Democratizing Decarbonization

1.5 AIA LU|HSW available

The annual AIAO COTE Green Champion Summit brings to you sustainability leaders from around the region and country. This year we gather to discuss how our already-strong efforts to reduce both carbon and greenhouse gasses can be bolstered by new legislation, technologies and practices which could steepen our approach to end climate change. 

Following the address, a panel of local experts on policy, technology and implementation will share with you the good news about recent legislation and incentives to help move the needle on Carbon sequestration and GHG reduction for architects and clients.  We will then shift the conversation to consider our collective responsibility as professionals in the design and building community to take action. 

As Keynote this year, we will hear from Jeff Tuft, AIA of ArchitecturalNexus. He will discuss the culture of ArchitecturalNexus, a firm that makes a priority of regenerative and sustainable projects. He will show, through several project case studies, the methods, materials and client-centered feedback tools they use to create increasingly resilient and excellent architectural projects.

Schedule: 

12:00 – 12:05 Welcome, Introductions, Event Format

12:05 – 12:10 Panel introductions

12:10 – 12:25 Keynote Address: Jeff Tuft (ArchNexus)

12:25 – 12:40 Isaac Barrow and Jacob Goodspeed from PGE: What was, what is and where we are going in zero carbon legislation and utilities along the west coast

12:40 – 12:55 Chandra Robinson from LEVER Architecture: zero carbon, wood, and how this can help our local economy and equity; Jacob Dunn from ZGF: PDX TCore (challenge of sourcing an incredible amount of FSC COC wood)

Followed by audience participation, panel discussion and Q&A.

Learning Objectives

1.     Become better prepared to hold discussions with project teams to strategize taking advantage of incentives, laws, utility programs and new tech to combat climate change by planning for a Zero Carbon community, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in your design and construction projects.

2.     Gain scientific knowledge of new technologies that exist to reduce energy usage and overall carbon usage, for both better air quality and to reduce or reverse the effects on climate change.

3.     Develop a plan of individual actions you can take to mitigate or reverse the effects of climate change.

4.     Better understand how to navigate reducing carbon emissions in your project design through collaborative and early-design conversations with your community, legislative officials, and even product manufacturers.

Jeffrey Okland Tuft, AIA, LEED AP
Associate, Architectural Nexus

From an early age Jeff recognized the profound impact of the built environment on the human psyche. As a youth one of his favorite activities was to accompany his grandfather, a general contractor, on site visits which often involved standing in the depths of large excavations and watching the world transform around him. He has come to recognize that the best places in the built environment are the ones that connect the individual with nature. Jeff’s drive is to work with highly collaborative teams creating places that enrich individual wellness and promote healthy lifestyles.

After graduating from the University of Utah in 2007 with a master’s degree in architecture Jeff recognized a need for healthier practices in the AEC industry and became a LEED Accredited Professional prior to licensing as an architect in 2011. More recently he has become engaged with the International Living Future Institute having participated in design, construction and even occupying buildings that are in various stages of pursuing Living Building Certification. He is also an advocate of the design community with multiple years of service in AIA Utah including a term as president of AIA Northern Utah in 2017.

Isaac Barrow
PGE

Isaac is distinguished by his passion for implementing innovative and collaborative solutions to complex problems.  As Commercial Real Estate Market Manager for Portland General Electric Isaac works at the intersection of the built environment and the electrical grid, advancing how PGE serves its customers in the development world.

Prior to moving into the world of energy, Isaac’s focus was development with more than 15 years of experience building and managing aviation, commercial, industrial and office portfolios.  Active in his community, Isaac serves on the Board of the Center for Opportunity, the Oregon Economic Development Association, is a Past President of the Portland Air Cargo Association, and Past President of Calvary Co-Op School.

Fluent in French, and having spent large portions of his life overseas and in the developing world, Isaac knows that sustainable and equitable growth is key to ensuring a prosperous and inclusive future, and weaves core values of justice, unity and sustainability into his work, service and play.

Jacob Goodspeed
PGE

Jake joined Portland General Electric’s Clean Energy Origination team in 2021 and is focused on developing the resource strategy to achieve a carbon-free grid in Oregon by 2040. Previously, he led a number of PGE’s regulatory efforts in proceedings focusing on electric vehicles, distributed solar, and other renewable energy and smart grid issues. Jake holds an MBA from the University of New Orleans, and enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest as much as possible.

Chandra Robinson, AIA
Principal, LEVER Architecture

Chandra is a Principal at LEVER Architecture, a Portland, Oregon based design practice recognized for material innovation. Chandra recently completed a LEED Platinum campus for equity-based foundation Meyer Memorial Trust and is currently working with communities on transformative designs for affordable housing and libraries. She is passionate about creating beautiful spaces that are accessible for everyone and enjoys working closely with clients to create designs that are expressive of their values. In addition to her civic design work, Chandra is a member of the Portland Design Commission; a Founding Board Member and Treasurer of the National Organization for Minority Architects (NOMA) Portland chapter; and on the advisory board of Hip Hop Architecture Camp. She was honored recently by DJC Oregon with a Building Diversity Award and as a Woman of Vision for her efforts in promoting diversity in the AEC industry.

Jacob Dunn, AIA
ZGF

For the last 5 years at ZGF Architects, Jacob has been focusing on reducing the embodied carbon in building materials with a focus on procuring climate smart wood for mass timber projects with disclosure and transparency in the supply chain.  He’s currently leading research projects with the University of Washington around developing new wood carbon calculators that address LCA data gaps around biogenic carbon in the forest and supply chain.

Coming Soon :
Jacob Goodspeed, PE
PGE

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