by Benjamin Goldfarb
The Importance of Early CM Involvement for Sustainable Multifamily Projects
Setting clear sustainability goals during the planning process is crucial to ensure the design is financially feasible and meets the latest energy codes. Engaging a construction manager (CM) and their key subcontractors early in the design process can help developers avoid costly mistakes and achieve a more customized sustainable design.
“When we are in the design process, we love to have somebody from the construction firm actually at the table,” says Ian Gillespie, CEO of Gillespie and Co., Inc. (GCI), a real estate development and investment firm based in Concord, Mass. “We find that it’s incredibly valuable to have the contractor on the project well before the designs get baked.”
Using building information modeling (BIM) tools, the CM can share the architectural model with the developer for efficient space planning, clash detection, and dimension reviews. These tools also help plan for future energy use and lifecycle costs of the building.
How Passive House Delivers Drastic Reductions in Energy Needs
Passive House is a performance-based standard that requires specific design elements and construction techniques to achieve its stringent energy targets. These elements include a super-insulated envelope, airtight construction, high-performance windows and doors, thermal bridge mitigation, and balanced ventilation with heat recovery.
Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) unit
Passive House buildings are airtight, so fresh air needs to be mechanically introduced using heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) that recover heat from the stale air and transfer it to the incoming fresh air. Executing the design plan with precision is essential to achieve the desired building performance, especially airtightness level compliance.
Including the CM in the early planning stages is essential to allow for a more informed and collaborative approach.
The Benefits of Sustainability for Multifamily Investors and Tenants
Implementing greater energy and water efficiency protocols can reduce a building’s operating expenses, increase return on investment (ROI), and attract/retain tenants. Green technologies like modern curtainwall construction, prefabricated wall and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, and Passive House building approaches can reduce the additional cost of constructing a sustainable multifamily building.
Solar and geothermal power sources can also provide alternative energy solutions. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers significant tax incentives for new or retrofit buildings that meet efficiency standards.
By proactively embracing sustainable design principles and engaging construction managers from the outset, developers can unlock significant financial benefits, enhance tenant attraction, and contribute to a more environmentally conscious built environment.
To read the full article, visit https://www.nauset.com/news.
Benjamin Goldfarb
Benjamin Goldfarb is vice president of Nauset Construction. He can be contacted at bgoldfarb@nauset.com.
