the structure from large One of Phaedra Svec’s approaches to might not be what you think. The groups to small groups to pairs. A workshop design is place-centered. fewer assumptions you can make facilitator can float around and ask She’ll ask herself, “What do we need about where someone is coming from, questions of specific individuals to to know about this place and all the better. And often, when someone bring them into the conversation. the people who have a stake in this feels heard and sees the larger purpose place?” That leads to a lot of thought Mixing in reflective writing and of the room, they will cooperate more about who is invited, with a focus on speaking also tends to give everyone fully. disciplinary diversity. an opportunity to contribute. Before Someone who disagrees with the rest a group discussion, pose a question For an early-phase inter­disciplinary of the room might have a critical point. and ask everyone to write a few ideas design workshop, Svec wants to What if the room is ready to move on in response. Then discuss those with have—to name a few—an investor or to a new topic, but one person isn’t your neighbor, and then discuss them someone who’s focused on finances; ready to let it go? Ask them why, with the larger group. That progres- a facility manager; people who are and write out their interests. Then, sion allows everyone time to organize responsible for the program; and negotiate a process to move forward their thoughts. people who are thinking about that helps move the group toward ecology and water. If it’s a university 16. Gain value from disagreeable success. project, she wants someone from people the greater community. If it’s an 17. Inspire new thinking with an outside expert office building, someone from the “You as a facilitator have to be there neighborhood. to support even the most vocal, Bringing an expert into a workshop argumentative voices in the room,” What about the designers? Svec wants who isn’t attached to the project says Moshe Cohen. “You don’t want to “co-creators who are not just design- can catalyze fresh thinking. On one alienate these folks who sit in the back ing sculptures that are buildings, project, a highly controlled laboratory smoldering and looking for ways to but people who are designing the building for nanotechnology research, sabotage” the day. experience that you’re going to have Wilson Architects brought in engineer there.” Peter Rumsey to a number of early

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 6 workshops. Jacob Werner, AIA, direc- • Speak from your heart. The paper describes safety as an tor of sustainable design at Wilson, “inclusive environment that fosters says that the team invited Rumsey • Listen with rapture. participation and a willingness to because of his experience in regions share ideas and ask questions.” • Speak for 30 seconds. outside of the project team’s core Ground rules like those above, when experience, and because of his sense of • Make sure everyone has had a enforced tactfully, can go a long way. what is theoretically possible as well chance to weigh in on a topic Many people will only become fully as what is sensible to pursue. before moving on—especially those invested in a workshop and actively who might be inclined to hold The project’s programming puts it on participate after they’ve assessed that back, whether due to personality or the extreme end of energy use intensi- it’s emotionally safe—that they won’t internal politics. ty, according to Werner, at about 1,000 be ignored or be ridiculed for an idea. 2 kBtu/ft . “Little things that might not Malin’s favorite rules for brain­ Establishing and reinforcing that matter as much” on a smaller build- storming, which can apply to other environment­ is a primary function of ing, “like coefficient of drag on the situations, include: good facilitation. It’s done by ampli- ductwork, can result in huge energy fying a comment that the group might savings,” says Werner. Spurred on by • Never respond or react to others’ otherwise have devalued because Rumsey, the team looked at engineer- ideas while brainstorming. it didn’t come from someone in a ing the ductwork to reduce the static position of power. Or it can come by pressure in the system. The bigger • No ideas are bad ideas. respectfully interrupting someone ductwork will require more height who is taking the group off track. The • Name it; don’t explain it (at least but could make a huge difference in latter is especially difficult but shows not for more than a few seconds). energy use. a commitment to the process and a focus on the entire group. It’s also 18. Set ground rules to maintain The latter can feel like a tight constraint, but when enforced in about what you don’t do: talk down to focus practice, it helps overcome a couple of someone or laugh at their expense. tendencies: to say something once and To set ground rules that fit your Setting ground rules for participants then explain it or repeat it in different audience and speak to them in their is second nature for experienced words; and to move on to a related language, listen carefully and be facilitators. Laying out such rules idea. explicitly isn’t always necessary, but flexible. Facilitators often take risks when they do need to be enforced, it’s 19. To enable risk-taking, in bringing their own language better to have had the expectation out create a safe space and methods to a group they don’t in the open. know that well. Talking about “safe” A term sometimes used to describe spaces isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, for Great ground rules generally follow the space created by ground rules example. “Trust” could be a better common themes, though they vary like these is “safe.” According to the synonym for some audiences. Pushing depending on the workshop activity. Institute for the Built Environment, people outside of their comfort zones “Rules for brainstorming are different every project it studied for its white can be constructive, but you don’t from rules for problem-solving or paper on collaboration that had want to lose half the room simply prioritizing or coming to consensus on an ineffective process had one trait because your language doesn’t fit their a direction,” points out Nadav Malin, in common: a lack of safety and culture. president of BuildingGreen and an opportunity to share ideas. experienced facilitator. 20. Feed them. Well.

The one rule Malin finds the most Food and setting are essential parts of common application for across work- meeting design, says Jennifer Preston, shop activities is “one idea at a time.” who considers hosting to be part of When speaking (or facilitating), finish the architect’s role, “making sure that one topic before moving on to the everybody feels welcome.” next. That way, everyone knows what the current topic is and can develop it It started with the simple observation together. When multiple ideas are on that design staff show up to lunch- the table, the group loses focus. and-learns. Now, “in every meeting where I have brought a version of Other rules that Malin draws Photo: David Katzenstein nourishment to it, there’s been an on (crediting the facilitator Mixing reflective writing exercises, small-group exhalation,” Preston says, which she Robert Leaver), especially for discussions, and reporting out in large groups, claims can create room for discovery. values-alignment exercises, include: as in this workshop at BKSK Architects, creates space for different personality types to formulate With one client, her firm was leading and share thoughts. an intensive four-hour workshop to

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 7 evaluate the possible alignment of conversation time,” says Cohen. “You want them to show their work LEED, the WELL Building Standard, “Preferably feed people. While they’re and have their assumptions shown Passivhaus, and the Living Building eating, walk around as the facilitator. in a common spreadsheet or up on Challenge on a high-rise residential Go and have personal conversations the walls,” she says. If you’re not project. not about the substance of what they doing that, she warns, rather than are there to do, but people’s lives, their iterating through progressively more It was lunchtime. commutes. Later on, when you need appropriate solutions, you’ll end up to connect on substance, the ice has in a circular conversation. Svec also “We knew that health and wellness been broken.” notes, six months from now when were highly valued by this client, and you’re still tweaking your water usage for us too,” Preston said. “We were While that may seem like common-­ numbers and how that affects the very particular about the kind of sense advice, how many meetings, constructed wetland, you need to be food we brought in,” which included workshops, or presentations have you able to see what everyone contributed simple, colorful, whole foods. In been to where the facilitator is in front and what they were assuming. general, she aims for supporting of the room fiddling with their equip- collegiality with something more like ment while people are gathering and 24. To save time, get to the heart a family meal than a corporate boxed eating? of sticking points lunch. Before a meeting, Preston unwraps and breaks up chocolate Nadav Malin notes that this skill With a current government client, bars; they’re a go-to item for keep- was part of what made the late Gail Phaedra Svec was pushing them to ing energy up, but no one wants to Lindsey, FAIA, exceptional. “By the consider drinking rainwater. deal with that awkward crinkling time a meeting started, she had found Why didn’t they want to? “Rainwater sound mid-meeting. She pre-peels a common experience or common is dirty, and you can’t control it.” oranges and thinks through the setting friend with nearly everyone in the of the table with paper, pens, and room.” Why can’t you? “There’s bird poop.” other items. “Everything is a design opportunity,” she notes. 22. Build the group’s trust with There is a first flush, and then there’s an early win filtration, so… why? “There’s the city The meeting concluded on an water; we know what’s in it.” encouraging note and has led to on­ There are a lot of ways a facilitated going dialogue about the project goals, workshop can go off-course, says Do you really know what’s in the city including wellness. “I believe that Moshe Cohen. Trust among the group water? started with nourishment,” she says. and with the facilitator is critical to By asking a lot of questions, Svec says bridging rough areas. He advises (“usually it’s about five layers deep”), winning the trust of the group early in Stretch the Group’s Vision they found that the client could the process. to Maximum Benefit see the possibilities of consuming onsite rainwater, but is concerned When I picture a design charrette, I see “Very often, I will get them going with some activity that gives them the about becoming responsible for architects huddled together, drafting, water quality and possible health mapping programs, and detailing wall sense that I know what I’m doing,” says Cohen. Since defining success is repercussions. It’s not clear whether sections. I picture plans pinned on the or how the project will surmount walls. also key, an early discussion is likely to be: “What does success look like for that objection, but at least they’ve When it comes to the heart of a today?” identified the core problem. That workshop, drafting can be an essential could become a design challenge, or it activity. But as we’ve been exploring “There is no way to get that wrong,” could become a constraint, but in any throughout this article, the most he says. “The way you conduct your- case they aren’t wasting time talking successful workshops are a design self in that first discussion says a lot about water filtration options. exercise from their conception all about how you’re going to function the way through reporting out. They as a facilitator the rest of the day. You allow for deep input, conversations, win some trust.” and team building. Let the sketching 23. Support iteration: and other specific work of design Show your work occur as an organic result of this broader setting. Once Phaedra Svec has the right 21. Small talk is a big deal people in the room, she wants them to be transparent with each other. “Build into the day some time at the beginning that is more of an informal

