Jason Twill, LEED Fellow

Building Futures is about identifying projects, ideas and innovation that will create lasting positive change within th eBuilding community and the communities it serves. For many years I have had the opportunity to visit the Northside of Chicago in the Bryn Mawr and Lawrence area and have driven under the El tracks every two weeks for years. Many people are not aware that a massive change to the mass transit system that is being built from Belmont to Howard. New structural supports, tracks, switches and controls, several brand new stations with customer amenities, will Bring long overdue and much needed improvements to the quality of service, ambience and land use to the City of Chicago and the customers of the CTA. I lived in the City from 1980 to 1992 and during that time had a close relationship to the CTA El. I owned a house three buildings away from the Belmont EL stop, started a community group by cleaning up the land along Fletcher Street under the EL tracks, and in ~1990, negotiated the first parking arrangement with the CTA (with Bob Belcaster and his lieutenants) to have neighborhood parking under the EL tracks. Like many institutions, most people have a love hate relationship with the transit system. Everyone who has travelled and experienced clean, quiet, time, and even beautiful mass transit have complained for decades.The current RPM investment and construction will hopefully solve these challenges and not only improve the  riders experience but make the EL a beautiful feature of the City scape, and return all the land under the EL to constructive use.  This is such an important project for Chicago, that different phases and progress will be featured in additional Building Futures       https://lnkd.in/gfwwArTi 

1

Floor Area Ratios are emerging as a hot topic for missing middle housing production. While some view this as an essential regulation to protect "community character," FAR has a direct impact on housing production. #housingpolicy #housing #planning #multifamily

7

2 Comments

Bulk controls are a foundational aspect of planning and zoning in America, and come from a time when planning and exclusion were intertwined. With advances in building technology, safety, and environmental regulations, as well as increased recognition of bulk controls use as a tool of exclusion, these long-used tools need to be reexamined. #housingpolicy #housing #homebuilding

1

At #ChicagoBuild, I’ll be joining Michael Kraus from Green Sports Alliance and Riley Nelson from NASCAR to explore the future of sports venue design in our panel discussion, “Building Sports Venues for the Next Generation.” I’ll be sharing how Populous approaches each project with #sustainability embedded in every decision. From #arenas to multi-use spaces, our goal is to create forward-thinking #venues that put #environmental #resilience at the core of every decision. This isn’t just about elevating the fan experience; it’s about creating iconic spaces that reflect a true commitment to our planet, ensuring future generations inherit venues as responsible as they are unforgettable. Our work doesn’t stop when the lights hum to life. Communicating sustainability in a way that resonates with diverse audiences is just as important. Whether it’s fans, venue operators, or city stakeholders, understanding how to champion these efforts with #authenticity is essential. Responsible #design isn’t just about #efficiency and #impact. It’s about creating a place that people remember—for the right reasons.

70

As co-Chair of the AIA's 2030 Commitment—targeting zero emissions buildings in the year 2030—I'm excited to announce the release of the newest edition of the 2030 By the Numbers (RY23) report! Highlighted are major improvements in reported embodied carbon data, increases in net zero projects and projects with renewable energy projects, and two firm case studies that show that firm culture is at the heart of improving practice and design outcomes. - 490 firms reported over 24,000 projects culminating in 3.9 billion GSF  - 154 reported just over 7,000 projects with embodied carbon data – almost tripling the past three years   - 430 predicted net zero projects were reported, a 24% increase from just last year  Report author Eana Bacchiocchi, co-Chair Jesse Walton and I are hosting an AIAU webinar that delve deeper into the data and put forth calls to actions to signatories – and the industry – to achieve a net zero future ... Join us! https://lnkd.in/g-xq-UYg

15

"What the public perceives as second-tier planning and zoning matters – parking, setbacks, unit size, etc. – are where housing affordability is gained or lost. You see, the devil is in the details. Land developers, planners, and local officials understand this all too well." My latest commentary for Housing Affordability Institute highlights why increasing housing affordability and access requires massive reforms to more than just housing type and locations.

