Session Summaries

Building Science and Technology

Panelists discuss the need for new energy efficient housing development and energy retrofits of existing housing stock. The panelists share stories about the difficulties they encountered, mistakes they made and solutions they found. The presentations show examples of typical household problem areas, discuss measures homeowners can take to fix those problems, and give tables comparing the costs and savings of home energy retrofit measures. The panel gives information and examples of how communities, businesses and individuals can finance energy retrofit projects with the concept that the resulting savings from energy conservation will cover the loan payments. The panel emphasizes the importance of taking a systematic approach when retrofitting a building and being careful to not do things that will create other problems.

Energy and Alternative Energy Systems & Infrastructure

Panelists discuss the need to find sustainable solutions to the world’s energy needs. The presentations share scientific data on topics such as the depletion of fossil fuels, global warming and the impacts of climate change. The panelists discuss sustainable strategies with the example of Iceland’s systematic process of switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Panelists give examples of innovative technologies such as solar heat storage, cylindrical wind turbine systems, and fine wire heat exchanger applications. The panel emphasizes the importance of being well insulated and showcases several examples of super energy efficient cold climate homes and their energy saving features.

Appropriate Sustainable Design of Buildings and Communities

Panelists discuss the complex issues and problems involved in community and building design work from the construction of cold climate housing to the complexities of moving entire communities. Presentations include appropriate design features such as passive lighting and ventilation and sustainable features such as renewable and alternative energy solutions. Panelists discuss cultural considerations such as intended use of space, traditional building methods and the participatory process of community design. The panelists emphasized the importance of taking a systematic approach to building and community development.

Integration of Ideas for the Development of Future Research Agenda

Panelists discuss the need for innovative and sustainable community planning that incorporates traditional design and building methods, environmental concerns, new building technology, alternative energy strategies, use of local materials, and smaller, compact spaces. Panelists also discuss how local government entities such as housing authorities and government research agencies can be a part of the sustainable development process. Moderators from the previous three panels and Forum participants give their input on what should be included in the Research Agenda and Action Plan, two major outcomes resulting from this Forum.

Keynote Speeches

Presentations

Building Science and Technology

Energy and Alternative Energy Systems & Infrastructure

Appropriate Sustainable Design of Buildings and Communities

Integration of Ideas for the Development of Future Research Agenda

Keynote Presentations

Sarah James - Presentation Currently Not Available
Torbjörn Lahti - Presentation Currently Not Available
Douglas Cardinal
David Atkinson
Peter Larsen
Bernie Karl
Oliver Drerup - Presentation Currently Not Available

Speaker Bios

Mimi Burbage, Energy Specialist/Program Manager, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Stefan Simek, P.E., President, Ferguson, Simek & Clark International, Canada
Jim Lee, Executive Director, Interior Weatherization, Alaska
Jim Fitzgerald, Director of building diagnostics, Applied Building Science division, Conservation Services Group, Minneapolis MN.
Rich Seifert, University of Alaska Professor, Extension Housing & Energy Specialist
Ron Johnson, PhD, Professor, Mechanical & Environmental Quality Engineering, Principal Investigator, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Daniel White, PhD., P.E., Professor & Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Northern Engineering, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Chris Ives, Sustainable Building Consultant, founder, EriA EcoSystems Canada
Rob Dumont, Building Performance Business Unit Manager, Saskatchewan Research Council, Canada
Bill Semple, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Peter Barfoed, Architect, Greenland
Tony Zedda, Partner, Kobayashi + Zedda Architects, Ltd., Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Dan Seiser, Architect, Anchorage, Alaska
Bob Banghart, Alaska State Museum, Juneau, Alaska
Jack Hébert, CCHRC President and CEO, owner Hébert Homes
Nikolai Alexeyev, Chief Architect, City of Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, Russia
Bjørg Kippersund, Norwegian State Housing Bank, Norway
Nick Illauq, Clyde River Council, Nunavut, Canada
Mead Treadwell, Commissioner, US Arctic Research Commission
Sarah James, City Planner, Sarah James & Associates, Cambridge Massachusetts
Torbjörn Lahti, Torbjörn Lahti, Swedish Eco-Municipality Leader, Overtornea Sweden
Douglas Cardinal, Douglas Cardinal Architect Ltd., in Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
David Atkinson, Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and research scientist at the UAF International Arctic Research Center
Peter Larsen, Senior Policy Advisor on Climate Change & Energy for the Nature Conservancy and formerly a Research Associate and Adjunct Professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Bernie Karl, Local Businessman & Entrepreneur, Owner Chena Hot Springs Resort, Fairbanks Alaska
Oliver Drerup, Senior Housing Consultant, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and head of CMHC’s International Training Team, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada