Climate Action

New UN Climate Report Stresses the Urgency of Climate Action Now

August 12, 2021| Climate Action|

New climate change report shows need for urgent action – Public and private actors must act now to get to net zero” – World Economic Forum, August 9, 2021

The latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)  Report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis is now available and, while there is hope, we all must act now—including the architecture profession.

California architects have a vital role to play in addressing climate change. There is no more time to debate the responsibility of the built environment, and  those who design it, to respond aggressively to this global emergency.

AIA CA has taken a stand with the Declaration of Climate Emergency issued August 6, 2021. Together, we believe it is possible to slow, and, in some cases, reverse the worst impacts of climate change. However, we must move and challenge others to move with alacrity.

But don’t just take out word for it, visit any of these major news outlets:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-09/ipcc-report-on-climate-science-5-key-takeaways

https://www.forbes.com/sites/feliciajackson/2021/08/09/its-time-for-a-new-approach-as-ipcc-report-doubles-down-on-need-for-rapid-climate-action/?sh=2c49548e4ce4

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/climate/climate-change-report-ipcc-un.html

And, if you are not so inclined  to read the full  3,949-page report, view the IPCC summary here.

 

 

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Things You Can do Now: Energy Modeling

July 29, 2021| AIACA, Climate Action, What you can do right now|

What Is An Energy Model?

In essence, an energy model is a set of computer-generated calculations that help designers compare design options and predict anticipated energy consumption of a building and its systems. As technologies have advanced, so has the ability to analyze various aspects of building performance, either with general purpose “whole building” energy modeling packages or software developed for a specific purpose be it daylighting, ventilation, thermal bridging, occupant comfort, or another parameter. The modeler inputs data describing aspects of the building and external design conditions and the “calculation engine” drives the output. Building professionals can then analyse the output to make meaningful comparisons of different design options or compare whole building performance against a benchmark or targeted energy use intensity (EUI).

Why Is An Energy Model Important For Design Excellence?

Many architecture and engineering firms consider modeling a necessity in the design process. Performance modeling increases the ability to make informed decisions to improve energy performance, increase thermal and visual comfort, and improve building durability, among other design issues key to design excellence.

Some practitioners’ experience with modeling is solely as a tool used in the performance approach to document compliance with an energy code, or as a tool used for third-party certification such as USGBC LEED. It is important to understand that a compliance model is not intended to be a precise, predictive model of post-occupancy energy performance. Codes typically set a floor for allowable energy performance and a compliance model documents that the minimum level of performance has been achieved. This approach usually brings the energy model into the process at a point where it is too late to provide much design feedback. Thus, the model does not help designers understand scenario interactions with potentially positive or negative consequences. While compliance modelling is valuable for tracking certain energy metrics and achieving project milestones, modeling for design excellence goes beyond compliance.

Who Does the Performance Modeling?

Modeling can get complicated, but it doesn’t have to be! Make a plan and incorporate modeling in the project timeline. Effective use of modeling requires the architect or team to identify questions you need to ask, the level of detail needed to answer them, and the point in the process when the answers are required to facilitate a design decision. Identify who on the design team has the required expertise and is responsible for each of the different analyses needed to answer key questions. The team should agree upon the software tool, or in some cases tools, that will be used by the responsible parties.

The architect’s role is often to lead the process by knowing enough to have useful and collaborative discussions with those with expertise in specific areas, rather than doing their own energy modeling. However, this isn’t always the case. The AIA publication The Architects Guide to Building Performance draws a distinction between ‘single aspect’ and ‘whole building’ simulation. Single aspect analysis such as a massing or window shading study can often be done by a knowledgeable architect. Whole building analysis very early in design can also sometimes be performed by an architect. Certain software permits an architect to describe the enclosure while choosing among general approaches to electric lighting and HVAC systems that include default assumptions. The results are best thought of as providing a ranked order of the performance of different façade design options under consideration than as an accurate prediction of performance. This is still very valuable information!

When greater precision and information on HVAC and lighting systems is needed, an engineer or outside modeling consultant is needed. It is important to discuss the various assumptions the modeler must make about plug loads, occupancy patterns, and building operations.

What Are The Impacts Of Energy Modeling?

Energy models allow for optimization without compromising design. Early energy analysis can identify how even small changes in building massing, orientation, window-to-wall ratios, glazing types, insulated wall assembly, and more can have large impacts on building heating and cooling loads. These loads directly impact the size of the mechanical equipment, the size of the mechanical rooms, and the size of the utility bill. Façade appearance iterations including external shading elements can be studied along with their efficiency implications. These are just two examples of how results from an energy model can affect design.