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 8 25. Make your research relatable Ekman uses all that research as setup Presenting research on the project site for activities where and setting that’s done in the weeks stakeholders identify before a workshop is important to exactly where they Rand Ekman, AIA, chief sustainability want to fall on a officer at HKS. “Mechanical people scale of options for need to be able to express a ventilation topics like energy perspective. Landscape people need efficiency, ventilation to talk about habitat and water. The effectiveness, and owner needs to talk about the values material health. that are driving the project,” he says. 26. Invite nature “It all paints a picture of what matters Image: HKS for that place.” into your brain Rand Ekman of HKS likes to conduct deep research on a client’s regional and social context and mission before a major workshop. He then shares Ekman likes to present sustainability-­ Connecting to nature those stories with participants, who are asked to discuss overall project related topics in a way that relates in whatever setting goals and pick targets on a scale, as shown here. clearly to the place of the project and you’re in is useful on the values of the people involved. For a number of levels, Being able to draw on that energy example, rather than talking about says Phaedra Svec. At one charrette, throughout the day is important. global warming in abstract terms, he the group was working next to a relates it to the U.S. Heat Wave Index green roof planted with prairie plants. Even if you’re stuck in a windowless and its effect on asthma rates in the After working through the morning, conference room, you can always have area. she asked people to go outside, close a group close their eyes and visit a their eyes and take a deep breath and place that was alive for them when engage their senses. The instructions: they were children. “Everybody has 37. For a deep perspective take in the sounds and smells, feel the an answer for that question,” says shift, lie on your belly sun or the shade or the breeze, and Svec. And “you get to hear something then open your eyes and find some- about that person that you wouldn’t The following “Zooming In” exercise have known otherwise.” is one of a number of “iSites” used thing that’s living. by Biomimicry 3.8 during workshops, The participants were standing on a 27. Kill groupthink with and is used here with permission. It a pre-mortem is adapted from Tom Brown’s Field green roof situated in a dense urban Guide: Nature Observation and space. “There was a lot of stuff that Tracking. wasn’t alive,” Svec said. She didn’t According to Richard Crespin, the “pre-mortem” meeting, for Mark off a square foot (approximately think they would look any further 0.1 sq meter) of ground in any natural than the roof. They did, scanning the anticipating problems rather than habitat, using string or sticks. Look at horizon for trees and making other waiting till they’ve happened, was it from a standing position for a few discoveries. One person looked up developed after the Challenger minutes. Notice what you see, and a hill at some patches of continuous disaster. After the Space Shuttle describe the area. Make a sketch if exploded during launch in 1986, you want. habitat, and saw the rooftop as another patch, and the building they the public learned that engineers Then kneel down and observe it from were designing somewhere in the had recognized a significant risk in that vantage point for a few minutes. middle. “We determined that while proceeding with the launch; they Notice the things that you missed while had voiced those concerns but were standing. Kansas City [Missouri] has a whole monarch butterfly way­station program ignored. Next, lie on your belly or lean closer in place, nobody had considered how to explore the area in detail. Look at “People behave differently in groups to do that downtown. We saw the it as if you were an astronaut on a than they do as individuals,” says strange planet. If you find something opportunity and incorporated it into Crespin. “Part of being in the group that captures your attention, such as the project.” an insect, worm, or plant, observe is abiding by certain group norms,” it as long as you want, then explore While that exercise had a very specific which in the case of the shuttle somewhere else in your square. Stay impact on the project, the change in engineers was a mentality called “go with your exploration for at least 10 mindset is the real object, she says. fever.” In the pre-mortem, Crespin minutes. “People get into that place of being a says, “Let’s step back and look at Finally, stand up and look at it from little bit more mindful,” Svec notes. all the ways this thing could fail. your original viewpoint. Don’t analyze “They set aside some of their anxiety How can we mitigate or avoid these it; just experience and appreciate the about being with strangers. They tap things?” An exercise like this makes difference from how you originally it part of the meeting norm to ask viewed the miniature landscape. into the creative part of their brain.” challenging questions.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 9 28. Teach a model to organize 4. Take some time to contemplate and pump for future water systems. Back thinking pick a favorite idea. Write it down. in the present, that translated to [2 minutes] concepts for integrating the building’s Moshe Cohen blends teaching into water systems as a visual feature. facilitation—and not necessarily on 5. Reveal your votes and note them subjects that directly relate to the field with a dot on the whiteboard. [3 Another way to spur imaginative in question. “If the group is talking minutes] thinking is simply to set ambitious goals as thought experiments. For about a specific subject where I think I In “classic” note and vote, there is a can help them organize their thinking some projects, that might be Living decider who picks the idea or ideas Building Challenge certification. by relating it to a relevant theoretical that the team will go with. In a work- model, I’ll throw it in there,” he says. The trick might be finding the goal shop environment, you could open it that’s exciting for the group but not “It helps people organize how they up to discussion. Should an unpopular think.” too intimidating. If net-zero energy idea be considered? If we accept the feels out of the question for an entire For example, if a group is dissatisfied favorite idea, how do we build on it? project, maybe there’s a wing that could be net-zero. And if that’s with some aspect of what they’re Try note-and-vote the next time you inspiring and gets traction, perhaps it designing, Cohen might introduce need to generate new ideas or choose can grow. them to Kurt Lewin’s force-field an option. analysis, a framework that looks at 32. Show you’ve heard them how “helping forces” or “hindering 30. Close your eyes to see better forces” are driving movement toward Whether or not your idea gets used, or away from a goal. He’ll then ask the Ralph DiNola often does a “visioning” you want to know that it was heard. group how they could apply it this to exercise right after introductions. And when there is confidence that the situation. “It may feel a little touchy-feely,” he ideas are being heard, more ideas— says, but you have people close their 29. For painless brainstorms, and more radical ideas—tend to eyes. “It’s opening day; the project is note and vote follow. Generating ideas and giving completed. There’s a celebration. You them air is one point of the workshop, arrive, walk up, what do you see? but so is giving participants a sense of Have you ever been in a brain­ What’s outside? What does it feel like? ownership and investment. For that, storming session that felt like it What do you smell?” was moving too slowly or was too, it’s essential that everyone feel bogged down by spending too much DiNola asks participants to visualize heard. time on less effective solutions? all of this, remember key features, and Lisa Petterson likes to employ really At BuildingGreen, we sometimes then write those things down before easy design tools in workshops, like combat these tendencies with the reporting out. “It’s a powerful way wooden blocks and colored pieces of “note and vote” approach, which was of having people have a vision of the cardboard that represent difference popularized by Google Ventures. shared goal.” pieces of the program. Taking notes on Here’s the structure: 31. Use time travel whiteboards or flipcharts is standard practice, of course, and some work- 1. Everyone gets paper, a pen, and is Ralph DiNola also likes extending shops hire graphic artists switching asked to brainstorm as many ideas visioning to the far past or future. nimbly between five different colored as possible. No one but you will see Design an exercise for a project that this list, so don’t self-censor. [5 to might look and feel like the one 10 minutes] you’re working on but is outrageously 2. Pick one to three favorites from different in some way. Change some your list. These are the items you’ll parameters so that “All of our pre­ share with the group. (In a large conceived notions don’t exist any group, you might first share these more,” he says, like that plumbing or with one or two other people and electricity as we know it don’t exist. winnow your list down further “Set them loose on it and make it a before sharing with the whole competition,” DiNola advises. “That room.) [2 minutes] frees people up to be super-creative and outrageous.” Photo courtesy Ralph DiNola 3. Go around and share your top Jim Oswald graphically records dialogue during the ideas, with one person recording “The design solutions are really amazing, and when you then get into Oregon Sustainability Center charrette. Capturing them on a whiteboard. There’s no comments with flip charts, photos, and other discussion or feedback yet. [5 to 10 the present day charrette, that thinking methods not only helps a group hold onto ideas; shows up,” he says. One workshop it also helps individuals feel heard, encouraging minutes] participation. envisioned using algae as a natural

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 10 markers to capture ideas as the group works.

