SILVER SPRING, MD – Two of the region’s leading experts on sustainable architecture will present zero energy building initiatives that are changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed, and constructed as part of the Planning Department’s speaker series.
T. David Bell, president and founder of BELL Architects, and Robert Phinney, a licensed architect and sustainable design consultant, will discuss Architecture 2030 and the Living Building Challenge, which focus on achieving carbon neutral buildings with standards, measurements and target objectives. Their co-presentation, Living Building Challenge: Moving Toward Regenerative Buildings and Communities, will touch on using local and nontoxic materials, water harvesting, alternative energy, insulation and other techniques. The presentation will appeal to architects, landscape architects, planners, developers, contractors and anyone interested in advancing sustainability.
Bell, director of the American Institute of Architects’ D.C. chapter, founded the DC 2030 Challenge Committee to reduce energy use through better design and renewable energy generation. Bell is an award-winning architect and LEED-accredited professional focused on integrating technology, culture, art and architecture to achieve superior results in conserving energy, environmental, financial and historic resources.
Phinney has been involved with a wide range of technically complex government facilities, hospitals and commercial projects. As a senior director for Skanska USA Integrated Solutions-Green, Phinney works to broaden the range of sustainable services in the construction industry to develop efficient maintenance programs that reduce operating costs. His commitment to community outreach helps inspire people to pursue and implement environmentally friendly strategies in all aspects of their lives.
Speaker series participants will learn how to incorporate and implement design features to achieve energy conservation as well as energy generation through benchmarking, case studies and professional training programs. Attendees also will become familiar with available resources, technical assistance and funding.
Continuing education credits (AICP certification maintenance credits) are pending for planning professionals, as well as AIA education credits for learning units in Health, Safety and Welfare including Sustainable Design.
The presentations are part of the Planning Department’s Celebrating MoCo speaker series – free, informative, monthly sessions about ways to forge great communities. The series is co-sponsored by the Silver Spring Regional Center.
Who:
Montgomery County Planning Department
Silver Spring Regional Center
What:
The Living Building Challenge: Moving Toward Regenerative Buildings and Communities
When:
7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011
Where:
Silver Spring Regional Center, One Veterans Plaza (corner of Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street), Silver Spring