13

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are gaining traction as a solution to address housing affordability, but barriers like high construction costs and limited financing options still stand in the way. In 2023, the Bipartisan Policy Center brought together industry leaders and policy experts to explore how ADUs can help ease our nation’s housing supply shortage. We discussed innovative solutions to expand ADU development, empower homeowners, and overcome key challenges. Learn more from this discussion: https://lnkd.in/ezJvgpk7 

16

1 Comment

I had forgotten about this conversation last month - so it was pretty funny to open this The American Institute of Architects (AIA) magazine article on #cooperatives by Patrick Sisson, featuring my collaborative housing colleagues Declan Keefe, and Joshua Morrison (Frolic Community). 'Conversations are starting to happen, which is really intriguing, because we really need to break away from the status quo of development in this country.' (-me) Patrick had called to ask questions about #cooperatives and housing development financing in other countries. We discussed some of the financing options available for coops and baugruppen in Germany - through the development bank KfW, or a cooperative and ethical banks such as GLS Bank - that we just do not have in the US. This is just one of dozens of hurdles (fixing #landuse codes, better #buildingcodes, etc) to making more affordable and #livablecities... I was happy to connect Patrick with Frolic to discuss their Corvidae-Coop, designed by Barbara Busetti and Leah Martin at Allied8. Also it's incredibly weird to find myself talking about a project's 'capital stack' - but I guess this is the realm I now inhabit, as a board member of Seattle's #SocialHousing PDA. I think this is also the first publication mentioning my (now shipping!) book with Island Press, 'Building for People' (I'll put the link in the comments). Good stuff. #citiesforpeople #stadtplanung #urbanplanning #housingdevelopment #affordablehousing #genossenschaftlicheswohnen #sustainablecities

64

8 Comments

One of the joys of covering energy policy, building codes and the like for Green Building Advisor is having the chance to shine a spotlight on mid-size cities that are doing their part (and then some) when it comes to advancing renewable energy, decarbonizing their built environment, and fighting the good fight to stifle the effects of an increasingly volatile climate. For my latest #PolicyWatch, I spoke with civic and business leaders working in Rochester, Minnesota, where Thermal Energy Networks (TENs) are the future. Not to be confused with district energy systems, which are centralized and often powered by fossil fuels, TENs comprise ambient pipe loops connecting multiple buildings and delivering thermal heating and cooling energy via heat pumps. Waste heat can also be recovered from buildings through the city’s sewer system. At present, a pilot TEN - using an innovative groundwater-based geothermal system developed by Darcy Solutions - is connected to Rochester's City Hall, and efforts are underway to expand the networks to feed into four public buildings and up to six multifamily residential buildings. “When we get more people on the network, everyone’s rates go down. Thermal Energy Networks are capital-intensive at the beginning, but once that capital is taken care of for the infrastructure, it’s very inexpensive for the utilities.” - Scot Ramsey, Rochester's facilities and property manager https://lnkd.in/eFucq9EA Robert J. Ed, Scot Ramsey, Darcy Solutions, Mayo Clinic, Destination Medical Center (DMC), City of Rochester, MN, #geothermal #thermalenergy #thermalenergynetworks #renewableenergy #lowcarboneconomy #lowcarbonfuture #climatechange #groundwater

27

4 Comments

Great paper. “Given there is more variability within forms than between them, strategies for reducing the embodied GHG of housing should emphasize best-in-class construction alongside sustainable form selection. “For single-family and missing middle, best-in-class construction means limiting substructure size, reducing structural steel and aluminum finish use, and lowering drywall mass. Within the data, wooden structural systems have a lower impact than steel or concrete in low-rise buildings.” https://lnkd.in/gm_PnfHp

1

Historically disinvested neighborhoods, shaped by harmful public policy and industry practices, have long been a part of the urban landscape in the United States. This report examines one approach to addressing that problem, known as Purpose Built Communities. It currently operates in 28 locations around the country and aims to foster thriving, mixed-income communities by focusing on small geographic areas and three domains: mixed-income housing, education, and community wellness. A nonprofit organization called a “Community Quarterback” (CQB) operates the model, in collaboration with local partners, in each neighborhood. In 2020, RWJF selected MDRC to evaluate the model in five communities that were among the first to adopt it. The study combines qualitative research and quantitative outcomes analysis and covers roughly the first 10 years after these CQBs began operations — a relatively short time frame for such efforts. The study illustrates a novel way of addressing the important issue of statistical uncertainty in measuring change over time in small areas.

20

Today, I'm fired up and ready to push harder than ever. As we see shifts and changes in support for #climateinitiatives, our #mission remains clear. When we started cove.tool, there was limited climate regulation, yet our #growth wasn’t about waiting for change from the top—it was about proving what we could achieve ourselves. We focused on two guiding principles: #Climaterisk is #financialrisk: Showing the financial impact of sustainable choices in every building decision empowers our clients to act with speed and clarity. #Data leads the way. Real change happens locally: Many advances in sustainable building are driven by city and state initiatives. Engaging on this level allows us to make an immediate impact without waiting for larger shifts. I’m incredibly grateful to be on this journey with such an inspiring team. Every day, your passion, expertise, and commitment push the limits of what’s possible. If anyone can build a sustainable future, it’s this community. ❤️ If you're interested in more insight on building with data over fear, here’s some thoughtful reading: https://lnkd.in/dKfQuY-z

