Beyond the Blueprint: TOWER PROJECT

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE EMERGING PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEE

Date:     Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Time: Noon to 1pm
AIA Credits: 1 HSW PDH
Cost: $5
Venue: Zoom

1. IdeCourse Description
   During her master’s studies at the University at Buffalo, Ana Ines Pereira contributed to research as part of the Technologies for One Water in Extremely Resilient (TOWER) Buildings project. This interdisciplinary initiative integrates architecture, chemistry, and environmental and chemical engineering to advance innovative strategies for net-zero water buildings. The presentation explores the design and implementation of closed-loop water systems that reduce potable water demand, improve water reuse, and enhance building resilience. Emphasis is placed on how these systems address critical health, safety, and welfare (HSW) considerations in urban environments increasingly impacted by drought, flooding, and climate change. Attendees will gain insight into emerging technologies, performance metrics, and design approaches that support sustainable water management and resilient building systems.

   Learning Objectives

   1. Identify the core principles of net-zero water building design and their impact on occupant health, safety, and welfare.

   2. Evaluate closed-loop water system strategies, including water reuse and treatment technologies, for application in urban building design.

   3. Analyze the risks associated with climate-related water challenges (e.g., drought, flooding) and how resilient water systems mitigate these impacts.

   4. Apply interdisciplinary design approaches to integrate water management systems into buildings in a way that meets sustainability goals and regulatory considerations.