Panel Discussion: Defining the Net Zero Energy Building- Is It Attainable?

There are many variables involved in carbon neutrality and designing Net Zero Energy Buildings. The August 19th panel will describe Net Zero buildings, show real world applications and discuss what does and does not work. Join us for this informative and lively discussion Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 6:00pm. Many thanks to the Young Architects Forum and the Committee on the Environment for organizing this joint program.

About the panelists:

Larry Strain, FAIA - Larry Strain, principal of Siegel & Strain Architects, has a 25-year background in sustainable design. After studying environmental systems at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, he became a student-instructor at the Farallones Institute in Occidental, California where he continued his studies in environmental systems. In 1976 he co-founded The Solar Center, one of the largest solar design and installation companies in the Bay Area. He received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of California Berkeley, where he is currently teaching in the School of Architecture. Mr. Strain is the author of the reSourceful Specifications, guideline specifications for environmentally considered building materials and construction methods. reSourceful Specifications was awarded the 1998 Practice & Technology Award from the AIA East Bay Chapter. He is a member of Architects/ Designers/ Planners for Social Responsibility (ADPSR), Building Industry Professionals for Environmental Responsibility (BIPER), Urban Ecology, and is a professional member of the Construction Specifications Institute, and the American Solar Energy Society.

Bill Burke, AIA - Bill is an architect with a long background in environmental issues and energy-efficiency. As staff architect at Pacific Gas & Electric Company’s (PG&E) Pacific Energy Center (PEC), he oversees architectural educational programs and consultations, with a focus on improved building performance through good site design, high performance glazing, daylighting, and other green building strategies.Immediately prior to joining PG&E, Bill managed the Vital Signs Curriculum Project. Vital Signs, organized through the University of California, Berkeley, assisted educators in incorporating energy-efficiency and building performance topics into architectural curricula at schools throughout North America. Bill practiced architecture in the San Francisco offices of HOK and MBT Architecture, where he focused on health care and laboratory projects. Bill received his M.Arch. degree from the University of Oregon in 1986 and a B.A. from Grinnell College in 1976. He is a registered architect in the State of California, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a LEED Accredited Professional.

David Lehrer - is CBE's Director of Communications. He serves as the primary liaison between our Industry Partners and the research team, and leads CBE's publicity and publication efforts.
David holds a Master of Architecture degree from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining CBE, David had acquired over 10 years experience as a practicing architect, completing a variety of project types including office buildings, workplace design, retail, and historic preservation. David is also a specialist in resource efficient design strategies and has lectured and written on a number of related topics. David is an adjunct faculty member at the California College of the Arts (CCA) where he has taught green building and interdisciplinary design courses. He has been an active member of the US Green Building Council, and has served as co-chair of the the AIA San Francisco Chapter Committee on the Environment. David also runs LehrerDesign.

Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Location: AIA East Bay Chapter Office, 1405 Clay Street, Oakland.
Contact: Jayna Blackwell, CMP or call 510/464-3600 for more information.
Cost: None; this program open to all. Cocktails provided. Please RSVP.
1.5 CES/LU