Five professionals from VHB recently attended the 2024 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Philadelphia, with Senior Sustainability Planner Donny Goris-Kolb and Senior Water Resources Engineer Mark Costa playing prominent roles in this globally significant event.
Donny moderated and presented a compelling panel titled "Design Standards for Complex Building and Infrastructure Portfolios: Airports Perspective." Joining him on the panel were Katherine Brekka from Fennick McCredie Architecture, VHB Senior Water Resources Engineer Mark Costa, and Josh DeFlorio from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The session explored the complexities and unique requirements of sustainable design specific to airport infrastructure, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches due to the scale and operational demands of these facilities.
Key insights from VHB's participation and the broader conference sessions included:
Biodiversity as a Climate Solution: A prominent takeaway from the conference was the vital role of preserving and enhancing biodiversity alongside decarbonization efforts. Healthy ecosystems play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, making their protection and growth essential components of effective climate strategy.
Embodied Carbon Measurement: The refinement and implementation of embodied carbon metrics were highlighted as crucial for understanding and mitigating the total carbon impact of construction projects. Accurate measurements are essential for making informed decisions that minimize the environmental footprint of building materials and construction methods.
Climate Resilience: The expanding threats of climate change were a major focus, extending beyond floods and heat waves to include wildfires. The importance of fire-resilient planning and the use of fire-resistant construction materials and design approaches was emphasized as critical to enhancing the resilience of built environments.
Economic Value of Sustainable Building: To attract developers to sustainable building practices, it is vital to effectively quantify the reduced impacts of sustainable materials. Demonstrating clear value in terms of longevity, cost savings, and environmental benefits can make sustainable buildings more appealing investments.
LEED Version 5: With an increased focus on decarbonization, ecosystem conservation and restoration, equity, health, and resilience, the next version of LEED will usher in greater accountability for new construction and existing buildings better aligned with global imperatives.
The exchange of knowledge and innovative ideas at Greenbuild 2024 has reinforced VHB's commitment to integrating advanced sustainability practices into their projects. The involvement of VHB professionals in these discussions reflects the firm's dedication to advancing environmental stewardship and resilient infrastructure design.
"The Greenbuild Conference provided an invaluable platform for engaging with the latest advancements in sustainable design," said Donny Goris-Kolb. "Our session on airport infrastructure highlighted the complexities and opportunities in creating more sustainable and resilient facilities at airports and beyond. It's clear that collaboration and innovation are key to the future of sustainable development."
As a firm, VHB continues to prioritize sustainability in their project delivery, encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions to achieve truly resilient and future-ready solutions.
Learn more about VHB's climate resiliency work.
