Category: Student Profiles

Student Project: Open Passive House

by Katherine Gloede Silverman

The True Cost of Passive House: Making a business case for multifamily affordable Passive House Objective:  There exists a highly compelling case for promoting Passive House building standards for the affordable multifamily sector in New York City. In addition to deep energy and carbon reductions that align with the goals of New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act, increased occupant comfort and climate resiliency will greatly benefit some of New York City’s most vulnerable populations. There is great interest in Passive House on both the supply side (designers and developers) and the demand side (customers, HPD), but there is a lack …

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Video Student Profile: Varsha Halarnkar

by Katherine Gloede Silverman

I worked as a junior architect for almost two years and working on residential redevelopment projects in the suburbs of Mumbai, India. I learned a lot from on-site experiences, coordinating with consultants, and working with an amazing team. Since my time in architecture school I was inclined towards learning more about sustainable design and construction but Mumbai as a city had very limited options to focus on this field. After contemplating it for almost a year I decided to go back to school and get a master’s degree in sustainability.  I came across the program during my research for schools …

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Student Profile: Lawrence V. Desimone, P.E.

by Katherine Gloede Silverman

I decided to attend the M. S. in Sustainability in the Urban Environment at CCNY because I was feeling stagnant at work. I wanted to earn credentials that would help me land an employment position thatseemed more interesting. I often find myself wantingsomething more out of work regardless of how useful I am to my company and my ‘workload’. For me, pursuing the Sustainability program is an attempt at finding an increased sense of meaning and gratification in my work. So far, it seems worthwhile. Most course assignments are related to topics Iam deeply interested in, and my areas of …

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