2018 NGBS Green Partners of Excellence
Lorax’s very own Tim Barranco was named an NGBS Green Partner of Excellence for 2018. NGBS Green, which is based on the National Green Building Standard™ (NGBS), is a rigorous third-party certification program for single and multifamily residential projects. Tim joins an elite group of program partners — one of only 16 verifiers identified in 2018 — who have been recognized for their dedication to customers, providing increased value, professionalism, and relevance in the marketplace through third-party verification services.
This recognition is annually awarded to those who display leadership in innovation in building science, dedication to the residential construction industry, and significant commitment to green certification over the past year. Lorax Partnerships is committed to building an inventory of healthier homes that cost less to operate, are more comfortable to live in, and are part of a more sustainable lifestyle for their residents. This is the third year in a row that a Lorax employee has been named an NGBS Green Partner of Excellence.
Over the years, Lorax has certified more than 1,000 residential units under NGBS, and is currently working with design and construction teams on 2,000 new residential units as regional demand for sustainable multifamily development ramps up. 2 Hopkins Plaza and The Enclave at Box Hill are some of the Baltimore City projects that achieved an NGBS certification in 2018 with Lorax’s accredited NGBS verifiers.
Achieving ICC 700 (National Green Building Standard) – Bronze with Silver score in the Energy Efficiency section is a compliance option within the Baltimore City Green Construction Code and can satisfy various other municipal requirements and meet your sustainability goals. For assistance with your NGBS project, contact us here.
TIMxTalk
Fellow Loraxian and Assistant Project Manager Emily LeMay sat down with Tim Barranco to ask him some questions about NGBS, all things sustainability, and fun Baltimore happenings. Continue reading below to learn more about Tim and see why he was selected as an NGBS Green Partner of Excellence for 2018!
Emily LeMay (EL): Hi Tim! What’s your elevator pitch?
Tim Barranco (TB): You could have a better building – one that’s more durable, uses less energy, improves occupant comfort, and distinguishes itself amongst a crowded and competitive marketplace. With the right mix of creative design, financing solutions, and incentive programs, it may be cheaper than your current plan. That’s worth looking into, right?
EL: What types of things do you work on at Lorax? Do you have any sort of specialty with regard to the projects and tasks you are involved with?
TB: I’d say my specialty is high-performance multifamily residential buildings, but more broadly speaking, I’m Lorax’s building science and energy efficiency geek.
EL: What has been your favorite NGBS project to work on so far? What about the most challenging NGBS project to work on?
TB: The most exciting NGBS project I’ve worked on is still in concept design, but it’s targeting Gold certification, which will be a first for me. Most developers don’t go beyond code, so this is a special opportunity to push the envelope a bit.
The most challenging projects (though also very rewarding) are renovations where we have had to balance green building priorities with historic preservation. “The greenest building is the one already built.” -Carl Elefante
EL: When you’re not verifying NGBS projects, what other types of projects to you work on?
TB: I have a healthy mix of non-NGBS work… LEED, Enterprise Green Communities, IgCC, and some consulting outside the framework of a green code or rating system.
EL: What can we find you doing on a typical weekend?
TB: Free time right now goes to four main categories: friends, family, rock climbing, and building a house.
EL: What is the number one thing that project teams should do to build great, sustainable buildings?
TB: That’s easy – call Lorax. Also, solar-ready design.
EL: What are some of your favorite memories at Lorax?
TB: We have the best holiday parties, no question about it.
EL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
TB: Five years from now I’ll still be helping developers, architects, and contractors create better buildings. I love this work.
EL: Do you have any advice about sustainability for design and construction project teams? Any advice for average everyday people who live/work/play in those buildings?
TB: I’ll have to write a book to answer that.
EL: Thanks, Tim! Anything else you’d like to share?
TB: My girlfriend and I live in a “cozy” 1 bedroom apartment downtown. This summer we’ll move into the first LEED Platinum Net-Zero Energy home in Baltimore City. Our monthly payment for the mortgage, taxes, and utilities will be about half our current rent. The project is trying to balance sustainability, affordability, and historic preservation in an easily repeatable way… with 15,000+ vacant homes in Baltimore, the opportunity to build a better city is all around us.
There you have it, folks. No wonder he was selected as an NGBS Green Partner of Excellence! Tim joined Lorax in September 2015 and continues to live his values of sustainable design not only in his work, but also in his personal life. On behalf of the whole Lorax team, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Tim!