The 80,000-square-foot Tilley Ladder Warehouse in Watervliet, N.Y. - once the oldest ladder manufacturing facility in the country - sat mostly vacant the last 10 years. Built in the 1890s, the building contained bricks, wooden columns, high-beamed ceilings, an old sawdust room, and a maintenance garage. In spite of its neglected condition, the structure, conveniently located in Watervliet- Port Schuyler neighborhood and easily accessible to Interstate 787, presented an ideal site for energy-efficient apartments. Furthermore, its proximity to a park and bike trail appealed to the aesthetics and eco-consciousness of the market-rate renter. Bringing this concept to reality required the collaborative efforts of several entities, including green building and energy efficiency specialist Sustainable Comfort, Inc.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C., has announced the recipients of its annual LEED Homes Awards, which recognize projects, architects, developers and homebuilders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in the residential green building marketplace.

In a release, Rick Fedrizzzi, CEO and founder of the USGBC, says, “Homes represent a critical piece of the buildings industry and our daily life. We applaud these amazing honorees for their significant contribution to greening the residential sector by implementing strategies that positively impact the environment and enhance the health and well-being of their occupants.”

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that The Tilley Lofts in Watervliet, N.Y. is a recipient of the LEED Homes Awards in the 2015 Outstanding Multifamily Project category. The annual LEED Homes Awards recognize architects, developers, homebuilders and projects that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in the residential green building marketplace. The Tilley Lofts project team consists of Redburn Development, Kirchhoff-Consigli Construction; Harris A. Sanders, Architects, P.C.; and Sustainable Comfort, Inc.

Washington, D.C.—(June 28, 2016)—Today, USGBC announced the recipients of its annual LEED Homes Awards, which recognizes projects, architects, developers and homebuilders who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in the residential green building marketplace.

“Homes represent a critical piece of the buildings industry and our daily life,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “We applaud these amazing honorees for their significant contribution to greening the residential sector by implementing strategies that positively impact the environment and enhance the health and well-being of their occupants.”

It has been 10 years since Worcester set out to become a model of energy efficiency for the rest of Massachusetts. Now, after reducing the city’s energy use by 7 percent over the past five years, city officials are working to reduce the municipal government’s consumption another 20 percent.

The original goal was to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent from 2010 to 2015; while the 7 percent reduction has fallen short of that goal, the city continues to work on upgrades and is aiming for another 20 percent cut by 2020.

The 80,000 square foot Tilley Ladder Warehouse in Watervliet, New York - once the oldest ladder manufacturing facility in the county - sat mostly vacant the past ten years. Built in the 1890s, the building contained bricks, wooden columns, high-beamed ceilings, an old sawdust room and a maintenance garage.

The 80,000-square-foot Tilley Ladder Warehouse in Watervliet, N.Y. – once the oldest ladder manufacturing facility in the country – sat mostly vacant the past ten years. Built in the 1890s, the building contained bricks, wooden columns, high-beamed ceilings, an old sawdust room and a maintenance garage. In spite of its neglected condition, the structure, conveniently located in Watervliet’s Port Schuyler neighborhood and easily accessible to Interstate 787, presented an ideal site for energy efficient apartments. Furthermore, its proximity to a park and bike trail appealed to the aesthetics and eco-consciousness of the market-rate renter. Bringing this concept to reality required the collaborative efforts of several entities, including Sustainable Comfort Inc.

Watkins Glen, NY According to Sustainable Comfort, Inc. (SCI), the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) has awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Silver Certification to the Watkins Glen School Senior Apartments.  The project was co-developed by SEPP, Inc. and Two Plus Four Construction, who was also the builder. SCI acted as the green building verification consultant for the project, and the architect was BCK-IBI Group.

Formerly the Watkins Glen Middle School, the 51 converted units are available to residents 55 and older with incomes up to 80% of the average median income. The 88,549 s/f project still has elements of the school in place, and the old gymnasium and auditorium are now a civic center for the community to hold events.

You are all young, emerging professionals who will be graduating shortly, and have to answer to all your family and friends “What are you going to do?” Many of you will reply, “Find a stable job and work at it for the next 30 years.” But will 30 years from now look the same as it does today? The answer is no, of course not. So what’s the best thing you can do today to ensure you are making a difference tomorrow, or in 30 years. Find your passion, do something you enjoy doing that matters to you. With that, you can never go wrong.

