
Decarbonization for Health Equity & Community Resilience

The increased urgency of our climate crisis and global health emergencies demand responses that recognize decarbonization is directly correlated to health equity and community resilience.
Through examining 1) indoor air quality and the right to positive health outcomes; 2) adaptive reuse strategies, the circular economy, and electrification; and 3) case studies demonstrating what “good” looks like through responsible building in projects and practice, this year’s thought leadership summit will take a systems-approach to explore high-impact decarbonization strategies that nurture our communities and ecosystems.
- How do we redefine “standard of care” to ensure climate-smart solutions?
- What does it look like to co-create with community to achieve our goals?
- How do we design resilient and adaptable buildings that can evolve?
- Ultimately, how do we leverage our shared responsibility to support a sustainable future?
Join us online, May 8-9, 2023, 9am-2pm both days, for AIA Seattle’s 2023 (Virtual) Climate Summit: Decarbonization for Health Equity & Community Resilience! Purchase a Summit pass for discounted access to both days of programming (8 LU/HSW). Once announced, single session registration will be available for the keynote presentation on May 8, 9am PT (2 LU/HSW).
COST
Includes continuing education credit (8 LU/HSW). All sessions and speakers subject to change.
$60 AIA Member
$60 Government + Partners
$30 Associate Member
$90 Non-Member
FREE Student
Early Bird Deadline: Monday, April 24, 2022. After this time, the price increases 15%. Registration Deadline: Friday, May 5, 5:00pm PT.
This is a 2-day program consisting of four two-hour sessions. Participants must attend the full program in order to receive continuing education credit or a certificate of completion. All registration and credit questions can be directed to Andrea Aguilera.
Reduced rate options are available (priority given to AIA members). Please submit the Continuing Education Scholarship / Reduced Rate Request Form via email by Monday, April 24, 5:00pm PT.
MONDAY May 8
Opening Keynote – To Be Announced!
Session 1 | 9:00 – 11:00am PT | Opening Keynote
Be the first to hear about the official keynote announcement by subscribing to our enews here! Once announced, keynote ONLY registration will be available, price varies $0-30.
Community Engagement: Air Quality & Positive Health Outcomes
Session 2 | 12:00 – 2:00pm PT | Panel Discussion
- Megan Dunn | Chair, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
- Sarah Gudeman | Building Science Practice Lead, BranchPattern
- More speakers to be announced soon!
We must prioritize system-solution approaches that positively impact environmental and occupational health outcomes for communities. This session will explore the co-benefits of climate mitigation strategies and our right to health with a primary focus on examining air quality.
TUESDAY May 9
Community Assets: Existing Buildings & Equitable Infrastructure
Session 3 | 9:00 – 11:00am PT | Panel Discussion
- Moderator: Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED Fellow, Principal – Design, Preservation, Sustainability | Goody Clancy
- Larry Strain, FAIA, LEED AP, Founding Principal | Siegel & Strain Architects
- Stephanie Marie Phillips, Deconstruction & Circular Economy Program Manager | City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation
- More speakers to be announced soon!
Now accounting for half of US architecture billings, there is tremendous potential to leverage existing buildings as a resource in climate action, community resiliency, and the livability of neighborhoods. Architects are uniquely positioned to utilize new tools in developing more holistic solutions to traditionally disparate silos of infrastructure improvement. How do we find new life for existing buildings and demonstrate their ability to lower overall building emissions. How can sensitive building solutions to preservation support communal healing? And how do we identify the most urgent needs and accelerate response? This session will make the case for the benefits of renovation over new construction for embodied carbon saving, long-term health, and community vibrancy.
Accelerating a Community of Practice: Celebrating Climate Smart Solutions
Session 4 | 12:00 – 2:00pm PT | Panel Discussion
- Moderator: Leon M. Holloway, NOMA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, Project Architect | DLR Group
- Jeryl Aman, AIA, Architect, Associate | MSR Design
- Kathleen Hetrick, LEED AP BD+C, EcoDistricts AP, Sustainability Engineer | Buro Happold
- Megan Altendorf, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate, Senior Architect | MASS Design Group
- James Kitchin, CEng MICE, EDGE Expert, Director of Engineering and Performance & Provenance | MASS Design Group
The final session will highlight case studies of firms and projects that are moving the needle, providing meaningful examples for all practitioners to advance regenerative design goals. We will explore equitable practice, community building, and high-impact research as grounds for inspiring our shared work to foster a just, resilient, and thriving future. Could we implement at least one new climate smart strategy on every project?
ATTENDEE RESOURCES PAGE
The password-protected attendee resources page is intended only for participants of Decarbonization for Health Equity & Community Resilience. Attendees will receive the password after completely registration.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Discover the architect’s role in accelerating a decarbonized built environment and meeting our shared needs though environmental justice, health equity, and community resiliency.
- Explore architectural design solutions that influence building decarbonization through a systemic and collaborative approach.
- Consider critical approaches for mitigating environmental and health impacts, including responsible material sourcing, air quality evaluation, and electrification strategies.
- Explore existing buildings as an untapped resource in climate action, community resiliency, and livability.
- Evaluate interventions that make actionable differences in reducing atmospheric carbon produced by the built environment while mitigating the downstream impacts.
- Investigate regulatory frameworks and funding sources that support health equity through responsible building at varying project scales.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2023 SUMMIT SPONSORS
Arup | Berger Partnership | Fsi Engineers | Holmes | BNBuilders | LPD Engineering
Osborn Consulting Incorporated | PAE | Puget Sound Energy
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PLANNING TASK FORCE
Ali Lee, Health and Equity Electrification Specialist
Jay Hindmarsh, AIA, LFA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Sustainability Services Lead | The Miller Hull Partnership
Jordan Lee, PE, Lead Mechanical Engineer | McKinstry
Justin Schwartzhoff, AIA LFA, Embodied Carbon Research Lead | LMN Architects
Kim Fong, AIA LFA, LEED Legacy, Senior Project Architect | Perkins & Will
Registration or Credit Questions?
Contact Andrea Aguilera, Senior Programs Coordinator at AIA Seattle
Program Questions?
Contact Zoe Guckenheimer, Programs Manager at AIA Seattle
Sponsorship Questions?
Contact Melissa K. Neher, Executive Director at AIA Seattle