Imagine living in the perfect home. By that I mean breathing in air that is pure and super healthy for you, having insulation that keeps all critters out, and enjoying the same lovely temperature wherever you go, whether standing by the window or in your cozy bed.

It’s already a reality – a positive trend in the construction and design business. Focusing on the optimal health and longevity of humans, buildings, and planet.

It’s referred to as, “Passive House Standards.” Establishing excellence and efficiency, which then creates limitless opportunities for better living.

For example, during new construction or when retro-fitting an older building, you can have fun testing for “air tightness” and insulation to make sure that air pollution, harsh weather, and creatures of all sizes will not share your home with you. Then you add the “energy recovery ventilation,” which is filtered fresh air, to really get the best level for breathing. Don’t worry, you can still open your high-performance window whenever you want. You’ll be an energy efficient citizen and can brag to your friends about how low your heating and air conditioning bills are.

By doing all these things, your building emits fewer greenhouse gases and you’re saving energy, which in turn produces significantly lower utility bills and a much healthier indoor environment. In addition to improving air quality, it creates a comfortable and consistent temperature inside, and “acoustically superior” conditions (reduced noise from neighbors and street). What’s not to love?

Wait, how much does all this cost upfront? Don’t worry, each building can be carefully assessed for its exact needs and there are ways to get help with financing, discounts, and incentives. Besides, the savings from lower utility bills will quickly make up for it, as will the quality of life for you and the planet.

If you’re an owner, developer, or enthusiastic tenant, it’s not only an excellent idea, but with certain earth-improving laws these days – and more coming – it’s increasingly a part of a building’s requirements. It’s a prudent business decision to get on board now.

The difference between goals and new laws depends on various components such as square footage and the building’s location in the world.

In NYC, buildings are the largest contributor to climate change, so “Local Law 97” sets limits on their gas emissions in order to help reach the goal of a 40 percent reduction of emissions by the year 2030. In a longer range plan, city officials have committed to achieving double that: 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas by 2050. (Also known as “80 by 50.”)

“It’s a standard of comfort and health just as much as it is for energy,” says Sara Bayer, an Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability at Magnusson Architecture and Planning. With new buildings, she strives to make sustainable, healthy, and uplifting design achievable for all.

“I’m hoping the real estate industries learn how to sell it,” says Sara. “So when someone looks at a new home and asks, ‘Where’s my fresh air coming from?’ the realtor answers, ‘Oh yeah, you’re in a passive house.'”

With new buildings or retro-fitting old ones, certain factors are considered “passive” and can be optimized for greater good, hence the word passive. The methodology and coding originate from Germany’s Passivhaus Institute (PHI). They provide official certification as does Passive House Institute US (PHIUS).

“The tightness of the passive house is where the magic is, the most bang for your buck, basically,” Sara continues. “You test that on site during construction until you prove that you’ve done it. Quality control. To get passive house certified, you have to use the software from that certifying body. There are two of them, international and national. It’s just a way that the physics are calculated.”

Amy Failla is a Certified Passive House Designer and Principal at Ingui Architecture. One of her specialties is retro-fitting older buildings and she sees New York as a leader in the field.

“We say to clients, ‘You’re already doing this amount of work, why not build a better house?’ I think in general it’s intimidating to a lot of people. I’m from the Midwest and it hasn’t really picked up there yet. People automatically think, oh, I can’t afford that. So I think there has to be some precedent set first. There are definitely precedents getting set, especially in New York, where we have so many buildings with multi-families that need attention. NYU is a good example. They’re really taking initiative to improve their buildings.”

Maybe your place is not as big as NYU or you’re not quite as rich yet. Whatever your building size, type, and budget might be, you can reach out to New York Passive House (NYPH) to guide you through the many options. Financial help can be available from places like New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and ConEd. (See also the list at the end of the article.)

Amy Karle is an internationally award-winning ultra-contemporary artist “working at the nexus of where digital, physical and biological systems merge.” Amy was honored as one of BBC’s 100 most inspiring and influential women, and named one of the “Most Influential Women in 3D Printing.” She recently won the “Pioneer in Design” award from IIDA – International Interior Design Association.

