Newton Net Zero Wins SILVER PRISM Award

ZED's Matthew Genanze and Auburndale Builders' Ryan McCarthy at the 2019 PRISM Awards Gala

We are proud to announce that ZeroEnergy Design’s high-performance, net-zero home in Newton, Massachusetts, won a Silver PRISM award for Best Passive Home/Sustainable Home Design at the 2019 PRISM Awards Gala.

Organized by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB), the PRISM awards honor the finest projects and accomplishments of architects, builders, developers, and other professionals in the home building industry. Entries in this category were judged on operation at zero net energy performance as well as overall design, comfort, usability, and livability of the space.

The Newton Net Zero home was designed as a forever home for a couple who believed deeply in carbon-free lifestyle and wanted to set an example of conscientious, healthy living for future generations. With a super-tight building enclosure, high-efficiency mechanical systems, and a solar photovoltaic system for generating renewable energy, the home uses 96% less energy than a comparable home built to code with enough energy for charging the couple’s electric cars.

The BRAGB is the region’s leading home building association and has represented the industry since 1944. The PRISM Awards Gala is the BRAGB’s flagship event of the year and winning an award is considered a sign of excellence and superior achievement. Each entry submitted in the PRISM awards competition is judged on its own merit by a national panel of distinguished industry professionals.

Matthew Genanze (Project Management/Architecture) of ZeroEnergy Design and Ryan McCathy of Auburndale Builders (Construction) received the award on behalf of the entire project team that also included ZED’s Stephanie Horowitz (Architecture) and Jordan Goldman (Energy and Mechanical Design).

MORE: PRISM AWARDS | NEWTON NET ZERO

ZED CONTINUES TO LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

According to the newly released 2018 Summary of the AIA 2030 Commitment report, ZeroEnergy Design is one of only 16 firms nationwide to achieve 70% or greater predicted EUI savings across their entire architectural portfolio in 2018.

The AIA 2030 Commitment program supports the AIA 2030 challenge, which calls for all new construction and major renovations to be carbon neutral by the year 2030 and provides architects, engineers, and owners a global platform to demonstrate action against climate change through energy-efficient design. Every year, the 2030 signatories track and report their annual progress against increasingly aggressive energy reduction targets.

This year, ZED reported an impressive 92.6% reduction in pEUI savings across its entire architectural portfolio, achieving the targeted 70% carbon reduction for the ninth consecutive year.

The 2030 Commitment currently has 549 active signatories, out of which 252 firms submitted portfolios in 2018 on projects totaling almost three billion square feet across 92 countries. Together, these projects accounted for an overall pEUI reduction equivalent to avoiding 17.7 million tons of CO2 emissions as well as operating savings of greater than $3.3 billion over the baseline equivalent.

Click on the link below to read the new full report.

MORE: 2018 AIA 2030 SUMMARY

ZED Projects Selected as Case Studies for Green Building Principles

As the City of Newton puts together a bold Climate Action Plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, Green Newton, a non-profit organization with over 28 years of local environment action, education and advocacy expertise, is calling for the City, and all governments, to adopt green principles to evaluate and guide building projects. ZeroEnergy Design is proud to have our Parker Positive, Linnaean Apartments, and Newton Net Zero projects included in Green Newton’s case studies for green building practices.

The Parker Positive design includes three net positive energy buildings to house eight families. Targeting USGBC LEED Platinum certification, the buildings have green features such as photovoltaic systems to charge the homeowners’ electric cars, on-site composting, and rainwater catchment and reuse.

Linnaean Apartments contain 20 units of elderly/disabled efficiency dwelling units in a low-rise building originally constructed in 1962. The project goal is a full envelope and systems update to achieve a deep energy retrofit with improved occupant comfort, low operating costs, healthier indoor air quality, long-term durability with low maintenance, and zero on-site fossil fuel use.

The Newton Net Zero project in Newton is a high-performance single family home with exceptional air sealing to reduce heat loss, high-efficiency appliances, and a solar photovoltaic system that produces more than enough energy to offset the annual consumption.

Green Newton’s programs and advocacy are aimed at building awareness, providing opportunities for public dialogue, and educating and empowering citizens to take personal and civic action to protect the environment. Its members and volunteers work towards creating sustainable solutions to environmental problems facing the city of Newton and the world, often in collaboration with the local government and schools, and with other non-profits across Massachusetts.

MORE: GREEN NEWTON

RetrofitNY Solution Provider Team

Paul A. Castrucci, Architect together with energy consultant, ZeroEnergy Design, are pleased to announce their Solution Provider Team partnership and prequalification status for NYSERDA RetrofitNY initiative.
 
RetrofitNY is working to create new solutions to renovate multifamily buildings while achieving or approaching net-zero energy use and creating standardized and scalable processes that will improve residents’ comfort and buildings’ energy performance. 

MORE:  PRESS RELEASE

Boston Design Guide

Paying tribute to Earth Day, the Boston Design Guide featured ZED's Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse in combination with several other eco-friendly, green homes.

The Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse is a high performance home with many green features and includes significant third party certifications:

• REVEAL Labeled (International Living Future Institute)
• Zero Energy Certified (International Living Future Institute)
• LEED Platinum Certified (US Green Building Council

READ:  ARTICLE

Builder+Architect Magazine

Congratulations to Auburndale Builders Inc. for the cover article in Builder+Architect magazine!

Exciting to see the #Newton #Netzero home profiled for the first time!
(Architecture by ZeroEnergy Design and construction by Auburndale Builders Inc.)

