Summary:

In this episode, we dive into the world of sustainable architecture and passive house design, focusing on net zero adoption, the importance of retrofitting existing buildings, and the role of policy in advancing high-performance standards across Illinois. Join us as Tom Bassett-Dilley, owner at architecture firm TBDA, shares insights from his extensive experience in this areas, emphasizing the importance of climate-specific standards for net zero certifications such as Phius, practical retrofit strategies, and the future of materials and policy.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• Evolution and adoption of Phius standards in passive house design

• The importance and process of deep energy retrofits for decarbonization

• Strategies for retrofit projects that balance historic preservation and energy performance

• Key low-cost, high-impact steps for energy efficiency in buildings

• Role of policy, local government initiatives, and community engagement in sustainable development

• The significance of material choices and embodied carbon reduction

• Future outlook on natural building materials and holistic design approaches

Links for Listeners:

• Carroll Community Center Case Study: https://www.illinoisgreenalliance.org/net-zero-building-case-study-carroll-community-center

• Illinois Clean Building Commitment: https://www.illinoisgreenalliance.org/Commitment

• Evanston Retrofit Tour Recap: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7447991748028575744/