HDR Architecture Archives - School Construction News

Dathe Wong

School News — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 23:02:43 +0000

Dathe Wong, OAA, LEED AP, has joined HDR’s architecture practice in Toronto as Education, Science and Technology principal. A passionate advocate for using design to create culturally rich, sustainable spaces, Wong comes to HDR with more than 20 years of design leadership and construction experience. He has worked on a wide range of award-winning projects in Ontario and Eastern Canada, from community spaces and residence halls to health science buildings. The education sector has been a focus for Wong throughout his career, which has included roles at both Stantec Architecture Ltd. and Dunlop Architects. An avid proponent of both social and environmental responsibility, Wong has presented at a number of conferences on topics ranging from sustainable building practices to the student experience.

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Ken Filar

School News — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 00:31:40 +0000

Ken Filar, AIA, LEED AP, has joined HDR as a principal laboratory planner in the firm’s architecture practice. Filar will be based HDR’s San Francisco office, but will support clients around the globe. He comes to HDR with more than 30 years of experience at some of the nation’s top architectural and lab planning firms. He has helped hundreds of clients solve some of their most challenging problems in the science and research, electronics, and emerging technology fields. He has pursued his passion for the physical sciences and engineering in both conventional and unconventional ways, including founding and coaching a world champion high school robotics team. In his spare time, Filar is a visiting scientist with MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, applying his knack for problem solving and design thinking to the systems design of next generation fusion reactors.

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Green California Summit Kicks Off April 7

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s efforts to combat climate change and grow a vibrant economy that will sustain both present and future generations will be highlighted at the upcoming Green California Summit in Sacramento April 7-8.

Through a program of education sessions, pre-summit training and an expo featuring scores of green products and services, the summit will highlight the wide range of policies, programs, strategies and technologies that are being actively implemented to preserve the state’s natural resources.

The summit will officially open on April 7 and feature keynote speakers; Bob Foster, a former mayor of Long Beach and past president of Southern California Edison who has also served on the Board of Governors for the California Independent Systems Operators, and California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León, who has been at the forefront of vital environmental efforts, co-chairing Proposition 39 and the California Clean Energy Jobs Act.

A series of pre-summit seminars on April 6 will address vital sustainability topics, offering attendees an in-depth briefing on Prop 39 updates, best practices in school efficiency projects and resources for expanding the scope of efficiency projects. This session will feature presentations by stakeholders in all aspects of Prop 39 implementation, including the California Energy Commission, the Division of the State Architect and the California Conservation Corps.

Also on April 6, the Clean Cities Sacramento and East Bay Coalitions will host a day-long Clean Transportation Efficiencies Forum covering strategies for reducing petroleum use, efficiencies gained from alternative fuels and incentives for clean vehicles and infrastructure. A zero net energy (ZNE) workshop for state and local governments, facilitated by the New Buildings Institute with co-sponsorship by Green Technology, in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission, also will take place April 6.

On April 7 and 8, more than 20 concurrent education sessions will address a range of topics relating to green policy and practice, including codes and standards, water conservation, green schools, funding sources for energy projects plans and sustainable purchasing.

Additionally, the Clean Cities Sacramento and East Bay coalitions are hosting a day of sessions focused on carbon reduction in the transportation sector, including updates on electric vehicles (EV) and EV infrastructure. The Institute for Local Government will present a local government track addressing topics like water, energy, climate and green economic development. The Office of Education and the Environment of CalRecycle will offer training on California’s K-12 environmental literacy curriculum, while a track from USGBC California will cover onsite water re-use, ZNE buildings and more.

The conference also includes an expo April 7-8, featuring more than 100 companies offering green products and services, from lighting solutions and flooring to water conservation technologies.

An opening reception will be hosted on April 6 and the event’s annual Leadership Awards reception will take place on the evening of April 7. The April 8 keynote breakfast featuring State Architect Chet Widom will also be open to all.

For more information about the summit, visit www.green-technology.org.

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University of North Texas Zero Energy Research Lab Unveiled

DENTON, Texas — The Zero Energy Research Laboratory at the University of North Texas will give students and researchers the tools to study new and emerging sustainable and renewable energy technologies.

The lab is the only one of its kind in Texas — designed specifically to test various energy technologies and systems in order to achieve a net-zero consumption of energy. Net-zero consumption can be solar, geothermal and wind systems, or a combination of systems, which produce enough energy to power a building and, in some instances, create excess energy to return to the power grid.

“UNT is developing a multi-faceted research program in renewable energy, energy conservation, and sustainability,” said Dr. Vish Prasad, vice president for research and economic development. “Our LEED-platinum certified Apogee Stadium, which receives power from three wind turbines, and the first net-zero energy house in Texas further add to UNT’s goal of being a leader in sustainability.”

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. is the architect of record for the facility and Nouveau Construction served as the general contractor. Construction on the facility began in July 2011. A ribbon cutting ceremony was scheduled on April 20 to recognize the completion of the new facility.

The 1,200-square-foot structure includes many energy technologies including a geothermal heat pump, a radiant heated floor slab, solar panels, a building energy monitoring and control system, and a rainwater collection system.

The doors, windows, roof and supporting energy-efficient equipment are designed to be easily expanded and exchanged so that researchers can analyze new building materials.

“There are very few places for students to get hands-on experience working with the green technologies that will power our future. The Zero Energy Research Laboratory is now one of those locations,” said Dr. Yong Tao, chair of the department of mechanical and Energy engineering at UNT.

This project is funded at $1.15 million from a combination of higher education assistance funds, operating funds and gifts-in-kind. Donations were provided by Schneider Electric, NuconSteel, Axium Solar, H2Options/BlueScope Water, Benchmark Precision Buildings and Acme Brick.

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