How is Decarbonization Changing Architecture and Design?

Tackling climate change requires urgent action across all industries. In the built environment, decarbonization is a critical step towards reducing emissions from materials, construction, and building operations.

On this episode of the Gensler Design Exchange podcast, Gensler’s sustainability leaders, Rives Taylor, Katie Mesia, and Abby Young, explore decarbonization in the built environment and share insights from their experiences working on diverse projects. They define key carbon-related concepts and detail resilience strategies implemented in case studies. The guests highlight the importance of setting collaborative goals with forward-thinking clients. Bringing perspectives from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast, the conversation addresses approaches for both new construction and existing building stock.

The podcast discussion focuses on strategies to quantify and reduce embodied and operational carbon in the built environment, as well as the role of biophilic design, rewilding, and educating building occupants. Practical takeaways provide actionable guidance on material selection, construction techniques, and stakeholder engagement.

Top 5 Takeaways

1. Consider both embodied and operational carbon.
2. Collaborate with clients from the start.
3. Choose local, natural materials and design for reuse.
4. Rewilding provides carbon sequestration benefits.
5. Educate occupants for long-term success.