Conference Presentations

Universities must decide what to do with their high-rise residence halls that don't meet modern standards for energy efficiency and student expectations. Renovation often proves to be the best solution for a variety of reasons. At Boston University (BU), what started as a building systems upgrade evolved into a major renovation, which elevated the student experience, social and emotional wellbeing, and campus decarbonization goals. Using BU's Warren Towers as a model of decision making, this session will help you work through the possibilities of a major renovation on your campus with the aim of meeting student wellbeing and decarbonization objectives.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify criteria and metrics that respond to the internal and external interests of campus constituencies to determine residence hall needs for decarbonization and wellbeing.
2. Evaluate the opportunities and challenges in adapting mid-20th century residential halls to meet current student expectations for social and emotional wellbeing.
3. Assess cost-effective pathways to electrification and decarbonization, especially in converting a large high-rise structure to all-electric, saving embodied carbon, and other sustainable benefits that improve environmental health.
4. Explain how to use a value analysis process to structure decision-making in a way that facilitates buy-in from leadership.

Presenters:

James Loftus, Principal, Miller Dyer Spears Inc.
Gregg Snyder, Vice President, Campus Planning and Operations, Boston University

Delivered 04/07/2025.

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