Building Reuse and Decarbonization Webinar Series

The AIA VA HRC and COTE are pleased to announce the “Building Reuse and Decarbonization” webinar series.  This four-part series, will showcase the overlaps between the historic preservation and sustainability that help reduce our carbon footprint.

The building industry is one of the largest producers of the carbon emissions. By adapting existing buildings to support contemporary needs, rather than demolishing and building new, we can avoid emitting thousands of tons of carbon into the atmosphere.  With the growing shift toward renovation over new construction, this webinar series will show how the renewal of existing buildings as high-performance facilities creates a sustainable and resilient world. The series brings together leading experts in architecture, interior design, sustainability, and electrical engineering.

Schedule:

6/18 from 12:00-1:30pm: Old Buildings are the Future – Sara Langmead, AIA, PE, LEED AP, Associate, Senior Architect, Quinn Evans – submitted for AIA CES approval

Explore the transformative potential of building reuse as a powerful tool for climate action and social impact. By prioritizing the reuse and preservation of existing structures, we can significantly reduce embodied carbon while also reinforcing the unique identity of our communities. As architectural practice evolves, the focus will increasingly shift toward adapting existing buildings to meet the changing needs of society, offering a more sustainable and thoughtful approach to urban development. This presentation delves into four compelling case studies of adaptive reuse: Marie Reed Elementary in Washington, DC; the American Brewery in Baltimore; Open Works Maker Space in Baltimore; and Michigan Central Station in Detroit. These projects exemplify how the thoughtful transformation of existing buildings can lead to measurable sustainability outcomes, foster equity and inclusion, and honor our shared history. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies, practical outcomes, and valuable lessons learned from these projects, showcasing the vital role of adaptive reuse in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future.

6/25 from 12:00-1:30pm: Holistic Regenerative Materials & Bio-Based Innovations: Advancing Historic Resources and Climate Resilience with mindful MATERIALS – Linda Sorrento, FASID, LEED Fellow, IIDA, COO, Emerita – Mindful Materials – submitted for AIA CES approval

The time has come for “more walk and less talk” in the creation, specification, and use of building materials that protect, restore, and enhance the health of humans and ecosystems. This presentation will explore how mindful MATERIALS’ Common Material Framework (CMF) is evolving to meet the pressing need for decarbonization in building reuse and historic preservation. Tracing its development from the AIA Materials Pledge to alignment with industry reporting standards, we’ll examine how this framework supports sustainable material choices and decarbonization goals. The session will also highlight the rising movement of bio-based materials, showing how these innovations contribute to both the preservation of historic resources and the advancement of climate resilience. Join us to discover how regenerative materials can foster both sustainable reuse of historic buildings and a more resilient, low-carbon future.

7/9 from 12:00-1:30pm: Electrification/Decarbonization of Historic Properties – Developing Carbon Master Plan, Effective Implementation Strategies, and Management of Operational Carbon –  Hallah Abodaff, PE, LEED AP, Managing Principal at Loring’s Washington, DC office – submitted for AIA CES approval

This presentation will discuss building electrification as a key component of a wholistic decarbonization strategy that should rely on a carbon master plan.  The initial step in this master plan is a carbon audit of building energy sources and energy end-uses to establish a carbon benchmark.  The masterplan should examine various system options with emphasis on appropriate and historically sensitive solutions.  The presentation will discuss examples of electrification strategies such as traditional heat pumps, modular chiller/heaters, heat rejection chillers, geothermal exchange systems or wastewater exchange systems.  System selection may also consider coupling the electrified system with thermal or electric storage.  The presentation will highlight the Michigan State Capitol Infrastructure Upgrades as an example of an electrification solution for a National Historic Landmark that relies on a geothermal exchange system.

7/23 from 12:00-1:30pm: Carbon Counts: Quantifying the Value of Existing Building Stewardship – Denise Gravelle, AIA, LEED AP, Architect, Sustainability Specialist, Quinn Evans – submitted for AIA CES approval

Often the value of existing buildings is in objective measures, including sense of place and history as well as community connection. This presentation will illustrate how existing building stewardship is powerful beyond these measures, as it is a powerful force for climate action by addressing carbon in existing buildings. It will also illustrate how thoughtful design and an intentional approach focused on resilient regeneration can be applied successfully and achieve renewed purpose for the fabric of our communities, implemented in a manner that considers and aims for equity for all. Explore the tools available and approaches being used to evaluate challenges and opportunities, weigh cost-benefits to practices and interventions, and measure levels of success.

AIA Member – $15 (for the series)
Non-member – $20 (for the series)
Students – FREE (for the series)

Register Here