High performance building program november 4, 2009
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Margaret Pauls. |
There are many initiatives that aim to improve the sustainability and environment of our homes and workplaces. One of these programs is called the Governor’s Energy Office’s High Performance Building Program, which was initiated in Colorado and is focused on reducing the use of energy for public and commercial buildings in support of the state’s climate action plan. Margaret Pauls of the Hutton Architecture Studio has been working on this program for many months. The Hutton Architecture Studio was recently selected along one other firm to be a consult for the GEO, guide the program, and provide outreach and assistance to the public through the High Performance Building Program.
The program was developed as an integrated design process that allows all stakeholders to be involved earlier in the process. Buildings are responsible for high energy consumption, and therefore how they are built and maintained is an important issue. Public and commercial buildings that are funded 25% by the state of Colorado are required to meet High Performance Building requirements. As one of the GEO’s consultants, Margaret Pauls helps to organize outreach and workshops for individuals and companies to understand opportunities, funding options, and technical assistance.
This program is aligned with the LEED certification system, even though it is more focused on increasing the performance of the buildings. When a building receives LEED certification, it gains additional marketability and a higher rating by the verified third party.
Disclaimer: Funding for the GEO HPBP is by ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and US DOE (US Department of Energy) and Margaret is speaking from her personal experience and not as an official spokesperson for the GEO.
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Summit Middle School.
Photograph by
Paul Brokering. |
Analemma diagram.
Image by
Jackie Noble. |
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Exterior of Douglas County elementary school, Colorado. Photograph by
Margaret Pauls. |
Exterior of Douglas County elementary school, Colorado. Photograph by
Margaret Pauls. |
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