Building Innovation 2015 Conference & Expo Recap

Despite the cold January weather, hundreds of building professionals descended on the nation’s capital to attend Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Third Annual Conference & Expo this month. During the Conference, held January 6-9, 2015, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C., the diverse audience collaborated on Creating High-Performing Resilient Communities. The four-day event presented five symposia, one special session and three keynotes delivering over 50 presentations and the chance to earn up to 32 continuing education credits. Eighteen committee and council meetings and multiple networking events gave attendees ample opportunities to catch up on projects and share ideas. Two award ceremonies highlighted industry advances and leadership while 22 exhibitors showed off the latest industry advancements on the exhibit floor. We thank the many sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and attendees who helped to make Building Innovation 2015 another success in this Conference series. View the week’s daily news stories.

Institute Awards Recognize Exceptional Service

Each year, the National Institute of Building Sciences recognizes individuals and organizations that have provided outstanding service to the Institute, the building community and the nation. This year, at its Annual Awards Reception and Dinner, held Thursday, January 8, during Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Conference & Expo, the Institute honored Dr. Mohammed Ettouney; the Building Information Model (BIM) Development Team of the Institute’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Program; and Earle Kennett. The Annual Reception was sponsored by the Building Commissioning Association. The Annual Awards Dinner was sponsored by ASTM International, the Associated General Contractors of America, Building Owners and Managers Association International, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, Kingspan and the National Insulation Association.

Earlier in 2014, the Institute issued a call to industry for nominations to identify potential award recipients. An Awards Committee reviewed the submissions and selected winners from the nominees, based on how their work meets the mission, objectives and goals of the Institute. The Awards Committee will solicit nominations for 2015 awards in late spring of 2015, with nominations due next July. Learn about the 2014 winners.

Institute Welcomes 2015 Board, Says Farewell to Retiring Directors

The National Institute of Building Sciences welcomes two new members, Carl Hedde and Thomas Izbicki, to its Board of Directors this January. In addition, Board Treasurer Wally E. Bailey and Board Members Cheryl R. English, Richard Hayter and Thomas L. Mitchell, Jr. were reelected to serve second terms. Chairman “Tim” Ryan, Vice-Chair Stephen Ayers and Treasurer Bailey will serve second one-year terms on the Executive Committee. Joy Marshall Ortiz joins the Executive Committee as secretary. Board Secretary John P. Kelly and Carl F. Baldassarra, who have both completed their terms, are retiring from the Board. Read the full release.

Eliot Attains National Design-Build Certification

Upon successful completion of coursework and formal examination in all aspects of design-build project delivery, Nanne Davis Eliot, AIA, NCARB, Esquire, program director at the National Institute of Building Sciences has received designated status from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). Eliot completed the requirements for the nationally recognized Assoc. Designated Design-Build Professional™ certification (Assoc. DBIA™) and received her notification earlier this month. Individuals holding the Assoc. DBIA™ certification have mastered the best practices associated with the entire design-build process—from project procurement through post-award. Both A/E/C firms and public agencies train personnel from a variety of disciplines and departments in the best practices developed by DBIA. Eliot is one of 18 to receive this designation in 2015. They join more than 2,000 professionals that hold this designation. Learn more about this certification.

Submit an Abstract for the August 2015 JNIBS Issue

The editors of the Journal of the National Institute of Building Sciences (JNIBS) are beginning the process of compiling articles for the August 2015 edition, which will offer a special focus on building enclosure design, sustainable buildings and net-zero energy. Presently, the editors are seeking abstracts on these topics and more from contributing authors. There’s still time to submit an abstract. The deadline has been extended to February 16, 2015. Submit an abstract for the August issue. Interested in advertising? View the 2015 JNIBS Media Kit.

Institute Hosts SABIT Delegation Focused on Energy Efficiency

WBDG Whole Building Design Guide® Program Director Richard Paradis provides a delegation of international construction professionals with a virtual tour of the WBDG website.