Whatever you do, “People just want to feel like their thoughts are captured,” says Petterson. If you’re taking photos of flipcharts or models, a Polaroid camera gives a physical sense that something has been recorded. If you’re going digital, Petterson says that having a computer in the room where photos are uploaded gives a real sense that the ideas haven’t disappeared. 33. End with a question, not an answer Image: RNL A new municipal office building to house the customer services and executive administration of Fort Collins Utilities was the focus of a multi-day workshop. Josie Plaut of the Institute for the Built Environment, If you’re doing a multi-day workshop, which facilitated, credits the gathering and the alignment it supported with rapidly building consensus how do you get the most out of that around a radical redevelopment plan for the block which led to the city council electing to shut down a street. sleep cycle, as well as relaxed evening time? workshops hard to do, says that they people were working for the client on typically save time overall. different things. Shift their thinking Phaedra Svec suggests formulating and arrive at a solution they wouldn’t a specific question that invites “This notion that you don’t have have gotten to” if they weren’t there. participants to reflect on the day, time is true if all the different players Doing that is a bit unpredictable and stretch a bit. She’s typically are completely disempowered,” he in that you never know where the spontaneous about it, but an example explains. If the architect or the owner added value will come from, but it’s might be, “Imagine that you’re a can move forward with a project with completely replicable with effective young student coming to this site for little input, the project won’t be as facilitation. a field trip. What kind of experience good without a design workshop, do you want to have?” Depending on though it might move more quickly. 35. Reports: Keep them short the workshop’s topic, she might ask “But in the real world, there are lots of (and cheap) a question that hasn’t been discussed possible veto mechanisms.” yet but that isn’t too heavy, like “Is Ralph DiNola talks about a project on there a place for pollinators on the A typical example is a project where which a developer was rehabilitating site?” the design team gets relatively far a historic property to lease to a along and tries to win over support university. The developer was The question does a couple things, for a project with what Smith calls respected for historic work but new observes Svec. It displaces busy- the “ta da!” effect: just give them a to LEED and also new to the charrette work, like rerunning calculations beautiful design, and everyone will process. after dinner, that would get in the come on board. In practice, people way of reflection. It also gives people who haven’t bought in can and will In a post-mortem review of the a sense that they’ll be returning to organize to stop the project. Another successful project, DiNola was something fun in the morning. It also four months or more get added to the shocked when the developer seemed takes away anxiety about not knowing schedule. “The people who think they to turn his back on the charrette, what you’re going to be expected to don’t have time to do this have to back saying, “I don’t know if I would do contribute the next day. up and start again.” that again.” DiNola thought that the workshop had transformed the project Extending the Value The financial case is similar. Clark and set it on a positive track. Back at Brockman describes a typical work- his office, he pulled up the charrette Do you have time for all this? If you shop where the client “walks into the report, which described key features think you don’t, that’s a good sign you room and they see 15 or 16 people, of the project—all of which were do. most of whom are the most senior realized when it was designed and people in the firm. You can just built. DiNola sent the report to the 34. Know the price and imagine certain clients that start to what it buys developer with a note. The developer tally; this meeting is clocking in at replied with an apology in which he $6,000 per hour.” To get them to forget affirmed the value of writing down Z Smith, while lamenting that some about that, Brockman says, “The goal goals, and how the charrette had projects move on timeframes that is to meet or exceed the value that enabled that. DiNola notes that, like a make well planned and well attended would have been achieved if those roadmap, a report shouldn’t sit on the

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 11 shelf. “Come back to it and check on OP-ED a foothold in LEED. The Sustainable it.” Forestry Initiative (SFI) has, in fact, Editorial: FSC, LEED, and tended to give foresters on the ground Josie Plaut says that long and fancy the Price of Perfectionism more leeway to make decisions—a reports have helped make some position they argue leads to better projects feel that they can’t afford A hard line against industry­ outcomes for the forest than FSC’s workshops. “It’s the process itself sponsored alternatives to FSC more prescriptive approach. But there which is the value-add and not the certification in the past may are also some substantive measures in report,” she contends, noting that the have unfortunate outcomes for FSC that SFI doesn’t address. Institute for the Built Environment the world’s forests. now spends much less time (and fee) To me, the bottom line has always on creating a report. By Nadav Malin been that whatever approach LEED takes, it should provide an incentive 36. Continue the transformation, Throughout the eight years I spent as for all these programs to keep improv- from project to organization founding chair of LEED’s Materials & ing. The two-tier approach that was Resources Technical Advisory Group rejected in the past did just that: FSC A good workshop will produce a (MR TAG), no single issue consumed had to keep getting better to justify its high-functioning team with a unified as much of our time and attention higher valuation, and SFI would keep understanding of its vision and likely as forest product certification. Ever striving to catch up to FSC. Instead, strategies. “You know the project will since LEED arrived, forest product USGBC members refused to give SFI be better,” says Clark Brockman. companies and associations have a foot in the door. By shutting them lobbied to change the U.S. Green out entirely, they risked inviting an Ralph DiNola agrees that integrated Building Council’s (USGBC’s) position assault on LEED, which materialized workshops are really about build- of endorsing only Forest Stewardship successfully in Georgia and Maine. ing effective teams. He asks, “How Council (FSC) certification. are you going to change what their Apparently, USGBC finally decided process is to deliver on that not just Over the years, two specific proposals that the cost of continuing to fight once but many times?” Once an were introduced and then rejected those battles with the industry was organization has some experience with by USGBC members, with strong higher than the cost of alienating the workshops, DiNola suggests finding lobbying by FSC and its supporters. pro-FSC lobby, so they used the pilot new areas to apply them. The first, in 2006, was drafted by credit path to allow SFI and the other BuildingGreen founder Alex Wilson programs in without asking members At one corporation, he says, the group at the request of USGBC’s Board of first. They could do this because pilot was so pleased with charrettes done Directors. It called for two tiers of credits are time-limited—though they for individual building projects that credit recognition, with two points haven’t stated what the time horizon they did a charrette just focused on for FSC wood and one for wood that is for this one. And they’re justifying commissioning. Commissioning is documented as coming from legal it by simultaneously addressing agents were running into roadblocks sources. USGBC put that proposal out the persistent problem of illegally and finding that teams weren’t to members without much supporting harvested wood; until now, there has coordinated around their work. The outreach or education. FSC advocates been no mechanism to keep it out of workshop focused on solving those organized strong opposition, and it LEED buildings. problems as a team. DiNola has done didn’t move forward. lots of workshops for design and This move against wood from illegal construction projects; he sees value in From 2008 to 2010, with technical sources is excellent—although, doing more at the organizational level. support from Yale University forest until it becomes a prerequisite, the certification experts, the MR TAG problem of such wood being used in Wrapping Up developed a more complex system a LEED building hasn’t really been for evaluating certification programs. solved. And if it is introduced as a If this article were a workshop, I’d That system was also proposed as a blanket prerequisite, it could, in effect, want to check in now about your way of allowing for multiple tiers of discourage the use of wood in favor experience. Did you get a couple ideas recognition, and it was also rejected by of more carbon-intensive materials. to apply to your next event? Are you members. Because the highest risk of illegal inspired to bring a more integrative Throughout these debates, the pro- harvest tends to be in tropical forests, process to your next major project as a first step it should become a meeting? FSC position has been that any program that falls short of FSC in rigor prerequisite for non-structural uses of wood, which would solve most of the Again, please leave a comment, or is inherently flawed. A subtext of this problem without much backsliding on contact me with your thoughts. position is that industry-­sponsored forest certification programs can carbon reduction. never be trusted and can’t be given

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 12 The pilot credit as applied to LEED version 4 severely undermines LEED’s support for the higher certification standard represented by FSC and, perhaps more unfortunately, removes any incentive for either FSC or the other programs to keep improving. I can only hope that it won’t be around in this form for very long, and that a smarter compromise position can finally be reached.

In retrospect, our core question as FSC advocates a decade ago should not have been “How do we keep SFI and other industry-backed programs out of LEED at all costs?” but “How can those programs be included in LEED in a way that minimizes damage to FSC and promotes the values we all share?”