Energy modeling also supports project cost management. A model improves the ability to compare first cost and operational cost payback periods for alternative façade or wall assembly options and HVAC, structural, and lighting systems. All clients are likely to choose a slightly more expensive and more efficient system when the payback is quick. Models make it possible to better understand the cost, or savings, of improved indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

Energy modeling also allows designers to push the envelope with less risk, adding an element of predictability to the process. Engineers can right-size building systems and equipment, reducing material resources and energy use while managing construction cost. Through energy modeling designers can identify specific best practices, compare a design to other projects in or outside of a firm, and compile and track firm progress on climate action through programs such as AIA’s 2030 Commitment. If building information modeling (BIM) software was used to develop the design the same digital model can sometimes be used for energy modelling by consultants. If architects plan to share their model, they should discuss model construction requirements with the consultant beforehand. This will reduce the need to revise or recreate the model for performance analysis.

What Is The Cost Of Energy Modeling?

The cost of a performance energy model can be split into three different categories: software, labor, and timing. The energy modeling world is full of both free-to-use and paid software, with the main difference being the support available. High quality free software is available from the US Department of Energy and university researchers, but with little support. Commercial software often includes support or support can be purchased for a fee. Whether free or paid, whole building energy software takes time to master. If you don’t have that time, work with a consultant.

The timing and the precision required of an energy model is part of the cost equation. Analysis performed by a skilled modeler early in schematic design can have a big impact with very little cost. Comparing the energy implications of different approaches to siting, massing, and window-to-wall ratio can often be done in an hour or two. More precise modeling later in the process takes more time. Even then, there are numerous examples where the cost of energy modeling was paid back in savings in first cost of equipment or through operational savings captured in a matter of months.

The old adage “Garbage In = Garbage Out” applies here. Models are only as good as the data that is provided, which means the designer and modeler must be in sync if they are not the same person. Base knowledge, clear communication, patience, and perseverance are mainstays of the energy modeler, whether inside an architect’s firm or hired as a consultant.

What You Can Do Now

  • If you’ve never used an energy model before, the first step is to commit to using one on your next project. It’s ok to start simple, with one key variable to test.
  • Add an energy model to your list of deliverables (and into your fees), if not for your client then for yourself.
  • Integrate energy modeling early in the design process when it need not be expensive and when you can get a lot out of it.
  • Set project performance goal and benchmarks: a certain EUI, a certain % better than code, etc. Use these to decide what questions you want the energy model to answer about your design. See AIA’s 2030 Commitment.
  • Treat your engineers and modelers as integral members of the design team. Ask them for recommendations to improve performance. They may see an opportunity that you do not. Your job isn’t to follow every recommendation but to meet the various design requirements while integrating excellent performance.
  • If you are currently working with an energy modeler to document compliance, ask if they could provide additional non-compliance modeling services earlier in a project.

Tools and Resources

  1. Architect’s Guide to Building Performance: Integrating Simulation into the Design Process

http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2019-06/AIA_BPSGuide_2019_FINAL.pdf

  1. Nonresidential Focus: The Shockingly Short Payback of Energy Modeling

https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/shockingly-short-payback-energy-modeling

  1. Climate Consultant Software, Energy Design Tools, https://energy-design-tools.sbse.org
  2. Building Energy Software Tools Directory – An extensive list for knowledgeable practitioners.

https://www.buildingenergysoftwaretools.com

Colin Skinner is a senior energy modeler at Buro Happold’s Los Angeles office.

Leigh Christy, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a Principal in the Los Angeles office of Perkins & Will.

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AIA California Climate Action via Code Change

March 18, 2021| Climate Action, What you can do right now|

AIA California has made environmental stewardship and climate action central to its strategy and actions. Climate change requires urgent attention, a perspective that is supported by the fact that 1700 + governments around the world that have declared a climate emergency.[1] Considered through this lens, even something as seemingly mundane as code development takes on new importance. This shift was presaged in 2018, when the AIA’s Blue Ribbon Panel for Codes and Standards issued a groundbreaking report that outlines a bold new vision of building codes and standards as valuable design tools for a resource constrained and climate challenged future.[2]

Until recently, this connection between codes and climate action may have seemed somewhat abstract. Code development follows a step by step, carefully meticulous path; as a result, code change tends to be slow, incremental and very fine grained.  Broad sweeping moves that might seem best suited for the rapidly escalating climate emergency are not typically part of code development. On the other hand, the code and regulatory environment impacts every building project from new to retrofit, from small to large, so a shift of the entire building industry toward a low and zero carbon framework by definition must intersect with code and regulatory development. In 2019, AIA California expanded its climate action agenda to address code changes. Two bold code change petitions were submitted to California’s Building Standards Commission on behalf of AIA’s 11,000 architect and allied professional members. In fall 2020, these two code changes began the long process of vetting, hearings, debate and refinement that will lead to the 2022 California Building Code. Following is a brief summary of these proposals.

