Built Environment Plus News
December 17th, 2020
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Board of Director Nominations Now Open
Today nominations for BE+ Board of Directors Opened. There are four incumbent directors up for re-election, and three additional seats.
BE+ members receive special benefits for being committed investors in the group. This time of year it is the ability to vote in our Board Elections. Invest in your BE+ community by becoming a member today and take part in choosing our Board of Directors.
The Virtual Annual General Meeting is set for January 28th.
We will announce the Board of Director election results at the meeting. More details, including the full agenda, are in the works. Contact us with agenda items for the meeting.
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LAST DAY TO ACT 📢
Say goodbye to Toxic Flame Retardants!
Governor Baker vetoed it last round, and now it's back!
Though you may have signed that original 2019 letter, we need you to sign this NEW BE+ Community letter urging Baker specifically to support H.4900/S.2349, An Act to Protect Children, Families, and Firefighters from Toxic Flame Retardants.
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Advocacy is just one objective of the BE+ Health and Wellness Working Group.
We're also focused on health and wellness education as it pertains to the built environment, as well as to promote networking and the sharing of challenges to utilizing healthier materials, and best practices to achieve healthier materials and wellness objectives through our projects. Interested? Contact Lisa Carey Moore
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BE+ was awarded $236,280 to train 173 workers
 
Payette and Saam Architecture are halfway through their 2 YEARS worth of free training at no cost to them. The majority of this content is on sustainability.
Visit our Workforce Training Grant Webpage for more on this program.
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"The Workforce Training Grant has supported Payette staff in learning new tools and skills that enables us to continue to push our designs in order to create better buildings."
- Andrea Love, Principal and Director of Building Science at Payette.
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GoodyClancy takes advantage of Free Training
Barbra Batshalom, of the Sustainable Performance Institute, led a series of workshops focused on change management for the majority of GoodyClancy's office. See the bottom of this webpage for more on the Preparing for and Managing Change Series.
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"Utilizing the Green Building Training Program for a series of whole office engagements around design excellence was a great boon to Goody Clancy because direct costs were completely covered. The workshops, led by Barbra Batshalom of the Sustainable Preservation Institute, were a major step forward in ensuring that all members of the firm, including marketing, accounting, and support, understand the values and goals of our sustainability/design excellence framework plan."
- Lori Ferriss, Director of Sustainability and Climate Action
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BE+ awarded additional $150,000 in funding
for Free Education!
BE+ has been granted another $150,000 to offer free education to companies with less than 100 employees in Massachusetts. A company can host a course for their employees, or individuals can register for qualifying public courses offered by BE+.
We have until the end of June to fund this training for your company.
See if your organization qualifies through the link below.
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Meredith Awarded Boston Real Estate Time's Excellence Award
Our Executive Director, Meredith Elbaum, was recently recognized by Boston Real Estate Times for Excellence in Green Design and Sustainability. At their event on December 8th, they recognized 10+ professionals displaying excellence in Architecture, Brokerage, Construction, Engineering, Green Design and other categories. Learn More.
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Ethan is back!
Join us in welcoming Ethan Vonderheide back to our team. Ethan is an Emerging Professional passionate about the role the design of the build environment plays in repairing our relationship with our ecosystems and for providing equitable spaces for all. With a Masters in Architecture, and professional experience advancing Environmental and Social Equity initiatives, Ethan joins us ready to promote and connect our community through our Communications and Special Project efforts.
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50% OFF for all first time sponsors until year end...
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...or Consider adding value back into your BE+ community with your year end giving.
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RECENT CERTIFIED PROJECTS
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MGM Springfield Receives Industry's First LEED Platinum Certification
MGM Resorts International property is the world's first resort in the gaming industry to achieve the highest LEED rating for a new construction project. Learn More
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LEED GOLD - 99 Summer Street
99 Summer Street, a 291,332 sq ft transformed office space, received Gold Certification status on December 15th under LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Building
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LEED SILVER - EchelonSeaport
EchelonSeaport, 1,114,712 sq ft of Multi-Family Residential Condominiums located at 131, 133 & 135 Seaport Boulevard, received Silver Certification last month under LEED-NC v2009. Cosentini is the PA.
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We want to better spotlight local projects, and you can help.
Join us in recognizing project accomplishments in the Commonwealth. This will hopefully be the first of many spotlights to come. Notify us of any updates we should share.
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Board of Directors Meeting
Jan. 7th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST | Free
Board meetings are meant to better understand and develop the the mission and objectives of Built Environment Plus. Meetings occur every first Thursday of the month, with some exceptions. Meetings are open to the public - please reach out about how to join.
