The Future of CRE Sustainability

Omnidian
  • 5.0 (3)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Future of CRE Sustainability, where innovation meets the built environment. In each episode, our host, Sean Swentek, VP of Marketing at Omnidian, speaks with industry leaders and pioneering professionals in the CRE sector. Join us as we uncover the strategies, best practices, and lessons learned that are shaping the future of sustainable commercial real estate. Note: This podcast used to be titled ”The Future of Commercial Real Estate.” The name was adjusted in October 2024 to better reflect the focus on clean energy within the CRE sector.

  1. EP 32 — Tower Companies' Luke Lanciano on Comfort Over Efficiency in Multifamily Sustainability

    OCT 23

    EP 32 — Tower Companies' Luke Lanciano on Comfort Over Efficiency in Multifamily Sustainability

    Luke Lanciano, Director of Sustainability at The Tower Companies, shows his expertise in his systematic approach to energy optimization: using 15-minute interval data to identify startup and shutdown inefficiencies, then connecting those energy peaks to the exact moments building engineers remember sweating through equipment failures on hot days. His method makes control system investments immediately tangible: when staff see how automated sequencing prevents the simultaneous startup spikes that create their worst workdays, they become advocates rather than obstacles.   Luke's multifamily strategy flips conventional wisdom by prioritizing comfort over efficiency targets, addressing the loudest 5% of complainers individually while implementing high-efficiency equipment for the other 95% during natural turnover periods. This approach has turned 1960s buildings into Energy Star performers in the mid-to-high 80s. His air quality framework cuts through measurement complexity: master temperature and humidity through proper airflow first, and everything else follows.   Topics discussed: Using 15-minute-interval energy data to optimize building startup sequences and eliminate simultaneous equipment load spikes Managing multifamily sustainability by prioritizing tenant comfort over efficiency targets while upgrading equipment during turnover Implementing real-time kilowatt monitoring as the primary daily metric for building operations teams and energy management Balancing rooftop solar construction projects with tenant relationships to prevent lease terminations during installation phases Simplifying air quality management by focusing on temperature and humidity control before measuring advanced indoor air metrics Converting 1960s multifamily buildings into Energy Star performers through systematic high-efficiency equipment replacement during vacancies Leveraging sustainability certifications like LEED to meet increasing commercial tenant RFP requirements Positioning solar as the fastest-growing commercial energy source despite battery storage limitations and nuclear construction delays

    35 min
  2. EP 31 — Colliers' Raul Saavedra on The PUE Aha Moment That Changed the Sector

    OCT 9

    EP 31 — Colliers' Raul Saavedra on The PUE Aha Moment That Changed the Sector

    Data centers now consume unprecedented amounts of electricity, but the industry hasn't abandoned sustainability. It's adapting at scale. Raul Saavedra, Vice Chair, Head of Data Center Advisory, Americas at Colliers, highlights how data center lease structures have shifted from full-service turnkey operations to core-and-shell triple net arrangements, driven by the massive scale of modern facilities and tenant preferences for control. This structural change redistributes sustainability responsibilities but doesn't diminish them, since hyperscale tenants maintain strong environmental commitments regardless of lease type.   The conversation also turns to practical optimization strategies, including how data centers achieve better PUE, the key metric operators monitor to measure system efficiency and sustainability performance. Simple innovations like using outside air for natural cooling through louvers can dramatically reduce energy consumption. Looking ahead, Raul predicts a shift toward smaller, more manageable power distributions in metropolitan areas rather than today's massive centralized facilities. He also addresses common misconceptions, particularly around water usage, explaining how many data centers employ closed-loop recycling systems rather than consuming fresh water continuously.   Topics discussed:   Data center lease structures shifting from turnkey full-service to core-and-shell triple net arrangements due to massive scale PUE metrics as the primary sustainability measurement for data center operational efficiency and design performance Outside air cooling through louvers that dramatically reduce energy consumption in data centers Nuclear power gaining momentum as the preferred renewable energy source for data centers over solar and wind options Water recycling misconceptions addressed through closed-loop systems that reuse rather than continuously consume fresh water resources Investment mistakes in sustainable infrastructure driven by seeking immediate gratification instead of patient long-term capital approaches Load flexibility agreements between hyperscale tenants and operators to manage production versus non-production energy demands Future data center design trending toward smaller, distributed facilities with manageable power requirements in metropolitan markets

