Green Architects' Lounge

Welcome back for part 2 of Jacob's lecture from the PassivhausMAINE lecture series on addressing embodied carbon in our built environment.  We close the episode with a song from one of the bands Jacob records with; Fantasma by Mal Maiz! Enjoy! Cheers!  

Chris and Phil were not only lucky enough to attend a lecture by Jacob Racusin, but they were also able to record it! Our friends at PassivhausMAINE invited Jacob to share his insights on low-impact, high-performance building technologies and discuss some of the ground-breaking work he has been involved in lately regarding plant-based construction and carbon sequestration in our built environment. He's a wonderful speaker with contagious passion for combating climate change through better building. This is part one of his lecture, be sure to check out part two which will be released in about a week. Also be sure to visit our lame facebook page for cocktail recipes and links to Jacob's slide deck. Visuals help, but the the audio holds up on its own as well. Also, new theme song.Cheers!  

Welcome to Episode #50!!! So many people are talking about offsite construction as an inevitable next step to solve the myriad housing issues we currently face, and we can't help but envision high-performance as going hand in hand with this movement. We discuss the evolution of these systems from the Sears Kit Homes of the 20's, to the race-to-the-bottom Post-war Mobile Home industry, to the Dwell Prefab dreams of the oughts, to the realities of today - both in the USA and in Europe. We'll discuss how the companies currently innovating in the space (including Phil's own BrightBuilt Home) are faring with their various business models, and what are the challenges and limitations are being faced by the different approaches.We concoct a Corpse Reviver #2 just in time for Halloween, the recipe for which can be found on our Facebook page.

We know. You want a sustainable siding that is maintenance free and affordable. The problem is that there are just so many options from which to choose and it's difficult to wade through the ocean of literature and opinion to find the perfect siding for your sustainable home. Lucky for you, Chris and Phil have hit the record button on an in-depth conversation about siding (as well as a cocktail for the fleeting summer, the Montenegroni). Be sure to look for an upcoming article with GreenBuildingAdvisor.com and the article Chris authored for Green & Healthy Maine Homes magazine! Pro-tip it contains the chart mentioned in the podcast which can also be found at our lame Facebook page. Cheers.

Embodied carbon is carbon that is emitted in the production of materials, and the building industry is responsible for 40% of global annual emissions. Buildings are the problem AND the solution and understanding the immediate impacts of embodied carbon is absolutely vital. We define the critical difference between operational and embodied carbon, and explain why net zero energy buildings simply aren't enough at this moment in time. We take a pass at understanding the numbers behind them. We also spend the second half of the podcast talking about the materials that we either must, or absolutely should not specify. Wood is good, steel and concrete are bad, but anyone in the industry knows that this doesn't leave us with a simple puzzle to solve. Be sure to head over to Greenbuildingadvisor.com for additional content and related articles. The cocktail of the episode is the Bennett Cocktail. Be sure to check our our lame Facebook page for a detailed recipe. As always, our theme music is Zelda's Theme by Perez Prado, and our featured song this episode is "747" by Bill Callahan.

In this episode, Chris and Phil head over to the Portland Pod to record because they have not one, but two guests (Geoff Sparrow and Fred Greenhalgh of Revision Energy) to talk about Solar Storage! With lithium ion batteries hitting the market at ever more affordable prices, perhaps you've considered adding them to a project. The whole gang will sip fancy sunny cocktails and talk about the pros and cons of solar storage, when to consider them, and your options for installation.

What is a Living Building? It is rooted in place yet harvests all it needs (energy, water), is adapted to its climate and site, operates pollution-free, is comprised of integrated systems, and...is BEAUTIFUL. Phil and Chris talk about Living Building Challenge, a certification program that aims to transform the market place, with all it's joys and challenges. Collaborating for the first time, their firms are working on an LBC project, The Ecology School in Saco, Maine. They discuss the 7 petals (and 20 imperatives) put forth by the LBC in detail and chat about how this process has fundamentally changed how they practice as architects. Be sure to head over to Greenbuildingadvisor.com for additional content and related articles. The cocktail of the episode is a Notorious F.L.I.P. Be sure to check out our lame facebook page for a detailed recipe. As always our theme music is Zelda's Theme by Perez Prado, and our featured song this episode is "Buoys" by Panda Bear.

