Come hear a panel discussion on key elements for Net Zero Housing, co-hosted by the MIT Club of Boston and the MIT Alumni Energy, Environment and Sustainability Network (EESN). The panel will address accessible ways to reduce the carbon emissions of the energy needed for our existing homes through electrification and more efficient building performance.

Northeastern University Assistant Professor Alpha Yacob Arsano SM '17, PhD '22, has worked on making passive house and hybrid building strategies accessible to both professionals and non-professionals involved in the design of sustainable buildings and habitats.

The discussion on designing and building more sustainable new construction will also feature some examples of new low carbon construction in Massachusetts.Panelist Beverly Craig, Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) will present program highlights for equitable and affordable clean energy housing. Nick Falcoff, of Auburndale Builders, will discuss how high performance building, passive house and net zero, provides unparalleled comfort, energy efficiency and health.

This will be the first event in a series of Club of Boston events on Net Zero Housing and Communities. The programs will cover some of the many aspects of eco-friendly building that can be considered in reducing the carbon footprint of our existing housing and buildings.

Bios:

Dr. Alpha Yacob Arsano, SM '17, PhD '22 has focussed on making passive and hybrid building strategies accessible to both professionals and non-professionals who are involved in the design of sustainable buildings and habitats.  She is an Assistant Professor of Race and Social Justice in the Built Environment at Northeastern’s School of Architecture. Her doctoral work was in the MIT Building Technology program,developing a web app, Clima+, that supports bioclimatic building design approaches for energy-efficient and low-carbon buildings.

Beverly Craig, Senior Program Manager, Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) works on building decarbonization efforts for affordable and public housing in Massachusetts. She is also part of MassCEC’s Equitable Workforce Development team seeking to create training opportunities for residents of environmental justice neighborhoods. Ms. Craig is one of the MassCEC staff sharing their own (in progress!) stories on the MassCEC website about what a clean energy home journey looks like. Craig has a BA from USC and an MPP from the Kennedy School of Government.

Nick Falkoff, General Manager, Auburndale Builders, builds energy efficient, net zero homes powered by renewable energy. His company incorporates leading-edge build science in the new homes, additions, renovations, and historic restorations.