About SDC
Sustainable Design Collaborative LLC provides environmentally targeted architectural and engineering consulting services. SDC was founded in 2002, and is based in the village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. The predecessor firm, Energy Design Collaborative, Inc. was founded in 1981. William Bobenhausen, FAIA, CCS, LEED has been the sole President of both. Together, these firms have successfully completed over 400 projects, both large and small, without ever having any type of legal claim.
Bill Bobenhausen, FAIA, CCS, LEED AP is environmental architect, with over 30 years of diverse professional experience with high performance, energy-efficient commercial and institutional buildings. The firm provides comprehensive sustainable and energy analysis design services, including those related to the LEED Green Building Rating System (18 currently registered projects, 4 LEED Gold in last year including Jacob Burns Media Arts Center, Faculty House at Columbia University, and General Electric Energy Services.
Current clients include: CUNY, Westchester Medical Center, Nestle Waters, NJHEPS, Colgate-Palmolive, The Ethical Culture Society, Citigroup, Catholic Charities, Green Chimneys, and SUCF.
SDC also has particular experience in codes & standards development, green specifications, and development of “green” educational/training programs for diverse audiences of governmental decision makers, and design professionals across the nation.
SDC, regularly prepares a wide range of continuing education programs (AIA/CES) – including customized programs for individual firms and agencies (i.e., LEED AP training for the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and NJHEPS).
SDC is a very capable 5-person firm. However, our established relationships with numerous consultants (including with several of the largest and best MEP firms in NYC) enhance our readily available capabilities enormously. On-call consultants include experts in: BIPV, Grey Water, Green Education, Geothermal, and Productivity. Most importantly, President Bobenhausen knows who to call, and when - for virtually any need in our field.
Services Offered
SDC and our consultants are able to respond to task orders of variable complexity including: the most complex computer design analysis, commissioning, green building (possibly LEED) evaluations, and straight-forward energy audits. Capabilities include:
- Computer energy modeling of new and existing buildings (see below)
- Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning (see below)
- LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Building Rating System (see entire Section)
- Existing conditions surveys, interviews of operating personnel, energy audits, building/campus energy use analysis, reviewing existing drawings, specifications, and control sequences of operation
- Energy-related design assistance as appropriate for application/client
- Cost estimates using industry and NYSERDA tools
- Prioritizing Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECO) on cost and other factors.
- Computer energy modeling of new and existing buildings (see below)
- Developing training materials, conducting seminars/workshops, etc. including those on LEED-EBOM, LEED-2009 New Construction, LEED-2009 New Construction Schools, and LEED 2009 Interiors
- Daylight design and modeling
- IAQ studies, testing and design advice to improve indoor air quality
- Specification of environmentally preferable construction materials
- Evaluation of water conservation/recycling systems
- Calculations of carbon dioxide savings (i.e., carbon footprint)
- Analysis of performance standards and energy code compliance
- Monitoring and metering energy consuming equipment and systems
- Development of updated, energy-efficient, control sequences of operation.
- Preparation of Pre-functional Checks and Functional Performance Checks
- Development and Maintenance of Issues Log
- Preparation of operations, maintenance and service manuals
- Training of operating personnel
Energy Modeling
DOE-2 is the most widely used and accepted hour-by-hour building energy analysis program. Developed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the common version is known as DOE 2.1E. Third parties have developed graphical interfaces to make the process easier, such as VisualDOE. For our energy modeling projects we use eQUEST software which based on the newest DOE-2 building energy simulation and cost calculation engine. We also are closely monitoring the continued development of other programs.
Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning
The commissioning process can be applied to both new and existing buildings. In new buildings, Commissioning (referred to as CxA) is a Prerequisite in the LEED Green Building Rating System for Fundamental Commissioning which includes development of the very important “OPR” (Owner’s Project Requirements). An additional point can also be obtained for Enhanced Commissioned which includes training of the owner’s operational personnel. Retro commissioning (RCx) typically focuses on energy-using equipment such as mechanical equipment, lighting and related controls and usually optimizes existing system performance, rather than relying on major equipment replacement, typically resulting in improved indoor air quality, comfort, controls, energy and resource efficiency.
Determining the “Right” Green
It is vitally important to listen to the client’s and design team’s views, concerns and wishes but it is also necessary to remain objective and open minded in order to explore all reasonable possibilities and determine those that are appropriate for the project and in the client’s best interest. Whenever possible, we like to be briefed about a project prior to the Scoping Session in order to prepare properly.
Experience is essential for efficient scoping of services. Our extensive prior experience will allow us to understand the particular nuances of a project in order to best target appropriate EEOs. For example, a hospital or 24-hour building like a police station will have continuous operation that enhances the viability of certain EEO such as lighting. Whereas schools, may or may not realistically have extensive nighttime or summer use. All of our senior architects and engineers can sort through a long list of potential EEOs and other services to determine those that are the most practical for any particular facility quickly, and cost-effectively. Our knowledge allows us to separate the “very good” strategies from those that even with incentives have “long paybacks”.
