Page 12 - New England Condominium May EXPO 2019

12 NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM — MAY 2019 NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM E ven before Rep. Alexandria Oc- asio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced the Green New Deal resolution to Congress on February 7, the impending consequences of climate change and glob- al warming has been a hot topic (no pun intended). While some may cover their ears and avert their gaze when it comes to things like carbon emissions, sustain- able building and green energy, most of us want to know what we can do to live better and healthier while helping to keep our planet hospitable to human life. This concern extends to residential de- velopment and, in turn, to community as- sociations. Trends in green design contin- ue to capture the collective imagination, whether they involve building materials, aesthetics, or big-picture ideas about sus- tainability and wellness. Below, we spotlight some of the peo- ple, places and projects involved with the broader green residential movement, beginning with four design professionals from varying backgrounds we asked to weigh in on eco-friendly market trends: People Frank D. Hodge, Owner of F.D. Hodge Interiors in Boston. “Today, it’s very important to utilize more sustainable and environmentally- friendly techniques and materials. Most everyone is concerned with off-gassing and chemicals coming from paints and other substances. We only use eco-friend- ly products in clients’ homes and, when that isn’t possible, we always ensure that the client is out of town while we work. “Materials costs in general have risen across the board, so I don’t feel that some- thing like, for example, eco-friendly fab- rics cost any more or less than non-specif- ically eco-friendly fabrics. “In regard to federal or local incentives for incorporating green design methods, those mostly apply to out-of-ground con- struction, windows and HVAC, and not as much to interiors.” Anica Landreneau, Director of Sus- tainable Design at global design, archi- tecture, engineering and planning firm HOK, which has 24 locations world- wide, including New York. “One thing we’re seeing is that the fo- cus isn’t exclusively on environmental footprint, but also on health and wellness. Healthy and resilient buildings, commu- nities and neighborhoods also impact the environment. Anything that makes our neighborhoods more walkable and pedes- trian-friendly, more bikeable, and more resilient to storm events makes them more healthy. Design that encourages people to opt for stairs over an elevator or offers more exposure to natural light can save energy while also impacting people’s well-being. And buyers are absolutely willing to pay a premium on a home they perceive as healthier. “All of the above can affect material se- lection – namely those that have better fil- tration and offer better air quality. Green walls and additional houseplants can help there. And people are increasingly likely to want more operable windows to mini- mize air conditioner usage, to turn on those ceiling fans again. Low-flow water fixtures, smaller boilers or on-demand hot water... all of these can have a great envi- ronmental impact while simultaneously lowering water bills. “We’re also seeing an uptick in interest in having some space within a condo or townhome that isn’t necessarily the stan- dard fitness room, but maybe a yoga area or meditation space. Gardens are popular, sometimes on roofs. Communal spaces in general are increasingly desired.” Dan Piselli, Director of Sustainability and Senior Associate with FXCollabora- tive, an architectural firm with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C. “Often, sustainable strategies can have double benefits for both condo/co-op owners, and toward the greater good. En- ergy efficiency saves owners money by reducing energy costs while also reduc- ing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming impacts. Reducing water use and rainwater runoff can also save owners money while reducing water supply bur- dens and overflow issues at city sewage treatment plants. Selecting healthy mate- rials can keep residents healthy by avoid- ing toxic off-gassing while also reducing supply chain impacts on the environment. When working with community associa- tions, we regularly advocate for these and other sustainability initiatives, for the benefit of all involved. “Increasing demand is slowly but sure- ly increasing the market for eco-friendly design, while lowering costs. LED lighting has been a great success story. Manufac- turers heard the demand for energy-effi- cient lighting and performed the research and development to bring cost-effective products to market. Building owners can help continue to push the market by re- questing more of these products and ser- vices. “Sustainable retrofits usually cost a bit more than code-minimum retrofits. How- ever, to minimize cost, we recommend upgrades when building components are at the end of their service life and need to be replaced anyway. For example, when a roof wears out, consider adding insu- lation as a minor incremental additional cost to the replacement project. It’s crucial for condo and co-op associations to have a long-term sustainability plan in place to guide decision-making when replacement needs arise.” Steven P. Besch, President and Found- er of Besch Design, Ltd., in Chicago. “The work I do in condos really does not include much by the way of ‘green’ or sustainable material. We typically deal with high-end condos, and those own- ers tend not to have interest in sustain- able materials when it comes to finishes. I recall a time when bamboo flooring was popular, but I have not seen as much lately. Clients sometimes consider water- saving products, but I believe most of that The Latest in Green Design Wellness, Sustainability and the Future of Residential Development BY MIKE ODENTHAL DESIGN ISTOCKPHOTO.COM