“I look at the intelligence of nature,” says Amy. “We have hundreds of years of data, so how can we bring some of it to the interior and architectural design elements to enhance human health and productivity?

“We can use AI if we’re looking across the design of buildings and the actual engineering and construction. Looking at what’s healthy and what’s sustainable, both for the people inside and for the environment. AI can analyze this. It can help us do the calculations so much faster. It really excels at being a super advanced calculator and recognizing patterns. It’s about how we organize and interface with that data.

“From a conceptual and design element, we could recognize patterns in nature that are healthy for us. We can go all through the process of then recognizing how to implement it in a sustainable way that’s healthy for people and the environment – with the statistics. And what are the price points of doing that? Where do we have to make compromises? Where are the different opportunities and the return on investment?

“It can also be used to help us understand how to develop new materials. We can look at how to design materials that respond and react to the environment and people’s needs for health. It can be incorporated in very easy ways, with plant life, water features, and then go to natural materials. Put AI to work. Program a responsive interior system.

“The biggest things that I think are necessary are collaboration and working with other people. Creative and critical thinkers. The more creative and critical you are, the more you can use the tools to help your work shine. You need the right mindset, the right questions, and then with other creative thinkers, to all together keep asking.”

Fellow artist and innovator, Amelia Winger-Bearskin, is the Banks Preeminence Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence and the Arts at the University of Florida and the Digital World Institute. She’s also the founder of the University of Florida’s AI Climate Justice Lab, where they simulate just futures using environmental research data in artificial intelligence systems.

Ms. Winger-Bearskin recently patented an algorithm for a home device she invented. It measures air quality, temperature, and other sensory and scientific information. One thing she discovered is that a lot of previous research had been done on tall men.

“They studied only men who are over six feet tall,” says Amelia. “They’re very warm, they’re large, and it’s generally made toward their body type. So I said, ‘Let’s make a new algorithm!’ It’s a bit more diverse and you can even say to it that not everyone here is over six feet tall, we’re actually kind of shorter. It will automatically know that you might need it to be warmer, or you can give it feedback. More customized to you.”

Amelia is Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) of the Seneca-Cayuga Nation of Oklahoma, Deer Clan. She seeks to bring greater accountability to technology.

“I’m beginning to frame this idea of AI and ‘human thriving’ and am having conversations with my university, other researchers, and people who are in startups” she explains. “It’s not just about the singular User Experience (UX), but is this technology having a net gain for human thriving? What do we need? We need safe water, healthy air, and a comfortable, safe living environment. We need education, each other, communities, and to trust our governments. We need to trust our schools and our neighbors. And so all of those things are part of human thriving. And I’m trying to think of AI in that way, how it can contribute. If AI isn’t contributing to human thriving. I don’t think we need it.

“Even though I’m working with really complicated systems and interdisciplinary fields that don’t often speak the same language. I try to speak plainly so that I can include all of my different diverse community members and collaborators to expand the conversation.”

 

Sara Bayer: “It’s a future where health of all life is valued in our capitalistic human designed system – so that making the right decisions for the long term view of health is given its proper value.

“Regenerative architecture makes so much economic sense if you look at the impacts to all of our systems – and not a narrow view of the immediate interest of one. The interests of that one entity will benefit from the thriving of all others. Your investment in the thriving of others comes back to you!”

Amy Failla: “In an ideal future, passive house wouldn’t be really an option anymore. It would just be how we build, a standard. We wouldn’t debate whether it’s better or not, it just is. Also having more products and solutions here in America. A lot of the stuff, we get from Europe. Even windows.”

Thanks to the very smart women and men creatively collaborating in all fields, we can look forward to limitless opportunities for better living.

In the meantime, what is the state of your indoor existence? You can take a deep breath and make it better. Jump on the trend of consumer demand.