Maybe this new initiative is Photo released anonymously for safety reasons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. an opportunity to reopen that This photo allegedly shows a stockpile of illegally harvested rosewood in Antalaha, Madagascar. conversation. because parts of the credit language As a complement to these legal frame- go beyond the requirement of legality works, the World Resource Institute’s NEWS (see below). Forest Legality Alliance, the Rainforest Alliance, the World Wildlife Fund, and LEED Pilots Legal Wood, What’s legal wood? many other groups offer guidance and Expansion of Certified even certifications to help companies Wood The criminal underworld isn’t just ensure they are practicing due care about drug and sex trafficking. with their sourcing. A pilot credit calls attention According to the United Nations It’s unclear whether the Lacey Act to illegal logging while also Environment Programme (UNEP) would apply directly to design or opening LEED to SFI and and Interpol, 50% to 90% of logging construction firms, but the LEED other certifications. in South America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia “is being carried credit could help support a pre­ By Paula Melton out by organized crime, threatening cautionary legal approach. “I can’t efforts to combat climate change [and] tell you if Ayers Saint Gross’s work Many new buildings—including, deforestation, conserve wildlife, and has illegal wood,” says Anne Hicks presumably, many LEED build- eradicate poverty.” Income from these Harney, sustainability director and ings—contain illegally harvested activities may be used to fund civil specifications writer at that firm and wood. LEED has no requirement for wars and terrorism. a member of the LEED Materials & project teams to vet non-certified Resources Technical Advisory Group timber sources when specifying wood Some supply chains for timber and (MR TAG). “To me, it seemed reason- products. wood fiber are complex, and in able to make a requirement that wood that realm, there may be no way to has to be verified to be legal.” A new alternative compliance path guarantee that you are sourcing wood (ACP), now available throughout the that was legally logged. However, Thinking through how the process LEED rating systems as a pilot credit, it’s imperative (and actually legally would work, Harney identifies con- aims to address the issue of sourcing required under the Lacey Act in the versations with manufacturers about illegal wood. The credit, Legal Wood, U.S. and similar laws in Europe and legal wood as “a change agent mo- encourages market testing and feed- Australia) that companies purchasing ment” for the industry. To help moti- back that may be used to develop wood as part of their business practice vate those conversations, Harney says, and refine a future LEED prerequisite “due care” to reduce the risk that “Every LEED project in the office is prohibiting illegal wood and fiber. they’re buying wood from the black now required to meet MRc7,” the Cer- market. tified Wood credit in LEED 2009. New It ought to be a no-brainer. But there’s construction projects under LEED v4 a catch, and it’s a controversial one,

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 13 will be required to meet the Raw LEED, Sullens adds. “FSC might get a Orlando last January. Was there really Material Sourcing credit, where the bump up and be a higher point-earner, consensus, reaching out to every- ACP is housed in that rating system. rather than a pass/fail for FSC.” body? I haven’t been convinced. They “Basically, we will be treating this as a couldn’t answer that in the public prerequisite.” This is not the first time SFI and other hearing.” systems have been considered for Beyond legal inclusion in LEED. The U.S. Green Jason Metnick, senior vice president Building Council (USGBC) in 2010 of customer affairs at SFI, disagrees Although the ACP’s name references put this question out for a consensus with the notion that the ASTM process legality, the fine print defines ballot, and its members rejected was not inclusive. “With all ASTM three tiers of compliance—legal, inclusion of SFI and other certification standards, they are done in an open, responsible, and certified. systems in LEED. That was before transparent consensus manner,” USGBC began making regular use Metnick told BuildingGreen. “ASTM In order to achieve the point in LEED of the LEED pilot credit library as a does work under a consensus process for New Construction version 2009, for way to get preliminary feedback on and is very credible.” example, where the ACP is available proposed requirements. under the Certified Wood credit Jason Grant, a member of the Sierra (MRc7), all of the following must be Not so fast Club forest certification and green true, based on definitions used in building team, and a vocal advocate of an ASTM designation standard (the Although Sullens suggests that a FSC certification, disagrees. He claims standard is discussed in more detail tiered approach to certifications that environmental groups were below): in LEED is a goal of the MR TAG, not invited or privy to the develop- officials at USGBC were less clear. ment process for ASTM D7612–10. • All wood must be verified as legal. “No one on the FSC side was at the The ACP “is not intended to replace table,” Grant told BuildingGreen. “We • 70% of wood must be from rewarding leadership practices in actually tried to go and see who was responsible sources. sourcing,” says Sara Cederberg, AIA, on the committee” during develop- technical director of LEED at USGBC. • 50% of wood must be certified. ment, he claims, “but they wouldn’t “It is a minimum set of requirements tell us.” In effect, this new compliance for legality.” path expands LEED’s definition ASTM staff did not immediately Why, then, are the “responsible of “certified wood.” The ASTM return a request for comment. sourcing” and “certified” tiers designation of “certified wood” included? It’s also unclear why this North recognizes the Sustainable Forestry American standard—whose purpose Institute (SFI), the American Tree According to Cederberg, this was done is merely to provide definitions Farm System (ATFS), the Canadian primarily because the ASTM standard and list programs that meet these Standards Association Sustainable referenced in the credit includes these definitions—was chosen instead of Forest Management Standard tiers. “I think our aim here is to really an established international stan- (CSA), and the Programme for the shift the conversation to talk about dard focused exclusively on wood Endorsement of Forest Certification legal wood as the main issue. The legality (these include Timber Legality (PEFC) in addition to the Forest focus on legality and traceability really & Traceability Verification by SGS, Stewardship Council (FSC) standard. draw attention to this topic,” says Verification of Legal Origin by the FSC was the only program LEED Cederberg. Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood previously recognized in all of its program, and the LegalHarvest credits relating to forest products. About that standard … Verification by SCS Global Services, to name a few). “This whole thing is the start of a The choice of the standard referenced more nuanced, more tiered approach,” in the ACP, ASTM D7612–10, was Cederberg told BuildingGreen that says Wes Sullens, who is manager of controversial during the TAG’s none of these international frame- green building policy and advocacy at discussions, according to Sullens, works were considered. “We chose StopWaste and chair of the MR TAG. who criticized the standard for “using to align around the ASTM standard’s “As part of the discussions with the terminology that’s confusing to definition. Other frameworks did not TAG, we disagreed on how to tier the industry.” Sullens continues, “I come up in committee discussions.” wood in the credit overall,” which is personally don’t think it’s a very good one of the reasons the group decided standard.” Mixed messaging to conduct a pilot and gather feedback. Sullens also had questions about how In contrast to USGBC’s position that The next goal is to work out further ASTM D7612–10 was developed. this is all about legality, SFI and other details on how that tiered system will “This came up at the [International groups—including the Green Building eventually work in future versions of Green Construction Code] hearing in

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 14 Initiative (the group behind the Green possible to transform the market,” he Globes rating system), the American notes, so “that is a delicate balance— Forest & Paper Association, and what it means to be best in class” the American Forest Foundation— while also popularizing a standard to are lauding the “responsible” and meet the needs and demands of more “certified” tiers of the ACP. building owners and projects.

“Let me make clear that I do not In a statement, Corey Brinkema, believe that this is just about illegal president of FSC–US, praised logging,” Metnick told BuildingGreen. USGBC’s “efforts to screen out illegal “It is about supporting responsible, forest products,” but he called for certified materials in the supply chain “limits [to] be placed on the pilot test. as well. It does open it up [for SFI and Specifically, the test should include no other programs] to be recognized for more than the first 100 projects that credit in the LEED rating system.” He register, which is more than enough Image: USGBC attributes the change in part to SFI’s data to establish if legality will work outreach to USGBC in 2015 when as a prerequisite.” A pilot alternative compliance path awards points for a high enough score from the LEED Dynamic it introduced an updated standard. Plaque. (For BuildingGreen’s review of that According to Cederberg, USGBC has not fixed a timeline or placed a standard, see Certified Wood: How SFI Purchase necessary Compares to FSC and our infographic, cap on the number of projects, but concerns from the MR TAG have led What These Forestry Labels Really Projects will need to purchase the Mean.) to a slightly modified process for revisiting the pilot ACP. Pilot credits LEED Dynamic Plaque software Marisa Long, PR & communications are typically reviewed after a year, (though purchasing the actual display director at USGBC, acknowledges that but “the committees have asked for unit is optional). The software pow- this type of messaging by the main- regular updates.” These will occur ers and provides access to LEEDon, stream forestry industry is “accurate,” after 100 projects and 250 projects a Web-based platform where project but, she maintains, “Our objective is register for the pilot, assuming this managers can input data about energy, creating a pathway for legal wood.” happens before the year is up. water, waste, transportation, and human experience. The software gen- Eyes on the prize This article was updated on Friday, April erates a performance score, and if the 8. We corrected our characterization of the building achieves a performance score Though he has disparaged parts of TAG’s goals in exploring a tiered approach of at least 40, then the score can serve the ACP—and is already mobilizing to certified wood. as an alternative compliance path for a campaign to advocate for changes the requirements of two prerequisites to the credit language—Grant says he (Building-Level Water Metering and fully supports the concept of a pre­ Dynamic Plaque Piloted Building-Level Energy Metering) and requisite for legal wood. In fact, he as LEED Performance Path sixteen credits. says, the Sierra Club proposed just There’s more to do to earn LEED such a prerequisite in 2009, but the It’s outcomes that matter in idea was “left on the cutting room certification. At minimum, the proj- the new performance path for ect would still need to meet the ten floor” for LEED v4, according to certifying existing buildings. Cederberg. remaining LEED-EBOM prerequisites, including those related to energy By Candace Pearson Sullens notes also that this ACP is the management and green cleaning. For a beginning of a process, not the end. Existing building projects can now higher score, the project could pursue The pilot process is a way of soliciting prove compliance with a good chunk other LEED credits that do not fall un- feedback, and he encourages members of LEED credits by earning a certain der the performance path by complet- to provide it. score through the LEED Dynamic ing the traditional documentation. Plaque. “I would say that it’s good to be vocal. Appealing to portfolio owners I think they can benefit from people The alternative compliance path, speaking their minds,” Sullens says. which is being piloted for the LEED v4 Scot Horst, chief product officer at the At the same time, he cautions that Building Operations and Maintenance U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), people should keep the entire inter- (LEED-EBOM) Rating System, allows told BuildingGreen that the main national marketplace in mind when teams to use performance data instead market for this alternative path to cer- thinking through their comments. of documenting each individual tification is likely to be large portfolio USGBC is “interested in the rating strategy. owners. system being used by as many as