AIA CA Code Change Petitions for the 2022 California Building Code ZEROcode integration into CalGreen:  Developed by the nonprofit Architecture 2030 organization – a world leader in climate action innovation – the ZEROcode has recently been made part of the International Building Code’s Energy Conservation Code for 2022 as an optional appendix.  AIA California has worked with Architecture 2030 on the creation of a California specific version of the ZEROCode. We have petitioned the California Building Standards Commission to make this a part of California’s codes for commercial construction via the 2022 California Green Buildings Standards Code (CalGreen).  As proposed, this would be California’s first zero carbon compliance tool available as an option for local adoption.

Amendment of the California Existing Building Code to incorporate all three compliance paths that exist in the 2022 International Existing Building Code.  The International Existing Building Code is unique among the ICC national codes in having a focus on flexibility, presenting users with three compliance paths from which to choose. Each of these paths — Prescriptive, Work Area, and Performance — lead to safe, code compliant buildings. Their differences allow design professionals to match the code path to the unique circumstances a particular existing building challenge can present. Like all ICC Codes, the IEBC has been developed over many years in a national open, transparent, consensus environment. Thus, its provisions are well vetted and are already in use across the United States. The California Existing Building Code does not include these options. This lack of code flexibility in California makes reuse and retrofit of our existing building stock less feasible due to higher costs and greater uncertainty. It also deprives us some of the benefits that come from updating, reusing and retrofitting existing buildings. AIA California is advocating for expansion of the CEBC to include all of IEBC’s provisions. This will encourage and support renewing and repurposing more of our existing building stock. The revised code will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by leaving intact vast stores of embodied carbon. It will also encourage California design professionals and their clients to leverage existing infrastructure, increase our housing stock, and boost local economies with well-paying jobs.

What You Can Do Now: We have provided the letter of support to the California Energy Commission relative to the Zero Code initiative to Peter Strait Peter.Strait@energy.ca.gov  or to the CEC docket (docket@energy.ca.gov with reference to CalGreen 2022 Code).

Please send a letter of support for the expansion of the CEBC to: Emily.Withers@hcd.ca.gov and  Michael.Nearman@dgs.ca.gov with cc to Mark Christian mchristian@aiacalifornia.org; or log on to the hearing on March 29th here:   California Existing Building Code Focus Group Meeting — March 29, 2021

For more information and how to support this initiative via AIA CA’s robust COTE team, email hkrek@aiacalifornia.org   Michael A. Malinowski, FAIA   [1] https://www.theclimatemobilization.org/climate-emergency/ [2] Disruption, Evolution and Change: AIA’s Vision for the Future of Design and Construction. http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2019-06/ADV19_Disruption_Evolution_Change.pdf

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What you can do right now: Electrify Everything

February 3, 2021| Climate Action, What you can do right now|

By: Scott Shell, FAIA, Henry Siegel, FAIA, Joel Stout, AIA

What is building electrification?

All electric buildings use electricity exclusively to run heat pumps, induction cooktops and other high efficiency appliances rather than burning natural gas in any form on site — in furnaces, water heaters or gas stoves.

Why is it important?

Buildings are responsible for about 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in California; two-thirds of this comes from burning fossil fuels. The proportion of greenhouse gas emissions from gas combustion will keep growing as California’s electric grid gets closer to its legislated goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045. All-electric buildings eliminate fossil fuel combustion on site and have many benefits:

  • Lower carbon emissions: All-electric homes reduce GHG emissions by half compared to a mixed fuel building in 2020.[1]
  • Less pollution: Fossil fuel combustion produces toxins–including nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide — leading to unhealthy air in many homes. California burns more gas in buildings than in powerplants, yet buildings have no pollution control and emit six times more NOX pollution than power plants.[2]
  • Lower construction cost: A heat pump provides both heating and cooling in one appliance and costs less than a furnace and an air conditioner. Eliminating gas piping, flues, and the gas meter further reduces costs. An all-electric new home in Los Angeles costs about $9,000 less to build than one with gas.[3]
  • Lower lifecycle cost: The life-cycle cost for an all-electric single or multi-family home is $200-$400 lower every year[4] than one with gas. The life-cycle costs for non-residential projects are usually lower–including for offices, academic buildings, and labs.[5]
  • Increased efficiency: heat pumps are 3-4 times more efficient than gas appliances.  A gas furnace is 80-90% efficient, while a heat pump is 350% efficient.
  • Widely used: heat pumps are the same technology that is in refrigerators and air conditioners, they just include a reversing valve to move heat in both directions.  Since 1970 more homes have been built with electric heat than with gas.[6]
  • Resiliency and safety: Gas appliances and propane tanks become dangerous sources of fuel during wildfire and earthquake events, leading to additional fires and explosions. Modern gas appliances have electronic ignition and controls and will not work during power outages. However, electrical equipment, when paired with on-site renewable energy and battery storage, can be designed to run when the grid is down.