# # #

Links and resources:New York Passive House (NYPH): an education and advocacy organization. Can guide you to the right solutions.
Passive House Accelerator: a hub for sharing innovation and thought leadership in design and construction.

Places for financial help, incentives, discounts, loans:
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Con Edison.

Sara Bayer, Magnusson Architecture and Planning
Amy Failla, Ingui Architecture
Amy Karle, exploring the implications of technology on humanity and co-creating a better future.
Amelia Winger-Bearskin, using new kinds of technology to tell new kinds of stories, especially science storytelling around environmental futures.

Source 2050: high-performance passive house building materials.
Brooklyn Solarworks: affordable solar panels for NYC.

Special thanks to Chris Goodwin, president, Axea Construction Group, and Michael Syracuse, partner, FXCollaborative, who both provided incredible expertise and depth of understanding.

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Related story: Breathing Clean Indoor Air. The hydrangea flowers in their sales office lasted over two weeks, twice as long as usual. Then they realized the bowl of grapefruits on the table remained fresh for over six weeks – without refrigeration. What’s going on at the Charlotte building?

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Videos & Podcasts – What a gorgeous location & friendly people! Good News goes to Portopiccolo, Sistiana, Trieste,
Portopiccolo is not only a residential center, it was also conceived as a true marine village, in a fascinating synthesis of architecture combined with cutting edge technology, services and eco-sustainability. In Portopiccolo there is no traffic, pollution or noise, nonetheless you can drive right onto doorstep. http://www.portopiccolosistiana.it/en/_1.htm
info@ppst.it
+39 040 291291
Sales Office
Strada Costiera km 137
Sistiana, Trieste contacts

Discover an unexpected Italian Region – Friuli Venezia Giulia!

Wednsday, June 6th

10.45 am arrival at Venice airport

A driver will be waiting for you at the arrival area.

Transfer to Friulian Dolomites (1h30/2h approximately)

1/1.30 pm Meeting with Tatjana Familio and Linda Marcuzzi from the Tourist Board and lunch @

Hotel Margherita

Via Roma, 7

33080 Cimolais PN

Tel 0427 87060

cellulare 3357024323

A short stroll in the Friulian Dolomites, Unesco World heritage site, to see the extraordinary pinnacle Campanile di Val Montanaia well-known to climbers from all over Europe.

The Friulian Dolomites are the most western mountain area of Friuli Venezia Giulia and include the Valcellina, the Valle del Tagliamento and Val Tramontina valleys. The high degree of wilderness that they still retain means makes them the most untouched area of the entire Dolomites massif.

The Friulan Dolomites are a paradise for hikers and cross-country skiers, fans of nordic walking, climbing and ice climbing. With their skyline that makes you think of a series of churches with their bell towers and the colours of the sunset reflecting on the rock, they are a favourite with photographers. Well-kept paths and trails allow you to cross the eponymous natural park or follow a loop of trails which go from chalet to chalet.

5.30 pm departure and check in @

Villa Verde Hotel&Resort****

Via delle Acacie, 1

33034 Fagagna (UD) – Italy

www.villaverderesort.com

7.30 pm Dinner at the Resort

Thursady, June 7th

9.00 am check out and departure

9.30 am Udine city tour

Udine is a town with squares of Venetian charm and ancient buildings: from Piazza Libertà, defined as “the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland”, to Piazza Matteotti (or Herbal) which, all surrounded by porticos, seems to be an open-air lounge; here you can observe the slideshow of ancient and colourful historical buildings which impart the spirit of Udine.

On the hill of the town rises the castle : from its walls you can see the whole city, the mountains all around it, whereas to the south, less than an hour’s drive away, there is the Adriatic Sea.

In the eighteenth century, Udine was the city of Giambattista Tiepolo who reached his artistic maturity here: today, his masterpieces can be admired in the Gallerie del Tiepolo (in the Patriarchal Palace), in the Duomo (Cathedral), and in the Chiesa della Purità. Today, Udine is a city that is open to innovation while tying its image to authentic taverns where one of the most-loved rituals is celebrated namely, the tasting of a goblet of wine (tajut) all in a very human and cordial atmosphere.