In cold climates, Multi-zone heat pump systems (or multi-split systems) are developing a reputation for greatly under-performing , in terms of energy efficiency. Don't freak out! Chris and Phil have special guest, Dana Fischer of Mitsubishi, over to share a beverage and get to the bottom of this problem and how to properly approach the design of multi-zone heat pumps for your energy efficient house (or building). Be sure to head over to Greenbuildingadvisor.com for additional content and related articles. The cocktail of the episode is Hot Buttered Rum! and a fantastic cranberry mocktail of Phil's creation. Be sure to check out our lame facebook page for more detailed recipes. As always our theme music is Zelda's Theme by Perez Prado, and our featured song is Two-Headed Boy by Neutral Milk Hotel. Stay warm, friends!

The Green Architects' Lounge is BACK! After a long hiatus, Chris and Phil are reuniting for a fresh new season of the podcast! They're kicking it of with a LIVE recording at the PassivhausMAINE 2018 Fall Forum at the Mechanics' Hall in Portland Maine. The topic: Passive House Schools! They (and the hyperbollically massive) audience will sip cocktails and discuss the hows, whys, and why-nots of getting our schools to this high level of energy-efficiency.

If you’re working on a Passive House (or Passivhaus) project, there will come a time when you will have to decide whether to certify your project through PHI (the Passivhaus Institut) or PHIUS (the Passive House Institute U.S.). Before their split in 2011, they were essentially one and the same, where PHIUS was the American “branch” of the European PHI. But due to irreconcilable differences, sadly, our “parents of passive house” got a divorce and now you have to choose which one you will stay with for the holidays.

We’ve come to realize that we all want simple rules of thumb to guide our design process. Unfortunately, there isn’t a rule of thumb for everything and we’re going to have to rely on some common sense, good advice, and good old-fashioned engineering to get this balanced ventilation system right. Our cocktails are refreshed and we’re ready to go.

In this episode we are assuming that you are preparing to design or build a super-tight house and you’re interested in the best way to provide fresh air for its occupants. In the old days, you’d just “let the house breathe” [shudder]. But those days are long gone. A healthy house leaks, while an energy-efficient house controls how it leaks — and this episode is all about the latter.

Phil and I have freshened up our drinks and now we’re ready to tackle Items 8 through 15. Be sure to go back to Part 1 to listen to Items 1 through 7.

It’s back to the basics with this one, folks. Back in 2013, we were asked to do a presentation at NESEA for the “Fundementals” track — something similar to our “Sprout Follies” podcast. We put together a PowerPoint presentation, and did our best to deal with the fact that our cocktails would be coffee. It was well received, so we thought it would be a good idea to share a condensed version of that presentation as a podcast here at GBA. Most “Top 10” lists have only ten items. Ours has fifteen! We tackle 1 through 7 in this podcast. Be sure to tune in soon for Part 2 (Things 8 through 15). Without further ado, I give you our fifteen “Top 10” things not to blow on your next project.

Phil and Chris have returned to continue their discussion on foundations. In Part One, they covered slabs and frost walls, and in this part they cover basements and crawl spaces.

Not too long ago I found myself in a deep conversation (pun intended) about frost-protected slabs with some other architects and building professionals. I was surprised at the energy surrounding the topic. We all seemed to have developed substantial differences in the details on our own and we were all learning from each other. I was equally surprised at how fresh this concept seemed — I mean, haven’t we been founding our wood structures on the ground for centuries now? Millennia, even? The diversity of approaches has to do with our culture’s new desire to create ultra-energy-efficient houses. I walked away thinking that we should do a podcast on the subject, but then I thought about how much drawing we all did, and wondered if an audio podcast was a good forum for this topic. Luckily, with the courage supplied by a good cocktail and the “challenge accepted” attitude and encouragement from Phil, we decided we’d make a go of it. We decided we’d cover the concepts in audio form and provide some details from our own work here on GBA.--Chris

Cocktails in hand, Phil and I pick up the conversation about the Pretty Good House. Be sure to check Part 1 of this episode for some of the basics and the origins of this nebulous building/design concept.

