How the Masonry Industry is Addressing Sustainability: A Panel Discussion - 1 LU/HSW
Thursday, April 29, 2021 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Presented by: IMI
Residential and commercial buildings account for around 40% of the total energy and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Architects, engineers, and contractors play a big role in advancing the goal of energy and carbon reduction to net zero. Sustainability and resiliency goals can be achieved by creating practical solutions to the challenges created by climate change, energy use, population growth and the pursuit of healthier communities. Join us for an enlightening panel discussion to learn about various ways masonry can support sustainable and resilient solutions.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore how building science approaches to building enclosures can improve building performance and the health of its occupants.
- Explain the carbon challenge and opportunities related to designing and constructing with masonry.
- Discover strategies that manufacturers in the masonry industry are implementing to reduce embodied carbon in their products and reduce environmental impacts.
- Describe how BIM for Masonry software tools can make our buildings more efficient, produce less waste, and create a healthier job site.
- Investigate how the new Product Category Rule for Manufactured Concrete assists with material selection for green standards.
About the Speakers
Nicholas R. Lang, P.E.
Vice President of Business, National Concrete Masonry Association
Nick Lang represents the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) as its Vice President of Business Development. In this capacity, he manages various projects for the Association, especially in the areas of market communications and technical education. He oversees the membership recruitment and retention functions of the Association, as well as implementation of various programs, including literature development and promotion and certification programs. Mr. Lang previously was the Director of Research and Development and Manager of the Research and Development Laboratory for NCMA.
Mr. Lang is a member of ASTM International Technical Committees C09 on concrete and concrete aggregates, C12 on mortars and grouts for unit masonry, and C15 on manufactured masonry units. He is the subcommittee chairman for C15.03 on Concrete Masonry Units. He is also a member of The Masonry Society and the American Concrete Institute, and is the chair of the joint ACI/TMS Committee 216 on Fire Resistance of Concrete and Masonry Assemblies. Mr. Lang received a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a registered professional engineer in Maryland.
Canan D'Avela, RA Emeritus
Director Technology, Codes, Technical Sales, Concrete Products Group
Canan D'Avela is an RA Emeritus who assisted as a State Board Team Leader for the Analytical Chemistry / Assay examination writers and graders. He is also a Consulting Analytical Chemist with over 40+ years of experience in Mineral-based products and processes. He has been an honored member of the International Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Concrete Producer Magazine acknowledged D'Avela as one of the Top 3 Contributors to the Concrete Industry. In addition to those profound successes, D'Avela has over 80 Patent Claims in the U.S. Patent Office.
D'Avela is a past President of the Arizona Society of Professional Engineers and the State Chapter of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He holds the Arizona Masonry Guild Lifetime Achievement Award. Currently, D'Avela is the Director of the Concrete Products Group Technology, Codes, Technical Sales and a practicing member of The Masonry Society (TMS), the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA), International Code Council (ICC), Arizona Masonry Council, and others.
Jim Shepherd
Principal, Director of Historic Preservation, Smith Group
When a magnitude 5.8 earthquake shook the East Coast in 2011, “It changed the course of my life,” claims Jim. Because the disaster damaged so many landmarks in Washington DC, Jim—already with a lengthy resume as a preservation architect—became a client himself, overseeing the $34-million repair and restoration of the Washington National Cathedral as its director of preservation. “It became an immersive education on how to properly steward one of our nation’s most treasured landmarks,” he says. “It gave me a unique perspective that makes me a better architect as I return to the role of supporting clients.” Jim says he’s always been fascinated by the stories of historic buildings: “Who designed them, who built them, who occupied them and, in many cases, why they were neglected,” he explains. “Historic preservation is not just about restoring buildings to their original beauty. It’s about making sure the buildings are well-used, well-loved and continue to tell stories.”
Jason Laverty
President & Co-Founder, Sola Block
Jason Laverty joined SolaBlock as co-founder in 2015, as a veteran mason with 22 years in the trade. He is a co-inventor of SolaBlock technology and a former instructor for both the International Masonry Institute and Job Corps. Jason is a member of Local Union No. 3 of the Boston International Union of Bricklayers and allied craftworkers, and is a recognized troubleshooting mason, involved in several large scale projects restoring historic buildings.