What’s changed? – Hardware

  • Heat pumps: until recently gas water heaters and furnaces were more efficient than electrical appliances. With the advent of high efficiency heat pumps for space heating, water heating, and even clothes drying this is no longer true: electrical equipment is far more efficient and produces far fewer carbon emissions. If gas is eliminated completely, overall construction cost is lower since no gas infrastructure is installed.
  • Induction cooking: induction cooking heats cookware directly through magnetic induction. The experience of cooking is very similar to cooking with gas and nothing like cooking on older electric resistance cooktops; after personal experience with induction stoves, 90% of people report a positive impression.[7] With induction cooking temperatures can be quickly adjusted as with gas; there is no lag time. Induction cooking is even being adopted in commercial kitchens because of its advantages over cooking with gas.
  • The cost of photo voltaic systems continues to fall rapidly and currently ranges from between $2.50 to $3.30 per watt.[8]

What’s changed? – Utilities, Codes

  • The electric grid: in 2019 36% of California’s electricity came from renewable energy and 63% from non-fossil fuel sources.[9] The state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard increases to 60% by 2030 and 100% carbon free electricity by 2045.
  • New code requirements for on-site renewable energy will reduce the line loss associated with electric energy produced off site.
  • Can the electric grid handle all electric buildings?[10] California’s peak electric demand is due to air-conditioning in the summer. Most of the increased load due to building electrification comes in winter improving the utilization rate of the electric grid, which should lower cost.
  • PG&E, the largest publicly regulated utility in California publicly endorses electrification even though they supply both gas and electricity.[11]
  • Utility companies and Community Choice Aggregators[12] are offering 100% “clean” or renewable energy as on option, and, in many cases, as the default choice for their customers.[13] [14] [15]
  • Gas leakage: new research has shown that the amount of gas that leaks from gas distribution systems, and the carbon emissions associated with these leaks, are many times higher than previously thought.[16] [17]
  • Code changes: Codes are being revised to eliminate earlier rules that gave preference to gas equipment (when it was the better choice.) Upcoming code revisions will include preferences for all-electric buildings.
  • Reach codes: Over 30 jurisdictions throughout the state have passed reach codes that prohibit the use of gas or require higher levels of energy efficiency for buildings using gas in new structures.[18]

What you can do right now!

  1. If you are designing a new building, work with your engineers to analyze and propose all-electric equipment and appliances rather than gas equipment and appliances.
  2. If you are rehabilitating existing buildings analyze the costs of “fuel switching” to all electric equipment. This may be limited by the size of the electrical equipment, but rebates are available for fuel switching.
  3. Assist local jurisdictions in passing reach codes that mandate all electric construction for new buildings

Additional Tools and Resources:

  • A 5-Step Roadmap to Zero-Emissions Buildings in CA:

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/pierre-delforge/5-step-roadmap-zero-emissions-buildings-ca

https://rmi.org/our-work/building-electrification/

  • A Roadmap to Decarbonize California’s Buildings:

http://www.buildingdecarb.org/resources/a-roadmap-to-decarbonize-californias-buildings

  • Rebates:

https://bayrenresidential.org/

https://www.sce.com/residential/rebates-savings/rebates

https://www.sdge.com/rebates

https://www.smud.org/en/Rebates-and-Savings-Tips

  • Indoor air pollution and gas cooking:

https://newscenter.lbl.gov/2013/07/23/kitchens-can-produce-hazardous-levels-of-indoor-pollutants/

https://rmi.org/insight/gas-stoves-pollution-health/

Authors: Scott Shell, Henry Siegel, Joel Stout

[1] “Decarbonization of Heating Energy Use in California Buildings,” Synapse Energy Economics, October 2018, Table 9.

http://www.synapse-energy.com/sites/default/files/Decarbonization-Heating-CA-Buildings-17-092-1.pdf

[2] https://www.nrdc.org/experts/pierre-delforge/ca-local-governments-take-lead-zero-emission-building

[3] Residential Building Electrification in California, E3 Energy + Environmental Economics, 2019.  P. 56.  https://www.ethree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/E3_Residential_Building_Electrification_in_California_April_2019.pdf

[4] Residential Building Electrification in California, E3 Energy + Environmental Economics, 2019.  P 76.  https://www.ethree.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/E3_Residential_Building_Electrification_in_California_April_2019.pdf

https://www.redwoodcity.org/home/showdocument?id=19668

[6] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=7690

[7] https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lizDfPhTElfPxrK5DntPYSl9qkDVXU0i/view

[8] https://news.energysage.com/how-much-does-the-average-solar-panel-installation-cost-in-the-u-s/

[9] https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2020-07/new-data-shows-nearly-two-thirds-californias-electricity-came-carbon-free

[10] https://www.nrdc.org/experts/merrian-borgeson/californias-grid-ready-all-electric-buildings

[11] https://www.utilitydive.com/news/a-critical-milestone-pge-first-gas-electric-iou-to-publicly-support-cal/580598/

[12] https://cal-cca.org/

[13] https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/solar-and-vehicles/options/solar/solar-choice/solar-choice.page

[14] https://www.cleanpowersf.org/supergreen

[15] https://www.svcleanenergy.org

[16] https://www.edf.org/climate/methanemaps

[17] https://e360.yale.edu/features/how-climate-activists-failed-to-make-clear-the-problem-with-natural-gas-mckibben

[18] http://www.buildingdecarb.org/active-code-efforts.html

 

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What You Can Do Right Now: Reuse and Retrofit Existing Buildings

December 9, 2020| Climate Action, What you can do right now|

Download the PDF »

What You Can Do Right Now: Reuse and Retrofit Existing Buildings

The built environment is responsible for close to 40% of annual GHG emissions1 — 28% from operating the buildings we already have and 11% from building new ones. To meet global climate action targets for reducing carbon emissions we need to cut both sources of emissions. Architecture 2030 has set achievable targets:

  • Operating emissions for new buildings: 80% lower now, carbon neutral by 2030;
  • Operating emissions for existing buildings: 50% lower emissions now, carbon neutral by 2050;
  • Embodied emissions: 50% lower by 2030, zero by 2050.

Energy codes, building electrification measures, and cleaner grids are moving new buildings towards zero operating emissions, and there is growing focus on reducing the embodied emissions from construction. But these encouraging trends and codes are mostly focused on new buildings. The number of existing buildings is many times higher than the number of new buildings built each year. These existing buildings contain a huge amount of materials (and embodied carbon), they are usually not very efficient, and we can’t afford to replace them all. We cannot ignore them either.

Why Reusing and Upgrading Existing Buildings Matters

Reusing a  building – including interior renovations and energy upgrades – has a much lower embodied carbon footprint than new construction – typically 50 to 75% lower, depending on the extent of the renovation. But reuse without improving efficiency is not enough, we also need to reduce current operating emissions by implementing efficiency upgrades, electrification, and cleaner sources of electricity.

Reusing and improving existing buildings also has a societal benefit – it can help rebuild existing neighborhood and financial equity, create local jobs, strengthen community control, and increase neighborhood resilience. Investment in communities that have been subjected to historic discrimination and economic “redlining”  has the potential to bring sustainable and equitable climate solutions that also have meaningful economic outcomes to the most impacted communities. To make this potential a reality, decisions must be made by and benefits accrued to those impacted or affected by the improvements.

How are we doing?

Retrofitting, renovating, adapting and remodeling existing buildings accounted for almost half of U.S., architects billing in 2018, an unusually high level for a period of economic growth5 , so we are reusing a lot of our existing buildings. But we are still tearing down perfectly good, functional buildings, with many years of life left in them, and when we do renovate we aren’t reducing operating emissions as much as we need to. We need to double the rate of retrofitting our existing building stock and increase post retrofit performance from 30% to 75%. When we take embodied carbon into account it changes the calculus of when to reuse and retrofit and when to build new. The greatly reduced embodied carbon of reuse shifts the balance towards renovation over building new.

Reusing existing buildings is emerging as a critical strategy in combating climate change. The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse,2 a seminal report  published in 2011, introduced this topic, but didn’t significantly alter our approach to existing buildings and carbon emissions. With the increased attention given to embodied carbon, electrification and zero net energy buildings, that is changing. In 2017, a group of preservation architects launched the Zero Net Carbon Collaborative (ZNCC)3.  The Climate Heritage Network (CHN)4 – focused on UN heritage sites – was launched at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco a year later. Both organizations are focused on demonstrating, promoting and realizing the carbon benefits of reusing and retrofitting existing buildings.

What can we do?

  1. Make it easier to reuse buildings: Support AIA California’s petition to amend the California Existing Building Standard to include all IEBC Compliance paths.
  2. Promote retaining and upgrading existing buildings over new construction – through awards programs, education, communication, and advocacy. Celebrate creative reuse.
  3. Before deciding to build new, consider reuse + retrofit first. Calculate the carbon emission differential.
  4. Develop materials for architects, building owners, developers, institutions and planners on the carbon and community benefits of retaining and upgrading existing buildings.
  5. Advocate for requiring projects that demolish more than 50,000sf to evaluate the carbon impacts/benefits of reuse compared to new construction.
  6. Advocate for more aggressive goals for energy upgrades and electrification of existing buildings. (U.S. energy efficiency improvement targets are typically 20% – 50%, EU targets are 50% to 80%).
  7. Advocate for cities to remove barriers to and provide incentives to encourage reuse and retrofit.
  8. Advocate for building codes to set minimum energy performance levels and minimum technical requirements to address the renovation of existing buildings. Question to address:
    • Has the building energy code been revised in light of the renovation targets?
    • Is compliance with the building code for renovation and improvement well enforced?
    • Do the requirements actively support the uptake of deep renovations in the jurisdiction?