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 15 According to Horst, some began using The plaque itself also faced criticisms AIA’s 2016 Top Ten Span the LEED Dynamic Plaque to re-certify when it was released as a re-­ Difficult Building Types their LEED buildings and then put the certification tool (see USGBC Rolls technology in their non-LEED build- Out LEED Dynamic Plaque Amid From a lab to a museum to ings to evaluate performance across Debate). Now that it is the basis for a grocery store, this year’s the board. The alternative compliance a certification path, those questions COTE Top Ten awards path makes it easier for those owners about its scoring components, base- showcase impressive energy to target non-certified buildings that line data, and perhaps too-simplified savings in buildings with might be close to the 40-point score. outcome-based approach are likely intensive energy usage. They could then quickly certify more to resurface. BuildingGreen asked of their portfolio. Horst why this path was developed By Allyson Wendt as a pilot (and thus outside the “Give us your data to get started, usual public comment and member The American Institute of Architects’ and we’ll try to get you on a path to balloting process). Horst said, “We Committee on the Environment improve,” says Horst. have governance procedures in place (COTE) Top Ten projects for 2016 show that allow us to adjust the system to an impressive move toward higher The path has broader applicability make it more usable. We set this up as performing buildings, with four of ten as well, Horst adds, especially for a pilot as a way to test the idea.” projects showing predicted or actual the kind of operations teams that are net-zero or net-positive energy use. focused on building improvement After 100 projects have piloted the but aren’t as interested in learning the pathway, the plan is to study whether The winning projects were mostly entire LEED process. “Here the data and how those projects differ from designed when the energy reduction functions as the documentation. For other LEED projects, says Horst. target set by the 2030 Commitment some people, data is a more straight- was 50%, the jury noted. But winners forward approach than providing More on the performance all met the newer, more stringent 60% documentation for a credit.” of existing buildings reduction target that became active when they opened between 2012 and But facility managers don’t just USGBC Rolls Out LEED Dynamic 2014. have to like data; they have to have Plaque, Amid Debate the Dynamic Plaque software to The jury also stated that actual participate. Only about 500 build- Six Ways Existing Buildings Can Save performance data was highly valuable, ings have adopted the plaque so far, the Planet especially in cases where the build- a number that includes a substantial ings did not perform as expected. number of free trials, says Horst. The Challenge of Existing Homes: This prompted teams to find solutions Perhaps the new compliance path will Retrofitting for Dramatic Energy to the performance gap. “This feed- be a stronger driver. Savings back loop is invaluable as we seek to improve performance profession-­ Outcomes, not process wide, and we applaud those teams

The appeal of the pathway is also a potential drawback, acknowledges Horst.

Basing certification on outcomes over implementing strategies takes emphasis away from the process. “We know there is value in making a team work together toward common goals. However, it is very difficult to organize teams in the same ways for existing buildings as for new build- ings.” There may not be a focused, concerted effort that is tied to a timeline, for example, which makes it harder to start and keep projects moving along. Given the urgency of improving the performance of existing buildings, getting more projects into LEED is a higher priority than push- Photo: Nick Merrick, Hedrich Blessing Photographers ing the process, according to Horst. The J. Craig Venter Institute is the first net-zero-energy biological laboratory in the U.S.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 16 willing to share challenges as well as The 18-story federal building received successes,” the jury wrote. funding for renovations that required it to meet the stringent requirements Of course, an AIA jury would not of the Energy Independence and leave aesthetics behind. “It’s great Security Act (EISA). The building is to see the trend toward deeper exceeding its energy savings goals, integration of performance and design demonstrating an overall 45% energy excellence,” jurors wrote. savings in the first two years of operation. A rainwater harvesting

AIA Top Ten Plus Winner system also exceeded expectations, Image: Denmarsh Photography, Inc. capturing 626,544 gallons annually in The Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt the first two years, representing a 65% Previously an entirely paved-over brownfield site, Federal Building the site for the Center for Sustainable Landscapes reduction in water use. can now manage a 10-year storm event with restored woodlands and wetlands. COTE added the Top Ten Plus Noted the jury, “This sets a great award in 2013 to recognize projects precedent for reuse and upgrade strategies both to connect users to that have followed through on their and demonstrates the potential for the natural world and to save energy performance goals. creative, green reuse projects.” through natural daylighting and solar gain. The result is an energy use For this award, the jury recognized the Top Ten Winners intensity (EUI) of 18 kBtu per square Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal foot per year, a 72% reduction over Building, once a generic concrete office Biosciences Research Building the median EUI for the building type. building. Originally built in 1974 in This energy use is more than offset by Portland, Oregon, it was retrofitted The Biosciences Research Building, the project’s onsite renewable-energy to be a modern, high-performance designed by Payette and Reddy systems, resulting in a net EUI of –3 building instead. The retrofit, which Architecture and Urbanism, is the kBtu per square foot per year. was designed by SERA Architects and first phase of a new science campus Cutler Anderson Architects, won in at National University of Ireland, The Dixon Water Foundation part because of its potential to inspire Galway. Despite the fact that much Josey Pavilion design teams working on the large of the building is used for laboratory number of other, similarly generic research, 45% of it is naturally venti- The Dixon Water Foundation buildings across the country. lated thanks to careful separation of approached Lake|Flato Architects laboratory and non-laboratory spaces. to design a multi-functional External corridors act as a thermal education and meeting center that “sweater” around the laboratory would serve the mission of the portion, mediating between external foundation: supporting healthy temperatures and the more tightly watersheds through sustainable land controlled laboratory conditions. This management. technique provides energy savings. Designed to have no active heating The building provided “great perfor- or cooling, the building has gapped mance on a tight budget that focused wooden doors that open to allow max- on elegant, passive solutions,” accord- imum ventilation through a central ing to the jury. “This is not an easy gathering space and along porches project type in which to incorporate oriented to catch summer breezes. passive strategies.” Cupolas provide daylight and use negative pressure from breezes pass- Center for Sustainable Landscapes ing over the roof to draw hot air out of the pavilion and provide airflow. 2 The 24,000 ft Center for Sustainable Rainwater is collected from the roof, Landscapes at Phipps Conservatory stored in a cistern, and then used for and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh sewage conveyance and occasional has achieved four green building irrigation needs. certifications: LEED Platinum, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building The jury noted, “This is the perfect Platinum, and Four-Stars Sustainable example of design excellence and Image: General Services Administration Sites Initiative (SITES) certification. sustainability working hand-in-hand. A retrofit project, Edith Green-Wendell The vernacular forms fit the site and Wyatt is exceeding its original energy goals, demonstrating an overall 45% savings in the Designed by The Design Alliance are appropriate to the Foundation’s first two years of operation. Architects, the building uses passive mission of sustainable agriculture. We

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 17 loved that the design allowed much Lake|Flato Architects and Selser of the program to function without Schaefer Architects, focused on these conditioned interior space.” systems.

