The Building Energy Pod

Summary:  Data centers have become a hot topic in communities, sparking debate over noise, energy consumption, and regulation. But at their core, they are buildings that must meet energy codes and standards like any office or apartment building. In this conversation, Matt Watson talks with Dr. Tommy Zakrzewski, founder and chief building scientist at ZAE, about the role building science plays in helping data centers perform efficiently and reliably. They explore why these mission-critical facilities need careful attention to code compliance, energy modeling, and the building enclosure.  Tommy explains why design decisions should rest on data rather than assumptions, and why the building envelope still matters in facilities with extremely high IT loads. He and Matt address common misconceptions about how much water data centers use and discuss how newer, more energy-intensive chip designs are driving up power demand. They also look ahead to a next generation of data centers that may be smaller and located inside buildings such as offices, where the heat from data center operations could warm the rest of the building and help decarbonize it. The conversation shows how rigorous modeling, thoughtful enclosure design, and efficient cooling can help data centers balance performance, sustainability, and regulation as they become vital infrastructure for an increasingly digital world.  Key Takeaways:  Data centers are buildings that must meet energy codes and standards, just like offices and apartments.  Energy code compliance can be surprisingly complex for data center projects.  Energy modeling based on scientific data leads to better design decisions than assumptions do.  The building envelope still matters in data centers, even when IT loads are extremely high.  Conditions inside data centers call for specialized enclosure design to manage heat, moisture, and airflow.  Data centers are mission-critical facilities that depend on near-constant uptime.  Modern data centers with advanced cooling technologies use far less water than many people assume.  Newer chip designs are significantly increasing the power demands of individual server racks.  Future data centers may be smaller and housed inside buildings like offices, where their heat could help decarbonize the rest of the building.  Data center design must balance performance, sustainability, and regulation as digital demand grows. 

Summary:  Affordability is often measured by what a buyer can pay at closing, but the true cost of housing continues long after the purchase. In this conversation, Matt Watson talks with Ri Prasad, CEO and co-founder of AR2 Homes, about why affordable housing must also be safe, energy-efficient, comfortable, and inexpensive to operate. They explore how utility bills, outdated systems, and maintenance costs can make a low-cost home unaffordable over time.  Ri shares how her path from software marketing to real estate brokerage and development shaped her approach to building. She and Matt discuss community-driven planning in Rockford’s 13th Ward, the zoning and permitting changes needed to support more attainable housing, and a proposed mixed-income, fully electric community designed around long-term operating costs. The conversation shows how solar-ready construction, heat pumps, thoughtful zoning, and direct resident input can help create housing that works better for families and communities.  Key Takeaways: Affordable housing must include the ongoing cost of utilities, maintenance, and repairs.  Energy-efficient homes make it possible for residents to spend less on housing over the long term.  A low purchase price does not guarantee that a home is safe or affordable to operate.  Realtors can help buyers recognize the financial value of comfort, efficiency, and home performance.  Better energy data gives buyers a clearer understanding of a home’s long-term value.  Community feedback leads to housing designs that better reflect residents’ actual needs.  Outdated zoning rules can prevent communities from creating the range of housing they need.  Reducing permitting and zoning fees can make affordable development more financially viable.  Fully electric, solar-ready homes can lower operating costs and improve long-term affordability.  Sustainable housing features provide residents with greater comfort, control, and financial stability. 

Summary:   The term ‘market transformation’ is used frequently in the building industry, yet it can be hard to define—until you get concrete about what actually has to change. This conversation breaks down how building performance policy moves beyond early adopters and into the reality of class B and C buildings, mom-and-pop owners, and communities that care first about health, affordability, and housing stability.  Matt Watson talks with Jessica Miller, Chief Program Officer at the Institute for Market Transformation and a member of Evanston's Healthy Buildings Accountability Board, about the translation work at the heart of decarbonizing buildings: turning policy into something local partners can actually use, building trust with community organizations, and designing rules that work for owners, tenants, and government at the same time.    Key Takeaways:  Why market transformation has to reach beyond early adopters  How IMT defines its role in building decarbonization  Why equity needs to sit at the center of climate policy  How trusted local partners help reach hard-to-serve building owners  Why community organizations need translation, not top-down messaging  What the Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership adds to policy design  Why Evanston’s public rulemaking process is a notable model  How multiple metrics can support stronger building performance standards 

