COTE: Life-Cycle Assessments
The building sector is the single largest contributor of global GHG emissions, and as we continue to improve the operational efficiency of our building stock, embodied carbon emissions generated from the production of materials and construction processes are increasingly impactful. Addressing the embodied carbon inherent in building materials and products is imperative to meet our larger shared goals of battling climate change. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a strategy for architects, engineers, and contractors to measurably reduce this carbon impact and drive market change towards a more sustainable future. In this presentation Brad Benke and Stacy Smedley will highlight the ways in which design teams and builders can start to bring LCA into their practices throughout all phases of a project. Attendees will leave with a set of guiding principles for minimizing embodied carbon today, and an outline of key windows of opportunity for maximizing the positive impact of their projects.
Speakers:
Stacy H. Smedley, LEED BD+C, Living Future Accredited
Director of Sustainability, Skanska USA Building
Stacy has a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Washington, and 15 years in the architecture and construction professions. Her resume includes the first LEED for Homes Platinum certified project in Washington State as well as the first project in the world to be certified under Living Building Version 2.0 standards, the Bertschi School Living Science Building in Seattle. At Skanska, Stacy leads sustainable initiatives and opportunities, and is considered a subject matter expert in LEED and Living Building Challenge certifications, with a passion for reducing materials toxicity and carbon emissions associated with construction. Stacy is committed to educating and engaging the AEC community on sustainable design and construction, and has served in various advisory and leadership roles, including: Chair of the Washington Businesses for Climate Action; Advisory Board Member for the University of Washington Carbon Leadership Forum; Construction Taskforce Chair for the Embodied Carbon Network; Advisory Group Member for AIA Materials Working Group; and Emerging Professional Regional Chair for USGBC. She is an experienced speaker, and a 2012 Living Building Challenge Hero.
Brad Benke AIA, LEED AP
Project Architect, McLennan Design
Brad is an architect at McLennan Design – a regenerative design firm specializing in net positive and Living Building Challenge projects. Brad has a passion for creating carbon-smart buildings and on every project, he strives to elevate design teams to go beyond industry standards through intense collaboration and integrated design. Throughout his career Brad has lead life-cycle assessment research and project-based studies to reduce the embodied carbon of projects and develop LCA standards for the profession. He has presented his work on sustainable design to various audiences including the AIA National Conference and USGBC’s Greenbuild.
Brad is a LEED accredited professional, a former Co-chair of AIA Seattle’s Committee on the Environment, and an active contributor to the University of Washington’s Carbon Leadership Forum.
Register by May 28. Contact Connor Descheemaker with any questions.
