Decarbonization

Within the last few years, the industry has recognized that designing buildings to operate more efficiently is not enough to keep global temperatures under the 1.5-degree threshold that scientists believe will enable us to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of climate change. We must also reduce embodied carbon, defined as the carbon emitted in association with the extraction, manufacturing, transport, and demolition of building materials.

Embodied carbon is found in all building materials but is most heavily concentrated in steel, concrete (specifically cement), aluminum and glass. Because of this, our short-term goals are focused on structural and envelope design, using life cycle assessments to help us understand the order of magnitude impact of these materials and lower impact alternatives, such as wood, bamboo, cork, and cement alternatives.

Our structural engineering practice evaluates options ranging from “low hanging fruit” strategies, specifications and substitutions to assessing opportunities for mass timber structures. In addition, we evaluate options to make changes to envelope designs as well as influence interior materials selections through the lens of embodied carbon reduction.

We have invested in life cycle cost analysis tools to measure design embodied carbon impacts and are dedicate to educating our clients on the value of prioritizing building reuse.