Entuitive Delivers NYC Building Envelope Insights Following LL97 Public Hearing

Entuitive, the engineering consulting firm delivering industry-leading solutions to support the built environment, will today present building envelope strategies to comply with Local Law 97 at the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC) Metro New York Chapter’s industry event.

With a focus on how retrofitting the Building Envelope to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will help New York City reach LL97 sustainability compliance, IIBEC’s Re/Design & Reduce: Envelope Retrofits as a Tool to Reach Towards Carbon Neutrality event follows today’s public hearing from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) where newly proposed LL97 rules are being discussed.

With today’s public hearing set to further inform Owners and Managers of covered buildings on expectations around emissions and reporting deadlines, this evening’s IIBEC event will inform the public and the building industry on a path towards decarbonization.

“Today is an opportunity for NYC’s building community and building envelope experts to consider our crucial role in achieving Local Law 97 compliance,” says Giulia Alimonti, AIA LEED AP, Vice-president of Building Envelope Services, Entuitive. “The building envelope is critical to successfully retrofitting a building to meet the new standards. In considering envelope design and retrofits as CO2 reduction tools, we’ll outline the key steps for design choices, energy and performance simulation, and assessment and financial planning.”

Local Law 97, passed in 2019, is a key component of NYC’s climate action plan aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, setting limits on the emissions of covered buildings in NYC, with measurements beginning in 2024. ‘Covered buildings’ generally includes buildings that exceed 25,000 gross square feet. There are approximately 40,000 covered buildings in the city, which make up 60% of NYC’s building area.

As stated on the City’s Sustainable Buildings site, buildings are the single-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in NYC. The City is encouraging building owners to help reach the goal of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by the year 2030 and 80% reduction in citywide emissions by calendar year 2050.

With outdated heating, cooling, and electrical systems in many buildings leading to high operational carbon emissions, building decarbonization strategies that include the building envelope must drive the conversation between owners and building envelope consultants.

“After today’s public hearing, we’re anticipating more urgency from owners to educate themselves on which steps they must take. If owners don’t address building performance, the city estimates that 20-25% of buildings will exceed emissions limits next year,” says Alimonti. “While the City and the DOB are developing guidance for owners of all types of buildings, it’s important to consider partnering with industry experts to inform financial planning and energy efficiency planning, mapping out early and foreseeable future steps.”

Alimonti, who is moderating today’s IIBEC panel at the event, has a reputable career of envelope consulting, commissioning and façade inspection and repair services across NYC, including façade restoration and window replacement to prominent NYC buildings. These include the ACE Hotel, as well as at the NoMad Hotel, along with the award-winning exterior restoration work at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Today’s Re/Design & Reduce event also includes panelist Chris Van Dongen, Senior Building Envelope Specialist at Entuitive. Van Dongen, a sustainable design expert involved in high-performing building envelope systems, has implemented energy efficient upgrades for several high-rise properties across North America.

Attendees will include owners, architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturing, and namely, building envelope consultants.  These professionals will have a major hand in helping New York City reach compliance on May 1, 2025.