by: AIA New York and NYSERDA
The Buildings of Excellence Competition, administered by The New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), is a two-part RFP supporting the creation of replicable, clean, resilient, and carbon-neutral multifamily buildings supplying healthy and safe homes to New Yorkers at predictable costs.
Following the RFP’s fifth round of Demonstration funding—which closed applications earlier this fall—the Buildings of Excellence Early Design Support program offers design firms the unique opportunity to advance their expertise and focus on firm-wide impacts through research and development of high-performance multifamily homes. NYSERDA is currently accepting applications for new Early Design Support Partners interested in successfully integrating emission reduction and design attributes while improving health, comfort, safety, and productivity for occupants, in a manner that can be replicated at scale.
Early Design Support (EDS) Partners receive direct funding from the program to:
- Increase the firm’s technical proficiency in carbon neutrality.
- Build the practice and number of design firms in the carbon-neutral space.
- Push the design of a singular project setting the stage to transition the firm’s portfolio to be carbon neutral.
- Reduce barriers and soft costs that design firms may face by injecting funding at the very early design phase, when high impact decisions are being made to reduce upfront risks.
- Assist the design firm’s advocacy for securing carbon-neutral commitments from developers to increase the number of carbon-neutral projects and firms participating in the space.
The Early Design Support Partners advance case-study investigations and knowledge sharing to establish “business as usual” holistic emission reduction frameworks for progressive design, construction, and industry practices.
Partners are eligible to receive up to $1.50/square foot in direct funding, up to a cap of $150,000 per project, to complete carbon neutral research, modeling, early-stage applications for third party standards, economic analyses, integrated project delivery meetings, and more robust marketing and promotion plans to disseminate information out to the market.
Examples of in-depth investigations include alternative modeling, guideline feasibility, building component evaluation, construction method innovations, and emerging marketplace and economic opportunities.
Become an Early Design Support Partner >
About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975.
To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow on X, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.