    32 min
  3. EP 30 — Gaia Development's Grant Waldron on Energy Modeling Accuracy vs Human Behavior Reality

    OCT 9

    EP 30 — Gaia Development's Grant Waldron on Energy Modeling Accuracy vs Human Behavior Reality

    Grant Waldron, Director of Sustainability Strategy at Gaia Development, asserts that sustainable building practices generate immediate financial returns as well as long-term environmental benefits. His work at Gaia spans more than 100 million square feet, including the first LEED speculative building ever constructed. Grant tells Sean how regulatory requirements like California's new life cycle assessment mandates for buildings over 100,000 square feet create competitive advantages for developers who understand the financial optimization opportunities hidden within sustainability compliance.    Grant’s team consistently delivers commissioning studies that recoup their costs within the first year through identified inefficiencies, and his approach to materials optimization has saved clients hundreds of thousands in concrete costs by reducing slab thickness without compromising structural integrity. He warns that the window for electrification planning is closing rapidly, as major corporate tenants with 2030 net zero commitments will abandon facilities with gas systems during the 2029 lease renewal cycle.   Topics discussed:   The misconception that sustainable building costs more when integrated design actually reduces expenses. How life cycle assessments identify cost-saving opportunities like reducing concrete slab thickness to save carbon and construction costs. Integrating energy modeling with life cycle assessments to balance building shell efficiency investments and renewable energy system sizing. Why commissioning and ongoing building audits consistently recoup their costs within the first year through identified inefficiencies and system adjustments. The growing sophistication of tenant sustainability demands, including roof rights negotiations and requirements for certified buildings. How the 2029 lease renewal cycle will force major corporations with 2030 net zero commitments to abandon facilities with gas systems. Practical future-proofing strategies like conduit placement during initial construction to avoid expensive retrofits for EV charging and solar. Advanced water management approaches, particularly greywater systems in markets like San Francisco. The reality gap between energy modeling predictions and actual building performance, driven primarily by unpredictable human behavior and operational variations.

    36 min
  4. EP 29 — Bridge Investment Group's Isela Rosales on Assessing Your Climate VaR

    OCT 9

    EP 29 — Bridge Investment Group's Isela Rosales on Assessing Your Climate VaR

    Property owners who run their own catastrophe modeling scenarios are gaining unprecedented negotiating power in today's brutal insurance marketplace. At Bridge Investment Group, this proactive approach is reshaping how commercial real estate tackles climate risk and secures coverage where others can't.   Isela Rosales, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainability & Responsibility, tells Sean how forward-thinking property owners are using third-party software to run hurricane, wildfire, and flooding scenarios across their portfolios. By calculating maximum loss exposure and presenting mitigation strategies to insurers, they're securing coverage in markets like California where it's becoming nearly impossible to obtain.   Topics discussed:   Implementing climate value at risk (climate VaR) assessments using third-party software to run various scenario analyses across portfolios. Translating physical climate risk models into maximum loss calculations and financial impact projections for insurance negotiations. Securing whole-building utility histories, MEP system records, and renewable energy feasibility studies during property acquisitions to prevent critical data loss. Leveraging tenant sustainability commitments to drive property selection decisions based on green certifications and emission reduction capabilities. Capitalizing on tenant-driven demand for smart building technology and renewable energy features to increase occupancy rates and rent growth. Adapting to LEED Version 5 requirements where 50% of scoring points focus on operational energy performance, electrification, and embodied carbon materials. Using shadow metering technology for real-time utility data collection when traditional utility company data access fails. Integrating BAS and BMS for enhanced energy optimization and tenant comfort monitoring. Applying UN SDGs and GIIN IRIS metrics frameworks to align social impact initiatives with environmental sustainability programs. Implementing energy transition strategies through building electrification, converting gas furnaces, boilers, and water heaters to electric alternatives.

