Presenters:

Lisa Petterson, LEED AP, Associate and Architect, SERA Architects, Portland, OR

Jonathan Gray, CPD, Principal and Senior Plumbing Designer, Interface Engineering, Portland, OR

Ben Gates, Assoc AIA, LEED AP, Rose Architectural Fellow, Central City Concern, Portland, OR

Convener:

Dennis Wilde, Principal, Gerding Edlen Development, Development Advisor, Portland, OR

Click Here to download the presentations from this session!

Water, one of our most valuable resources, is likely to become more precious with the pressures of increased population and global warming. To address these concerns, the building industry is moving towards conservation based decentralized, water neutral systems. 

In order to reach the next level — fully independent, ‘net-zero’ buildings — water management systems must be coordinated between owners, architects and engineers. Yet, all three are facing challenges as they consider strategies to achieve water independence.  From encouraging behavioral change among tenants to employing technological solutions to navigating code requirements, implementing a net-zero water strategy is complex.  

To aid project teams in understanding this complexity, our panel comprised of an owner/developer, architect, and engineer will discuss a jointly developed “water independence pathway” prepared for the Pearl Family Development – a mixed-use, high-rise with 175 affordable family apartments being designed to meet the Living Building challenge in Portland, Oregon. Breakout sessions will consider strategies in three areas:  Behavior, Technology and Policy. Attendees gather insight on tools/tactics they can use in their design, development, and advocacy work, and will gain insight on the code appeal path our team is developing to achieve water independence in Oregon’s mixed-use buildings.

Presenter Bios

Lisa Petterson
Lisa's work as an architect is focused on the development of projects with green building goals. Currently, she is working on four Living Buildings, including coordinating the team working on a grant whose goal is to provide solutions to the regulatory barriers preventing the achievement of Net-Zero Water.   Lisa is a regular speaker on the subject of the Living Building Challenge and other green building topics and has been teaching design at the University of Oregon as an adjunct professor for the past ten years. Conferences and seminars she has spoken at include: LightFair, Solar Expo 2006, Focus the Nation, the Oregon Chapters of ASHRAE and IESNA, the Office of Sustainable Development’s Green Building Program, the AIA Committee on the Environment and the Corvallis City Club.  Lisa is a part of the team awarded the Demonstrated Leadership Award at the 2007 Living Futures conference.

Click here to listen to Lisa Petterson's presentation podcast.

Jon Gray
Jon is a Principal at Interface Engineering. He serves as Interface’s lead plumbing designer, participating in investigations and studies, and the design and construction administration of plumbing, piping and mechanical systems. Jon's team was an integral part of the Center for Health & Healing, an innovative medical office building which was recently awarded LEED Platinum certification. Jon is a current member of the Oregon State Plumbing Board, and is actively involved in the American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials organization.

Click here to listen to Jon Gray's presentation podcast.

Ben Gates
Ben Gates received the Rose Architectural Fellowship in recognition of his public service, design excellence, and leadership in sustainable design.  Working for Central City Concern, a non-profit developer and owner of affordable housing, he is overseeing the development of their pioneering Living Building in Portland, Oregon. Ben facilitated his organization’s adoption of the Living Building Challenge and has already garnered support from national foundations to support their development efforts. Ben has been practicing architecture for 7 years with a focus on catalyzing urban, mixed-use buildings that create livable environments. At the University of Oregon, he co-founded the Ecological Design Center. Recently, Ben spoke to national affordable housing leaders on how to build good, green, affordable housing.  

Click here to listen to Ben Gates' presentation podcast.

Dennis Wilde
Dennis’ passion for sustainable urban development runs deep. From his graduate studies in architecture/urban planning to his current role at Gerding Edlen, environmental responsibility and smart design are central to his philosophy. He first realized the possibilities of sustainability from a business perspective while attending a workshop on the Natural Step in 1997, the same year he joined Gerding Edlen. As Gerding Edlen’s designated “green guy,” Dennis has encouraged increased sustainability in development projects while building a strong business case for the economic and social benefits of environmental responsibility. Dennis is passionate about design as well, believing that it is an expression of man’s highest aspirations. He has more than 20 years of experience in urban planning and design, and has been active in construction and real estate development since 1967.

Click here to listen to Dennis Wilde's opening remarks.

Audio edited by http://h2opodcast.com.