New York City has gotten serious about climate change, and this will have a huge impact on architectural practice. A new law (Local Law 97), which will be enforced with stringent fines, sets caps on carbon emissions from large existing buildings. Another (Local Law 95) requires large buildings to post energy efficiency grades near public entrances. Moreover, the city’s latest energy code is about 20% stronger than the last one. Since building owners rely on the expertise of architects to comply with codes, avoid fines, and get good efficiency grades, it is essential for architects to master these new requirements.
“EnvelopesNow!” is one of five classes in the “RetrofitNow! Biweekly Series.” The full series provides a comprehensive overview of New York City’s regulatory environment and options for how architects and owners can make significant energy and carbon reductions in buildings.
“EnvelopesNow!” introduces architects to strategies for improving the thermal performance of existing building envelopes. Material will be presented in five sections.
- The first section reviews the basic concepts of heat flow through envelopes. It then focusses on air flow through facades and describes how to reduce uncontrolled ventilation.
- The second section addresses windows, reviewing how they transfer energy, as well as codes for replacement windows and better-than-code solutions. Other strategies, such as shading, films, and storm windows, are also covered.
- The third section focuses on the most complex issue: walls. This section looks at options for adding insulation to the exterior and why one might pursue interior insulation instead.
- The fourth section explores roofs. Roof insulation can create tricky issues, such as the need to raise parapets or accommodate roof fans and drains. Since there are many potentially competing uses for roofs—from solar panels to heat pumps and roof gardens—this section walks the class through how to create a holistic vision for a building’s roof.
- The last section covers Passive House strategies for achieving low-carbon buildings, largely through improved envelope design and construction. This section presents a case study that will emit 93% less carbon than the most stringent LL 97 cap for 2050.
Instructor: Wolfgang Werner, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHC
Registration fee:
AIANY members: $90
General Public: $100
Note: The registration link will direct you to a conference page where you can sign up for just one or any combination of sessions. AIANY members receive a 10% discount but must enter a discount code before checkout. Please contact smecs@aiany.org if you are a member and need the code.
This series includes the following five virtual sessions:
This event is occurring as a live webinar. Registrants will be emailed a link to access the program.
AIA New York and CUNY Building Performance Lab
