Embodied carbon: next steps for GSA

 July 23, 2021 | GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings

GSA’s Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings recently facilitated a two-day roundtable of policymakers and practitioners to identify specific, actionable steps GSA can take to reduce the embodied carbon in the agency’s design and construction projects. 

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of construction materials.

“Buildings and Construction materials are responsible for 40% of carbon emissions, making them the fourth largest global contributor,” said GSA Acting Chief Architect Chuck Hardy, impressing upon the group a sense of urgency and setting the stage for the roundtable.

Discussions began with two key policy recommendations from GSA’s Green Building Advisory Committee in February 2021 to address procurement of low embodied energy and carbon materials:

1. A material approach for all projects requiring environmental product declarations (environmental impact information about products that can be compared for items fulfilling the same function)
2. A whole building life cycle assessment (LCA) approach for larger projects

The roundtable aimed to discuss how the entire lifecycle of materials, design, and construction can contribute to a reduction in the embodied carbon footprint, and brainstorm practical opportunities to effect immediate change.

The 50+ participants split into three breakout groups: one considering the material approach, another addressing the whole building life cycle assessment approach, and the third exploring alternative approaches.

The groups reconvened at the end of the second day to present their recommendations to GSA. Some of the practical steps they recommend include:

• Total carbon is a priority metric: Make it clear to the marketplace that total carbon, which includes both embodied carbon and operational greenhouse gases, is a priority metric to GSA.
• Embodied carbon in asset planning: Value embodied carbon in asset planning decisions to raise the importance of reusing existing and historic buildings.
• Embodied carbon in tenant improvements: Identify the most common materials used in tenant improvements and consider their embodied carbon in making final material selections. 
• Environmental product declarations: Require environmental product declarations and set parameters around how and where they are appropriate. 
• Implement whole building LCA early: Implement whole building life cycle assessment (LCA) on projects across the country at the earliest possible stage to optimize impact.
• Whole building LCA guidance: Provide clear guidance on how to create a whole building LCA, the tools to use, and the scope to include.
• Embodied carbon benchmarking: Set embodied carbon benchmarking targets based on existing projects and ongoing data collection.
• Refrigerant selection and leakage: Consider the embodied carbon impacts of refrigerant selection and leakage.
• Embodied carbon education: Host education sessions for both GSA and the broader industry community to explain GSA’s embodied carbon approach and recommendations.

“As the custodian of more than 8,000 assets throughout the country, GSA has the opportunity to reduce embodied carbon for an impactful investment in the future,” said Hardy. “We will review our current projects with these recommendations in mind, so we can incorporate these suggestions in a manner that is both impactful and realistic.”

“We had an impressive group of experts [including Larry Strain of Siegel & Strain Architects] join us and the next steps are with GSA. We will have more discussions with our industry partners before proposing any policy changes,” said Don Horn, Deputy Director of the Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings. “This roundtable was an important step in determining potential practical applications and seeking input for making lasting and important changes.”

To read more, visit: https://www.gsa.gov/blog/2021/07/23/embodied-carbon-next-steps-for-gsa

Oakley Recreation Center wins American Public Works Association Project Award for Small Cities/Rural Communities

The Oakley Recreation Center was recently awarded a 2020 American Public Works Association (APWA) Project Award for Small Cities/Rural Communities. The Recreation Center, designed for the City of Oakley by Siegel & Strain Architects and landscape designed by Gates & Associates, is a new $6.7 million, 9,500 square-foot multi-use building on a 6.5-acre site designed for a variety of community events and recreation activities. As one of the youngest incorporated cities in the Bay Area and one of its fastest growing communities, the City of Oakley invested in the Recreation Center to meet the rapidly increasing needs of the community for places to gather and congregate.

The project includes a large 4,152 square-foot dividable community room, a 2,117 square-foot commercial kitchen, recreation offices, and an outdoor patio. With a capacity up to 800 people, the Recreation Center provides the space that was greatly needed for events that unite the community. The site also includes large gathering areas and an athletic field.

