EmpowerEd: Building Decarbonization Faculty Training Workshop
August 3-5, 2026
Join faculty from HBCUs across the country for a 3-day immersive workshop held on-campus at Stanford University focused on clean energy, sustainability, and building decarbonization. This hands-on training, led by Stanford’s Building Decarbonization Learning Accelerator (BDLA) experts, will equip educators with the tools and strategies to integrate sustainability, efficiency, decarbonization, environmental, and renewable energy into their curricula.
Target Audience: Faculty in architecture, engineering, and construction-related disciplines at HBCUs and other minority programs.
Where: Stanford University
Costs Covered: Travel, lodging, meals, and training materials are fully funded through a Department of Energy award to Florida A&M University and Stanford BDLA.
Contact: Lindsay Franta | lfranta@stanford.edu | (323) 683-4104
Building Decarbonization Potential in 3D Printing and Modular Housing Presented by Experts in the Field
February 12, 2026 11am-12pm PT
Large-Scale Additive Construction
This presentation provides a technical review of real-world applications, ranging from mass-scale residential developments to critical infrastructure, to assess the viability of 3D printing in diverse environments. Emphasis is placed on empirical data, including independent lifecycle assessments (LCA) regarding embodied carbon and energy efficiency comparisons between printed wall assemblies and standard wood-frame construction. We will explore how automated construction ecosystems are being utilized to address housing scalability, affordability, and performance challenges inherent in traditional building methods.
As Sr. Director of Building + Construction Science at ICON, Bungane Mehlomakulu leads the development of the engineering and performance fundamentals of the core building blocks for structures created with ICON’s technology. His focus is on establishing the core building and construction science principles and approaches that advance the construction industry.
Carbon and Off-Site Construction
This presentation will cover the advancements and advantages of off-site construction in housing. Jenkins will discuss how Clayton Homes has implemented renewables, advanced construction techniques, and improved home energy efficiency to help tackle common and tangible sources of embodied carbon. Efficiency, Scalability, and Affordability all have a role to play in the future of the homebuilding industry.
As Vice President of Sustainability at Clayton Homes, William Jenkins leads enterprise-wide efforts to advance home energy efficiency, reduce construction waste, and optimize energy consumption. He partners across teams to help drive building innovations, optimize resource stewardship, and embed responsible practices throughout Clayton’s operations.
The “Unreasonable” Goal: How Infosys Proved Radical Efficiency is Radically Profitable
December 11, 2025 11am-12pm PT
In 2007, Infosys founders greenlit an “unreasonable goal” to slash energy use by 50%. This is the story of how their vision grew into 50 million sq ft of green buildings, saving over $240 million. They didn’t keep the blueprint secret. They shared their learnings, inspiring and pressuring an entire industry to transform. Come learn how this open-source approach to sustainability reshaped Indian real estate and helped rewrite national energy policy.
Rohan Parikh is the former Head of Sustainability at Infosys, where he architected the foundational ‘Net Zero’ strategy for its “Unreasonable Goals,” saving the company over $240 million. After proving sustainability is profitable, his mission expanded to shaping India’s Solar Open Access Policy. He is a co-inventor of a patented radiant cooling system and holds a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
LC3: A Globally Scalable Solution for Low Carbon Concrete
November 13, 2025 11am-12pm PT
Concrete is responsible for 8% of global CO2 emissions, not because it is particularly high emitting, but because we use more of it than any other material on earth. Any solution must be affordable and must be able to scale globally in all regions, in particular in low income countries where most cement will be consumed. This presentation will give an overview of how cement is made, some of the key decarbonization strategies, and take a deep dive on why LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement) is a promising solution. It will also describe what the ClimateWorks Foundation and Global Industry Hub are doing to make this change happen.
Scott Shell is a Strategist with the ClimateWorks Foundation and the Global Industry Hub working to decarbonize heavy industry around the world including cement, concrete, and steel. Scott is a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects and spent most of his career as a partner at EHDD Architecture in San Francisco. He led the design of many university research buildings and independent schools, including a number of the first net-zero energy buildings in collaboration with a talented team of architects and engineers.
Presentation Materials
Policy Challenges to Cost-Effective Building Decarbonization
October 8, 2025 11am-12pm PT
Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program, Michael Wara, a lawyer, scholar, and advisor in sustainability policy will discuss the challenges and solutions of wide scale building decarbonization.
Senior Director for Policy, Sustainability Accelerator, Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability
Michael Wara is a lawyer, scholar and advisor focused on sustainability policy. Wara is Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program and a senior research scholar at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, where he manages a multidisciplinary team that provides fact-based, bipartisan, technical and legal assistance to policymakers engaged in the development of novel climate and energy law and regulation. Wara is also the Senior Director of Policy within Stanford’s Sustainability Accelerator where he connects Stanford students and faculty with cutting edge policy debates on climate, energy, and sustainability, leveraging Stanford’s analytical expertise to craft real world solutions to these challenges.
