Advancing Decarbonization: Embodied Carbon Reductions Enter California Building Code

A pioneering update to California’s building code will require reductions in Embodied Carbon for commercial building projects. A panel of experts will discuss the implications, strategies, opportunities, and tools to advance embodied carbon reduction relative to the CALGreen code update.

The reduction of embodied carbon is a critical component to advancing a net-zero future for the built environment. On July 1st 2024, California will be the first US jurisdiction to mandate the disclosure and reduction of embodied carbon for commercial building projects in its building code. In addition to requiring manufacturer disclosure of embodied carbon for certain building materials, the CALGreen update will introduce three compliance paths for the reduction of embodied carbon in commercial construction. This panel will present work and experiences from a range of experts in embodied carbon and decarbonization considerations in architectural project delivery.

Moderator

Alex Rosenthal, AIA – Senior Associate, Heintges Consulting Architects and Engineers

Alex Rosenthal is a Senior Associate at Heintges Consulting Architects and Engineers based in Southern California. As a licensed architect and having worked with Heintges since 2016, his career has been dedicated to the realization of complex building enclosures with an ardent passion for architecture, performance-based design, and sustainable building practices.  Alex has collaborated internationally with some of the world’s leading architecture firms in the design and technical development of high-profile projects ranging from flagship retail to high-rise residential, commercial, office, laboratory, institutional and museum programs. Alex has been a guest lecturer and juror at multiple universities, a frequent public speaker at building enclosure industry events, and an active participant in professional organizations. With his involvement in AIA LA’s Building Performance and Regulations committee, Alex advocates for the dissemination of knowledge related to California sustainable building regulations, building performance, and enclosure systems. Alex holds degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Architecture and a Master of Architecture degree from Columbia University’s GSAPP where he received the Lucille Smysyer Lowenfish Memorial Prize.

Panelists

Pablo LaRoche, PhD, LEED AP BD+C – Principal & Sustainable Design Services Director, Arcadis, & Professor of Architecture at Cal Poly 

Pablo La Roche is a Principal & Sustainable Design Services Director at ARCADIS, where he leads the Architecture and Urbanism division’s global sustainability initiatives and works on projects worldwide. He is also a tenured Professor of Architecture at Cal Poly Pomona, where he teaches lecture courses and design studios with an emphasis on sustainability. Pablo holds a Ph.D. from the University of California Los Angeles and has authored over 150 technical papers and several books, including “Carbon Neutral Architectural Design,” with a third edition released in May 2024, and several book chapters, including the 2022 Routledge Manual on Thermal Comfort. Pablo has been a technical reviewer of numerous conferences and journals, juried design awards, chaired the Passive Low Energy Architecture PLEA 2016 conference in Los Angeles, and is past president of the Society of Building Science Educators, SBSE. His awards include the Fulbright by the US Department of State, the Chancellors Scholarship from UCLA, the IMPACT Award from the USGBC, and the NCARB Grand Prize.

Sophie Pennetier, Founding Director, Digne, & Adjunct Faculty at Sci-Arc

Sophie Pennetier is a structural engineer with expertise in façades and sustainability. She founded Digne in 2024 to support manufacturers and non-profits decarbonization in the built environment. Digne projects include glass recycling research and innovation, carbon-informed design and procurement support to manufacturers including Enclos, and other circularity projects. Her 17 years’ experience spans from consulting (with RFR, GNA, SHoP Construction, Arup) to contracting with Enclos, where she has lead Sustainability efforts until 2024.

Adjunct Faculty with SCI-Arc since ‘21, Sophie teaches Structures, Facades Tectonics and Embodied Carbon. Serving on the Board of Directors of the Façade Tectonics Institute, she has developed the FTI Carbon group research and grown its educational content. In 2023 she was awarded, in the individual category, the US Glass Sustainability Award for her contributions to industry research and education.

Seth Strongin,  LEED AP, WELL AP – Building Decarbonization Planning Director, HDR

Seth Strongin is the Building Decarbonization Planning Director for HDR. Based in Los Angeles, and serving North America, he develops strategies for achieving net zero carbon in the built environment. Seth’s areas of practice span decarbonization master planning and roadmapping, high performance design, existing building performance improvement, and urban energy infrastructure, including renewable energy, microgrids and zero emission vehicle infrastructure. Seth was recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 by Consulting Specifying Engineer and is a frequent public speaker. He actively participates in many professional organizations, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the USGBC-Los Angeles.

AIA CES: 1.5 LU|HSW

Learning Objectives

1. Understand Embodied Carbon considerations in architectural design and project delivery.
2. Review requirements and compliance pathways for the 2022 CALGreen July 1st code update requiring reductions in embodied carbon for commercial projects.
3. Learn about carbon reduction strategies, analysis methods, tools, and collaborative opportunities in managing project embodied carbon footprint.
4. Understand current and future efforts in advancing reductions of greenhouse gas emissions for the built environment.