SWA’s Project Nominated as a Finalist for Urban Green Council’s EBie Award
MAY 01, 2014
Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) is pleased to announce that Ryan Merkin, Senior Vice President and Director of the firm’s Multifamily Energy Services Group, is a finalist in the category of Power to the People for the prestigious EBie Award presented by the Urban Green Council. Winners will be announced at a gala event taking place on June 9, 2014 at the Hard Rock Café Theater in New York City.
Mr. Merkin, along with the following project team members, will be recognized for the substantial improvements in energy efficiency made to Bronx affordable housing development, Twin Parks:
- Cathal Gleeson, Mechanical Engineer, Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
Eugene Schneur, Managing Director, Omni New York LLC
Courtney Horwitz, Assistant Vice President, Omni New York LLC
Elizabeth Webb, Project Manager, Omni New York LLC
Sarah Murdoch, Senior Asset Manager, Omni New York LLC
Willie Hirsh, President, Renewal Construction LLC
About Twin Parks
In the summer of 2011, SWA was engaged by real estate developer, Omni New York, to significantly reduce energy consumption in the Twin Parks master-metered electrically heated complex. With one-hundred percent occupancy and a population of low-income tenants occupying its 274 units, one of the main challenges at Twin Parks was to make major changes with little disruption to the community. Omni New York, Renewal Construction, and SWA approached the project from the inside out, beginning with large system upgrades including the replacement of electric heating with a hot water distribution system, variable frequency drives for heating circulation pumps, an energy management system, and revamping the ventilation system. After the completion of core retrofits, the envelope of the entire building was upgraded with air-sealing, compartmentalization, and installation of double-pane windows. Lighting levels were improved and security cameras installed in common areas, in addition to aesthetic renovations within apartments. All of these changes added up to a safer, more comfortable home environment for the tenants of Twin Parks, and a high-performance building for owners and operators.
Final results of the Twin Parks retrofit show significant source energy reduction, saving 302 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, mainly due to the conversion from electric to gas-fired heating coupled with baseload reduction measures. Quality of life for the tenants has improved dramatically as a result of the rehab, which the owner achieved while also reducing the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the buildings.
Steven Winter Associates’ Third Consecutive Nomination
Twin Parks is SWA’s third project selected as a finalist for an EBie Award. The first annual EBie Awards, held in June of 2012, recognized the renovations completed for the Carlyle Towers, a luxury condominium located in Cliffside, New Jersey. Led by Marc Zuluaga, Vice President and Director of the firm’s Multifamily Energy Services, the high-performance building earned the Verdant Brainiac Award for the most innovative green renovation project. The second EBie Awards, held in June of 2013, recognized retrofit measures implemented for the Seaside Plaza Apartments in Staten Island, New York, led by Ryan Merkin.
Mr. Merkin provides sustainable design, retrofit and operational services for both market-rate and affordable housing. His energy management responsibilities include portfolio utility analysis, energy auditing, implementation design, and construction administration. His sustainability work supports LEED® for Homes™ and LEED® for New Construction™, Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR® Multi Family High-Rise certifications.
The Goal of the EBies
The EBies are conferred by the Urban Green Council, awarding high performing existing buildings and the people who make those projects possible. Projects are awarded on the basis of “measurable improvements in performance,” whether through renovations, retrofitting, retro-commissioning, upgrades, tenant or building operator education, or improvements in operation and management. Tickets for the June 9th event can be purchased through the Urban Green Council’s website.
About the Urban Green Council
A non-profit organization established in 2001, Urban Green is funded by contributions from foundations, its 1,100 members, and over 50 corporate sponsors. The organization’s goal is to help transform the built environment in New York City with models that can be replicated in urban centers nationwide.