 References

  1. 2019 Global Status Report, Global Alliance for Building and Construction and Architecture (GABC) and Architecture 2030 https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/30950/2019GSR.pdf
  2. The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse https://forum.savingplaces.org/viewdocument/the-greenest-building-quantifying
  3. Zero Net Carbon Collaborative https://www.znccollaboration.org
  4. Climate Heritage Network http://climateheritage.org
  5. Renovate, retrofit, reuse: Uncovering the hidden value in America’s existing building stock – AIA 2019 http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2019-07/RES19_227853_Retrofitting_Existing_Buildings_Report_Guide_V3.pdf

Resources

  1. Embodied Carbon Benchmarking Study, Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) – 2017 https://carbonleadershipforum.org/projects/embodied-carbon-benchmark-study/
  2. Life Cycle Assessment of Tenant Improvement in Commercial Office Buildings & Life Cycle Assessment of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing in Commercial Office Buildings, CLF – 2019 https://carbonleadershipforum.org/projects/lca-of-mep-systems-and-tenant-improvements/
  3. CBECS – Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey https://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2012/
  4. NEEA Deep Energy Savings in Existing Buildings , New Buildings Institute – https://newbuildings.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NEEA_Meta_Report_Deep_Savings_NBI_Final81520111.pdf

 

Author: Larry Strain

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California Building Codes and Standards

November 10, 2020| Climate Action, Codes|

Codes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every three years California adopts new building codes and standards.  The standards are adopted and proposed by various state agencies and are, for the most part, based on national model codes.  The California Building Standards Commission reviews and approves the standards adopted by the state agencies.

California currently is in the process of preparing the 20222 California Building Standards Code. Here is a timeline of that process.

The California Building Standards Commission has released some videos on the Commission and the building code adoption process.

About the California Building Standards Commission

About the CBSC Rulemaking Process

About Title 24

About CALGreen

 

AIA California Advocacy on Codes

AIA California is actively promoting standards to reduce the impact the built environment has on the climate.  A sizeable percentage of greenhouse gas emissions in California come from the operation of homes and buildings.  AIA California believes California can be a leader in fighting Climate Change through the enactment of Zero Net Carbon standards.

Our efforts include:

Local Electrification Codes

AIA CA has joined with several local chapters to support efforts to adopt local electrification reach codes.  The jurisdictions include: San Carlos, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Colma, Petaluma, San Francisco, and San Luis Obispo.  This is an ongoing, and growing, effort.

 

Zero Code for California

AIA California has petitioned to include the Zero Code for California in CALGreen.  Amending CalGreen to include the 2022 Zero Code for California will create a consistent, replicable reach code framework for decarbonization by electrification and renewable energy for commercial and large residential developments.

The ZeroCode for California

 

California Existing Building Code

AIA California has petitioned to amend the California Existing Building Code to include all three national model code compliance methods.  This will support increased retrofit and reuse of our urban existing building infrastructure for greatly reduced embodied carbon emissions, while at the same time providing urban revitalization, infill housing and well paying jobs.

Updating California’s Existing Building Code

 

Contact Mark Christian, the AIA CA Director of Government Relations for information on how to help these efforts.

 

 

 

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The 2022 ZeroCode for California

November 10, 2020| Climate Action, Codes, Specialist|

California is a world leader in decarbonization of the built environment.   Building codes can be locally amended to support climate action via what are called ‘reach codes’.  When Berkeley became the first City in the US to ‘ban natural gas’ [1] in mid 2019, it made headlines around the world.  Today, there are nearly three dozen Cities and Counties in California[2] that have taken similar measures.  Each of these communities has taken their climate action planning to the arena of codes and regulations, recognizing that this is the path to make broad and comprehensive change in the built environment.

Architects design virtually every new and retrofit commercial, institutional, and high density residential project in California.  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is the voice of design professionals, and the 11,000 members of the AIA California support the development of coordinated, comprehensive and contemporary building codes and standards to both protect the public health safety and welfare, and to support the investment that revitalizes and reshapes our built infrastructure to be efficient, resilient and high performing. [3]

The AIA CA supports decarbonization of the built environment, and the reach codes that have allowed such rapid movement forward in supporting climate action.  We also believe that these objectives will be more efficiently served when there are uniform, nationally vetted standards put into place to achieve them.  One such national standard is the ZeroCode, developed by the non-profit Architecture 2030 organization, a world leader in climate action innovation.  This code has been officially vetted and approved to be an appendix in the International Energy Conservation Code for 2021.  [4]

[1] Berkeley first US City to ban natural gas https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/23/berkeley-natural-gas-ban-environment

[2] Reach Code References: locations with existing reach codes https://localenergycodes.com/;

Process outline for adopting local standards: https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/title24/2016standards/ordinances/

Electrification Reach code cities https://www.sierraclub.org/articles/2020/10/californias-cities-lead-way-gas-free-future

Reach Code best practices and toolkit https://eecoordinator.info/tag/reach-codes/

[3] Policies and Position Statements of the American Institute of Architects http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2019-05/Directory_of_Public_Policies_and_Position_Statements.pdf

To further its climate action plan, AIA California assisted Architecture 2030 in modification of the ‘national’ version of the ZeroCarbon Code to more specifically align with our California reach code landscape: the 2022 ZeroCode for California.   This document lives on the Architecture 2030 website as a free and open source tool.[5]  We believe is important to incorporate into our California Building Codes a framework that creates additional consistency in zero carbon reach codes, while at the same time connecting that with a nationally vetted reference.  This is the basis for the AIA CA petition to the California Building Standards Commission to reference the 2022 ZeroCode for California in the California Building Code, Part 11, commonly called CalGreen.

