AIA/CKC October Program - Transforming Spaces with Cool Surfaces: Cool Your Buildings and Communities

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 21, 11:45 am - 1:15 pm.

Location: Builders Exchange, 2300 Meadow Dr #100, Louisville, KY 40218

Cost: Free for AIA members, $10 for non members

AIA Credit: 1 AIA LU (HSW) (Applied for)

Many cities and states across the U.S. have long embraced the use of solar reflective “cool” roofs to reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and the impacts of the urban heat island (UHI) effect. In Louisville, the Metro Government offers a cool roof incentive program to help combat the city’s urban heat islands. Cool pavements are not far behind, with cities like LA, Phoenix, and San Antonio implementing pilots and programs. However, leveraging the power of vertical surfaces to reflect solar radiation and keep unwanted heat out of our homes, businesses, and schools is another design strategy that architects, designers, and engineers can employ to help cool our communities as we face more intense and frequent heat waves and all-around warmer weather.

In this one-hour seminar, Maria Koetter will set the local context by describing Louisville’s UHI mitigation efforts, including the cool roof rebate and a cool pavement pilot project. Audrey McGarrell will describe the co-benefits of cool surfaces, with a special focus on solar-reflective exterior walls, and how materials are tested and rated; the important role of third-party ratings in compliance and enforcement; identifying products that qualify for LEED and Green Globes credits; development of codes and standards that prescribe the use of cool-surface materials; and how technical innovation in product development has opened up the near limitless possibilities for capturing energy savings and boosting resilience through the building envelope.

Learning Objectives

Describe the surface radiative properties of solar reflectance and thermal emittance.
Explain how cool surfaces can reduce a building’s solar heat gain and lower temperatures of buildings and surrounding communities.
Identify roof and wall products that qualify for LEED and Green Globes heat island reduction credits.
Access free online resources that are designed to aid architects, specifiers, contractors, engineers, plan checkers, and inspectors in code and program compliance and for calculating energy savings.

About the Speakers

Audrey McGarrell is the Communications Manager of the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings objective, scientific information related to cool surfaces to critical discussions and informed decisions about the impacts of heat islands, extreme heat, and energy use in the built environment. Audrey manages the CRRC’s Education Committee and supports education and outreach efforts, including developing educational resources and speaking at events for the roofing and wall product industries and end-users. She also manages public relations, social media, and other marketing and communications activities. She previously managed the organization’s Technical Committee, Wall Rating Program Committee, and the 2022 launch and early operation of the CRRC Wall Rating Program. Prior to joining the CRRC in 2021, Audrey worked in building product certification, managing certification programs for steel framing products and other third-party quality assurance programs. She holds a B.A. in Spanish, a Master of Public Administration, and a LEED Green Associate credential.

Maria Koetter is the Climate and Sustainability Specialist at CoolSeal LLC. Maria has specialized expertise in reflective surface technologies and best practices in the built environment to manage urban warming. She provides market leadership towards advancing the use of cool surfaces through participation on the Cool Roof Rating Council’s Education Committee and U.S. Green Building Councils LEED for Cities and Communities Consensus Committee. She directly supports clients with CoolSeal’s cool pavement installation and demonstration programs as well as leads a webinar series and community outreach efforts. Maria formerly worked at the Global Cool Cities Alliance and engaged with leaders and subject matter experts from cities, universities, and federal agencies to advance the body of knowledge and use of reflective surfaces. She also developed and led the Cool Roadways Partnership. Maria previously served as Louisville, Kentucky’s first Director of Sustainability and led city-wide sustainability planning, policy development and program implementation. Maria developed Louisville’s first comprehensive sustainability plan “Sustain Louisville” in 2013. Under her direction, the City conducted the first-of-its kind urban heat island study that identified action steps to effectively reduce urban warming. Maria subsequently launched Louisville’s Cool Roof Incentive program based on the study recommendations. Maria also led the City’s Division of Community Forestry and green infrastructure programs. She holds a BS in Biology and a LEED AP credential.