Institute Policy Intern Presents Her Findings

Intern Mary-Michael Robertson gives a presentation about the Institute to her colleagues from the University of Virgnia’s Policy Internship Program.

The National Institute of Building Sciences and several other associations and federal agencies in the Washington, D.C., area hosted policy interns this summer. Among them was Mary-Michael Robertson, who came to the Institute through the Policy Internship Program at the University of Virginia (UVA) where she is entering her junior year studying Civil and Environmental Engineering. During her time at the Institute, Robertson learned about the Institute’s programs and activities; attended meetings and receptions; and worked on developing materials to assist communities interested in establishing outcome-based energy policies.

On July 27, during an intern reception on Capitol Hill, Robertson gave a presentation to her colleagues, sponsors and supporters. She spoke about the Institute and the work she accomplished. The Institute will release the results of her work later this year. 

Building Innovation 2018: Registration Opens Friday

In just five months, the National Institute of Building Sciences will present the sixth iteration of the Building Innovation 2018 Conference & Expo to unite the industry on improving the built environment. Registration opens this Friday, September 1, 2017. Building Innovation 2018 will take place January 8-11, 2018, at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, D.C. Plan to be there where Science meets Design® to collaborate with all those involved in planning, designing, procuring, constructing, operating, maintaining and retiring physical facilities as we explore solutions that Sustain. Strengthen. Secure.

Register early to save up to $250 on quality credit-building educational sessions and gain insights from expert keynote speakers; get inspired during two award presentations; explore the latest advances in industry technology on exhibit; take part in productive board, council and committee meetings; and interact with your industry colleagues during multiple networking events. Get a preview of the Conference Program.

Building Innovation 2018 offers companies involved with technology, methods or processes that improve building performance the best opportunity to present those solutions to the most diverse group of industry professionals with a sponsorship and/or exhibit space. Find out more about sponsoring and exhibiting at Building Innovation 2018.

Hearing Tomorrow on Healthcare Facility Person-Centered Care
Institute Accepting Testimony through September 15

The nation’s healthcare environment is changing and facilities need to keep pace—particularly with the growth in a senior population in need of care. The design, construction and operation of healthcare facilities must respond to these needs and provide the environment necessary for effective delivery of quality, person-centered care. In recognition of the impact that the varying requirements on design, construction and operations of these facilities have on all aspects of the building industry, the National Institute of Building Sciences, through its Academy for Healthcare Infrastructure (AHI), will conduct a representative hearing tomorrow, August 31, 2017, from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, ET, in Washington, D.C., to address the impact of facility-based requirements on the delivery of person-centered care.

Sponsored by the Mayer-Rothschild Foundation, the Representative Hearing on Facility-Based Requirements on the Delivery of Person-Centered Care will provide an opportunity for representatives from the planning, design, construction, operations, ownership, finance, insurance, regulatory and other segments of the U.S. building industry; healthcare providers; and consumers to speak about the challenges they face and offer potential solutions. The record for written testimony closes September 15, 2017, at 5:00 pm ET. Learn more about the hearing. View the guidelines and procedures for submitting testimony.

Webinar Looks at Energy Performance, Building Mortgages

When it comes to the buying and selling of commercial real estate—a multi-step process that involves high stakes and numerous stakeholders—the energy performance of buildings is not usually top of mind. An upcoming webinar by the National Institute of Building Sciences Council on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (CFIRE) could bring the topic into higher focus. The webinar, Energy in Commercial Appraisals and Mortgages: Risk or Reward?, scheduled for 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET, Thursday, September 28, 2017, will highlight an effort by the U.S. Department of Energy to put energy performance on the lending table. Sign up now to attend the free webinar.

BSSC’s PUC, Project 17 Meet in California

Members of the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) Provisions Update Committee (PUC) and Project 17 Committee (P17C) take a break during meetings taking place in California August 28-30. The BSSC convened the meetings as developer of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) NEHRP Recommended Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures under the sponsorship of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The PUC is working on developing the 2020 NEHRP Provisions and P17C is addressing the next generation of seismic design value maps. Learn more about their work.

Spotlight a Cutting-Edge Project that Goes Beyond Green™

Across the United States, designers, builders, owners, government agencies, manufacturers and others are going beyond the status quo to achieve high-performing, resilient buildings and communities. Now is the time to show off advancements and gain recognition for those buildings, initiatives and innovations that are influencing, informing and inspiring the high-performance planning, design, construction and operations processes. Enter those cutting-edge projects and activities for a chance to win a National Institute of Building Sciences 2017 Beyond Green™ High-Performance Building and Community Award.

The Beyond Green™ Awards distinguish those projects and activities that best demonstrate the eight high-performance attributes: sustainability, accessibility, aesthetics, cost effectiveness, functionality, productivity, historical sensitivity, and safety and security (resilience). Learn more. The deadline to apply for the 2017 Beyond Green™ Awards is Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Take this opportunity to recognize a deserving high-performance project. Submit an entry today!

2018 Race to Zero Guide Available, Application Website Open

The U.S. Department of Energy Race to Zero Student Design Competition (Race to Zero) inspires collegiate students to become the next generation of building science professionals through a design challenge for zero energy ready buildings. Teams interested in participating in the next Race to Zero, planned for April 2018 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, can now download the Race to Zero Competition Guide, attend informational webinars and submit their applications. The deadline to submit an application to enter is November 7, 2017, at 5:00 ET. Learn more about the Race to Zero.

Volunteers Wanted for the Solar Decathlon in Denver

The U.S. Department of Energy is looking for volunteers to assist at the 2017 Solar Decathlon, taking place October 5-9 and 12-15, 2017, in Denver, Colorado. The Solar Decathlon is a collegiate competition of 10 contests that challenge student teams to design and build full-size, energy-efficient, solar-powered houses. The winner most successfully blends design excellence, smart energy strategies, innovation and market potential. Free to visitors, the event features student teams providing public tours of their solar powered, energy- and water- efficient houses featuring cutting-edge technologies; a sustainability expo; professional, and consumer and middle school education events.

Solar Decathlon is much more than a collegiate competition. It’s an intensive learning opportunity for consumers and homeowners as they experience the latest technologies and materials in energy-efficient design, clean energy technologies, smart home solutions, water conservation measures, electric vehicles and sustainable buildings. And, in its 2017 location within the new development at the 61st & Peña Station commuter rail stop near Denver International Airport, Solar Decathlon encourages competitors and visitors to think about new ways of combining commercial and residential uses, and mass transit, to create attractive spaces that enable residents to live, work, and play in one place. Volunteers work alongside Solar Decathlon organizers serving as a greeter, docent, visitor liaison, education day mentors and more. Sign up to volunteer.

NIOSH, USGBC Develop Pilot Credit to Improve Worker Safety

Prevention through Design (PtD) aims to prevent occupational injuries, illnesses, fatalities and exposures by eliminating hazards and minimizing risks to workers in the design and re-design of facilities; work methods; processes; equipment and tools; and products. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of Construction Safety and Health worked with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to develop a PtD Pilot Credit for its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The credit lays out criteria for addressing worker safety issues early on in a building’s life cycle.