The Exploratorium at Pier 15 A propane refrigeration system with low global warming potential allows The Exploratorium, an internationally for 95% less refrigerant than conven- known, hands-on science museum, tional systems. A seemingly minor recently moved to its new location in change—replacing food-display ice the newly renovated Pier 15 on San with refrigerated display cases— Image: Tim Griffith saved not only energy but also water, Francisco’s waterfront. This design converted a tiny former volleyball court contributing to the project’s 60% into an inviting educational facility that uses 90% Designed by EHDD to achieve net-­ overall reduction of regulated potable less energy than the national median for university zero energy use, the building includes water use. buildings, according to EPA Target Finder. a 1.3 MW photovoltaic array and a ing the building to be cooled during radiant cooling system using the bay The jury “was happy to see this type the day without electrical chillers. beneath the museum. The project of program addressed. This prototype Extensive daylighting and well-­ ultimately did not quite achieve its store rethought the energy and water designed shading systems allow net-zero goal, but it came close. Some use for a typical supermarket.” 80%–90% of occupants to rely solely permanent exhibits are quite energy-­ on daylight during working hours. intensive, but the design team worked Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation with museum staff to ensure needs In addition to the energy performance, were met and also that future plans for the jury was impressed by the design The Jacobs Institute for Design expansion could be accommodated. of the building, saying, “The build- Innovation at the University of ing was well crafted from materials “This project capitalized on its unique California–­Berkeley is devoted to well suited for the marine location. location by using the surrounding introducing sustainable design Interior spaces and the courtyard were San Francisco Bay for heating and innovation in engineering education. well daylit. The program connected cooling,” the jury noted. “The the labs and offices across an exterior existing pier building was completely Designed by Leddy Maytum Stacy courtyard.” remodeled: new exhibits were Architects, the building achieved carefully integrated into the building net-zero-energy performance through Rene Cazenave Apartments and even spill out to the surrounding a combination of passive and active strategies. An east-west orientation bay.” Rene Cazenave Apartments in San provides solar heating, daylighting,­ Francisco provides formerly home- H-E-B at Mueller and ventilation opportunities; a less residents with affordable and high-performance envelope with accessible mini-studio apartments, H-E-B at Mueller, an 83,500 ft2 fresh integrated sun shading reduces heat- as well as social, medical, and food market in Austin, Texas, uses 64% ing and cooling loads; and a 74 kW educational facilities. The goals set less energy than the national median photovoltaic array provides 58% of the by the client and designers Leddy for grocery stores. building’s energy needs. Maytum Stacy Architects and Saida + Refrigeration is responsible for most Noted the jury: “A compact, elegant Sullivan Design Partners all focused electricity use in supermarkets (50% building with a clear point of view. on achieving environmental, financial, in most locations), followed closely by Sustainable measures are well and social sustainability. HVAC systems. So the design team, integrated into a holistic, high-quality Passive strategies, such as bringing design. Modest, beautifully detailed; filtered fresh air from the roof, the building really fits the context of operable windows, and extensive the university.” daylighting, saved energy and money. J. Craig Venter Institute Even the building’s location serves the three goals: located at the site of The first net-zero-energy biological a former freeway ramp, the building laboratory in the world, the J. Craig is close to transit, allowing residents Venter Institute in La Jolla, California to commute to jobs and serving as was designed by ZGF Architects. the cornerstone of neighborhood revitalization. Image: Casey Dunn The building uses a 50,000 gallon The jury “recognized the complexity A propane refrigeration system reduces the use thermal energy storage (TES) system of refrigerant by 95% in this energy-efficient to moderate temperatures: cooling and difficulty in delivering high-­ grocery store. towers chill the TES at night, allow- density, transitional housing on a

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 18 challenging site next to a freeway off- option of the material ingredients ramp and still making it comfortable, credit (officially called Building affordable, and well-designed.” Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients). The changes University of Wyoming went into effect with a LEED addenda Visual Arts Facility release on April 5, 2016.

A primary goal for the new visual arts What’s changed facility at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, designed by Hacker Photo: Kyle Jeffers The disclosure option (Option 1) of and Malone Belton Abel PC, was After extensive assessments and a series of the material ingredients credit already addressing the health and well-being architect-led community workshops, the City offered several possible pathways embraced the creation of a new library, with a to document transparency, and the of the building’s users in addition to strong civic presence to draw in the neighborhood’s environmental goals. diverse populations. addenda release doesn’t change that basic structure. As with science and medical facilities, a connection to nature in an urban arts facilities have high ventilation environment. Operable windows are There have been two types of additions to the credit: requirements; demand control connected to CO2 sensors, and ceiling ventilation was used to limit the fans encourage the flow of fresh air • One of the pathways, the amount of time ventilation systems are throughout the building. on, and heat-recovery units capture “manufacturer inventory,” heat from exhaust air and return it to The jury noted: “The design refers now references the Globally the building. These systems provide back to the prototypical libraries of Harmonized System of th the high ventilation rates necessary the 19 century: tall spaces, daylit Classification and Labeling of for the health of the occupants while reading rooms, and a sense of quiet Chemicals (GHS) in addition to the still allowing the building to achieve and simplicity. The building skillfully GreenScreen benchmarking system. an actual energy reduction of 72% incorporates passive strategies for This means that manufacturers over the national median EUI for the daylighting and natural ventilation.” will have the choice, when keeping building type. ingredient names proprietary, to More on previous Top Ten winners disclose hazards by using either of The jury “was impressed by the the methodologies: GreenScreen attention paid to the health and AIA Top Ten Projects Really Do Lead or the GHS classification system. well-being of the building occupants, the Industry GreenScreen is the primary the way the design addressed air methodology that underlies the quality in the studios, and the way AIA Top Ten Projects Demonstrate Health Product Declaration; GHS is this was expressed by the ventilation High Ideals on a Real-World Budget the system that underlies the new form of the safety data sheet (SDS). stacks on the exterior. Art materials AIA Brings 2030 Targets Down to contain many toxic chemicals; this Earth project is a model for how to do this • In addition to a Health Product type of facility.” Declaration (HPD) and a full Cradle to Cradle (C2C) West Branch of the Berkeley New Ways to Meet LEED v4 certification, project teams can now Public Library Ingredient Disclosure document disclosure through the C2C Material Health Certificate, The City of Berkeley, California, LEED addenda for April 2016 the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture decided to replace its West Branch add BIFMA, C2C Material Sustainability Standard, or Declare. library with a new, sustainable Health, Declare, and the Additionally, the LEED reference center for the culturally diverse Globally Harmonized System guides have been updated to describe neighborhood. for classifying chemicals. how version 2.0 HPDs can meet the Designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux, By Paula Melton credit requirements. Previously, they the library was intended to meet described requirements only for HPD net-zero-energy performance. It has A Declare label now counts under 1.0. achieved net-positive. LEED v4, along with a number of other new options. Certified wood and integrative Skylights and clerestories provide product selection daylighting for interior stacks, and a The product disclosure program reading nook in the children’s area on managed by the International Living Other major changes released with the the north wall has windows looking Future Institute (ILFI) is one of a hand- April 2016 addenda include how certi- out onto a small garden, reinforcing ful of ingredient transparency tools fied wood is definedsee ( our coverage that comply with the “disclosure”