Summary:   In this episode, Matt Watson sits down with Chyanne Husar, founder and CEO of HUSARCH, to explore how a traditional architecture firm can evolve into a broader sustainability and energy efficiency practice. Chyanne explains how peer networks like AIA and Illinois Green helped her find support, build cross-sector connections, and move from single-building work into portfolio-scale impact. The conversation traces her path from architecture into sustainability consulting and then into utility and government energy programs, showing how her firm found opportunity by staying rooted in design while expanding into building performance, incentives, and verification work.   It also highlights the role of Section 3 business certification in shaping how HUSARCH hires and grows, especially as the firm works to create pathways for entry-level workers and second-career professionals. The episode closes by connecting workforce development, policy, and market transformation, with a focus on how Illinois programs like CEJA and CRGA are helping fund training, expand opportunity, and push the industry toward a more connected and equitable future.    Key Takeaways:   Peer networks can be just as important as technical skills for helping small firms grow and adapt.  A sustainability-focused portfolio can open doors to larger-scale energy efficiency work.  Section 3 certification can shape hiring strategy and create meaningful opportunities for workforce inclusion.  Entry-level roles in building assessment, verification, and energy auditing are growing.  Second-career professionals can bring valuable experience into the clean energy workforce.  Policy and legislation play a major role in funding and directing workforce development.  There is often a gap between what training programs prepare people for and what employers actually hire for.  Utility incentive programs rely on third-party verification to confirm savings and keep projects moving.  Building performance, accessibility, and energy work are closely connected. 

Summary:  Water is one of the most overlooked systems in building performance, yet it sits at the intersection of energy, public health, resilience, and climate adaptation. In this episode, Matt Watson sits down with Paul Sambanis, PhD, Vice President of Sustainability at Sloan, to unpack why water efficiency deserves far more attention from building owners, operators, and the broader green building industry. From the retrofit of Wrigley Field to the water-energy nexus hidden inside every gallon that enters and leaves a building, the conversation reveals how much complexity lives behind something most of us take for granted every day.  Paul explains how water savings scale, why older buildings can still make meaningful progress through smart retrofits, and how technology like leak detection and advanced metering is changing the way owners manage risk. The episode also zooms out to the neighborhood and city level, connecting water infrastructure to flooding, environmental justice, and long-term community health. By the end, the message is clear: treating water as a strategic building priority is not just good stewardship, it is a practical path to lower emissions, stronger resilience, and healthier communities.    Key Takeaways:  Water is a major but often invisible driver of building energy use and carbon emissions.  Retrofitting older buildings can deliver meaningful water savings without major structural changes.  Water quality matters as much as water efficiency, especially in dense urban systems.  Smart connected plumbing, leak detection, and advanced metering help owners catch issues early and reduce damage.  The water-energy nexus means water savings can also translate into energy and carbon savings.  Flooding, stormwater management, and wastewater capacity are critical resilience issues for cities like Chicago.  Environmental justice is central to water infrastructure decisions, especially in communities facing industrial burden.  Decentralized water systems and on-site reuse are emerging as important strategies for the future.  Public health outcomes, including mold and asthma, are closely tied to building water events.  The future of water in buildings is moving toward smarter, more localized, and more adaptive systems. 

Summary:  In this episode, we explore innovative approaches to green building design, code compliance, and energy efficiency with industry expert Sachin Anand, Principal at dbHMS. Sachin shares insights from the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC) project, Chicago’s first Living Building Challenge certified school, highlighting the integration of building systems into the curriculum.   He emphasizes the importance of viewing energy codes as minimum standards rather than as a ceiling and discusses the role of commissioning in optimizing building performance. The conversation also covers practical steps for building owners to prepare for emerging energy code requirements and the transformative potential of new energy codes in accelerating decarbonization efforts.  Key Takeaways:  Building sustainability breakthroughs require early, integrated design collaboration.  Treat energy codes as foundational rather than a ceiling, unlocking deeper innovation.  Commissioning is one of the lowest-cost high-yield strategy for resilient, efficient buildings.  Embedding education into building systems fosters future innovation and engagement among occupants.   Scaling holistic verification processes across large portfolios is simpler than expected when employing a modular, repeatable approach.  The next horizon in sustainability is industry-wide transformation driven by new energy codes and technological innovation.  Episode Links:   Building Green Communities Episode 2: Academy for Global Citizenship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Z0P3w70jE 