    46 min
  5. EP 28 — JLL's David Kollmorgen on Managing 100 Small Energy Wins vs One Big Solution

    OCT 9

    EP 28 — JLL's David Kollmorgen on Managing 100 Small Energy Wins vs One Big Solution

    What happens when a Fortune 200 company tracks carbon reduction as closely as P&L performance? At JLL, it created a shift from viewing sustainability as a cost center to treating it as a core business driver across 30,000 megawatt hours of annual consumption.   David Kollmorgen, Global Head of Real Estate, outlines how their sustainability program evolved from basic invoice reporting to enterprise-level value creation. By implementing P&G's "power of and" framework — sustainability measures must deliver same or lower costs while meeting corporate priorities — they've broken the false choice between profitability and environmental impact.   But that's just the foundation, he tells Sean. From deploying nuclear baseload strategies over traditional renewables to implementing digital twins that predict occupancy levels, David's team is creating systematic approaches to corporate real estate that prioritize measurable outcomes over operational excellence while building toward net zero by 2030.   Topics discussed: Implementing a "power of and" framework that requires sustainability measures to deliver same or lower costs while meeting corporate priorities. Defining corporate real estate around three enterprise outcomes: reducing cost to serve through portfolio optimization, improving workplace experience via productivity metrics, and hitting sustainability targets. Moving from short-term renewable energy credits to long-term Virtual Power Purchase Agreements that add new grid capacity. Betting on small-scale nuclear over solar and wind for commercial real estate baseload power, with units sized for individual data centers or office buildings. Measuring individual device consumption across digital lobby signage, dual monitors, cafeteria equipment, and HVAC systems to identify multiple small efficiency gains that compound portfolio wide. Anticipating embodied carbon regulations that will require X% reduction from baseline metrics. Deploying digital twin technology for remote building management with real-time conference room utilization, occupancy levels, indoor air quality, and CO2 monitoring. Shifting from headcount-based space planning to utilization metrics with predictive analytics that forecast specific date occupancy for precise resource allocation.

    30 min
  6. EP 27 — RMR Group's John Forester on Common Area Energy Waste Savings

    AUG 21

    EP 27 — RMR Group's John Forester on Common Area Energy Waste Savings

    When you mix a mechanical engineering background with sustainability leadership, you add a unique precision to your energy and environmental strategies. John Forester, VP of Energy & Sustainability at The RMR Group, brings just to his oversight across tens of billions in alternative real estate assets. His technical background allows him to identify performance inefficiencies that pure sustainability professionals often miss, creating measurable business value alongside environmental benefits.   Managing sustainability across office, medical, life science, industrial, and residential properties has taught John that successful programs require different stakeholder education at each project phase, not just template solutions. His approach prioritizes demonstrable business cases over environmental messaging, recognizing that cost-conscious property owners need clear financial justification before considering secondary societal benefits.   Topics discussed:   The myth that sustainability programs become self-sustaining after initial success, when each new project actually requires fresh stakeholder education. How financial performance remains the primary driver of sustainability adoption, while secondary community and societal benefits are gaining recognition among forward-thinking organizations. The importance of longer-term investment horizons in high-capital-cost environments, shifting from 3-5-year outlooks to 10-20-year planning cycles for maximum sustainability impact. Data-driven approaches to multifamily common area optimization, using actual resident usage patterns rather than following standard amenity templates. Location-dependent EV charging deployment strategies in multifamily properties, driven by visible demand from residents and prospective tenants seeking premium amenities. Building automation system optimization through AI and machine learning applications that the established industry hasn't fully adopted, despite significant potential for performance improvements. Geographic variations in ESG reporting requirements, with TCFD providing universal asset protection frameworks for current and future buyers. The correlation between Energy Star scores, energy consumption per square foot, water usage metrics, and both occupancy rates and disposition values across nationwide portfolios. Building performance standards as regulatory risk exposure, requiring proactive capital planning decisions during equipment replacement cycles rather than reactive compliance measures. Technical inefficiencies in common area operations, particularly pool and fountain pumps running continuously for seasonally-used amenities, and HVAC systems operating in spaces with open doors. The evolution toward common sustainability language integration across all business divisions within commercial real estate organizations, moving beyond siloed environmental departments.

