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This post is written amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. This tragedy heightens awareness of how small and fragile this globe is and how much sustainability is essential in all matters.

I am a design-builder and see this matter through many layers but in the case of this post, I point out how intertwined solar energy and mass timber are as we all try to invent a future. Perhaps this future rides on the lessons of this spring and summer. Further, improved indoor climate is now critical. Here is a company that is responding: Schadegg Mechanical in St Paul, MN. They are evaluating various ways to improve indoor air quality including bi-polar ionization techniques:

Additionally, the emerging mass timber and CLT design and construction technologies are now coming into their own. They are not the short term, low first cost choice but are the best for the planet in the mid and long term. See my post for a little more.

Lastly, the practical opportunities for what I call “organic solar” energy are passing the traditional financial engineering hurdles thanks to many federal tax law incentives and many programs operated by local serving utilities. In my lingo “organic solar” means photovoltaic solar energy generation systems that are integral to building and site, design and operations. They are best executed by “vertical stacks,: companies that plan, design, build, finance, and sometime own/operate. There are also emerging strategies that apply to retro-fit of existing buildings in addition to the typical roof-mounted solutions.

In other words: in the case of the future, it’s going to be different, like it or not. Sustainable building is inevitably in the mix.

Here are some of my posts on the matter. Note that I have included several in connection with financial management. They don’t attract the “reads” the way the timber and solar do but these actions are critical to turning the corner to feasible in ALL cases.:

Wood and heat pumps old made new again

The choice to build with mass timber

Solar ready checklist

Investors manage your risks

Essay to Owners: start well and save

Forbes on mass timber the path to sustainable construction

There is a reason that Teams is a fast growing platform. It is affordable, has wide application, and its learning curve is relatively flat. It is flat however only if some basic lesson are applied.

1. Find a balance between central and decentralized control; the ability to form a new Team should NOT be controlled by IT but the role should be bestowed on persons who evidence basic understanding of how to use the platform.
2. As in all matters involving standards of practice for an organization, there needs to be an active and informed executive. Advocacy and learning support are critical.
3. Organizational best practices should be supported by some useful templates that define the Teams, Channels, Post, files hierarchy appropriate to the business.
4. The rhythm, frequency of posts to a Team should support common understanding but not get to deep in trivia. Remember, the point is to inform and leave a record for the group (the Team) and not obscure concepts with unnecessary detail.
5. The possibilities of engaging Guests should be fully explored and used where possible. BUT, beware that posts usually go to the entire team. Think carefully about guest selection, they usually get all the posts.
6. Lastly, Teams is about working anywhere at any time the user can get on the internet. The mobile app for the iPhone is very helpful to stay informed.
7. Take some time to learn in the early going. Don’t smother startup with top down controls; guide gently.

I’m a fan of Gini von Courter at LinkedIn Learning, her style helps us all to learn. Here is her current offering for Teams. It is time well spent:

https://www.linkedin.com/learning/microsoft-collaboration-sharepoint-teams-and-groups/collaborate-with-teams-sharepoint-and-groups

Wilkinson Building Advisors is what MicroSoft calls knowledge workers; more than casual users but not developers. If you need to tinker under the hood, contact Craig Yellick at BlueNet: 

cyellick@bluenetinc.com

This post recognizes that MicroSoft Teams (part of the Office 365 platform) is rapidly emerging as a powerful personal and business communication place. At this writing, the costs approaches zero, limited only by the skills of the User group.

For the next 60 days, Wilkinson Building Advisors will offer complimentary phone and web support for any person for business affiliated with the building planning, design, construction, and investment industries. Interested parties are encouraged to respond through this website or to george@wilkinsonadvisors.com.

The decision to build with mass timber and has many layers. It is not simply a matter of apparent first cost but also decisions about aesthetics, the environment, and sustainability.

And finally, the industry that designs and builds is itself changing. Design protocols and building codes are evolving.