The Institute has become a favorite destination for delegates of the Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program. This program of the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration builds partnerships and provides technical assistance by training Eurasian business leaders in U.S. business practices. Most recently, on January 27, the Institute hosted a delegation from the SABIT Energy Efficiency in Construction Group Program. The group consisted of 20 directors of companies and organizations from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Ukraine.

Ryan Colker, Institute Director of the Consultative Council/Presidential Advisor provided an overview of all Institute programs, while Richard Paradis, Director of the WBDG Whole Building Design Guide®, provided a virtual tour of the WBDG, with a particular focus on the energy conservation and sustainable design resources available on the site.

This is the fifth SABIT delegation hosted by the Institute over the past three years. With the positive response from all sides, all indications predict that future SABIT delegations will earmark the Institute as a ‘must see’ on their U.S. visits.

Council Recommendations Highlight Three Key Priorities
2014 Report Featured at Building Innovation 2015

The National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council released its 2014 report, Moving Forward: Findings and Recommendations from the Consultative Council, during its Annual Meeting January 7, held as part of Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Conference and Expo. Every year, the Consultative Council prepares, as outlined in the Institute’s enabling legislation, a report of findings and recommendations to the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress that is included in the Institute’s Annual Report. The 2014 report includes findings and recommendations in three key areas: the Buildings-Related Workforce; Resilience and a Changing Climate; and the Need to Align Government and Business to Deliver a Cost-Effective, High-Performance Built Environment. Download the 2014 Consultative Council Report.

Small Commercial Buildings Offer Big Energy Retrofit Opportunities
Financing Challenges Still Must Be Overcome

In a report January 6 from its Council on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (CFIRE), the National Institute of Building Sciences issued findings and recommendations on the financing of small commercial retrofit projects for energy efficiency. Small commercial buildings (generally defined as less than 50,000 square feet) make up the majority of the nation’s building stock by both number and area (93.9 percent and 49.5 respectively). Yet, despite this vast segment of the building stock, investments in energy-efficiency retrofit projects for small commercial buildings have lagged behind those for larger buildings. The CFIRE report, Financing Small Commercial Building Energy Performance Upgrades: Challenges and Opportunities, identifies several barriers to investment in such retrofits. The report also highlights current programs and mechanisms that can be replicated or expanded to address the challenges. Download the report.

Earn and Learn.
BSSC Colloquium on NEHRP Provisions Approved for 8.25 CEUs

Earn continuing education units (CEUs) while learning the latest about the soon-to-be-released National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) 2015 NEHRP Recommended Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures. The National Institute of Building Sciences Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) will host a BSSC Colloquium on “Seismic Design Technology for New Buildings—The 2015 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions,” February 11, 2015. The BSSC Colloquium is a great way for the architecture and engineering communities to learn about the key outcomes and major updates since the 2009 Provisions came out while earning continuing education units. Find out more.

The BEST Rates on BEST4 End Saturday, January 31

Don't miss your chance to save on registration to attend the fourth BEST Conference Building Enclosure Science & Technology™ (BEST4), April 12-15, 2015, in Kansas City, Missouri. Be there where Science meets Design™ and learn from the BEST as the industry’s leading researchers, practitioners and educators from across the country and around the globe lead the discussions on Performance-Driven Architectural Design. This is your BEST opportunity to get the latest information and innovative thinking on planning, designing and operating high-performance building enclosures. The National Institute of Building Sciences and the Building Enclosure Council-Kansas City present this collegial triennial event to cover the specific topics of interest to practitioners.

The BEST4 Program includes more than 60 technical presentations delivered through two Conference tracks, allowing you to customize your educational experience to meet your specific needs. Learn from the industry leaders, earn up to 18 AIA CEUs, network with colleagues and get up close and personal with the sponsors and exhibitors to see the latest in enclosure products and services. Register by January 31, 2015, to save $100 with early-bird registration.

The BEST spaces are selling out quickly. Only seven exhibitor spaces and four sponsorships are left for the BEST4 Conference. Don't wait; make your presence known at BEST4 by reserving your space today! Firms and individuals: Show your support for BEST4 with a business card advertisement for only $500. Download the event prospectus for more information. Find out more about BEST4.