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Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts Meeting
Jan. 18th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm EST | Free
The Emerging Professionals of Massachusetts (EPMA) Committee is a community of ascending professionals cross the green building industry and allied fields helping drive sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of the built environment. Register
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Built Environment Plus Annual Meeting
Jan. 28th | Free
We will announce the Board of Director election results at the meeting. More details, including the full agenda, are in the works. Contact us with agenda items for the meeting.
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Achieving Healthy Materials
Feb. 11th | 8:00am - 9:30am EST
Join your local Living Future Collaborative for a live-viewing of the International Living Future Institutes online course. Registration coming soon.
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Deep Dive Into Net Zero Water and the Water/Energy Nexus
Feb. 25th | 8:00am - 10:00am EST | $35
This session will explore how energy is involved with water by looking at the energy embodied in water infrastructure, and the energy available from water and how these can be utilized to contribute to an overall energy budget. The implications of embodied and operational carbon in the built environment water cycle will be addressed. Register
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COMMUNITY BOARD & EVENTS CALENDAR
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Cast your vote for the winner of the $10,000 People’s Choice Award in MassCEC’s Triple Decker Design Challenge.
There are 13 proposals for all-electric energy retrofits of these widely recognized, iconic residential buildings. As Massachusetts strives to meet its 2050 net-zero emissions goal, we will need to decarbonize the over 14,000 triple deckers in the state.
Join the Boston Society of Architects for a virtual event on January 13th at 6:00 PM EST where you can hear more about the proposals, ask questions, and share what your favorite idea is across all proposals.
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Innovative Products Coming to Market
BuildingEase, a project of Sustainable Performance Institute, is showcasing the coolest, most innovative products coming to market. Take a look to be inspired and see what's possible!
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We want to share your news here!
BE+ is working to evolve the newsletter to be more newsworthy.
Please contact us about submitting for a future newsletter.
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Passive House Advanced Construction Workshop Series | Part 4
Virtual Events | FREE
This innovative virtual "hands-on" trainings series features presentations and discussion on all aspects of constructing high-performing Passive House buildings. Geared towards general contractors, carpenters, project managers, air sealing and insulation trades, HVAC and plumbing trades, window installers, and quality control specialists - as well as all members of a project team. Learn more.
Workshop 4: QA/QC Techniques for Ensuring Success
Dec. 18th | 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Register.
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The Lighter Side of Green: Celebrating our Community
January 23rd, 2021. 7:00pm - 9:00am EST | Virtual Event | FREE
Let's start 2021 off with optimism, hope and joy! Join us for a fun evening of music, comedy, art and community! Register.
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AIA 2030 Signatories: A cause for celebration!
January 2021 | Virtual Event | FREE
27 Architecture firms successfully met the AIA 2030 Commitment targets in 2019. They will be sharing their stories and lessons learned. Register.
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From Footprints to Handprints: A Positive Approach to Carbon
Jan. / Feb. | Virtual Event | FREE
Expert LCA scientist, Greg Norris, shares his concept of “handprints,” an optimistic philosophy to address the challenge of sustainability. Register.
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NESSBE 2021: POWER of PLACE
Climate action and justice in the built environment.
Mar. 25 - 26th | Virtual Event
We have less than a decade to reverse current greenhouse gas emissions trends to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change. The intention of this summit is to explore the means and solutions for meeting this challenge in the built environment, while improving the quality of life for all CT residents, and lifting up our most vulnerable communities. Learn more.
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Placetailor is Seeking a Mechanical Engineer
Placetailor seeks a mechanical engineer to join their team at Roxbury Crossing. This would be the first in-house engineering position, intended to lead and grow our engineering services.
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EcoRise is Seeking Green Professionals for Internship Program
EcoRise is seeking inspirational green professionals to mentor student interns, serve as guest speakers, and/or volunteer. Green professionals will provide guidance, real-world work experience, and the professional framework necessary to cultivate a dynamic green workforce, particularly for those from underrepresented groups such as female students and students of color.
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Participation in our programs, membership, and sponsorship helps support the efforts of our staff members, Meredith, Vernette, and Ethan, especially now as we navigate these difficult times. Please consider sponsoring our organization, making a donation, and becoming a member if you are not already. If you have any questions, please reach out to Meredith@builtenvironmentplus.org.
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Be a part of our community!
Built Environment Plus is a member-based organization. Members are the force behind our initiatives. Membership dues help support our staff who are actively working to educate, advocate, perform research, and strengthen the community that drives the sustainability of the built environment.
All members get FREE/discounted admission to most of our upcoming events too!
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