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 19 Although the credit requirements Understanding battery chemistry may seem vague for the time being (they consist of filling out a Word The chemistry of a battery determines table for three different products), its performance, service life, cost, re- Cederberg went on to explain that chargeability, and optimal application. USGBC is strategically attempting to use the pilot credit system in new All batteries have two electrodes, ways. “We’re starting to learn how called the anode and the cathode. we can make that a more effective Between the anode and the cathode is way for us to get feedback faster.” the electrolyte, a substance containing positive and negative ions that get Images: ILFI, C2C, BIFMA, HPDC The goal here is to quickly identify existing programs as well as data gaps exchanged chemically between the anode and cathode. This exchange of the Legal Wood pilot) and a new when attempting to perform a holistic of ions generates a charge that can pilot credit for holistic material life-­ analysis of a product or material. be channeled through a device as an cycle evaluations, called Integrative electrical current. In Aquion batteries, Analysis of Building Materials. PRODUCT NEWS & REVIEWS the cathode is made of lithium The Integrative Analysis pilot credit manganese oxide—a technology used asks project team members to evaluate Non-Hazardous Deep-Cycle in some lithium-ion batteries. It’s the three building materials throughout Batteries for On or Off the electrolyte and the anode that make five phases of the life cycle based on Aquion batteries different. (By the three criteria: health, resilience, and Grid way, it’s pronounced AH-quee-on, environmental impact. Although according to the company.) quantitative analysis is encouraged, Aquion offers high-­ Aquion is often called a “saltwater” qualitative analysis is also expected. performance “saltwater” energy storage without lead, battery because its sodium sulfate Health impacts include carcino­ sulfuric acid, or flammable electrolyte contains sodium ions in an genicity, respiratory sensitization, and lithium salts. aqueous solution. (Sodium sulfate is other types of potential health effects. not common table salt, although it is The resilience evaluation looks at how By Paula Melton used as a food additive.) The company has trademarked a term, Aqueous the product affects occupant safety For the last 50 years, saltwater Hybrid Ion (AHI), that may be a more during an emergency. Environmental batteries have been the stuff of middle accurate descriptor than “saltwater.” considerations include energy and school science projects and Gilligan’s water use, effects on biodiversity, and Island episodes. Now they might be The anode chemistry, sodium titanium solid waste generation (or diversion poised to transform how the grid phosphate, has been the key to getting from landfills). integrates renewable energy. saltwater batteries out of company founder Jay Whitacre’s lab at Carnegie The credit is designed to combine Toxic lead–acid batteries have been Mellon University and into wildly-­ health, safety, and environmental the industry standard almost since successful-startup territory. “No factors into a single analysis so the batteries were invented. Meanwhile, one else in the world uses it,” said U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) expensive lithium-ion batteries are just Matthew Maroon, vice president of can gather information about how a gaining traction. Aquion is different product management at Aquion. “It is holistic evaluation of materials might from both of these. be conducted and documented. Made with low-toxicity materials “We did a better job in v4 of trying and manufactured at a fraction of the to break down siloes around single cost of lithium-ion products, sodium-­ attributes” like recycled content sulfide batteries manufactured by and local sourcing, explained Sara Aquion Energy are working their way Cederberg, AIA, technical director into the energy storage marketplace at the U.S. Green Building Council for applications ranging from off-grid (USGBC). “But we re-created those in homes to utility-scale grid balancing. another way” by still treating environ­ Products include the S-line module mental, health, and social impacts (a single 2 kWh stack) and the M-line separately, she continued. “While module (a palletized set of stacks with we’re getting better and more rigorous 25 kWh of storage). M-line modules data, we’re still not able to figure out can be purchased in bulk for large- what the right tradeoff analysis is from scale storage needs. Photo: Aquion Energy design teams” between different sorts of impacts. The Aquion S-line module is a single 2 kWh stack.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 20 Lead vs. Saltwater: Aquion is pursuing ingredient track- lead–acid, you need to purchase Comparing Costs ing and optimization through the double the nominal capacity because Tristan Roberts, executive editor at Cradle to Cradle (C2C) program of the inability to discharge fully. BuildingGreen, considered buying and has so far achieved Bronze Since Aquion’s discharge depth Aquion batteries to replace a six- certification. For the Material Health can safely go lower, its true price year-old lead–acid battery system portion of the program, that means tag is smaller than it appears when in his off-grid home. Roberts hasn’t the company has screened its full comparing dollars per kWh. Even made a purchase yet, but he’s leaning ingredient list to 100 parts per million with this offsetting factor, at about against the technology because of the high cost and size. He would have in each material, and the battery $400/kWh, Aquion is not cheap (see to remodel his mudroom to fit Aquion contains no materials banned by sidebar). It’s about half the cost of batteries, he said. Here’s his back-of- C2C. Maroon told BuildingGreen the lithium-ion technologies, however, the-envelope cost comparison. company has already switched its wire and the company claims it can to get • Required system capacity: 12 kWh jacketing to high-density cross-linked the cost under $200/kWh in the next polyethylene (XLPE) because of C2C’s few years. • Lead–acid cost: $2,800 (assumes 50% drawdown per cycle and ban on PVC. Energy density—the amount of hence a 24 kWh system) Aquion’s Material Health certificate storage per cubic foot—is a definite • Aquion cost: $7,200 (assumes 80% for its S-line further reveals that the drawback of Aquion: these batteries drawdown per cycle and hence a battery contains up to 80% ingredients are bulky. The 2 kWh S-line stack is 15.6 kWh system) from C2C’s “C” list (moderately about a yard high and weighs in at 260 “Aquion definitely looks like it can take problematic but acceptable for use) pounds. more abuse,” Roberts notes, adding that they would also require less main- and up to 20% ingredients from the tenance and have a longer warranty. “A” and “B” lists (optimal). Up to 6% “There are clear practical advantages, are on C2C’s “X” list, which is defined but the cost is simply not comparable,” as “highly problematic; targeted for he concludes. phaseout.” Maroon claimed these materials are plastic accessories and specifically designed for this battery. not essential parts of the battery; they What’s special about it is that it reacts include components of a pressure-­ selectively with sodium ions,” allow- release valve as well as an O-ring ing for a long, slow discharge rate. The containing fluoropolymers. Phasing electrolyte and anode materials are them out, as C2C encourages, “doesn’t also cheap and abundant, he noted. require changes to the core,” says Maroon. No more hazardous materials The company’s overall C2C scorecard Toxic lead and sulfuric acid are a reflects a Silver rating in both Material huge drawback of conventional on- Reutilization and Water Stewardship. site energy storage. For larger-scale­ It’s the only battery product to pursue backup storage and load balancing Cradle to Cradle certification so far. in commercial and industrial applications, lithium-ion technologies Discharge depth and are a viable option, but these energy density batteries come with other problems, particularly the flammability of the Most “deep-cycle” batteries used for lithium salts used as the electrolyte. building-scale energy storage can The relatively benign chemistry of only be 45%–55% discharged without Aquion is one of its biggest selling permanent damage that can destroy points. the battery or significantly shorten its life. Aquion’s chemistry allows it “If you were to knock one of our to be discharged 100% without major batteries over and it spills, our advice damage, according to the company, is to use a mop for the saltwater,” said which claims a lifetime of 3,000 cycles Matthew Maroon, vice president of (though discharging to 80% permits

product management at Aquion. “I about 4,000 cycles). The batteries come Photo: Mario Soto would put our batteries in our house with a five-year warranty and an and not worry about the dog licking Mario Soto, the owner of this off-grid tiny house, option of three additional years. was an early adopter of the Aquion battery. He says the terminal or the side of the case.” his house, including two large-screen televisions, One advantage of Aquion’s deeper can run for two days on a single charge from his discharge depth is price. With 1.3 kWh storage system.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 21 Chemistry of 3 Rechargeable Battery Types substation has the batteries and ultra-­ capacitors managing power from a 1.2 Battery Type Anode Cathode Electrolyte Pros Cons MW solar array three miles away, atop Lead Sulfuric the National Gypsum headquarters in Lead–acid Lead Cost Toxicity dioxide acid Charlotte.

High energy Cost “We’re going to do solar smoothing,” Lithium density Flammability Lithium ion Graphite Lithium salt Fenimore continued. One reason metal oxide Fast discharge Vulnerability to utility grids have trouble integrating capability supply issues renewable energy, he explains, is that even momentary variations in power Non-hazardous Low energy output can disrupt the system. “It’s Sodium chemistry Lithium Sodium density not unusual for a solar field to be put- Aquion titanium Inexpensive & metal oxide sulfate Relatively untested phosphate readily available ting out 90% of its power rating, and technology materials then in ten seconds it’s at 20% of its power rating” because of cloud cover Source: BuildingGreen, Inc. that comes and goes quickly.

Operation at ambient technology. That allows me to really They will also be testing the system’s temperatures have a much broader area for deploy­ efficacy at shaving peak loads in ment of energy storage. I can take both summer and winter. Duke As long as the batteries have these Aquion batteries and put them and researchers at the University of reasonable protection from the in an old, abandoned warehouse.” North Carolina–Charlotte are devel- elements, though, they are unusually One of the goals of the Rankin oping algorithms to manage all this, easy to care for, according to research project is to learn whether according to Fenimore. “We want to Tom Fenimore, P.E., technology the performance of lithium-based develop how to run these batteries development manager at Duke batteries is worth the added costs from in the optimum fashion on a contin- Energy. handling and operation. uous basis. Batteries are still a very expensive technology, and we want In a partnership with the University Aquion batteries operate at ambient to run them in the optimum way of North Carolina–Charlotte, along temperatures between 23ºF (–5ºC) and that provides me—as the utility or with Aquion Energy and Maxwell 104ºF (40ºC), the manufacturer claims. a customer—the greatest return on investment.” Technologies, Duke is piloting the Performance advantages batteries at its Rankin substation in North Carolina. The researchers have Where do the ultra-capacitors come combined Aquion batteries with The lead–acid starter battery in a car in? is designed to deliver a strong burst of Maxwell ultra-capacitors in order to Those are needed because Aquion research the performance of this pair- power quickly. Lithium-ion batteries are well suited to this “cranking” batteries don’t have that “cranking” ing and to analyze Aquion’s return on capability discussed above. Their investment in comparison with other function as well—the reason Tesla cars can get from 0 to 60 in three seconds. long-duration discharge can’t produce technologies, including lithium iron a sudden burst of power on demand. phosphate and lithium polymer. But the deep-cycle lead–acid batteries used for building-scale energy But Fenimore doesn’t think this Aquion “doesn’t require the care and storage charge and discharge slowly, limitation would affect most build- handling” that lithium ion and sodium and that’s how Aquion batteries are ing owners like it would a utility. “If nickel chloride do, Fenimore explained designed as well. you had a pretty constant load, like a to BuildingGreen. Those types of commercial building with lighting and batteries have to be transported and The batteries excel at long-duration HVAC, it is pretty straightforward.” disposed of as hazardous materials, storage, according to the company. For a manufacturing plant, where you he claimed. “It’s a totally different They’re well suited for daytime would need “a few seconds of high requirement from a regulation and charging of eight hours or more, power output and then drop that off,” safety standpoint.” paired with overnight discharging of it might be a different story. up 20 hours. Then there’s the energy consumed for Overall, Fenimore is impressed with cooling lithium-ion batteries, Fenimore “It’s really a great battery if you have the batteries and thinks they could continued. With lithium, fans, pumps, a power outage and need six hours save building owners money. “It’s a or air conditioning may be required to of backup,” said Fenimore. “It’s relatively low-tech deployment, and prevent overheating that can lead to a perfect for that type of situation.” But you don’t have to deal with hazardous fire or even an explosion. “That goes that’s not how Duke will be applying waste issues,” he said. “I really like away when I move to the Aquion-type the technology. Instead, the Rankin that because I don’t need as high a

