Phil Valko

Washington University in St. Louis

Educational Institution

 

Member profile details

First Name
Phil
Last Name
Valko
Organization
Washington University in St. Louis
 

Additional information

Industry Sector: Employer Category
Educational Institution
Industry Sub-Sector: Position
Administrator
 

Green Building Expertise

Areas of Expertise
Net zero energy, district-scale solutions, occupant engagement, alternative transportation, energy efficiency
Green Building Expertise Recognition #1 (Include direct link to publication / recognition)
Phil has worked in close collaboration with faculty, students, and staff to test net zero energy strategies in 100-year-old multi-family buildings. The project is rare green building version of a twin study, with a control and experimental building that sit side by side. The project was featured on the Archinect website:

http://archinect.com/news/article/149944703/an-architectural-twin-study
Green Building Expertise Recognition # 2 (Include direct link to publication / recognition)
Phil has spoken at three conferences on net zero energy strategies from the building-scale to the campus-scale alongside collaborators from Stanford University, Cornell University, Sasaki Associates, Buro Happold, and Bristol Community College. The conferences include the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) annual international conference in 2014 and 2015, as well as the 2015 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) annual conference.
Green Building Expertise Recognition # 3 (Include direct link to publication / recognition)
Phil is actively involved in a number of efforts working to advance low-carbon energy issues. He served on the Governor-appointed steering committee charged with developing a comprehensive state energy plan for Missouri: https://energy.mo.gov/energy/docs/MCSEP.pdf. He partnered with Ameren, Saint Louis University, and Missouri S&T to plan and host the 2016 Sustainable Energy Future conference: http://sefconf.mst.edu/. He is working with researchers from 6 global universities to create a network of global solar photovoltaic testing facilities.
Green Building Expertise Recognition # 4 (Include direct link to publication / recognition)
Phil worked with an extensive group of partners to develop and served as the lead author of the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan for Sustainable Operations for Washington University in St. Louis. The plan is among the most comprehensive higher education sustainability plans in the US due to the inclusion of in-depth action plans to support the high-level goals and objectives. Phil organized a session for the 2016 AASHE Conference on "Next-Level Sustainability Planning" and will present with colleagues from Yale University, and the University of British Columbia.

The plan can be viewed online: http://sustainability.wustl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/87742_WashU_SUST_Web-FINAL.pdf
Green Building Expertise Recognition # 5 (Include direct link to publication / recognition)
In 2012, Phil led the development of the Sustainable Land Lab Competition, a partnership between the City of St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis, which generated and tested ideas to re-frame vacant land as an asset to advance sustainability. The Sustainable Land Lab was featured on NPR's nationally-syndicated MarketPlace, as well as on local TV, newspapers, and online coverage. The Sustainable Land Lab Competition has been adapted/replicated in at least two other cities.

http://landlab.wustl.edu/news-and-media/
Green Building Expertise Recognition # 6 (Include direct link to publication / recognition)
In the areas of alternative transportation, urban planning, and public health, Phil served as the lead author of the Healthy, Active & Vibrant Community (HAVC) Toolkit that was developed in partnership with over a dozen collaborators, including the Missouri Gateway Chapter of the USGBC. While at Trailnet, Phil worked with the Missouri Foundation for Health to secure federal funding to replicate the HAVC initiative in seven communities throughout the state of Missouri.

The Toolkit can be viewed online:
https://issuu.com/trailnet/docs/toolkit/1


return to USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter website