Leigh Christy, FAIA, and Dalton Ho Tackle Embodied Carbon at USBGC Los Angeles

Leigh Christy opened the discussion by emphasizing the significance of embodied carbon savings occurring before a building is constructed, as opposed to operational energy, which can be saved over time. “These savings must be addressed holistically with all key stakeholders,” Leigh continued, “including the architect, structural engineer, and contractor; the entire team is integral to addressing whole-life carbon.”

Leigh and Dalton were joined by DCI Engineers’ Ethan Martin and Skanska USA’s Tolga Tutar. The quartet presented this holistic approach to sustainable practice using one of the Los Angeles studio’s most recent projects as a case study, a new 15-story core and shell office building for Skanska Commercial development currently under entitlement and slated to pursue ILFI Zero Carbon and LEED Platinum Certifications.

“We leaned hard into ‘sustainovation’ on multiple fronts,” Leigh said, closing her opening remarks, “a new type of exterior biophilic office space to lower EUI, a performative design-to-fabrication façade…and explorations into a mass timber high-rise. Combined, they would help us achieve our net zero carbon goal.”