Summary:   In this episode, we dive deep into the world of sustainable affordable housing with Claudia Rodriguez, Vice President of Design and Construction at Preservation of Affordable Housing. Claudia shares her journey from architecture to leading affordable housing projects, emphasizing the integration of high-performance building standards like passive house certification. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing all-electric buildings in urban settings, highlighting strategies for energy and water efficiency, such as low-flow fixtures and envelope improvements.   Claudia also underscores the importance of community-centered design and how local input can significantly impact project success. The episode further explores the complexities of navigating financial structures for sustainable projects.     Key Takeaways:  Claudia’s transition from architecture to affordable housing development.  Importance of Passive House standards in sustainable housing.  Challenges of implementing all-electric buildings in cities.  Energy and water efficiency strategies for urban projects.  Role of community engagement in design success.  Navigating financial complexities in green projects.  Policy advocacy's impact on sustainable development.  Collaboration for equitable community development.  Health benefits of energy-efficient housing.  Future trends in sustainable affordable housing.    Episode Links:   Illinois Energy Efficiency Showcase: https://www.illinoisgreenalliance.org/illinois-energy-efficiency-showcase  POAH Basis of Design: https://www.poahbod.org/#welcome    

Summary:   In this episode, we dive into the future of sustainable construction with Patty Lloyd, the Director of Sustainability at Leopardo Construction. Patty shares her expertise on the evolving landscape of green building, emphasizing the importance of leadership and collaboration in driving sustainable practices. We explore the latest developments in LEED v5 standards and discuss how these changes are shaping the industry locally and globally.  Patty highlights the critical role of practitioner-led knowledge sharing and peer networks in advancing sustainability. She explains how these collaborations foster innovation and help professionals navigate the complexities of new standards. We also delve into the significance of embodied carbon tracking and how new LEED standards are transforming the market. Finally, we look ahead to future trends, such as geothermal energy and nature-based solutions, and discuss how small actions can lead to significant change.     Key Topics & Takeaways:  Leadership in Green Building: Patty emphasizes the importance of leadership in advancing sustainable construction practices.  Evolution of LEED Standards: Insights into the development of LEED v5 and its impact on global construction practices.  Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: The role of practitioner-led networks in fostering innovation and sustainability.  Embodied Carbon Tracking: How LEED incentives are driving market transformation and encouraging sustainable practices.  Social Equity and Resilience: Integration of these elements into green building standards as essential components.  Sustainability in Affordable Housing: Opportunities and strategies for incorporating sustainable practices in housing projects.  Volunteer Engagement: The value of persistence and volunteerism in influencing industry standards and practices.  Future Trends: Exploration of geothermal energy, nature-based solutions, and the impact of small actions on global change. 

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/  

Summary:  In this conversation, Manny Flores, president and CEO of SomerCor, discusses how SBA 504 loans can serve as a critical tool in financing energy efficiency and sustainability upgrades in small business facilities. He also highlights the role of grants and economic development funds in supporting building upgrades and neighborhood sustainability. Manny addresses the barriers small and medium-sized building owners face in accessing capital for energy efficiency upgrades and emphasizes the need for collaboration among lenders, policymakers, and nonprofits. He also shares insights from his experience as a Chicago alderman and the importance of storytelling in promoting successful sustainability projects.      Key Takeaways:   SBA 504 loans provide favorable financing for small businesses.  Energy efficiency upgrades can lead to significant cost savings.  Grants like the City of Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund support local businesses.  Access to reliable information is crucial for small business owners in starting green building projects.  Collaboration among public, private, and non-profit sectors is essential for sustainability efforts.  Local leaders should focus on promoting successful sustainability stories.  Illinois has a strong foundation for clean energy innovation.  Small businesses drive economic growth and innovation.  Consumer protection is important in the sustainability space.  Investing in energy efficiency is a smart business decision.    Links for Listeners:   Learn about SomerCor: https://somercor.com/  Short video: Learn about City of Chicago Small Business Improvement Fund and the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ijzhBRxs0  Short video: Learn about the SomerCor SBA 504 Green Loan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZoD0Xwco1w