As proposed, this code change would make the 2022 ZeroCode California’s first zero carbon compliance tool readily available as an optional tier for local adoption.

For jurisdictions not wanting to wait for the next code cycle, the 2022 ZeroCode for California is available for adoption today, bringing a new level of consistency to our decarbonization reach code environment, which will support lowered costs, reduced uncertainty, greater ease in application, and consistency in enforcement.

[4] Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix Added to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code  Announcement | July 2020 http://zero-code.org/new-model-building-code-empowers-local-jurisdictions-to-require-zero-net-carbon-operations/

[5] The 2020 Zero Code for California http://zero-code.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2022_ZERO_Code_for_California.pdf

Outline of Proposed Code Changes

Amend Title24 Part 11 California Green Building Standards Code

Appendix A5 Nonresidential Voluntary Measures

Modify Section A5.211 Renewable Energy  as follows:

Add new text as follows:

Section A5.211.4 Zero Carbon

Section A5.211.4.1 Performance Standard

Conform to the requirements of the Zero Code for California (ZCC) found at https://zero-code.org.  The ZCC includes both prescriptive and performance paths to compliance referencing the current California Building Energy Standards. 

Modify Section A5.602.1 CALGreen VERIFICATION GUIDELINES TIER 1

Division 5.2 Energy Efficiency

Add new text as follows:

Elective    Zero Carbon              Code Section A5.211.4, A5.211.4.1

Modify Section A5.602.2 CALGreen VERIFICATION GUIDELINES TIER 2

Division 5.2 Energy Efficiency

Add new text as follows:

Elective    Zero Carbon              Code Section A5.211.4, A5.211.4.1

How can you Help?

The AIA CA welcomes letters of support for our code change petition.  A CC to the AIA CA would be appreciated:

California Building Standards Commission

Mia Marvelli

Executive Director, California Building Standards Commission

Mia.Marvelli@dgs.ca.gov

 

CC

Nicki Dennis Stephens Hon. AIA CA NDennis@aiacc.org

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AIA CA Press Release

Updating California’s Existing Building Code

November 10, 2020| Climate Action, Codes, Press Room/Releases, Specialist|

Amendment of the California Existing Building Code to incorporate all three compliance paths that exist in the International Existing Building Code

AIA California mirrors the architectural profession in making environmental stewardship and climate action central to its strategy and actions.  We believe that the issue of climate change is urgent; this perspective is support by 1700 + governments around the world that have declared a climate emergency.[1]

Our 11,000 design professional members design virtually every new and retrofit commercial, institutional, and high density residential project in California.  We recognize that the urgency of climate action requires a new mindset in shaping our environment, with a high degree of sensitivity to how our choices can impact greenhouse gas emissions, both from operation of buildings, but also from embodied carbon.  When looking at total greenhouse gas emissions for new buildings built over the next ten years — the critical period for action to address the global climate emergency — Architecture 2030 estimates that 80% will come from embodied emissions, so lowering embodied carbon emissions is now even more urgent than lowering operating emissions.[2]  This means that in the coming years, leveraging our existing building infrastructure is going to be increasingly important.  AIA California believes that this triggers a need for new focus on our California Existing Building Code.

The International Existing Building Code is unique among the ICC National Codes in having a focus on flexibility, presenting users with three compliance paths from which to choose.[3]  Each of these paths: Prescriptive; Work Area; and Performance – lead to safe, code compliant buildings. Their differences allow design professionals to match the code path to the unique circumstances a particular existing building challenge can present. Like all ICC Codes, the IEBC has been developed over many years in a national open, transparent, consensus environment.[4]   Thus, its provisions are well vetted and are already in use across the United States.

The Title 24 (T24) Part 2 “regular” building code is focused primarily on new construction, which involves predictable materials, systems, and process.  Reusing existing buildings often requires increased flexibility and deep code analysis to ensure both feasibility and safe, functional and code compliant outcomes.  While we do have a robust Historic code (T24 Part 8) many older properties cannot access it.  This leaves the California Existing Building Code (CEBC) as a primary tool.

