As the building industry becomes increasingly interested in building a net zero future (and keeping up with code changes requiring projects to be built to net zero standards), AEC firms and building owners alike are seeking answers. The need for new resources has grown significantly, and case studies have become invaluable.
The Net Zero Conference, hosted annually by Verdical Group, is thrilled to be partnering with the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) to present our 6th Annual Net Zero Conference & Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 2 – 4, 2019. The three-day event will feature a keynote from the CEO of the International Future Institute, Amanda Sturgeon, who will speak about the important role biomimicry plays in connecting people to buildings and buildings to our environment, as well as the CEO & Founder of Architecture 2030, Ed Mazria, and Former CEO of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Terry Tamminen.
In addition to highlighting ILFI’s work to build a net zero future, we’ll be working together to present a program filled with case studies, tools, and lessons-learned that encompass many of ILFI’s related offerings – from the Living Building Challenge (LBC) to JUST certifications.
Working it Out: LBC & Net Zero Accelerator Workshops
NZ19 will be a hub for thought-leaders and industry-shapers in the carbon, energy, water, waste, and transit sectors, including leading AEC firms, local utilities including Southern California Edison, LA Department of Water and Power, and SoCalGas, the cities of Los Angeles and Santa Monica, and more.
This makes the event a great place to offer continuing education. As such, ILFI will be presenting two educational workshops on October 4. We invite you to join them at the Los Angeles Incubator in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles to discover what’s new in net zero design and LBC 4.0:
Zero Energy Accelerator Workshop
October 4, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
This 3-hour introductory course from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is designed for individuals interested in learning more about the fundamentals of developing Zero Energy projects.
Join ILFI’s Zero Energy Director Andrew Lee to explore the definition, values, and strategies to pursue Zero Energy — showing the latest ILFI project case studies from certified Zero Energy and Living Building Challenge Energy Petal projects — as well as highlight key industry trends, incentives and other resource offerings from Southern California Edison to support these projects.
Introducing LBC 4.0
October 4, 12:30 – 4:30 pm
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) calls for the creation of building projects that operate as cleanly, beautifully, and efficiently as nature’s architecture. The LBC is the built environment’s most rigorous performance standard. As a standard, it provides a holistic approach to high-performance building that aims to address health, community, equity, energy, water, and beyond.
Presented by James Connelly, ILFI’s Vice President, Strategic Growth, this workshop will provide an overview of LBC 4.0, the next step in the evolution of the Living Building Challenge that continues the standard’s mission of visionary but attainable building goals while also recognizing that not all projects face the same challenges or share in the same opportunities. LBC 4.0 provides a streamlined approach focused on maximizing a project’s positive impacts specific to the place, community, and culture.
Panel: Living Future Case Studies
On October 3, join ILFI’s Zero Energy Director Andrew Lee and sustainability consultant Verdical Group’s Senior Project Manager and Energy Analyst Kanika Sharma as they explore ILFI’s radically progressive programs through the lens of several case studies on projects pursuing the Living Building Challenge, Zero Energy Certification, JUST Certification, and Declare Labels.
You’ll get an in-depth look at some of the most exciting projects in California, and learn how each of them navigated the ins and outs of various ILFI programs. Highlighted projects will include the new Google Charleston East campus and the Perlita Passive House (Petal certifications), the NRDC’s Santa Monica Headquarters (Zero Energy), Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (JUST), Knoll, Inc. (Declare) and more.
Southern California Net Zero Building Tours
Separately, the conference will feature building tours of net zero and near-zero buildings in Los Angeles, several of which are pursuing or have been awarded certifications offered by the International Living Future Institute. These include the:
City of Santa Monica City Services Building
Monday, October 2 | 8:30 – 10:00 am
This groundbreaking, 50,000-square-foot addition to the historic Santa Monica City Hall is being designed as the first Living Certified Building for a municipality in the state of California.
This is an active construction site for a 3-story, above-grade concrete structure, which will also include a basement, mechanically operated glazing vents, photovoltaics, gray water treatment, and collect and treat potable water for use in the building.
Perlita Passive House
Friday, October 4 | 8:00 -10:00 am
There are fewer than 500 emerging net zero projects in the country, and The Perlita House is the nation’s first Passive House and Living Building Challenge Petal Certified project.
Located in Atwater Village in Los Angeles, CA, the Perlita Passive House project is a net positive building – producing more energy than it consumes annually. The project’s sustainability measures include solar panels and Tesla Powerwall battery storage.
Net Zero Plus Electrical Training Institute
Friday, October 4 | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
The Electrical Training Institute and Net Zero Plus Facility is a net-positive living laboratory owned by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11 (IBEW) & the National Electrical Contractors’ Association of Los Angeles (NECA).
This innovative building features a microgrid, electric vehicle charging stations, energy dashboards, battery storage, and a large solar panel array. The project is pursuing ILFI’s Zero Energy certification.
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator La Kretz Innovation Campus
Friday, October 4 | 3:00 – 4:15 pm
The La Kretz Innovation Campus is a space where science, entrepreneurship, environmentalism and policymaking merge to advance the development of a sustainable future.
This impressive facility is also a co-working space for clean companies and nonprofits, the home to LA’s first microgrid, and a showcase for labs, working exhibits and educational opportunities. The building has achieved LEED Platinum and WELL Gold certifications and is pursuing ILFI’s Zero Energy certification. The building’s owner, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, is aiming to become the first-ever utility to receive a JUST label. Verdical Group is proud to call the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator home!
The conference will also feature several additional tours of local buildings that are setting the playing field for sustainability in Los Angeles.
About Verdical Group
Verdical Group is a full-service green building consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles. Verdical Group specializes in Project Management for Green Building Certification (LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, etc.), Commissioning, Energy Modeling, Program Management, and Events. Their clients include high profile organizations such as Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Kaiser Permanente, the County of Los Angeles, and many others.
