Striving for Sustainability in Architecture Design

Using thoughtful design, rich experience and innovative tools, Bernheimer Architecture (BA) is committed to crafting sustainable and resilient architectural designs that enhance the well-being of communities and the environment. Its partnership with Symetri, a leading provider of digital solutions for the architecture, engineering, construction, owners (AECO) and manufacturing industries, bolsters BA’s sustainability efforts by prioritizing sustainable practices and advanced tools early in the process. Using digital solutions, including Autodesk’s Revit, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, and Autodesk Navisworks, for complex modeling and analysis, it can focus on material health, strive for greater energy efficiency, and lower carbon footprints.  

Using digital tools for complex modeling and analysis allowing for data transparency, they can focus on material health, strive for greater energy efficiency, and lower carbon footprints. Targeting and lowering the ‘carbon spike’ at the beginning of a project makes a strong impact on the planet, which carries on throughout the lifecycle of the building. Building projects in urban environments, close to transit hubs and public transportation, is typical for their practice. 

With the array of information sources available for lifecycle analysis and data collection, it can be difficult for firms to navigate and effectively deploy the best solutions for their decarbonization objectives. However, working with Symetri, BA can achieve a true and cohesive lifecycle analysis and easily package GWP parameters into a deployable schematic focused on the most impactful assemblies.

"Lowering the total and embodied carbon in our projects while building to high performance standards means our buildings will have a far smaller carbon footprint than business as usual. Our focus is on data transparency and utilizing software to evaluate our impact and make big changes for sustainability," said Brandon Pietras (AIA LFA), project architect at BA and lead of their sustainability working group, BADecarbonization.   

River Commons, an affordable housing project in New York, will be the first case study at BA to deploy the methodology developed with Symetri. A full collaborative GWP-tracking workflow within Revit will make it easier for their designers to integrate existing workflows with lifecycle analysis tools and better quantify the impact of materials. Working together with Symetri’s co-innovation practice, where Symetri transforms insights into innovative solutions, was the backbone to creating a solution for BA. The methodology will help to measure and reduce the environmental impacts of buildings, achieve green building certifications, and comply with regulations. Especially useful to the designers at BA is the ability to use this workflow to represent embodied carbon graphically, an essential tool when communicating the implications of material and design choices to clients and stakeholders. This understanding trickles down with the collaboration solution tool, Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, to project managers and developers to help shape the project moving towards aligned goals focused on sustainability and climate control.

Having a powerful collaboration tool early on, with information that scales with the level of detail needed, the project will have fewer errors and focus on the carbon perspective with structure elements and units. The choices made on building materials, trades used, and design have a lasting footprint which can be minimized through informed decision making. With internal success comes external success by creating a stronger connection between the project, the clients, the stakeholders, and community. Deploying the workflows developed with Symetri on the River Commons project will clarify for BA the value of schematic design decisions in affecting the overall global warming potential of the building’s primary structural and envelope assemblies. In turn, BA can make meaningful, positive steps towards creating a more resilient community both on the building scale and as a small component of New York City’s housing infrastructure. Having sustainable priorities impacts the city itself and the future of the built environment. This provides a reference point for a transition to sustainable thinking and project execution is not only possible but made easy. 

Implementing pACI with BA provides significant value, saving an estimated 16 hours per project team for every submission date throughout the project design phase. This streamlined process not only cuts LCA tool costs but also reduces overhead, making sustainable design accessible to more clients. BA's commitment contributes to local sustainability, fostering economic growth in the areas they build. We've successfully refined specifications, achieving over a 50% carbon reduction in a common wall.

Utilizing a powerful collaboration tool at a project’s onset, with information that scales with the level of detail needed, results in fewer errors and a better focus on the carbon perspective with structure elements and units. The choices made on building materials, trades used, and design have a lasting impact. Internal success becomes external success by creating a stronger connection between the project, the clients, the stakeholders, and community.  

"Engaging in sustainable practices isn't just about doing the right thing; it's about driving industry-wide change. By advocating for better practices and pushing for more sustainable options, we aim to create a ripple effect that extends beyond our projects." 

BA is taking meaningful, positive steps towards creating a more resilient community both on the building scale and as a component of New York City’s housing infrastructure. Prioritizing sustainability impacts the city itself and the future of the built environment and creates a healthier community.