MaGrann Newsletter – Local and National Conferences, Updated Rebate Standards, and More

August 2021

Building Science for a Better Environment

MaGrann Community News

RPM Transforms Historic Van Sciver Building

RPM Development has begun to transform a landmark building in Trenton, NJ into 120 residential units and over 7,500 square feet of retail space, providing a state-of-the art mixed-use building with underground parking, a public plaza, and residential amenities, located within a mile from regional rail and Amtrak.

This project is targeting LEED for Homes and ENERGY STAR Certification.

“The redevelopment of this historically significant site, with new housing units and retail space, marks a new chapter in Trenton’s revitalization.” said Governor Murphy.

Click here to read more about this project in NJ Business Magazine.

Providing Thought Leadership at National & Local Conferences

We are thrilled to continue our deep engagement in the building industry through education and collaboration with fellow design professionals, builders, developers and high performance enthusiasts. Join us for the following sessions virtually or in person (fingers crossed) this fall!

Health & Resilient Housing - GBU Sustainability Symposium
Affordable Passive Lifestyle and Performance - PHIUSCon
Pushing the Envelope: Zero Energy and Zero Carbon Buildings - Forging the Future for Energy Efficiency
Thermostat-Setting Preferences and Implications for Smart Thermostat Applications - Behavior, Energy, & Climate Change 2021

Scroll down to view upcoming events!

The Business Case for Building Performance Standards

We are actively collaborating with local leaders, municipalities and design professionals to help building owners and property managers navigate the ongoing evolution of building performance standards across New England and the mid-Atlantic region.

Read more about the business case for building performance standards in this article written by our VP of Business Development, James Ball.

Contact Laila about your next project!

Top 50 Affordable Housing Owners in 2020

MaGrann is proud to continue our years of service to the affordable housing community. Congratulations to all of our clients that made the Top 50 list.

Thank you for the great work that you do, we are thrilled to be your partner in creating high performance housing for everyone.

Click here to read through the full list.

Industry Trends

New Jersey Forges Ahead with New and Expanded Programs

Governor Murphy signed the Clean Energy Act into law in 2018, creating a framework for “a sustainable infrastructure to fight climate change and reduce carbon emissions”.

In July of this year, a significant change resulting from this legislation went into effect with New Jersey’s investor owned gas and electric utility companies assuming responsibility for the transition and expansion of a suite of incentive programs targeted at efficiency upgrades in existing buildings.

Net Zero Energy Exhibit - Call for Submissions

The Net Zero Energy Coalition: National Capital Region is creating an exhibit on The Beauty of Zero.

This exhibit is an opportunity for design professionals to co-create a beautiful collage of data, details, processes, people, case studies and content that brings to life the aesthetics of net-zero energy buildings and design. This curated digital and physical experience will bring together the DC community’s collective vision of a beautiful carbon neutral national capital region. If you would like your work featured in this exhibit please email jamesball@magrann.com.

Click here to read more about this exhibit, themes and timelines.

Research Says Clean Air Could Make us Smarter

Harvard researcher Joseph Allen studies whether indoor air quality has impact on cognitive performance of people who occupy spaces. One study showed students who lived in non–air-conditioned dorms had slower reaction times and poorer problem-solving skills than those with air conditioning.

There are many strategies available to building owners and developers to utilize in multifamily buildings. If you’re interested in evaluating these paths, please reach out to James for a preliminary conversation.

Click here to read through this excellent article in SCIENCE Magazine.

Company News

Vice President Elected to RESNET Committee

Congratulations to our VP of Technical Services, Doug McCleery, for being selected to the RESNET Standard Development Committee 200 – Education and Training (SDC 200)! The committee is tasked with developing and amending all of RESNET’s ANSI and non-ANSI standards pertaining to education, training, assessment and certification.

"RESNET is an excellent example of an organization that promotes good work. The work of the SDC 200, which is focused on Education and Training, is critical to MaGrann Associates and to the HERS industry as we seek a balance between creating competent professionals and managing the cost of doing business. I am looking forward to the work ahead," said Doug.

Our Growing Team

Shane Heeraman has joined MaGrann Associates as our Manager of Information Systems. Shane has experience in IT management consultation, team building, professional development, strategic implementation, and company collaboration.

Fun fact about Shane – he likes the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. One of Shane’s Favorite quotes is, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin

We would also like to welcome Nunzia Angelone to MaGrann Associates! Nunzia will be working with the Building Performance Services team as an Electrical Designer and will be assisting in the creation of Lighting Design and Electrical CAD standards, improving our internal systems and processes for the accurate representation of drawings.

"I am very thankful to be a part of the MaGrann team and I hope to be an asset to the company."

Finally, a warm welcome to Danielle Napier who joins the MaGrann Associates Team as an Energy Engineer where she will perform energy audits on Building Performance Service projects.

“I am passionate about making buildings better to decarbonize the existing building sector and help consumers save on their energy bills. Being able to do this with others who share the same goals and commitment to the environment is a dream come true.”

Danielle recently graduated from Stockton University with a degree in Sustainability and a concentration in Green Energy. She previously worked for the Stockton Sustainability Farm and Community Garden and enjoys traveling, reading, and kayaking.

Communications Coordinator Earns PhD

A heartfelt congratulations to our Marketing Coordinator, Katrina Selverian for earning the rank of Ph.D. in psychology, having defended her dissertation in the Fordham University Counseling Psychology program. Katrina has done extensive research on undeserved communities with particular emphasis on refugee populations and the lingering effects of trauma. Her dissertation focused on the intergenerational trauma among descendants of the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Turks in 1915. “We are fortunate to have her multidimensional skills and talents here at MaGrann and wish her much success in all her future pursuits,” said Rich Selverian, President & CEO (and proud dad).