Presenters:

Trautman Associates: Timothy Rider, AIA, Principal; Gwyneth Harris;

PUSH Buffalo: Dawn Wells-Clyburn; Dashuri Egriu;

Tour Learning Objectives:

The design and purpose of the SWTC is the physical embodiment of PUSH Buffalo’s mission:

•  to mobilize residents to create strong neighborhoods with quality, affordable housing;

•  to expand local hiring opportunities; and

•  to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice in Buffalo.

Hard Hats and goggles required

The mission of PUSH Buffalo is to mobilize residents to create strong neighborhoods with quality, affordable housing; to expand local hiring opportunities; and to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice in Buffalo.

At the Sustainability Workforce Training Center, PUSH will provide job training to Buffalo residents to create a strong local workforce well-versed in designing, constructing, and maintaining high efficiency buildings and building systems. Expertise in ground and air-source heat pump systems, heat exchange and recovery systems, insulation and weatherization, and energy auditing are already in high demand. This capable and well-prepared workforce will make it easier and more cost effective to implement sustainable building practices in the near future, and to repair/retrofit the aging housing stock in Buffalo. These job skills and opportunities will give local residents agency to implement the sustainability and resilience improvements they wish to see in their communities.

The SWTC building has been designed as both a demonstration project and a teaching tool, which uses many of the sustainable design concepts and technologies described above to achieve PUSH’s goal of zero net energy usage. As long as the building's total energy usage is less than the energy production of the solar PV panels, the building is effectively not using any electricity from the grid or other outside sources, hence "net-zero" energy use. Sustainable Comfort was the sustainability consultant for this project. They conducted the energy modeling and testing to inform the design and ensure that the completed building meets the net-zero energy performance goals.

Key design considerations and features include:

• south facing, roof mounted solar PV panels

• ground source heating and cooling

• compact building footprint

• highly insulated building envelope

• low infiltration building envelope

• all electric, high efficiency HVAC systems

• ample daylight to reduce reliance on electrical lighting

• energy-efficient LED lighting

• raingarden to mitigate stormwater runoff