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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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, CPHCFor 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. Archives
June 2022
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