1 – 4 pm Cooking lesson & lunch @

Risotrante La Taverna

Piazza Castello, 2

33010 Colloredo di Monte Albano

Udine

www.ristorantelataverna.it

5.30 pm Check in @

Laguna Palace****

Riva Brioni, 17

34073 Grado (GO)

www.lagunaspa.net

7 pm Stroll in Grado and dinner @

Ristorante Androna

Calle Porta Piccola, 6

Grado GO

Tel: +39 0431 80950

http://www.androna.it/

Grado, the “Golden Island”, stands in a picturesque lagoon amidst a maize of small islands. Joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, has a graceful Venetian style historic town centre where you can wander through the alleyways and squares flanked by picturesquely cluttered fishermen’s houses: a charming world of its own where time seems to have stopped.

In the wonderful setting of “Campo dei Patriarchi” in the “old city” you can admire the early Christian buildings such as the Basilica dedicated to Santa Eufemia, from which top stands the statue of the Angel San Michele (called “Anzolo” and symbol of the city), the Baptistery and the Lapidarium. Moreover, there, you can visit the Basilica dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie, the oldest of Grado.

A very relaxing fine-sanded beach, classed as an environmentally protected “Bandiera Blu” beach for many years now. In Grado you will find good quality service with an emphasis on comfort and safety for children, who can play for hours in the shallow, clean and always calm water.

Up to the beginning of the 19th century, the Hapsburg aristocracy used to come here to bathe and use the excellent seaside thermal springs.

Friday, June 8th

9.30 am Boat tour in the Grado lagoon

The lagoon is a spectacular natural setting in which Grado lies in the Adriatic sea. 
A small fantastic world, immersed in the calm of nature with the intertwining canals and streams, paths of faith of ancient origin as witnessed by the Sanctuary of Mary of the Island of Barbana, one of the most visited in Italy.

An area rich in history in which archaeological finds reveal the ancient Roman road, now completely covered by water, that connected Aquileia to Grado.
And the presence of the casoni, characteristic housing with straw roofs, takes us back to the time they were inhabited by fishermen.

The lagoon is an area fertile in trees, in particular, tamarisk, elm, poplar, junipers and pines, whilst the fauna presents a considerable variety of birds such as gulls, grey herons, wild ducks, sea swallows.

12 am Lunch in the lagoon

5 pm Aquileia guided tour

Aquileia was an important city of the Roman Empire and then the main centre for the diffusion of Christianity in Northern and Eastern Europe. It has been a UNESCO site since 1998 due to the importance of its archaeological area and the beauty of the floor mosaics that it safeguards. Among them, the largest and most well-known attraction is the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the fourth century. However, added to this are other precious mosaic remains from the Roman and early Christian ages, which make Aquileia a kind of capital of the Western Roman mosaic.

6.30 pm transfer to Collio wine area

Dress code: casual / casual chic (i.e. a jacket could be useful because of the dinner in the winery)

All press tours of “BUY Friuli Venezia Giulia” event will joint @

Russiz Superiore winery

Via Russiz, 7 – 34070

CAPRIVA DEL FRIULI (GO)

Tel. +39 0481 80328 / +39 0481 99164

Fax 39 0481 808398

rp@marcofelluga.it

www.marcofelluga.it

A special taste of Wine and Dine route of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the new food&wine regional project launched in 2017.

A unique trail, perfectly connecting the Friuli Venezia Giulia coast with its mountains, travelling through its vineyards and hills, and creating a network of regional food and wine resources together with cultural and environmental ones, in order to build a transversal and integrated product to enhance food and wine tourism and make it more accessible for tourists. This is the ambitious goal of the project which brings an important change to the Italian wine tourism world: Friuli Venezia Giulia is in fact the first region in Italy to regulate (art. 6 of the Regional Law 22/2015) the administration of traditional agro-food production, and speciality and quality non-cooked production along with tastings during wine cellar visits.