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 22 level of technician capability to deploy A Manufactured Solution these systems.” Aquion batteries for Continuous Air and require little ongoing maintenance. “It pretty much runs almost like a hands- Water Barriers off application.” DensElement, a variation But it might not be a fit for every on the popular DensGlass building, Fenimore continued, due to sheathing, cuts down on its low energy density. “If I’m really the most expensive step of space constrained and I need a certain applying the air barrier: amount of energy output, I’m going applying the air barrier. to have to probably lean toward lithium-ion technology.” Otherwise, By Paula Melton he said, there’s no question Aquion is Continuous air and water barriers more attractive. are labor-intensive to install and In the balance vulnerable to human error during construction. Installations are subject to all kinds of problems, starting Aquion is starting to look like a with poor design and culminating game-changer for energy storage in every imaginable installation from the building scale to utility Images courtesy Georgia-Pacific Gypsum error. With its DensElement Barrier applications, but the company is still System, Georgia-Pacific Gypsum is the DensElement provides a dedicated air barrier that in startup mode. Only time will tell is supplemented by Prosoco FastFlash on joints and latest company to try to solve these whether there are unforeseen issues screw heads (above). The Aquakor layer is bonded problems with an all-in-one sheathing to the gypsum just beneath the fiberglass facing with the technology or barriers to product. (below). scaling manufacturing at the necessary companies claim is compatible pace. The new fiberglass-faced sheathing with most materials—whether it’s from Georgia-Pacific, which That said, the battery seems to be concrete, steel, sealants, or other has partnered with Prosoco on getting attention—and customers. flashing chemistries. That said, DensElement, adds a factory-applied­ At the end of 2015, according to the new Aquakor technology is air and weather barrier to Maroon, Aquion Energy had 200 Georgia-Pacific’s own chemical Georgia-Pacific’s DensGlass exterior installations totaling 15 MWh, spread concoction, not a membrane provided sheathing. This layer—bonded with over all seven continents (yes, even by another company. the gypsum core on its exterior face, Antarctica). Aquion plans to triple that just beneath the outer fiberglass in 2016. The DensElement system is vapor layer—is designed to manage the permeable, with a whole-system “We continue to drive down costs,” majority of air and water leakage. rating of 24 perms based on ASTM Maroon told BuildingGreen. “The Installed just like DensGlass, E96 (anything above 10 is considered more we manufacture, the better DensElement then requires liquid permeable). Gypsum board is an air we get.” Through economies of flashing (Prosoco’s R-Guard FastFlash) barrier (it is the industry benchmark scale as well as improvements to at screw heads, joints, and transitions. for how well a material must perform battery technology itself, he said, What it doesn’t require is an to be considered an air barrier)—but manufacturing should be at full scale, additional building wrap or liquid-­ that’s different from how an entire energy density should go up, and cost applied membrane. assembly functions. According to per kWh should drop in the next three results provded by Georgia-Pacific, According to Jason Peace, director of to four years. By the same token, he third-party testing to ASTM E2357 marketing and product management added, “You don’t want to build too showed that the entire system also at Georgia-Pacific, a company-funded much before the market is there. We performed as an effective air barrier, study showed potential jobsite time are going up the ladder one rung at a at .005 cfm/ft2 at 75 Pascals. savings of 25% compared with a build- time.” ing wrap and 40% compared with a In many ways, DensElement For more information liquid-applied membrane. Although resembles Securock ExoAir 430 (see that was just one study, he adds, he our product review)—which also Aquion Energy is hearing anecdotally about faster comes with a built-in air barrier and aquionenergy.com installations from users. cuts out the need for a dedicated air barrier since its liquid membrane is Georgia-Pacific says it partnered with shop applied. The major difference Prosoco on DensElement because is that the Securock system has its of Prosoco’s silyl terminated poly- air and weather barrier sprayed onto ether (STPE) chemistry, which both

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 23 the outside of the sheathing, while Krause says, “in reality they’re not DensElement’s barrier layer is bonded going to do this.” with the gypsum core beneath the fiberglass. DensElement also comes High-profile prosecutions under the with a single warranty covering the Lacey Act since the 2008 amendment entire system, including the Prosoco support Krause’s assertion. In cases sealant. (With Securock, USG warrants against Gibson Guitars and Lumber the coated sheathing, and Tremco Liquidators, only these two importers separately warrants the flashing.) faced legal action. The government did not pursue musicians, say, or Although Prosoco has made a name architects. Despite this, experts say for itself by disclosing its ingredients building professionals should develop and optimizing them for use on Living a due care plan appropriate to their Building Challenge products, its role as a selector, specifier, purchaser, partner in the DensElement system or installer of forest products. was not forthcoming with information about the chemistry of the air and A due care plan can be simple water barrier. With the patent pend- and straightforward, according to ing, Georgia-Pacific has elected to Elizabeth Baldwin, environmental Photo © 2007 Derek Ramsey. keep the technology a secret for now— License: GFDL 1.2. compliance officer at Metropolitan even, according to the companies, Hardwood Floors, Inc. But there’s Oak flooring from Lumber Liquidators was no substitute for having such a from Prosoco. illegally sourced from the habitat of the endangered Amur tiger in Russia. plan. Certifications alone are not For more information adequate, for example, nor is sourcing was amended in 2008 to apply to plant exclusively domestic wood. “Most Georgia-Pacific materials, including wood products. would consider U.S. wood low risk, buildgp.com/denselement but that is not the same as no risk,” The Lacey Act has been a model for Baldwin said. similar legislation in the EU and In another high-profile Lacey case, for BACKPAGE PRIMER Australia, but it remains the most sweeping law of its kind in the world. example, a lumber mill in Washington The Lacey Act and Lacey covers the most materials was indicted for buying maple and products, and it encompasses poached from the Gifford Pinchot the Building Industry: the largest swath of the supply National Forest. “Professionals have a Sourcing Legal Wood chain. Individuals or companies that responsibility to conduct due care for know—or should know, in the federal U.S. purchases as well.” Furthermore, Lumber Liquidators will government’s judgment—that they she adds, “We should be encouraging pay millions for importing are importing, exporting, transporting, good behavior by buying from good illegal wood products. Could selling, receiving, acquiring, purchas- actors in higher-risk countries. If you architects or contractors be ing, or in possession of illegal wood walk away from the market, you are fined for buying them? or paper products can be fined or face leaving the market to those who don’t criminal charges. care.” By Paula Melton Who “should” know, and how? It’s Baldwin cautions against asking for The oak flooring you specified took unclear where the buck might stop, import papers or other documentation habitat from the endangered Amur but experts in Lacey Act compliance that’s not within your normal tiger. That maple cabinet veneer was recommend crafting a due care plan professional scope. “Largely, a lot stolen from a U.S. National Park. And based on common sense rather than of due care as you go further down- the cedar decking you just installed fear. stream from the source is really just was felled in a protected rainforest. selecting carefully the companies you “The way Lacey is written is very, work with,” she told BuildingGreen. Or was it? very broad,” acknowledges Leonard “Architects or builders don’t have to If you don’t know whether those Krause, vice president of the consult- understand or vet the entire supply scenarios could apply to you, it’s time ing company Compliance Specialists chain themselves; rather, they should to take a look at the Lacey Act and and the author of Complying with the have confidence that they are work- related international laws and treaties. Lacey Act: A Worldwide Guide. “The ing with companies that do.” (See Aimed at shutting down markets for government is not going to release the sidebar for Baldwin’s suggested illegally hunted and harvested wildlife anyone from liability in advance.” But questions for suppliers.) throughout the world, the Lacey Act even though “the government has the is a U.S. law from the early 1900s that power to go after anybody they want,”

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 24 Sample Questions to Ask Forest Product Suppliers Questions like these can be a major part of a due care plan for an architect, interior designer, contractor, or other building professional. Elizabeth Bald- win, environmental compliance officer at Metropolitan Hardwood Floors, provided the questions. 1. What kind of legal wood compliance program do you have? How long has it been in place? Do you have a compliance officer? If not, how is the program supervised? 2. Where do you buy your products? How do you control that purchasing? 3. Do you, as an importer, have people on the ground in the country you’re importing from? Does anyone in the company speak the language of the country? 4. What certifications do you have, and if they are product certifications, do you actually have stock available within that program? 5. Building professionals have to do continuing education, but companies don’t. What actions do you take to stay current and informed?

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, greater supply-chain vigilance really can have an impact. A 2014 UCS study of the effect of the Lacey Act on illegal harvesting suggested a correlation between the 2008 amendment and a “substantial decline” in illegal imports to the U.S. The group recommends better enforce- ment to continue to uproot this black market’s foothold in U.S. soil.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only; it is not legal advice and is not an appropriate alternative to expert advice from your firm’s legal counsel.

Environmental Building News • May 2016 p. 25