The status quo of newly constructed homes here in America is, well, disappointing. Despite some strong market-transforming rating systems (such as LEED, Energy Star, Passivhaus, etc.), the classic American home is still being designed and built exactly as it was 20, 30, or even 40 years ago. Why? There’s a few reasons, the biggest of which is market demand. People buy what’s on the market, and builders build what sells. The only ones pushing the market are those few who are willing to go the extra distance, and do that extra homework to make their projects substantially better. This is actually a very small percentage of those building or buying a new home. The second biggest reason is that these rating systems often put builders and designers at arm’s length. Let’s be honest: there’s a lot of work involved with these systems. For example, LEED requires substantial fees and administrative work. Passivhaus requires rigorous energy modeling and detailing that sometimes is not the most cost-effective approach (buying $6,000 worth of added insulation to save the amount of energy that one more $400 solar panel would provide, for example). This is where the “Pretty Good House” concept comes into play.

Part Two of this episode brings us to construction details for high-performance affordable homes. Again, we feel the need to point out that we are not talking about low-income housing or housing that makes a difference between shelter and non-shelter. We're talking about high-performance homes that will compete, on a financial level, with those cheap vinyl boxes that litter suburbia and urban areas alike. Phil and I have refreshed our drinks and are ready to talk about building envelope construction from the bottom up. Let’s get started.

Now that “green” design (usually defined as design that is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly) is arguably in the mainstream, our industry faces a challenge: to bring green design into the realm of affordability. So, join Phil and me as we knock back a cocktail, roll up our shirt sleeves, and discuss our respective approaches to affordable green design. I should also warn you that Phil and I are a bit chatty in the beginning, and if you are the type that likes to get right to the subject matter, and don’t care about Phil’s discovery of Campari, then you’ll want to skip ahead to minute 06:00. For the rest, well, here’s to you!

With any house, there are so many variables that influence the decision to choose one particular mechanical system over another; climate, home size, cost, local availability and cost of fuels and materials, and the life style and preferences of the occupants. There is no "one-size-fits-all" system that one can reliably prescribe to all projects. So Chris and Phil sat down over a good winter cocktail to share their views, anecdotes, battle scars, and wisdom on this important subject.

Enter the Dollar! Now it's time to start figuring out just how much these solar sytems will cost. Moreover, we'll find out how to calculate your return on your investment. Then Phil takes us out with a great song called Earl Jean by Beachwood Sparks. Enjoy.

The thing about photovoltaic(PV) Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow. solar (or PVPhotovoltaics. Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic (PV) cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow.) is that in order to understand if it is appropriate for the project you're working on, you really have to understand the metrics and basics of solar systems. Chris and Phil sat down, turned on the mic, and did their best to convey the basic concepts and rules of thumb that most green professionals should know. This will of course be laying the ground work for part two, where we cover the financial implications of solar PV.

Chris and Phil have a nice chat with energy auditing guru, Allison Bailes, As a Green Building Advisor and the man behind the Energy Vanguard, Allison knows his stuff. Together they discuss the new Energy StarLabeling system sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy for labeling the most energy-efficient products on the market; applies to a wide range of products, from computers and office equipment to refrigerators and air conditioners. 3, integrating mechanical design into a residential project, FROGS, and naked people. So grab a cup of joe (or make a Moscow Mule if you're off-duty) and enjoy.

