This calendar lists our own BCT events as well as departmental, college, and other university events that are relevant to our program. You can subscribe to this calendar by following the instructions provided in our tech guide.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing access to the university for people with disabilities. Please use this form if as a person with disabilities you would like to request accommodations to attend on campus university events.
Lia Douillet, HERS Consultant, EcoTechnology, Florence, MA
Whenever your plans involve residential construction in Massachusetts, chances are most of your projects will require a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rating. This performance-based path for energy code compliance involves a standardized energy modeling process developed for residential buildings. Beyond just demonstrating code compliance, the modeling and testing involved in the rating process can also offer valuable insights into building performance and quality. In this presentation, HERS rater Lia Douillet will explain how the process works and what the HERS rating can (and can’t) tell us about buildings.
Biography
Lia is a proud BCT grad who loves explaining building science concepts to anyone who will listen. She currently works for the Center for EcoTechnology in Florence, MA as a HERS rater and Passive House/Energy Star certified verifier.
Zoom link
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpce6vqzwtE93e_rKkh7wwim0xZOzpKGof
Building a Greener Future: Mercy Corps’ Global Sustainability Efforts
Today’s urgent climate imperative requires institutions to monitor, track, and measure their global carbon footprint with the intent of reducing emissions and a focus on the myriad of environmental problems confronting humanity. Dr. Tuokuu will highlight comprehensive innovative approaches by the Mercy Corps Green Teams in leading green sustainability initiatives, behavioral change communications at the country level, and carbon emission reduction efforts. Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, and in more than 40 countries around the world, they partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, Now, and for the future.
Biography
Dr. Francis Tuokuu is an experienced international development professional with a remarkable background in various areas crucial to addressing global environmental challenges. His expertise spans climate change policy, sustainability and energy transition, greenhouse gas inventory, and extractive sector governance. Having accumulated over a decade of academic and policy work experience in multiple locations, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Ghana, Dr. Tuokuu possesses a deep understanding of the global environmental landscape. His extensive field research in countries like Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Kenya further strengthens his grasp of environmental issues in different cultural settings.
Presently, he serves as the Senior Advisor – Environmental Sustainability and Safeguards at Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he offers technical leadership on environmental compliance to support projects funded by USAID, ECHO, Global Affairs Canada, and FCDO across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Before joining Mercy Corps, he held various roles, including Lecturer at Bournemouth University and Adjunct Researcher at The Robert Gordon University (UK), Postdoctoral Fellow at York University (Canada), Postdoctoral Fellow at Keene State College, Adjunct Faculty at Antioch University, Teaching Lecturer at Plymouth State University, Sustainability Coordinator at Franklin Pierce University (USA), and Research Assistant at the University of Ghana.
Zoom link
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrduyuqj4jGNZZ93xIlKBU5oTRvl7g9cmq
Andrew Frederick, Founder Croft Panels
Natural disasters are becoming increasingly common due to climate change, and it is more important than ever to ensure that buildings and infrastructure are designed to withstand these events. In this talk, we’ll cover a brief review of climate-friendly construction as practiced today, the carbon and energy costs associated with the AEC industries, and share holistic, pragmatic solutions that point to a cleaner, healthier, simpler way of constructing our buildings.
Biography
Andrew Frederick is the founder and head of design and product development at Croft, a Maine-based firm specializing in carbon-negative, prefabricated buildings. His work aims at a synthesis of structural elegance, economy of construction, durability, sensitivity to resource use, high building performance, and clarity of form while maintaining an unwavering dedication to climate-focused solutions in the built environment.
Zoom link
https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcof-yhpzwsGNxEHDNlm0uhCb9ML6N6ppEd