Jacob Knowles | Built Environment CONNECTS

About

We have shifted net zero energy buildings from early adopters to the early majority. Now it is time to bring net zero to everyone.

As Chief Sustainability Officer at BR+A, I am responsible for the growth and success of BR+A's energy and sustainability practice. Our dedicated team is responsible for managing our highest performing projects.

We are working on multiple Zero Net Energy and Living Building projects, including campus master plans, academic facilities, healthcare facilities, highrises, and laboratories. For example, the Sbrega Building at Bristol Community College is the first ZNE-verified laboratory building in the U.S. This project received the highest commercial MA DOER Pathways to Zero Grant, a 2016 I2SL Go Beyond Award, and a 2017 AIA COTE Top Ten Award.

Experience

Building Types

Healthcare
Aviation
Education: Higher Ed
Industrial / Warehouse
Laboratory / Tech / Science
Mixed Use
Office

Achieved Project Certifications

LEED
LEED ZERO
Living Building Challenge
Living Building Challenge Petal Certification
ILFI Zero Carbon Certification
ILFI Zero Energy Certification
ILFI Core Green Building Certification

Awards

3x COTE Top Ten, 2x I2SL Go Beyond, Lab of the Year

Projects

Research and Development District

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

San Diego , CA | 2024

1.7M GSF

Net Zero (Achieving) The project is highly efficient AND ≥100% of the building energy is offset with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis. Energy consumption and renewable energy generation must be based on measured data.
Gateway Innovation Center

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

Somerville, MA | 2030

980K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.
66 Cambridge Street

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

Boston, MA | 2030

812K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.
1033-1055 Washington St, Boston

Director of Sustainable Design

Mixed Use

Boston, MA | 2030

667K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.
Wentworth Institute of Technology - 500 Huntington Ave, Boston

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

Boston, MA | 2030

660K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.
120 Middlesex Turnpike, Somerville- Brickyard Assembly Row

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

Somerville, MA | 2030

594K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.
1400 Boylston St, Boston

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

Boston, MA | 2030

553K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.
OneMilestone at Enterprise Research Campus

Director of Sustainable Design

Laboratory / Tech / Science

Boston, MA | 2025

540K GSF

Net Zero Ready Designed to be highly efficient and DOES NOT offset ≥100% of the building energy with on-site and/or off-site renewable energy, on a cumulative annual basis.