The ability to use various engineering practices blended with project experience are the key for efficient ECO evaluation. As a result, we have developed a substantial depth and breadth of understanding of the issues involved with building energy consumption. We insist on checking the accuracy of all evaluations, always provide a sound fundamental engineering basis for any recommendations made. We are truly also “students” of building design and energy systems who continue to learn on a daily basis.
Our engineering analysts have over 25 years in the HVAC field dealing with contractors who often are a great source of design and technical support. They bring much experience at trouble shooting and solving problems in the field for customers in buildings of all types and sizes. Additionally, they have thorough understanding of the operation of a wide range of equipment, and their impact on other equipment, the building, and energy use.
Use and interpretation of results for modeling tools referenced, including DOE-2.1E, are an SDC strength. Bill Bobenhausen has been intimately involved in building energy simulation work throughout his career. The old bromide “garbage in - garbage out” certainly applies. Therefore, it is essential that input assumptions about occupancies etc. be very carefully agreed upon with the customer before the computer is turned on. When appropriate, other “pre-design” models such as ENERGY-10 can also be used. Bobenhausen was one of two architect developers of ENERGY-10 for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, CO under USDOE funding.
During our time in the industry we have gained valuable experience in developing and maintaining long term relationships with many customers, who have relied on us for the design and technical support for the systems they were installing.
The first steps of the Energy Analysis or LEED process involves educating the project team. Each project team will have different levels of understanding. Through our project work and educational activities in the industry, we have demonstrated experience in communicating the design concepts of energy conservation and sustainable building. Often this “education” process results in technologies being incorporated that may have been otherwise not considered.
SDC and our consultants routinely evaluate costs and benefits for ECO’s. We regularly work with excellent construction managers/cost estimators.
This is an area of great expertise with a long-list of high-profile very satisfied clients. LEED AP Bobenhausen has worked on 50 or more LEED projects of all descriptions - about 14 now rated as Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Most of these typically use ASHRAE 90.1-1999/2004/2007 as a reference, but perhaps five have used the Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide. LEED AP Huang has worked on about 30 LEED projects, LEED AP Hazel about 14 LEED projects and LEED AP Rozentsvayg on 7 LEED projects.
We are familiar with the ASHRAE procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits, and have evaluated and demonstrated the benefits of energy conservation opportunities for simple and complex applications. We also explain incentives fully to customers. A consultant cannot truly be an advocate for incentives without really knowing them.
We have extensive experience in gathering building performance data for benchmarking, and making adjustments in models needed for correlation. Bobenhausen has facilitated more than 50 Charrettes and conducted over 200 major “energy” workshops nationally. He has been an adjunct professor at three universities teaching “Energy in Architecture” and “Sustainable Design” since 1981. Hazel also has extensive experience in Charrette facilitation, conducting training and gathering performance data for benchmarking. We are familiar with SEQRA, Bobenhausen was Chairman of the Planning Board in Hastings-on-Hudson.
Each project is different and we work to establish an efficient workflow system that is right for each project. This includes establishing goals, identifying the tasks required to accomplish those goals, identifying available resources and additional resources that may be needed, assigning tasks and monitoring progress all while maintaining a high standard of quality. To maximize efficiency we must utilize existing resources effectively, eliminate unnecessary and redundant steps and be prepared to consider adjustments to work flow procedure based on the scope of the project. Although uniformity in workflow process across projects is necessary to some degree, some flexibility to adjust the process to the project can result in more cost effective work processes.
Collaborating with SDC
We care about the buildings we help to design, and their users. Typically our best and most satisfied clients are those who truly desire a cost-effective sustainable/green building. Of secondary importance is the LEED rating and plaque.
SDC is extremely experienced. We bring a depth of knowledge, expertise, and commitment to this field as well as an unblemished record of satisfied clients and customers.
SDC will assign personnel with the right level or experience and salary to the required task. When appropriate, senior personnel including the firm’s principal will be assigned. For simple energy audit functions junior- or mid-level staff will be utilized to contain costs. And President Bobenhausen oversees all projects and attends “almost all” key project meetings.
SDC is in the forefront of developments within our field. We are an AIA Continuing Education Provider (AIA/CES). Our knowledge, and curiosity about how buildings really work, help us to solve new or unique problems as they present themselves. We know the importance of being able to respond to assignments on short notice, and have a proven track record.
Experience, integrity, creativity, cost efficiency, reasonableness and hard work are key to all SDC projects.
Client Relations/Servicing Large Customers
For decades, in New York and elsewhere, Bill Bobenhausen, FAIA, LEED AP has successfully served major clients, and repeat clients in all sectors including: governmental, industrial, corporate, universities and other educational, environmental, health and others. A partial list of these clients includes:
- City University of New York (CUNY)
- Office of General Services (OGS)
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
- Colgate-Palmolive
- NYC Department of Design & Construction (DDC)
- Harvard, Syracuse and Columbia Universities
- New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJHEPS)
- YMCA of Greater New York
- State University Construction Fund (SUCF)
- New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Citigroup
- NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation (HHC)
- Westchester Medical Center
- General Electric Energy Services Group
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