The Oakley Recreation Center is designed to demonstrate sustainable building design. Green design features include daylighting, a high-performing building envelope including low-emissivity dual glazing, sunscreens and window shading, Forest Stewardship Certified wood, high-efficiency mechanical, electrical and lighting systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, high-recycled content materials, low formaldehyde and VOC building materials. Site improvements include extensive grading, native landscaping and irrigation, retaining walls, bioswales, site paths, permeable paving, bicycle and vehicular parking and tree replacement.

For more information visit Oakley Recreation Center on our website.

Project & Location: Oakley Recreation Center, City of Oakley, California
Architect: Siegel & Strain Architects
Landscape Architect: Gates & Associates
Civil Engineer: BKF Engineering
Structural Engineer: IDA Structural Engineers
Mechanical Engineer: H&M Mechanical
Electrical Engineer: O'Mahony & Myer Consulting
Contractor: Woodland Construction
Photography: David Wakely

Big Ideas for a Healthier World

Marjorie Smith, Senior Associate at Siegel & Strain Architects, describes working with the Green Science Policy Institute that changed building codes so that flame retardants are no longer required in building insulation.

Published by Green Science Policy Institute December 2018

Green Science Policy Institute, the lead advocate for this change, has been working toward this victory for more than 10 years. Their 2012 paper, "Flame retardants in building insulation: a case for reevaluating building codes," provided the basis for legislation (California AB-127) and proposals to change building codes to reduce the use of flame retardants in building insulation. With this success, more broad changes at the state and national level will be within reach.
To read more, please visit:
https://greensciencepolicy.org/topics/healthier-insulation/

Healthier Buildings on the Horizon

Code changes approved regarding toxic flame retardants in insulation

We are celebrating a huge victory! On January 16, 2019, the California State Building Standards Commission ruled unanimously that the state of California can safely update its codes to permit below-grade use of flame retardant-free foam plastic building insulation. This code change will allow the use of polystyrene insulation WITHOUT TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS when the insulation is located beneath a concrete slab on grade. The code change is very significant because it sets a precedent for:

• Considering human and environmental health in building code development.
• Allowing the elimination of toxic flame retardants when shown, with testing, that fire safety can be achieved through other means.

Marjorie Smith, a Senior Associate at Siegel & Strain Architects, has been writing proposals, participating in working groups, and testifying at hearings since 2014 with the Green Science Policy Institute team. On January 16, Majorie testified at the state capitol in support of code changes alongside a team of toxicologists, public health advocates, combustion scientists, fire protection engineers, fire fighters, construction union leaders, legislators, developers, and architects.

Green Science Policy Institute, the lead advocate for this change, has been working toward this victory for more than 10 years. Their 2012 paper, "Flame retardants in building insulation: a case for reevaluating building codes," provided the basis for legislation (California AB-127) and proposals to change building codes to reduce the use of flame retardants in building insulation. With this success, more broad changes at the state and national level will be within reach.

To read more, please visit:
http://greensciencepolicy.org/topics/flame-retardants
http://greensciencepolicy.org/topics/healthier-insulation
 

Experts testify for code changes to allow insulation without toxic flame retardants.

HBCD bioaccumulates up the food chain (Covaci, 2006). Courtesy Green Science Policy Institute.

SAVE THE DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Rebuild Green Expo

Santa Rosa Veterans Hall, 10 am-7 pm, Free

Presented by Rebuild Green North Bay Coalition  

 

Resilient, affordable, community-centered
GREEN rebuilding options for the North Bay

Home owners involved in rebuilding after the fires face thousands of decisions: design, builders, materials, budget, the list goes on and on. Many of those decisions offer a variety of green options, but it’s a challenge to know how to go about it.

Fortunately, Northern California is home to many of the world’s most experienced and knowledgeable green and sustainable building professionals, who have formed the Rebuild Green Coalition. The Coalition is hosting the Rebuild Green Expo on Friday, February 23, at the Santa Rosa Veterans’ Hall. Admission is free to the public, and promises to make the process of rebuilding green much easier.