The Lounge welcomes John Straube for a drink and chat about the latest news in Building Science. The drink ends up being of the caffeinated variety (due to the early temporal placement of the recording within the day) and the conversation covers many topics such as his new book and what commercial buildings should strive for, where green building and building science overlap, and why architects are so awesome. Join us.

Some see the glass as half full, others see it as half empty. Jim tells you what the %$#@! is in the glass, how it got there, and what SHOULD be in the glass instead. Join Chris and Phil as they interview author, and social commentator, James Howard Kunstler. Jim delivers his commentary on the built environment in a refreshing, unique, and blunt manner. Cheers.

It's one thing to design a house, and it's another entirely to turn that design into a physical reality. In this episode, Chris and Phil kick back with an autumn cocktail and talk about the process of bringing on a builder and the challenges of keeping control, quality, cost, and expectations managed along the way.

It's one thing to design a house, and it's another entirely to turn that design into a physical reality. In this episode, Chris and Phil kick back with an autumn cocktail and talk about the process of bringing on a builder and the challenges of keeping control, quality, cost, and expectations managed along the way.

Sprout Follies read more

You know him, you love him, (or at least his articles) it's Martin Holladay. He was in the neighborhood, so he stopped by to chat with Chris and Phil for this episode of the Green Architects' Lounge. This is your chance to get to know the man behind some of your favorite articles. Hear how he spent his youth abroad and how it has shaped his current views on green building. Listen, as he share his insight on the future of green building. And, find out what he says when he's told his house has just burned down and he's been given a whopping $500K to rebuild it. read more

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

Phil and Chris finally get to talk about one of their favorite topics. Net ZeroProducing as much energy on an annual basis as one consumes on site, usually with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics or small-scale wind turbines. Calculating net-zero energy can be difficult, particularly in grid-tied renewable energy systems, because of transmission losses in power lines and other considerations. Homes. These homes, that produce as much energy as they consume, are starting to become not only popular but economically prudent. That's not the cocktails talking. Phil's even going to share a handy spreadsheet his office uses that will help illustrate this point. He'll also share a new song from Bright Eyes, and Chris will share a recipe that the two of them sort of invented on the spot. But it's tasty! Check back in for all parts (1 through 3) and keep up the good work!

You've probably heard about 'Passive House' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement. read more

You've probably heard about 'Passive House' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement. read more

You've probably heard about 'Passive HouseA residential building construction standard requiring very low levels of air leakage, very high levels of insulation, and windows with a very low U-factor. Developed in the early 1990s by Bo Adamson and Wolfgang Feist, the standard is now promoted by the Passivhaus Institut in Darmstadt, Germany. To meet the standard, a home must have an infiltration rate no greater than 0.60 AC/H @ 50 pascals, a maximum annual heating energy use of 15 kWh per square meter (4,755 Btu per square foot), a maximum annual cooling energy use of 15 kWh per square meter (1.39 kWh per square foot), and maximum source energy use for all purposes of 120 kWh per square meter (11.1 kWh per square foot). The standard recommends, but does not require, a maximum design heating load of 10 W per square meter and windows with a maximum U-factor of 0.14. The Passivhaus standard was developed for buildings in central and northern Europe; efforts are underway to clarify the best techniques to achieve the standard for buildings in hot climates.' (or 'Passivhaus'). And like Phil and Chris, you can feel the buzz in the air from it within the green housing community. It's a building certification that is focused completely and only on reducing energy consumption. Join Chris and Phil as they summon their own energy to discuss this hot topic over a couple of cocktails. In the first part, they talk about what a passive house is, why you'd build one, and the history behind the passive house movement. read more

In the final part of this episode we talk about the cost of some of these home energy monitoring systems, and what the future holds for this budding industry. Phil share Hot Zigg! (a good idea) (or so he thinks) Then he takes us out with Rococ by Arcade Fire.

In this part of the episode, Chris, Phil, and Peter discuss the different types of home energy monitoring systems and what you should expect from each.