    21 min
  7. EP 26 — Greystar's Chris Laughman on Why Education Alone Fails at Changing Resident Behavior

    AUG 14

    EP 26 — Greystar's Chris Laughman on Why Education Alone Fails at Changing Resident Behavior

    What happens when you discover that 100% of energy engineers agree on the single most impactful action residents can take, yet most properties still can't get people to use it? At Greystar, managing over one million units globally, it sparked a complete rethink of how multifamily operators approach resident behavior and energy performance.   Christopher Laughman, Senior Director of Energy & Sustainability, walks Sean through how community-based social marketing is replacing the industry's default education-first approach. Instead of assuming residents need more information, his team identifies and removes friction points that prevent sustainable behaviors from becoming default choices.   The breakthrough came from understanding that residents who want to use programmable thermostats aren't motivated by energy savings — they want comfort. This insight, combined with Greystar's Green Star benchmarking system that processes 2.5 million meter readings monthly, is reshaping how the company targets its performance improvement efforts across 3,200 properties.   Topics discussed:   Applying community-based social marketing (CBSM) to multifamily properties by identifying friction points rather than assuming education gaps drive poor resident engagement. Creating Green Star benchmarking systems that compare individual property performance against peers in identical climate zones and building types to identify efficiency opportunities. Processing 2.5 million monthly meter readings through proactive data quality control that scrubs for gaps, duplicates, and missing dates before pushing to asset managers. Implementing the 25/25 performance rule by focusing improvement resources on bottom quartile performers rather than optimizing already efficient properties. Building resident listening sessions that uncover actual motivations behind thermostat usage, like comfort control rather than energy savings assumptions. Managing toilet flush valve retrofits that achieved 65% water bill reductions in student housing through proper equipment matching rather than universal solutions. Understanding building performance standards evolution from passive benchmarking compliance to active energy management across 56+ jurisdictions. Calculating Scope 3 emissions across 50,000+ suppliers where local contractors often lack their own emissions tracking capabilities. Evaluating solar investment frameworks where virtual net metering policies shift payback periods from 13 years to 5 years in select markets. Using bounded rationality theory to design resident engagement that accounts for limited time, information, and mental bandwidth rather than assuming rational decision-making.

    39 min
  8. EP 25 — Stoneweg's Thomas Stanchak on Testing Sustainability Upgrades with Real Residents

    AUG 7

    EP 25 — Stoneweg's Thomas Stanchak on Testing Sustainability Upgrades with Real Residents

    Thomas Stanchak, Managing Director of Sustainability at Stoneweg US, built their sustainability program from scratch using weekly animated videos to educate his team, proving that engagement comes before technology implementation. His education-first approach to transforming a $2+ billion multifamily portfolio focuses on economics over environmental messaging, recognizing that investment committees need financial evidence beyond "doing the right thing."   Thomas’ asset management background provides unique insight into precise leverage points for maximum impact. His systematic approach integrates sustainability across real estate investment cycles — timing initiatives around refinancing opportunities, acquisition due diligence, and disposition planning to amplify both financial returns and environmental outcomes. His framework treats multifamily properties as intimate environments where sustainability improvements must genuinely enhance quality of life rather than impose conservation sacrifices.   Topics discussed:   How asset management experience provides critical insight into sustainability program leverage points and implementation strategies rather than traditional corporate responsibility approaches. The importance of economics-focused messaging over environmental virtue signaling when building investment committee confidence for long-term sustainability capital commitments. Systematic integration of sustainability initiatives with real estate investment cycles, including acquisition planning, refinancing coordination, and disposition value optimization strategies. Why multifamily properties offer unique advantages for environmental impact through homogeneous asset types, resident relationship intimacy, and scalable technology deployment approaches. Data-driven approaches to achieving ambitious emissions reduction targets through focused building-level performance analysis rather than scattered technology implementations. Resident engagement strategies that position sustainability improvements as quality of life enhancements rather than conservation-focused restrictions or behavior modification programs. Solar technology adoption challenges in commercial real estate, including misconceptions about system operation, maintenance requirements, and performance monitoring capabilities. The evolution of battery storage beyond traditional monolithic systems toward integrated appliance-level grid interaction and DC architecture possibilities. ESG reporting landscape changes and why regulatory compliance should serve as a foundation rather than ceiling for sustainability program development. Shadow metering and building management system investments as foundational infrastructure for proactive asset monitoring and risk mitigation strategies.

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Welcome to The Future of CRE Sustainability, where innovation meets the built environment. In each episode, our host, Sean Swentek, VP of Marketing at Omnidian, speaks with industry leaders and pioneering professionals in the CRE sector. Join us as we uncover the strategies, best practices, and lessons learned that are shaping the future of sustainable commercial real estate. Note: This podcast used to be titled ”The Future of Commercial Real Estate.” The name was adjusted in October 2024 to better reflect the focus on clean energy within the CRE sector.

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