“Mostly, it’s about showing people that green and sustainable approaches are not only viable and affordable, they are also healthier and offer better resilience for communities to survive disasters with less disruption,” says Steve Sheldon, architect and builder with Ibis Builds of Sebastopol who represents the US Green Building Council Redwood Empire, and one of the Expo organizers. “We’ll also be offering folks the chance to meet and speak to the experts about their own home designs while learning about all aspects of green building.”

The Expo will showcase information on fire-resistant materials and methods, rooftop solar and micro-grid systems, healthy homes and interiors, resilient communities, defensible and drought-resistant landscapes, zero-net energy, efficient home design, safe induction cooking, financing green building, accessory dwelling units, battery storage for homes, and much more. Professionals on hand will include architects, engineers, energy providers/consultants, landscape designers, contractors, and materials suppliers, to name a few.

Why green? A few benefits include:

• Economic: energy, water, and other efficiencies don’t necessarily cost more, and yet most pay for themselves within a few years and offer significant savings in long-term operating costs. In addition, efficiencies in construction can actually reduce building costs, and incentives can often provide even more savings.(PG&E and Sonoma Clean Power are developing incentives for homeowners rebuilding after the fire, and will be sharing them at the EXPO.)
• Health: homes designed to provide good indoor air quality and non-toxic materials are healthier for people and other living things.
• Resiliency: making sustainable and renewable choices — such as micro-grids, batteries, water reuse systems, and more — make neighborhoods and communities more likely to withstand fires, earthquakes, and other potential threats with less disruption and faster recovery.
• Environment: making sustainable choices is good for the planet.

“The question really is ‘Why would anybody NOT choose green?’” Sheldon adds. “Who wouldn’t want a more efficient and healthier home? We aim to make it as easy as possible, and the group is ready do whatever we can to help folks who are facing the daunting challenges ahead. We are in it for the long haul. The Expo is only the beginning.”

 

For more information, visit www.rebuildgreenexpo.com/green-rebuilding-options-for-the-north-bay.

 

Presented by Rebuild Green North Bay Coalition
Contact: Oren Wool, Sustainable North Bay
oren@sustainablenorthbay.org
(707) 636-4732

McClellan Ranch Preserve Environmental Education Center is Marvin Architects Challenge 2017 Best Commercial Winner

McClellan Ranch Preserve Environmental Education Center. Photos: David Wakely

 The McClellan Ranch Preserve is located on a ranch dating back to the 1870s that has become a park hosting the City of Cupertino’s environmental education programs. Students gather at the new Environmental Education Center before heading out to the 18 acre park to observe, gather data, and perform experiments.

The new Education Center houses classrooms, exhibits, a library and offices designed to work in concert with the sites historic buildings to shape an outdoor activity for large groups. The building connects directly with the farm setting and careful attention was paid to the unique location and presence of birds living on the preserve. Marvin partnered with Siegel & Strain Architects to specify patterned bird-safe glass for the windows to prevent collision.

 

Siegel & Strain Architects was recognized as the winner of “Best Commercial” project in Marvin Architects Challenge 2017. The jury praised Siegel & Strain and the design team for the careful thought that went into designing the Education Center so that it fit seamlessly not only into its environment, but complemented the historic buildings already there. The design choices, evident in material selection, colors, and form skillfully connect the new Environmental Education Center to the site. “The expression of the wood rafter tails and patio cover construction is incorporated at the interior by the use of complementary wood windows and doors making this building a clear winner.”

Read the article here.

Join the growing list of safer insulation supporters

Toxic materials are an increasing concern throughout the building industry, and a coalition of design professionals, contractors, scientists, fire safety experts, and public interest groups are advocating for better options. We need to set a precedent that harmful chemicals should not be used, especially when they provide no benefit. An important proposal to update the 2018 International Residential Code would allow foam plastic insulation without hazardous flame retardants to be safely used below grade. This proposal will be considered at Committee Action Hearings in April 2016, and the proponents are collecting company logos to demonstrate support for this work towards safer insulation materials.

Click on this link to add your organization to the list of supporters by signing on to a letter of support.

• Learn more about the Safer Insulation Solution proposal
• Questions? Contact saferinsulation@gmail.com 
• Safer Insulation Solution is an initiative of Green Science Policy Institute.