Institute to Launch Building Enclosure Commissioning Course
Get a Sneak Peek at the BECx Workshop Preview during BEST4

As jurisdictions around the country are starting to enforce new building codes and building rating systems that require commissioning in buildings, the National Institute of Building Sciences Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council (BETEC) is gearing up to launch a new building enclosure commissioning (BECx) course to help bring the building industry up to speed. Industry professionals can get a sneak peek of the upcoming course on Thursday, April 16, during the BECx Education Workshop Preview, to be held in conjunction with the fourth BEST Conference Building Enclosure Science & Technology™ (BEST4), April 12-15, 2015, in Kansas City, Missouri. See what the Workshop will cover.

NFMT – The Place to be for COBie, WBDG and FMOC
Institute Members Attend for Free

The National Facilities Management and Technology Conference and Expo (NFMT), to be held March 10-12 at the Baltimore Convention Center, is a great place to learn about facility management (FM) and operations, as well as to keep up with related National Institute of Building Sciences activities and strategies, including the Facility Maintenance and Operations Committee (FMOC), Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie) and WBDG Whole Building Design Guide®. As a member of the National Institute of Building Sciences, you can attend NFMT for free! And be sure to stop by and visit us at Booth # 1115. See what’s on the Institute’s schedule.

DOE Calls for Public Comments to Define Zero-Energy Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in an effort to help federal agencies, the private sector and regulators agree on what constitutes zero-energy buildings, published a notice in the Federal Register on January 6 asking the public for input on potential definitions of zero-energy buildings (ZEBs), nomenclature and implementation guidelines related to the proposed zero-energy definitions. DOE funded the National Institute of Building Sciences to assess various potential definitions and propose draft definitions and guidelines with input from a number of subject matter experts and stakeholder organizations. The Public Comment Period will close on February 20, 2015.

DOE invites all interested parties to submit in writing any relevant comments and information. Interested persons can submit comments either via Email. (Be sure to submit electronic comments in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, and avoid the use of special characters or any form of encryption. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number.) or post on the “Definition for Zero-Energy Buildings” Docket. For more information related to the DOE comment period, contact Ms. Sonia Punjabi or Ms. Ami Grace-Tardy. For more information on the Institute’s role in the process, contact Institute Program Director, Roger Grant.

SBIC Recognizes 2014 Beyond Green™ Award Winners

The National Institute of Building Sciences Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) recognized the 2014 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building and Community Awards winners at a luncheon held Thursday, January 8, during Building Innovation 2015: The National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Conference and Expo.

The BIM Symposium Abstracts Are In. Stay Tuned for the Results…

Researchers, academicians and practitioners in the architecture, engineering, construction, owner and operator (AECOO) industry have submitted abstracts to present at the 9th BIM Academic Symposium sponsored by the National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART alliance. The presenters, who will focus on building information modeling (BIM) in education, will be notified in just two more weeks!

The BIM Academic Symposium will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2015, followed by a BIM Job Task Analysis Review on Wednesday, April 8, in Washington, D.C. Representatives of different academic programs and industries will come together to discuss the technology-based collaboration among AECOO industry. Be there to explore how BIM educational activities incorporated at different levels of college curriculum are affecting the attainment of educational outcomes through credentialing, accreditation or certification. Then stay for the Job Task Analysis Review to discuss the initial findings into what knowledge, skills and abilities are needed for BIM positions in the workplace. Register now to reserve your space.

buildingSMART alliance™ Provides Update to Members

During Building Innovation 2015: The National institute of Building Sciences Annual Conference and Expo, an update was distributed to members of the buildingSMART alliance™ (bSa) and others who have supported the efforts of bSa and the development of the National BIM Standard-United States® (NBIMS-US™). The update addressed three specific issues: the retirement of bSa Executive Director Deke Smith, FAIA; the bSa Financial Report; and the relationship between bSa and buildingSMART International Limited. Read the update here.