Ben Rivest is now director of business development at Sustainable Comfort, Inc. in Worcester. He was promoted from the role of project manager. Rivest, who has been with Sustainable Comfort since it opened in 2014, will work to expand the customer base. He is a 2008 graduate from the UMass Amherst with a bachelor's degree of science in mechanical engineering. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 2008 through 2014.

Sustainability has become more than just a buzzword for many Americans. In fact, sustainability is the philosophy by which a newly formed local company operates. Five young and enthusiastic individuals comprise the recently created Sustainable Comfort, Inc. (SCI), whose mission is to assist in constructing and renovating multifamily buildings into healthy, sustainable, energy-efficient house.

The Abbey Road group continues to build its over-55 development on 2 North Main St., and plans to roll out a new and different design that fits with the Sherborn community.

The Abbey Road group continues to build its over-55 development on 2 North Main St., and plans to roll out a new and different design that fits with the Sherborn community.

Sustainable Comfort Inc. (SCI), announces the award of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Silver Certification to the Watkins Glen School Senior Apartments in Watkins Glen, N.Y. co-developed by SEPP Inc. of Binghamton, N.Y. and Two Plus Four Construction of East Syracuse, N.Y., who was also the builder on the project. SCI acted as the green building verification consultant for the project, and the architect was BCK-IBI Group of Binghamton, N.Y.

Sustainable Comfort Inc. (SCI), Worcester, Massachusetts, has announced the award of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Silver Certification to the Watkins Glen School Senior Apartments in Watkins Glen, New York codeveloped by SEPP Inc. of Binghamton, New York, and Two Plus Four Construction of East Syracuse, New York, who was also the builder on the project. SCI acted as the green building verification consultant for the project, and the architect was BCK-IBI Group of Binghamton, New York.

Worcester, MA – Sustainable Comfort, Inc. (SCI) recently promoted Ben Rivest to director of business development from his previous role of project manager. Rivest has been with the company since it opened its doors in 2014, managing a diverse portfolio of 20+ energy-efficiency projects spanning single and multifamily new construction, gut rehabilitations, and large-scale energy-efficiency efforts.

Last week brought two major energy efficiency changes to the New York multifamily development market; the adoption of a newer, more stringent energy code, and significant changes to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) incentive programs.

On March 9, the New York Code Council voted to adopt the 2015 International Energy Code (IECC), effective this October. This change impacts R-2, R-3, and R-4 multifamily developments up to three stories in height, as well as single family homes. The 2015 IECC adoption represents a significant increase in energy code requirements, as compared to the 2009 IECC, which New York is currently following for residential building.

Greece, NY Sustainable Comfort, Inc. (SCI) of Worcester, MA, announces the award of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Gold Certification to the Long Pond Senior Housing Project developed by Rochester’s Cornerstone Group, Ltd. and PathStone Corp. of Rochester, NY, and built by Lecesse Construction of West Henrietta, NY. SCI acted as the green building verification consultant for the project, and the architect was SWBR Architects of Rochester, NY.

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded the Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Gold Certification to the Long Pond Senior Housing Project in Greece, N.Y.

Sustainable Comfort Inc. of Worcester acted as the green building verification consultant for the project. The highly efficient affordable housing is expected to reduce water and energy consumption by 20 to 30 percent over typical code compliant construction.

After a lengthy hearing, the Planning Board approved modifications to the permit to allow demolition and replacement, with an option for moving the existing house.

At the Feb. 24 meeting of the Sherborn Planning Board, Bob Murchison of the Abbey Road group, who is developing an over-55, elderly and affordable project at the former Peace Abbey property, and his attorney, Jim Murphy, made a proposal about the Deborah Perry Dowse House.

Sustainable Comfort, Inc. has received the award of the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes Gold Certification to the Long Pond Senior Housing Project in Greece, N.Y. developed by Rochester's Cornerstone Group, Ltd. and PathStone Corp. of Rochester, N.Y., and built by Lecesse Construction of West Henrietta, N.Y. Sustainable Comfort, Inc. acted as the green building verification consultant for the project, and the architect was SWBR Architects of Rochester, N.Y.