35

What are some of the social, economic and environmental costs of not having enough housing? Fortune magazine’s brief spotlights some of the complex layers preventing the development of new housing supply. But above all, there needs to be more collaboration and fewer barriers to incentivize builders to generate the housing that communities need and there needs to be less pushback from existing homeowners (NIMBYs) to accept new housing development in their neighborhoods. What may prove ultimately helpful is an ROI study that compares the social and economic costs of not having enough housing with the costs of investing in the necessary infrastructure and development to ensure there is enough housing and resources to foster sustainable economic growth. There’s a paywall to the brief Fortune article, but Yahoo Finance republished it for free. Access it by following the link. https://lnkd.in/gtYMGVPv . . . #housing #housingshortage #housingcrisis #housingforbellingham

4

As the demand for affordable housing grows stakeholders in housing must become more innovative in their approach to social housing development. One opportunity lies in repurposing abandoned buildings. Refurbishment and New Build projects each have different requirements and ventilation challenges. At Vent-Axia we work with the social housing providers to provide the right solutions for their housing stock, such as our new update Lo-Carbon Revive 7. Designed to meet the specific needs of the social housing sector this next generation of the popular Revive 7 filter-less unitary fan offers greater efficiency, near silent operation and customisable airflow in line with the updated Part F of the Building Regulations. This gives social housing landlords confidence that the new Lo-Carbon Revive 7 can tackle the issues of condensation of mould, while improving the efficiency of housing stock and comfort for residents. Meanwhile, its new low-profile design means the Revive 7 is even easier to install in wider range of locations. https://lnkd.in/e_FqGn7v

7

Excellent article on the challenges Milwaukee faces if Mayor Johnson's desire to grow the City's population to 1 million is achieved. Affordable, dense multi-unit developments should be encouraged near mass transit and have amenities that are within walking distance. While market-rate projects currently dominate the downtown landscape and nearby areas, this represents a small percentage of the land area within city limits. If Washington Heights is a microcosm of most of Milwaukee, we can't just provide quality, affordable housing in the face of declining household populations. There must be other crucial supporting elements. My hope is that the goal is reached. https://lnkd.in/gEYAvtsN

12

How can innovation districts create a mash-up of diversified uses? By leveraging strategic land planning and zoning activities. Cortex Innovation District in St. Louis, for example, went beyond the traditional focus on institutional buildings and offices to transform 200 acres (81 hectares) of underutilized land into a into a community with places and spaces for more than just researchers.   Cortex's unique powers included both city and state functions and legal authorities, allowing them to: •    Master plan and implement the master plan •    Use eminent domain (used only once) •    Strategically deploy tax abatements to spur investment •    Approve or reject building plans.   Cortex's master plan was recognized by the City of St. Louis and informed subsequent zoning changes. Additionally, Cortex established Redevelopment Areas as part of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) strategy to support a mix of land uses and fund the construction of infrastructure and public amenities. This city-established designation gave Cortex the flexibility to allocate TIF funds throughout the financing period.   This example highlights one of the seven common land-based strategies innovation districts use to maximize land value. Discover more insights in the "Innovation Districts and the Centrality of Land" research: https://lnkd.in/gykVRYUb #InnovationDistricts #UrbanPlanning #LandUse #Zoning

31

1 Comment

Join us for our next virtual meeting December 18th, which will be a working/brainstorming session. We'll discuss programming for future meetings and shared resources we are compiling - such as the local case studies of green roofs and green infrastructure. In case there are issues receiving confirmation of the RSVP response here is the info to log on to the virtual Zoom meeting: Meeting ID: 810 1781 8343 Passcode: 137052 #GreenRoofs #GreenInfrastructure #Resiliency #VegetatedRoofs #ReduceHeatIslandImpacts #StormWaterManagement #GreenRoofPolicy #Biodiversity #EnergyEfficiency #HealthAndWellness #VegetagedFacades #VegetatedWalls

4

Well said, Adrian. In previous positions, I have worked successfully to create or help create affordable housing in historic buildings, bringing strategic investment to neighborhoods with older, underutilized or abandoned buildings and established infrastrucutre that just needed the right vision and commitment at multiple levels to provide more mixed income housing units. Historic preservation is a powerful tool for - not a roadblock to - affordable housing.

8

Simple, yet challenging concepts. But we must try! Well-thought-out mixed-use and residential infill projects are what we need more of! #buildmoreinfill #infilldevelopment

10