Overnight stay in Grado

Saturday, June 9th

8.30 am check out and departure

9.30 -12.30 am Trieste city tour

Trieste is the most international city in the region, suspended between a glorious past and the present cosmopolitan city. From the Audace pier to the old Lanterna, there is a succession of sails, antique shop window displays, shops and beautiful buildings: in the distance, one can glimpse the white profile of Miramare, the romantic castle of Maximilian and Charlotte of Hapsburg. A journey to discover the city’s history, literature and art, from the Roman era to medieval wonders, to the Habsburg splendour. The wealth of architectural styles in the palaces in Trieste is remarkable: Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Eclectic and Baroque, coexisting in a harmonious blend with Roman remains, eighteenth century buildings and Hapsburg style buildings.

Coffee is one of the flagship products of Trieste, city of a mixture of religions: this is evident as soon as you arrive in the city, which, for many centuries, has had (amongst others) a Greek Orthodox Church, a Serbian Orthodox Church, a Synagogue, a Lutheran Evangelical Church and, the oldest of all, a Swiss Evangelical Church.

Trieste means love of the sea too: people here love going to the sea, and the beach resorts – or ‘bagni’, in local slang – are frequented all the year round, for sunbathing, swimming or just strolling.

12.30 pm Lunch @Harry’s

Piazza Unità d’Italia, 2

34121 Trieste

www.duchi.eu/en/harry-s

3 pm A very special Italian style transfer J

4 pm check in @

Hotel Falisia*****L

Strada Costiera km 137

Porto Piccolo

Sistiana TS

Tel +39 040 291291

info@ppst.it

http://www.portopiccolosistiana.it/en/

4 – 5 pm Guided tour @Portopiccolo luxury resort

Free time

7.30 pm Aperitif at Maxi’s Beach Bar in Portopiccolo and special dinner @PortoPiccolo with all the BUY FVG participants (press&tour operators)

Dress code: casual chic

Monday, June 11th

5.30 am (timetable to be confimed) Transfer to Venice Airport

A presto in Friuli Venezia Giulia!

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Watch “Filipino Happy Birthday Song by Nina” on YouTube
https://youtu.be/p635tOMBpow

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Ted Moudis Associates
79 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016

NYCREW will honor Women’s History Month with an Industry Spotlight on “Women Greening NYC: Sustainability in Commercial Real Estate,” an all-star panel of experts in sustainable building and design, all helping to make New York City a greener place. Moderator (and NYCREW Member) Amelia Janisz, CEO and President of Easy Building Environmental Health and Safety will be joined by: Charlotte Matthews, Vice President of Sustainability for Related Companies; Sukanya Paciorek, Senior Vice President of Corporate Sustainability for Vornado Realty Trust; and Eleni Reed, Chief Greening Officer of the U.S. General Services Administration Public Buildings Service. The four will discuss the opportunities and challenges in helping owners and managers reduce the energy use and carbon footprint of their buildings and more. Contact us for a complimentary press registration!

ABOUT NYCREW Network
NYCREW Network, the original New York area chapter of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women, a national organization of over 8,200 commercial real estate professionals), was founded in 2001 to advance the success of women in commercial real estate through
opportunity, influence and power. Since then, NYCREW has provided its members with the skills and opportunities to achieve success in commercial real estate, encouraging doing business together in collaboration rather than competition. Comprised of senior and rising professionals from a broad range of disciplines within the commercial real estate industry, such as: financial services; asset and property management; developers; owners and operators; investment and property brokerage firms; and appraisers, accountants, architects, attorneys and other consultants, NYCREW members are also active in a wide range of industry segments, such as hospitality, industrial, office, retail, mixed use, transportation, etc. www.nycrew.org

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With our extensive technology portfolio, experienced team and trusted brand, we have been recognized as the “partner of choice” in the security industry. Year after year, a Security Distributing and Marketing magazine reader survey has ranked Honeywell as the industry’s preferred channel partner.

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