BUILDER+ARCHITECT:  DIGITALMAG or PDF version

Zero Energy Certification Awarded to the Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse

The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) awarded Zero Energy Certification to the Lincoln Net Positive Energy Farmhouse. The certification recognizes actual measured energy performance over a period of 12 or more months, and includes third party review and verification of both the energy measures implemented and the data reported.

The Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse, a collaboration between the contractor, Thoughtforms, and the architect, ZeroEnergy Design, demonstrates that families who desire a green home do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort.  With more than two years of measured occupancy to date, the home unquestionably provides exceptional energy performance, consuming  70% less energy than a code-built house, with measured energy data proving it produces 67% more energy annually than it consumes, making it a 'net positive' home.  Thick walls and roofs lack thermal bridging, the continuous air barrier yields minimal leakage, while high performance, triple-glazed windows round out the super-insulated building envelope.

In addition to Zero Energy Certification, the Lincoln Net Positive Farmhouse recently received a Reveal label from the ILFI, which publically displays or 'reveals' the building's energy profile. The combination of verifying and sharing the building performance exemplifies today's best practices.

MORE:  PRESS RELEASE
MORE:  ILFI CASE STUDY

Boston’s Future Buildings: How Do We Get to Net Zero?

Experts (including ZED's Stephanie Horowitz) examine the financial, political, legal, and technical challenges of how we make net-zero carbon construction happen in Boston.

• Matt O’Malley — Boston City Council Environment & Sustainability Committee (moderator)
• Stephanie Horowitz — ZED
• Henrietta Davis — former Mayor of Cambridge
• John Cleveland — Boston Green Ribbon Commission
• Joan Fitzgerald — Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University
• Cammy Peterson—Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Presented by the JP Forum and the Boston Clean Energy Coalition (on Facebook @BosCleanEnergy)

WHERE / WHEN
June 15, 2017  |  7:30–9:00 pm
First Church in Jamaica Plain
6 Eliot Street, Boston, MA

MORE: JP Forum Website

USGBCMA Residential Green Building Committee Presentation

The USGBCMA Residential Green Building Committee (RGBC) hosted guest speaker Stephanie Horowitz AIA, Managing Director of ZeroEnergy Design.  Details of the net positive energy focused presentation are available in the RGBC blog post on the USGBCMA website.

MORE:  RGBC ARTICLE

Homeowners Attend Newton Net Zero Tour

The Newton Net Zero tour was a strong success!  50+ attendees joined ZeroEnergy Design (the architect) and Auburndale Builders (the contractor) for a presentation and tour of the property while under construction. Both firms are grateful for the promotional cooperation of Green Newton and Historic Newton, helping to share the opportunity and enable homeowners to view a new house with exceptional energy performance, healthy indoor air quality, and resilient design.

Stephanie Horowitz AIA, Managing Director of ZeroEnergy Design, discusses the design process essential to achieving a net zero energy home.

Matthew Genaze, Project Manager & Designer at ZeroEnergy Design, discusses how to achieve an airtight enclosure.

Nick Falkoff, General Manager of Auburndale Builders, explains how his staff implemented the exterior rigid insulation, and when soon combined with cavity insulation, will achieve super-insulation for the home.

Ryan McCarthy, Project Manager at Auburndale Builders, describes the wall assembly using a mock-up.

A thermal image shows the warm attendees on the cold and stormy day.

Net Zero Home Construction Tour

Please join us for a tour of a Newton net zero energy home under construction.

Go behind the scenes to learn about the design and construction of a green home that will produce as much energy annually as it consumes. ZeroEnergy Design, the architect, and Auburndale Builders, the contractor, will explain how the project achieves exceptional energy performance, healthy indoor air quality, superior thermal comfort, and long term durability. The event includes a tour of the building and systems while the walls are still open for viewing, plus a short explanatory presentation.

DATE:  January 18, 2017, Wednesday at 12PM

LOCATION:  Newton MA
(Street address provided approx a week before tour to confirmed attendees.)

DETAILS:  Attendance is free.  RSVP required!
Reserve your space by emailing info@zeroenergy.com with name & phone.

PRISM Awards: 'Best Net Zero/Passive House’ and ‘Best Energy Efficient Project’

The 2016 PRISM Awards honored ZeroEnergy Design and Thoughtforms with two awards: ‘Best Net Zero/Passive House’ and ‘Best Energy Efficient Project’ for the Lincoln Farmhouse. Hosted by the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston, the PRISM Awards seek excellence in building, design, and industry related categories.

The Lincoln Farmhouse, a collaboration between Thoughtforms & ZeroEnergy Design, demonstrates that families who desire a green home do not need to compromise on style, space or comfort. With more than a year of measured occupancy to date, the home unquestionably provides exceptional energy performance, healthy indoor air quality, water efficiency, thermal comfort, and long term resilience, all within a welcoming, New England aesthetic.

MORE: PRESS RELEASE

Dwell Magazine on Net Positive Energy Barn by ZED

Dwell magazine covers the Powisset Net-Positive Barn!

This updated barn produces far more energy than it consumes each year. The super-insulated facility includes a commercial kitchen, learning/dining area, offices, and abuts a community supported agriculture (CSA) food distribution area.

Architecture & Mechanical Design - ZeroEnergy Design
Construction - Stack + Co
Client - The Trustees of Reservations

READ: DWELL ARTICLE
MORE:  ZED PROJECT PROFILE