Peter Troast of Energy Circle stops by to share a drink with Phil and Chris and share his knowledge on Home Energy Monitoring Systems. In Part 1, Chris shares a 'Pomini' cocktail recipe and Peter explains what energy monitoring is, and why you'd install such a system.

I sent an email out to Jeff Gagnon and Jim Godbout and asked them five basic questions about ground source heat pumpHeating and cooling system in which specialized refrigerant fluid in a sealed system is alternately evaporated and condensed, changing its state from liquid to vapor by altering its pressure; this phase change allows heat to be transferred into or out of the house. See air-source heat pump and ground-source heat pump. installations. In this part of the Green Architects' Lounge episode, Phil and I take some time to review and compare their answers. We also touch on the subject of ozone depleting refrigerants. Then, Phil shares a song by the Brooklyn band 'Here We Go Magic' called collectors.

In part one of this episode from the Green Architects' Lounge, we only scratched the surface. Now it's time to really dig in and decide if a ground source heat pumpHeating and cooling system in which specialized refrigerant fluid in a sealed system is alternately evaporated and condensed, changing its state from liquid to vapor by altering its pressure; this phase change allows heat to be transferred into or out of the house. See air-source heat pump and ground-source heat pump. system is right for you and if so, to start planning for it.

If you've done any amount of research on ground source heat pumps, chances are likely that you've heard from those who have said that you'd be insane to consider this as a viable system for your house, AND you've heard others say you'd be insane NOT to use GSHPs. Where insanity and green architecture meet, there you shall find our intrepid architects mixing a 'Dark and Stormy', and turning on the mike, to act as your good-natured guides. Join Chris and Phil as they demystify this polarizing system. In Part 1, they'll discuss: What is a heat pump? read more

In Part 3, Chris, Phil, and Pat wrap up their discussion on BiomassOrganic waste that can be converted to usable forms of energy such as heat or electricity, or crops grown specifically for that purpose. Boilers with a chat about cost, a 'Hot Zigg', and a 'Six Digit Idea'. Then the episode concludes with a song by Pete Miller called Daydreamer.

In Part 2, Phil Chris and Pat continue their discussion on gasification Log boilers and introduce Pellet boilers to our listeners.

With over 20,0000 barrels of crude oil spilling into the gulf of Mexico every day as a result of the BP Deep Horizon disaster, there has never been a more important time to explore and advance the use of renewable fuels for our homes. Pat Coon of Revision Heat is back for this episode to discuss residential biomass boilers and wood as a renewable and viable fuel source. Also, Chris and Phil trade places and responsibilities. Phil shares his recipe for the 'Perfect Red Manhattan' and Chris introduces everyone to the music of Pete Miller with his song 'Daydreamer'. read more

This is the last part of the Green Architects' Lounge three-part series on deep energy retrofits. In this episode, Phil and I are basically wrapping up the segment. We discuss the importance of sizing your new HVAC system to the heat load of your newly renovated house (this is where that energy audit information, that we mentioned in previous episodes, is going to come in handy). read more

This is part two of the Green Architects' Lounge three-part series on Deep Energy Retrofits. In this episode, Phil and I discuss what we feel is the most crucial part of a DER, the exterior building envelope. There is no single solution. Here, we must be nimble and thoughtful and deal with the structure that we're given and apply the skills we've learned. (and by we, I mean you as well). This is not your typical renovation. There's plenty of room for creativity. To quote my co-host, "We should look at his as a challenge that excites us..."

Deep Energy Retrofits - Part 1: Our Nation is full of an existing housing stock in desperate need of improvement. There is scarcely a greener thing to do than to assign our collective architectural skills to the task of improving the efficiency, durability, functionality, and all-around livability of these homes. We're talking DEEP energy retrofits here, so the timid need not download! The van is swinging by, the door is open, and it's only slowing down a little, so brace yourself, Jump in, and let's go!

Maine architects Chris Briley and Phil Kaplan look at air barriers — one of “The Big Three” topics (along with insulation and windows) of green construction. They also share the recipe for their Cocktail of the Week: the Simple Charm.