Mark Thomsen, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP

Want to learn more about architectural history in CT? Check out this event!

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“Eighty-five percent of the buildings that will exist in the year 2050 have already been built,” said Joe Backer, Boston’s senior project manager for neighborhood housing. “So tackling the question of decarbonization in existing affordable-housing stock is super important.” Nice piece in the Globe today by Ivy S. https://lnkd.in/dBMiSEbf One caveat from our perspective here at ZCMA. One of the architects quoted in the story argues that one must always upgrade the thermal envelope of the building before electrifying heat. This is sometimes good advice, and can result in lower operational cost, but it should not be seen as a hard and fast rule. If you are at end-of-life of a fossil HVAC system, that is the time the electrify with heatpump(s). Don't make the mistake of buying a new 20-30 year fossil HVAC system if you can not simultaneously work on the building envelope. Remember, ~80% of HVAC replacements happen because of the sudden failure of the old system--it is simply not reasonable to expect everyone to have planned ahead and done their envelope weatherization in advance. Heatpumps can work just fine in cold weather climates now. cc: Lisa Cunningham Wendy Stahl Jesse Gray David Mendels

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The estimable David Burney weighs the pros and cons on demolishing NYC public housing: "Would it not be possible to restore the existing buildings and provide the new units as infill? The 3,500 new units will not be affordable to local people, and we all know that 'affordable' is such an elastic term that even the subsidized units will be at upmarket prices. Then there is the very real risk that promises to rehouse current residents will not be kept." https://lnkd.in/eVi6x9mH

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In case you missed it: I had the incredible honor of speaking at the Professional Women in Construction Connecticut Chapter’s healthcare event on Tuesday evening alongside some amazing people (Kristofer Kennedy, Christine Sniadack-Lopez, MHA, and Lou Fassen). Our moderator Stephen Carbery asked me to explain to the audience the difference between health equity and health equality. First hear this: Equality is a great first step. But we can’t stop there, and here’s why: Imagine there’s a fence, with three people behind it, trying to watch a baseball game. Person number one, a 6’ tall male, can see over the fence pretty well. Person number two is a 5’-4” female and can’t see over the fence at all. Person number three is a child, 4’-6” tall, and also can’t see. Equality means we give all three people a ladder of the same height. So now the male sees even better than he could before, the female just barely sees over the fence, and the child still can’t see anything at all. So, you see now (quite literally) why equality just isn’t enough. Equity is about meeting the individual exactly where they are, with exactly what they need. This is SO important in pediatrics especially. Social determinants of health mean that each child may have very different needs when it comes to the way they seek out or receive care, and the access to resources they may need. Healthcare starts in our communities, far before it reaches the front doors of our hospitals, and it’s so important to incorporate that into our thinking. We can all change the world if we think a little differently the next time we are asked to help solve a problem, so I hope you will apply this perspective if given the opportunity ❤️ #pediatricdesign #changetheworld #healthequityforall

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Plans to redevelop New Haven's Church Street South site aim to transform a neglected public housing area into Union Square, a vibrant, mixed-use development with affordable housing and public spaces. As we reimagine cities, it’s vital to consider Jane Jacobs’ principles—building for the long-term while respecting the area’s spatial context. Any demolition must carefully address reparations for displaced tenants, prioritizing their well-being in the urban renewal process. #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCities #AffordableHousing https://lnkd.in/gUJEArST

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This is why preserving a Home, is Honoring Its Story 🏡✨ In a recent conversation with principal architect Carina Coel, we explored the delicate balance between honoring the past and creating for the future. As part of a project with Restructure Studio, we discussed how preserving the existing home wasn’t just about maintaining its structure—it was about preserving its soul. Carina shared insightful thoughts on how she was able to expand this home in a way that felt like a natural evolution rather than an interruption. By carefully considering the design, materials, and form, she ensured that the new additions seamlessly blended with the original architecture, making it seem as though they had always been part of the home. This approach emphasizes the importance of thoughtful, sensitive design—one that celebrates the history of a space while adapting to modern needs. 🌿 Key takeaways: - Preservation isn’t just about keeping the old—it’s about making the old and new coexist harmoniously. -Thoughtful expansion can allow a home to grow and evolve while still feeling rooted in its history. -Architecture isn’t just about the physical structure—it’s about maintaining the stories, memories, and experiences tied to that space. Thank you Carina for sharing your expertise with me. Special thanks to my husband Gustavo Bernal from Gus Bernal: Film+Photo+Education for capturing this conversation. #Architecture #Design #Preservation #SustainableDesign #HomeExpansion #RestructureStudio #ArchitecturalDesign #womeinarchitecture #BuildingHistory #preservationaustin Preservation Austin Alex McVey

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Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) Architect, Social Critic, and Human-Centered Design Pioneer Frederick Law Olmsted viewed landscape architecture as a bridge between design and social good. He believed that thoughtfully designed public spaces could improve health, foster community, and promote social equality. His projects—especially Central Park and Stanford University’s campus—emphasized accessibility, openness, and harmony with nature, all aimed at enhancing public welfare. His approach to Stanford’s design is a testament to how architecture can serve a greater purpose, shaping not only the physical landscape but also the community within it. Quotes: “Design is not just about appearance but about making spaces that improve health, lift spirits, and enhance community well-being.” “Service must be comprehensive, social, and practical; it must be devoted to the improvement of the people and society.” “The beauty of a park should be measured by the beauty of its people, not just its trees.” “A city is not an accident but the result of coherent visions and aims.” “There should be a harmony of arrangement between the natural scenery and the work of man.” “The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth.” Sources: *Frederick Law Olmsted: Writings on Landscape, Culture, and Society *The Papers of Frederick Law Olmsted *A Journey in the Seaboard Slave States: With Remarks on Their Economy

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The link has a PDF with great resources about deck inspections and what to look for BEFORE they collapse.

