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Coffee with Mark

Tour of construction trade training facility at Carpenters Hall

5/2/2017

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Kyle Makarios, Director of Government Affairs with the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters led a tour of their extensive construction trade training facilites. In discussion, I advocated that new construction trade members be trained for the "next-generation quality" of energy efficient construction, especially building air sealing, and window, door and thicker insulation installation.  Attended as a guest at the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.
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Minnesota Housing Partnership Investors Council breakfast meeting

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 17 0214   Networked and advocated energy efficient construction, including Passive House, with public and private affordable housing stakeholders. As well, discussed including reduced size market rate and affordable housing units as tool for improving residential market energy efficiency and home finance economics. Tiny Homes as a very small example. Listened to four MHP welcomed panelists; Rep. Dean Urdahl (R), Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL), Sen. Bill Weber (R), and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Mary Tingerthal describe their ideas on the need for affordable housing and how to obtain the resources to "provide safe, stable homes for more Minnesotans". 
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Builders Association of the Twin Cities Launch Party

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 17 0124   I attended a great presentation on current residential market needs, anticipated growth and national economic trends by economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg. Afterward I discussed the presentation with Dr. Eisenberg and incoming BATC President Bob Michels on how residential construction in the Twin Cities could meet the needs expressed. BATC's Annual Kick-off meeting is where BATC's strategic plans and goals are discussed and new board members presented. Attended as a BATC guest at The St. Paul Hotel.
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Small Volume Builders Committee Meeting at BATC offices

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 1214    As part of the builders discussion on the local shortage of carpenters and the need for training more , I weighed in on the need for increased training levels and higher trade proficiency to bring labor costs down for contractors and home owners while improving home energy efficency. Builders charge a premium for installing materials they are unaccustomed to. Higher trade proficiency in new building science based installation methods will allow builders to cost-effectively increase insulation levels and build tighter buildings while installing new building wrap technologies and higher quality windows and doors. Promoted energy efficiency and Passive House level quality of construction. Attended as a guest at the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) offices.
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Strengthening Architect and Builder relationships and increasing cooperation

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 1206   We discussed the shared goals of residential architects and builders with representatives of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) and the Residential Architecture Committee at the American Institute of Architects - Minnesota (AIA-MN) offices. Our shared goals include: 1) well trained carpenters and other trades to meet the requirements of the construction documents, 2) the use of best practice construction detailing, 3) resulting in the mutual goal of well built homes for happy customers and decreased call-backs. Architects noted that hiring an architect to work with a builder will save owners money due to more effective design and avoiding unnescessary construction, improved design and construction quality, and an additional project partner to provide input and feedback throughout the process. To improve the quality of the process and construction, Anderson Sustainable Architects will assist clients in prequalifying contractors that are experienced in the construction type and quality level the client is planning and expecting. I am a member of the Residential Architecture Committee. Our meetings are held at the American Institute of Architects - Minnesota (AIA-MN) offices.
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Urban gentrification research presentation by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 1118   Attended an urban gentrification research presentation by Center for Urban and Regional Affiars - University of Minnesota (CURA). As an architect involved in improving the quality of housing in the metro area, it is my goal to improve the quality of housing for all income levels and work not to force lower income area residents out of areas where they now live. In the best cities, all income levels have ready access to afforable housing and city public and private amenities like groceries, restaurants, parks, health care and public transportation. The quality of amenities obviously varies for income levels, but since all income levels benefit from having the other income levels, improving baseline conditions supports all. The following is sourced from the CURA website: "Due to increasing housing costs and stagnant incomes for low and moderate income families in Minneapolis, fewer and fewer neighborhoods are affordable to the typical Minneapolis household. The period between 2000 and 2014 saw the number of neighborhoods that were affordable to the typical renter in Minneapolis drop by 35%. Renters of color saw more extreme drops in affordability with the typical Black renter household not able to afford the typical apartment unit in any Minneapolis neighborhood by 2014 without being housing cost burdened". Author Professor Edward Goetz, CURA Director. I participated in the post-presentation discussion and networking.
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Elected to Minnesota Building Performance Association Board of Directors

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 1010    I am looking forward to supporting and advocating for energy efficient design and construction in new homes and in the healthy and energy efficient repair and renovation of existing homes.
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Zehnder ERV and ductwork installation tour

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 0926   Attended new Passive House residence ERV installation presentation by Zehnder America representative Kevin Rapp. Zehnder manufacturers a quality ERV system with plug-and-play ERV, duct manifold, duct work, diffusers and other HVAC system components.
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Building Code Task Force

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 0805   Assisted in developing recommedations on a baseline residential energy code for Minnesota energy regulators and utilities. Construction improvements over this baseline would qualify home owners for tax incentives and builders for energy utility rebates. The baseline and energy improvement data will be incorporated into a Minnesota specific HERS (Home Energy Rating System) calculator to be used by building raters to assess and rate the design and construction of new and remodeled residences, qualifying homes for energy efficiency programs.
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Elected to Minnesota Building Performance Association full membership

5/2/2017

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Date Occurred: 16 0712   Anderson Sustainable Architecture was elected to full membership in MBPA. We discussed home quality construction goals including: Weather - protection from cold, heat, rain, snow and wind; Health - protection from the elements and decreasing exterior and interior contaminants; Energy Efficiency - decreasing the cost of maintaining a home; Disaster Resistance - repelling the brute force of storms and surviving the loss of utilities; Interior Climate Maintenance - provide safer and healthier living environments. Would you like a home built to last hundred years without requiring serious upgrades?
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    Mark Anderson, AIA, CPHC

    For my day job, I'm an architect focused on green design. Not a bad gig! Caring for the planet is a theme throughout my life. This page is where I like to talk about how that love for the earth plays out – in architecture and in my life.

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752 Holly Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104-7134
Phone: 651-472-4847
mark@asustainablearchitecture.com

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Anderson Sustainable Architecture, Inc. develops green architectural solutions with a focus on health, comfort, energy sustainability, and beauty.
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