Wara was an appointee to the California Wildfire Commission which made recommendations to the state on better managing utility caused wildfires and served on the California Catastrophe Response Council, the oversight board of the Wildfire Fund. Wara has advised the California Senate, the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Office of Electric Infrastructure Safety on strategies to address the wildfire crisis. Wara also serves on the Tamalpais Valley Design Review Board in Marin County.
Prior to joining Woods, Wara was an associate professor at Stanford Law School and an associate in Holland & Knight’s government practice. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his Ph.D. in Ocean Sciences from the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Driving Sustainability with Autodesk: Tools for Low-Carbon Design
September 25, 2025 11am-12pm PT
Autodesk’s sustainability solutions give architects and designers practical tools to reduce carbon emissions through smart design choices. Using Autodesk Forma and Insight, users can access features like custom dashboards, quantitative metrics, carbon factors, and reliable benchmarks. These tools help analyze project data and support decisions that lower carbon impact throughout each stage of design. Autodesk also makes reporting easier by connecting directly to the AIA’s Design Data Exchange through BIM integration, supporting firms in tracking and submitting their progress toward the AIA 2030 Commitment. As sustainability becomes a standard part of practice, Autodesk’s platform will continue to expand the role of integrated sustainability data, helping teams make better choices with the technology they already use.
César is a California architect and works as Technical Marketing Manager at Autodesk, where he serves as a global spokesperson for building products innovation. He teaches BIM at Stanford University and chairs the national AIA Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) knowledge. César has driven large-scale BIM strategies and held roles at top firms, including Gensler and HOK. His project portfolio features the $12 billion Santa Clara City Center, Salt Lake City International Airport, and major Apple and Salesforce campuses. He is a frequent speaker on technology’s impact on design.
Virtual Building Decarbonization Workshop for Professors
August 7-8, 2025 9am-11am PT
Learn a background in building decarbonization, refresh your knowledge with up to date information, discover teaching strategies, and enhance your curriculum.
Who Should Attend
Professors of Architecture • Architectural Engineering • Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering • Construction Management • Sustainability
Peter Rumsey, Stanford University
Peter Rumsey is globally known for his 40-year leadership in the low energy and decarbonized buildings field. He has founded two successful engineering design firms and worked globally. He has been a lecturer at Stanford University for over 10 years. He has given over 100 lectures about advanced and decarbonized buildings around the world, making him one of the foremost speakers on the topic.
Workshop Presentations
EmpowerEd: Building Decarbonization Faculty Training Workshop
August 11-13, 2025
Join faculty from HBCUs across the country for a 3-day immersive workshop held on-campus at Stanford University focused on clean energy, sustainability, and building decarbonization. This hands-on training, led by Stanford’s Building Decarbonization Learning Accelerator (BDLA) experts, will equip educators with the tools and strategies to integrate sustainability, efficiency, decarbonization, environmental, and renewable energy into their curricula.
Target Audience: Faculty in architecture, engineering, and construction-related disciplines at HBCUs and other minority programs.
Where: Stanford University
Costs Covered: Travel, lodging, meals, and training materials are fully funded through a Department of Energy award to Florida A&M University and Stanford BDLA.
Building Decarbonization Virtual Teaching Workshop for HBCU Professors
June 4-5, 2025
Learn about building decarbonization, energy equity, and enhance your curriculum from experts in the field.
Topics Include:
- Energy Equity
- Architectural Responses
- Building Electrification
- Renewable Energy
- Embodied
- Carbon
- Teaching Strategies
Paid Workshop
Professors who attend both days will receive $250.
Anthony Kinslow II, PhD, CEM is the founder and CEO of Gemini Energy Solutions which democratize the energy efficiency sector. Additionally he lectures two classes at Stanford University at the intersection of Clean Energy and Equity.
Peter Rumsey, Stanford University 
Peter Rumsey, founder of Point Energy Innovations and Stanford Adjunct lecturer, stands at the forefront of low-energy and net-zero building innovation with over 40 years of distinguished experience. Based in San Francisco, his engineering expertise has contributed to 50 LEED platinum projects, the highest number by any engineer in the U.S.