Unfortunately, in its current state, the CBEC lacks key code path options that make the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) such a powerful and useful tool.  The CEBC today only includes the Prescriptive methods, which have the most limited range of options.  Other important code concepts, even those that had previously been in Chapter 34 of the IBC prior to the establishment of the IEBC as a separate code in 2005, are missing.  We believe this lack of code flexibility in California makes reuse of our existing building stock less feasible due to higher costs and greater uncertainty – which in turn deprives us of the many benefits that come from updating, reusing and retrofitting existing buildings. Throughout our state, you can look up at empty unused downtown upper floors, and drive down obsolete commercial corridors, and appreciate the huge unrealized potential. The importance of having a robust and complete existing building code is addressed in detail in a white paper by the National Institute of Building Standards.[5]  “The adoption of the IEBC in particular has broader community benefits by becoming a key element and driver of economic development; promoting affordable housing; allowing the reuse of existing building stock; and fostering the revitalization of older, often blighted and vacant neighborhoods. Building owners, developers and economic development authorities have flexibility to use methodologies that make the most sense for their project. The blighted or decaying communities become livable and vibrant again and the existing buildings become safer.”[6]

With over 40%[7] of design professional work involving repair, alteration, renovation, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings, having additional flexibility will encourage and support additional adaptive reuse.  While Architects and Code Officials find reusing existing buildings can present unique code challenges, these projects also can bring many important benefits to our communities:

  1. Existing buildings are packed full of embodied carbon, which stays in place when they are repurposed. This makes a large virtual contribution to decarbonization when contrasted with demolition and replacement.
  2. When Architects retrofit existing buildings – more than half of which are over 40 years old – we boost their energy efficiency, resiliency, function, and sustainability.
  3. Reusing existing buildings leverage the vast investments that have been made over many decades in existing infrastructure of our communities, such as streets, sidewalks, utility and service grids, and civic institutions like parks, schools, hospitals and more.
  4. Architects take pride in using the power of design to help connect our modern needs with our heritage and past. When we repurpose obsolete buildings in our urban centers for such new uses as attainable housing, mixed use lofts for live work, and other innovative new patterns of urban design, we breathe new life into our urban cores with walkable, sustainable, and resilient design solutions.  Adaptive reuse supports progress in addressing such pressing issues as our state’s housing crisis, our decarbonization challenge, and our transportation bottlenecks.

 

AIA CA believes that adding all three compliance paths to the CEBC will benefit our communities statewide, with the most likely immediate benefits to include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of more infill walkable housing.  We are aware that this proposed change may be challenging to implement but we believe the benefits in addressing California’s climate and housing crises make action important in this current code cycle.  The AIA CA stands ready to assist with this process in any way we can.  We also commit to fully informing our design professional members so they can make effective use of this new tool as soon as possible.

The AIA CA believes that the framework of the IEBC provides for protection of citizen health, safety and welfare while also supporting reuse, repurposing and retrofitting of our huge existing building stock to benefit our citizens.  We also believe that building codes and Standards play a critically important role in environmental stewardship.

 

This is the basis for our petition to amend the CEBC

 

Outline of Proposed Code Changes

 

Adopt Chapter 6 Classification of work

Adopt Chapter 7 Alterations – Level 1

Adopt Chapter 8 Alterations – Level 2

Adopt Chapter 9 Alterations – Level 3

Adopt Chapter 10 Change of Occupancy

Adopt Chapter 11 Additions

Adopt Chapter 13 Performance Compliance Methods

 

How Can you Support this Effort?

The AIA CA welcomes letters of support for our code change petition.  A CC to the AIA CA would be appreciated:

 

California Building Standards Commission

Mia Marvelli

Executive Director, California Building Standards Commission

Mia.Marvelli@dgs.ca.gov

CC to

Nicki Dennis Stephens Hon. AIA CA

NDennis@aiacc.org

 

 

[1] Over 1700 governments around the world have declared a climate emergency https://www.theclimatemobilization.org/climate-emergency/

[2] Embodied Carbon: what is it, why is it so important, and what can we do about it https://aiacalifornia.org/embodied-carbon-definitions-and-facts/

[3] IEBC overview https://www.structuremag.org/?p=10665#:~:text=The%20beauty%20of%20the%20IEBC,%2C%20and%20(3)%20Performance.

[4] The ICC Code Development Process How it Works; and By the Numbers https://www.iccsafe.org/products-and-services/i-codes/code-development/

[5] https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nibs.org/resource/resmgr/ncgbcs/NCGBCS_IEBC_WhitePaper_2016.pdf

[6] The Role of Existing Building Codes in Safely, Cost-Effectively Transforming the Nation’s Building Stock A White Paper by the National Institute of Building Sciences National Council of Governments on Building Codes and Standards (NCGBCS) https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nibs.org/resource/resmgr/ncgbcs/NCGBCS_IEBC_WhitePaper_2016.pdf

[7] American Institute of Architects, Renovate, retrofit, reuse: Uncovering the hidden value in America’s existing building stock (Washington, D.C.: AIA 2019)

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