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This Joint Center For Housing Studies report on single-stair housing is worth considering for midsize multifamily residential projects. Anderson Porter Design currently uses this strategy allowed by code in projects up to three stories with a maximum of four units per floor. Increasing the height limit and floor occupancy capacity would greatly improve the efficiency and feasibility of projects while still maintaining safe egress. We need more strategies like this to increase our housing production. https://lnkd.in/eTJweiNA

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Excited to be at the @MEREDA conference! If you're keen on maximizing your real estate marketing with Tangram 3DS , let's connect! Drop me a message to schedule a meetup and delve into how Tangram 3DS can elevate your strategies. #RealEstateMarketing #Tangram3DS #ConferenceNetworking

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🚧 Gowanus Rezoning Construction Underway: #NYCHA Residents Anticipate Their Share of Redevelopment 🚧 As part of the Gowanus Rezoning plan, repairs for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)'s Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens are moving forward. NYCHA has selected the design-build team, Mega/Technico Joint Venture to carry out $216 million in repairs, including new windows, kitchens, and bathrooms, enhancing living conditions for over 3,700 tenants. This initiative is part of the Comprehensive Modernization Program, focusing on holistic rehabilitation without shifting properties to Section 8, ensuring funding stability. The involvement of residents, like Theresa Davis, Gowanus Houses Tenant Association President, highlights the importance of community engagement in the process. Valerie Bell, the tenant association president at Wyckoff Gardens said, "Whoever came up with the idea of forming Comp Mod came up with a brilliant idea. This is the most transparent I’ve ever seen NYCHA.” The construction, expected to begin in 2025, will require temporary relocations for some residents to ensure safety during lead paint removal and other renovations. Discover more about the ongoing transformation and future plans in the full article City Limits by Tatyana Turner: https://on.nyc.gov/3A9KP28 #AffordableHousing #CommunityEngagement #PublicHousing

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The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP) is available for review and public comment! Here's how to get involved in influencing our state's future! #NJGov #NJSDRP https://lnkd.in/emdNVV3D

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Get the state of NYC construction report here

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Perkins Eastman’s Nick Leahy, AIA, LEED AP, co-CEO and executive director, and Heather Jauregui, director of sustainability, sat down with Alison Kosik, CFEI during #ClimateWeekNYC as part of Acumen Media’s “SDG Leaders” video interview series, which brought together leading CEOs and sustainability experts from around the world to effect change and make a positive impact on people and the planet. The focus of this international campaign is to share how organizations are embedding the United Nations’ seventeen 17 sustainable development goals (#SDGs), climate change, and sustainability into the core of their operations. Perkins Eastman is proud to embed #sustainability into its culture and its design from day one, as Nick and Heather attest. “We as architects have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility in terms of the impact we have on people’s lives,” Heather says. “On the one side of things, we as humans spend over 90% of our lives indoors, so the physical environment really has a big impact on our daily lives: on our health and well-being, and our ability to perform and thrive. On the other side of the equation is thinking about the impact we have on the planet. Over 40% of the annual greenhouse gases that are emitted globally come from buildings—from the energy that’s consumed in order to run and operate these buildings, and from the materials that go into the construction of these buildings. Forty percent of the pie being under our responsibility is a big deal, so when we think about how we impact people and planet, those two things go in tandem for us.” Nick echoes her thoughts: “Climate change is daunting and challenging, but we see design as an important part of resolving that. I think we have to act now. As a firm, we are culturally aligning ourselves to be designing buildings that are restorative to the environment, that improve people’s quality of life, and are positive additions to the built environment. That’s what ‘Human by Design’ is really about.” Watch the full 13-minute video on CNBC now: https://lnkd.in/e7GzKUTK Big thanks to Acumen's Nicoleta Romanescu, Ben Spencer, Eloise McKenna, Katy Allan, Jan James Budden, and Constantin Pilavios. #PerkinsEastman #HumanByDesign #GoodDesignisSustainableDesign #SustainableDesign #ResilientDesign #Design #Architecture

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This talk is for you if you're into communal housing models and straw. Link below!

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This 15-story student residence was built in 1987. At more than 30 years old, its roofs and terraces were leaking and required replacement. The existing roof insulation conformed with 1987 NYC code requirements, but its thickness was minimal. The updated NYC energy code mandated a minimum insulation value of R-30 over the entire surface of any new roof installation. The thickness of conventional insulation required to achieve R-30 would have raised the new roof surface above the level of existing skylights, parapet flashings, door sills, and AC equipment, requiring reconstruction, replacement, or relocation of these significant components. The client also required a rapid construction turnaround of only ten days. Instead of using conventional insulation to achieve R-30, SUPERSTRUCTURES researched, and ultimately specified, Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs). VIP technology capitalizes on the excellent insulating value of a perfect vacuum (like outer space) that provides no medium through which heat can be transferred. VIPs are rigid panels with a microporous core which is evacuated, encased, and sealed in a gas-tight envelope. A 1.57-inch-thick VIP provides the same R-value (35) as six inches of conventional insulation. SUPERSTRUCTURES thus became the first firm in New York City to specify VIPs for this roof restoration project. By specifying a continuous layer of VIPs below the roof membrane, we were able to achieve the code-mandated R-value (and then some). By avoiding disturbance of the existing roof components, we cut the cost of roof replacement for the twelve setback roofs in half, saving $250,000. And the project was completed within the client’s ten-day schedule. #dormitory #roofing #hightech

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