                        Let’s take them in order:

                        • First cost

                        • Aesthetics

                        • The environment and sustainability

                        • Design and building codes

First cost          

Timber frame buildings with CLT elements (cross-laminated timber) are seldom the low first cost alternative. However, this writer believes that carefully planned buildings that use timber in an optimum configuration can be “in the ballpark.” This planning then opens up opportunities for an attractive aesthetic appropriate to some uses as well as a opportunity to steward that natural environment.

Aesthetics

Simply put, timber buildings with CLT elements (such as floor and ceiling systems) are beautiful. Research shows that humans experience a high degree of calm and contentedness in wood environments (the so called “biophilic” effect). This makes wood a good choice for residences, senior housing, schools, and buildings for various car-giving activities.

The environment

Structural wood has the unique quality of locking up carbon in the form of sequestered CO2. In fact nearly half of the dry-weight of structural wood is C02. This fact when combined with the use of carefully farmed, fast-growing softwoods leads to a conclusion that the emerging mass timber technologies are an environmentally sustainable industry.

Design and building codes

With the new technology comes new design methodologies and building codes. In fact, the much anticipated new version of the International Building Code (IBC) defines building type classifications favorable to the selection and design of structural wood (including provisions for the use of heavy timber [“HT”]). Understanding the new wood technologies will lead to using the right material for the right purpose. Concrete and steel will of course always have their place.

Thus building with wood is a choice. When made, the choice can bring beautiful and affordable results while stewarding the natural world around us. Wilkinson Building Advisors can assist in the planning process to look carefully at the feasibility of building with wood.

Application of solar energy collection and use into a building project involves a sequence of planning, design, construction, operational actions as well as financial engineering.

In the case of an existing site and building what constitutes “solar ready”?

1. Is there physical space on the building or site in sufficient quantity?
   • Open space on the site
   • Roof space on the building
   • Exterior wall space on the building
   • If the building roof is to support solar arrays, is the roof configuration suitable to support the solar equipment?
     • Is it strong enough?
     • Is it not in shadow most of the day?
2. Does the local serving utility offer financial incentives?
3. Is the federal and state tax status of the building ownership such that tax incentives can be taken advantage of?
4. Does it make sense for the owning entity to allocate its capital and credit-worthiness to the solar enterprise; i.e. is the pay-back period short enough?

In the case of a site and building project, all of the above considerations apply.  However, there are additional advantages:

1. The physical plan can be laid-out maximize solar collection potential without sacrificing other requirements
   • The configuration of array’s supporting elements can be designed for efficiency, and cost effectiveness
   • The solar configuration can be part of the aesthetic and architecture

With the above ideas in mind, it is also important to remember that the tax status of individuals and corporations are very different. This has a fundamental bearing on the “go, no-go” decision. Can various tax incentives be applied?

Lastly, working with an experienced entity that can deliver all aspects of a well-engineered financial and physical solution is a key to success. Plan thoughtfully and act purposely.

(Contact Steve Oman at IPS)

If you have read the post about “Successful Project Completion” then this post helps with some critical details: the concepts of FFE and fixed FFE (i.e. “Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment”)

FFE (fixed or otherwise) is needed to complete your project and isn’t always expressly included in traditional design and construction services. Examples are:

• Security systems (designers and builders don’t want the liability)

•  Data and communication systems (often part of the business work flow)

•  Furniture and accessories (includes plants and specialties)

•  Modular furniture and work stations (often called “cubicles”)

•  Decorations (includes wall art)

• Special equipment (cooling systems for computer equipment etc)

These project components cost real money, sometimes 20-25% of the project budget. Selection of the components oftern involves consensus building with those who will work in the new spaces and thus management and administration are not insignificant efforts.

Finally comes the move-in, when all of the design, construction, FFE work come together so that the business can get down to work. This schedule critical work requires experience and an active and informed presences.

Wilkinson Building Advisors can help.