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Discussion: Sustainability in Architecture – Contemporary Examples from Practitioners

  • 1014 5th Avenue New York, NY, 10028 United States (map)

How can we reduce the environmental footprint when renovating existing buildings? We gathered experts from the architecture and engineering field to present us with their latest projects and case studies at 1014 Fifth Avenue – a building that serves as a reference point itself, as its zero-carbon renovation is currently in the making.

Participating speakers and offices:

  • Tommaso Bitossi, transsolar, New York

  • Steve Lembo & David MacKay, KOHLER RONAN, New York

  • Harriet Bartlett, David Chipperfield Architects, London

Moderated by Prof. Ahu Aydogan

Ahu Aydogan is an architectural designer and researcher focused on the development of a plant-based filtration system to clean indoor air and reduce the energy consumption of buildings. As Associate Professor at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, she co-coordinates the technology curriculum for the Undergraduate program and teaches construction technology courses and studios with an emphasis on the integration of environmental feedback loops into design processes. Aydogan received her Ph.D. in Architectural Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Center for Architecture Science and Ecology (CASE) in 2012. Ahu has received several grants from multiple sponsors to support her research, such as the US Army MSRDC, CIRG-CUNY, and PSC-CUNY. Aydogan holds an international patent for a filtration media invention that will be used in building-integrated plant-based systems. 

Steven Lembo, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Partner. A licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states, Mr. Lembo directs Kohler Ronan’s New York City office. He contributes to strategic planning, business development, client satisfaction, team leadership, and oversight of the mechanical engineering department. With nearly twenty-five years of mechanical engineering experience, Mr. Lembo has worked on major New York City cultural landmarks, such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center, as well as numerous academic institutions including Brown University, Columbia University, New York University, the Juilliard School, the Dalton School, the Hewitt School, the Berkeley Carrol School, and Greenwich Academy. Mr. Lembo holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Manhattan College and is a LEED Accredited Professional and a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

David J. MacKay, LEED AP, BEMO, BCxP. Principal, High-Performance Building Specialist. Mr. MacKay is a Principal at Kohler Ronan and an experienced energy management professional with expertise in energy auditing, building commissioning, building energy modeling, LEED consulting, energy procurement consulting, and energy reduction plan development; his focus is to deliver cost-effective, high-performance building solutions that exceed client expectations. Within his project portfolio are notable clients such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, the University of Virginia, Princeton University, Choate Rosemary Hall, the Berkeley Carroll School, and the Collegiate School. Mr. MacKay earned a Master of Science in Green Building & Sustainable Design from San Francisco Institute of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Trinity College. He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), as well as the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE).

Tommaso Bitossi focuses on two aspects of climate responsive design: architecture and climate engineering. His unique perspective on the integrated design process together with his understanding of both the architectural and the engineering approaches facilitate the communication of complex strategies to the design team. In addition to his international project management responsibilities, Tommaso developed and coordinated the education components of the Transsolar Academy, a program designed to enable young professionals to gain basic climate responsive design knowledge.



Presented in partnership with Archtober and Open House New York.