EcoBlock: an Urban Block-Scale Decarbonization Retrofit
June 26, 2025 11am-12pm PT
Decarbonizing one house at a time does not match the urgent pace needed to rapidly reduce emissions and may bypass priority populations. EcoBlock is a pilot research project that explores decarbonizing buildings at the neighborhood block level with the aim to lift up all neighbors. Funded primarily by the California Energy Commission as part of the Advanced Energy Community program, the Oakland EcoBlock delivers needed home performance, electrification, and shared rooftop solar to 24 residents and a commercial unit in an older diverse neighborhood. This talk will describe the technical details, potential economies of scale, outreach and education, development of a governance vehicle for neighbors to co-own the solar, and lessons learned along the way. EcoBlock highlights using the “neighbor effect” in accelerating adoption of clean energy technologies, especially to historically hard-to-reach people.
Therese Peffer, PhD, is a project manager and researcher at UC Berkeley’s California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) and CITRIS. She manages and conducts research on smart building technologies, building-to-grid interactions, demand response, and decarbonization projects, aiming to create comfortable, energy-efficient spaces. Dr. Peffer serves as Associate Director for CIEE and the CITRIS Climate initiative and co-chairs the annual Behavior, Energy and Climate Change (BECC) conference. She holds a PhD in Architecture with a building science emphasis from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Teaching Carbon Neutral Design: Twenty Unique Perspectives
May 22, 2025 11am-12pm PT
There are hundreds of architecture programs across higher education institutions in North America; however, only a small percentage of them place an emphasis on pedagogy related to educating future graduates to combat the climate crisis through carbon neutral design. In an effort to increase the adoption of building decarbonization content into curricula across the continent, Robin Puttock crafted this book to highlight the many existing diverse and innovative methodologies, each detailed in a chapter written by an international award-winning professor in this field. She will speak about the process and the outcomes of this effort to date.
Robin Z. Puttock, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, is an Assistant Professor at Kennesaw State University and a practicing architect with over twenty years of professional, national award-winning, sustainable design experience. She is the editor and contributing author of Teaching Carbon Neutral Design in North America: Twenty Award-Winning Architectural Design Studio Methodologies (Routledge 2025) and is the project architect of many LEED certified buildings as well as the first US Department of Education Green Ribbon School recognized by President Barack Obama. Robin serves as the 2025 Chair of the National AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE) Leadership Group.
Architectural Epidemiology: Exploring Health Impacts of Building Decarbonization Through Experimental Exposure Pathways
April 24, 2025 11am-12pm PT
The built and natural environment create the physical context within which we live our daily lives. It can be designed to protect society from environmental toxins (such as traffic-related air pollution or high concentrations of airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2) and to make health-promoting behaviors the obvious choice (such as safely walking to school). On the other hand, design decisions can also result in increased exposure to environmental hazards (such as buildings located in flood zones) and barriers to a health-promoting lifestyle (such as neighborhoods lacking access to fresh and healthy food).
This webinar will use a novel framework called Architectural Epidemiology to reveal the environmental and social determinants of health that are influenced by changes to the built environment – particularly at the intersection of climate change, communicable and non-communicable disease, and social equity. Students will apply the framework to a site in New York City to demonstrate how a built environment intervention could be leveraged to bring outsized co-benefits around climate, health, and equity both on the property and in the surrounding neighborhood.
Adele Houghton, FAIA, DrPH, LEED AP, is President of Biositu, LLC where she works at the intersection of buildings, public health, and climate change. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows and received a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she also teaches. Her book Architectural Epidemiology (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025), co-authored with Professor Carlos Castillo-Salgado of Johns Hopkins University, proposes a novel method for architectural design: combining neighborhood-scale environmental health data with participatory community engagement to maximize a building’s positive ripple effect on community and planetary health.
Suggested Readings:
Houghton A, Castillo-Salgado C. Architectural Epidemiology: Introducing a Transdisciplinary Field of Study and Practice Using Real Estate as a Mechanism for Epidemiological Interventions on Climate Change and Chronic Disease. Proceedings of the ARCC-EAAE 2022 International Conference, Resilient City: Physical, Social, and Economic Perspectives. 2022; pp. 41-48. Available from: http://www.arcc-arch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ARCC-EAAE-2022_Proceedings_Digital-Version.pdf
Houghton A. “Co-Benefits” as a Lens Through Which COVID-19 Building Upgrades Can Advance Environmental Sustainability, Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, and Social Equity. Harvard Public Health Review. 2020; 27. Available from: https://bcphr.org/29-article-houghton/
Frieden TR, A Framework for Public Health Action: The Health Impact Pyramid. American Journal of Public Health. 2010; 100(4): 590-595. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2009.185652
Optional: Houghton A, Li X. The Alignment Process: Generating Value for All Through Community Benefit Design. 2023; pp 1-59. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aTWUF0I8sC3Z4IbvVihzCamk4AGL_ehm/view?usp=sharing
Alignment Process website: https://www.alignmentprocess.org