Developers Should See New Energy Codes as Opportunity
In a new article for Banker & Tradesman, Managing Principal Tom Schultz and Principal Ed Bradford share how real estate leaders can limit uncertainty with changing energy codes and make projects work when usual methods may no longer be sufficient.
By Thomas Schultz, AIA, NCARB, CPHC®, and Edward R. Bradford, AIA NCARB, LEED AP
Over the past decade-plus, Massachusetts has positioned itself at the forefront of a national movement to address climate adaptation through progressive energy codes. By laying out clear sustainability goals and energy performance criteria for new buildings, these frameworks ideally also allow developers, their architects, and other key project team members to plan ahead and make confident decisions with a clear understanding of the regulatory environment. But predictability is always challenged when an updated energy code comes online with more stringent requirements. How can real estate leaders limit uncertainty and make projects work when their proven playbooks may no longer be sufficient?
As architects working in a range of sectors throughout the Commonwealth, we’re hearing a lot about this state of flux at the moment with a growing number of jurisdictions statewide opting in to Massachusetts’ new Specialized Code — which sets ambitious targets for energy efficiency, electrification, and building envelope thermal performance. It’s clear that energy can no longer be an afterthought, especially for developers of market-rate housing who typically have not been subject to the more stringent frameworks of the affordable sector.
Read the full article in Banker & Tradesman.