New York Promotes Panelized Systems
New York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s vision to modernize the state’s energy system while bringing economic growth to New York has culminated in the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) program. One of the three primary REV goals is to reduce energy consumption in buildings by 23 percent from 2012 levels.
The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), which is overseeing the REV program, believes insulated panelized systems are an ideal solution for improving energy efficiency of hundreds of thousands of square feet of multifamily housing with no insulation. NYSERDA is seeking scalable, repeatable models of various DER solutions. Ideally, predictive modeling and validation of the modeling are desired for consideration in demonstration projects.
However, because of recladding’s longer paybacks (10 to 20 years or more), funding becomes a challenge. The state of New York is providing seed money for improvement of existing multifamily low-income housing, which is a major target for DER upgrades. The seed money should attract various options for financing the rest of the DER.
The Future of Panelized Systems
The concept of panelized systems is certainly not new. In their book refabricating ARCHITECTURE: How Manufacturing Methodologies are Poised to Transform Building Construction (published in 2003), Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake use examples from other industries to demonstrate the benefit of transitioning architecture to an integrated approach, involving technology, materials and production methods. For example, the authors discuss how Boeing builds the chassis and components of its aircraft off site, then brings these components together in one location for final assembly. Boeing also used off-site construction to build the Space Station, which consists of approximately 70 separate major components and hundreds of minor ones. The first time the components were put together was in outer space. If something this complex can be done in outer space, the construction industry should be adopting components, like panelized systems.
Successfully adopting and implementing prefabrication and using panelized systems requires change. One of the biggest barriers to change as it relates to prefabrication is not technology, it’s culture, per a report released by FMI, a Raleigh, N.C.-based consultant. Some constructors who have tried to incorporate prefabrication/panelized systems are not as successful because they are trying to fit this model into how they have been building for years. The culture change has to come from the top and the complexities will take time to master but the benefits of faster build speeds and cost savings are worth the exploration.
Attend a Building Envelope Session During retrofit’s Inaugural Conference
Author Paul Bertram will lead a panel of experts in a discussion about the building envelope and its impacts on existing buildings’ energy efficiency during the retrofit conference 2017, Oct. 12, at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Bertram will be joined by the following panel:
- Rick Tonielli, LEED AP, is senior energy efficiency program manager at Comed. In that role, he directs the Comed Retro-commissioning and Monitoring-based Commissioning Programs and oversees marketing and outreach to commercial real-estate customers.
- Aubrey Swift, AIA, CEM, QCxP, LEED AP, is director of design integration, dbHMS. He has more than 30 years’ experience as a technical architect with proven LEED consulting and sustainable design skills to guide the integration of engineering and architectural designs to optimal solutions.
- Brian Stroik is a recognized industry leader in the construction of energy efficient, sustainable and durable buildings. Stroik is a frequent speaker on the subjects of commissioning the building enclosure (BECx), quality in construction, and mock ups/first run studies. He holds several industry positions and affiliations.
Learn more about the retrofit conference and register today.
Learn More about Panelized Systems
For more information about panelized systems in retrofit and new construction, visit the following websites:
Associations
American Iron And Steel Institute
APA—The Engineered Wood Association
EIFS Industry Members Association
Metal Construction Industry
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
Manufacturers
Advanced Exterior Systems
Atlas Structural Systems
CENTRIA
Composite Panel Building Systems
Dryvit
East Coast Panelized Wall Systems
Kingspan
Kwik-Build Panels
Morgan Building Systems