Design, Construction, and Operation of Energy-Efficient Buildings
Overview
Join leading voices from academia, industry, and startups for a day of insight and collaboration on decarbonizing buildings from materials to energy systems.
Buildings account for a significant share of global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, from the carbon-intensive materials used in construction to the energy required for daily operation. Addressing these challenges requires bold, interdisciplinary innovation across the entire building lifecycle.
This symposium will spotlight technologies and strategies to dramatically reduce both embodied carbon and operational energy demand. We aim to convene leaders from academia, industry, and startups to share research breakthroughs, scalable solutions, and commercialization pathways for sustainable construction and operation.
Venue
All sessions will be held in the auditorium at the Bakar BioEnginuity Hub, located at 2625 Durant Ave., Berkeley, CA 94720. Followed by a reception in the courtyard.
Agenda
Morning Sessions – Materials & Design
8:30 AM | Welcome and Breakfast
Begin the day with breakfast and introductions from the Symposium Steering Committee and partner organizations. Connect with colleagues as the event opens with a warm welcome and overview of the day’s program.
9:15 AM | Opening Plenary: The New Carbon Architecture
Speaker: Bruce King, Founder of BuildWell Project, Author, “Build Beyond Zero”, “The New Carbon Architecture”, Structural Engineer
10:00 AM | Understanding Environmental Impacts Across the Life of a Building
Speaker: Matt Roberts, Assistant Professional Researcher, Center for the Built Environment
10:30 AM | Case Studies in Embodied Emission Innovation
Speakers:
- Maria Paz-Gutiérrez, Professor of Architecture, UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design
- Ramon Weber, Assistant Professor of Architecture, UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design
- Franco Zunino, Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley
11:00 AM | Challenges and Opportunities for Embodied Carbon Reductions in Practice
Speaker: Brett Stuckey, Sustainability Manager, Turner
11:30 AM | Fireside Chat: Engaging the Industry on Embodied Carbon
Speakers: Hanjiro Ambrose & Jeff Kessler, California Air Resources Board (CARB)
12:00 PM | Lunch and Poster Showcase Discussion
Join speakers and attendees for lunch and an engaging poster session showcasing innovative research and projects in sustainable materials and design.
Afternoon Sessions – Systems & Implementation
1:00 PM | The Shift: How Buildings Are Evolving to Support Lower Cost, Efficient, and Reliable Operations for the Customer and Grid
Speaker: Cindy Regnier, Whole Building Systems Department Head and FLEXLAB® Executive Director, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
1:45 PM | Lightning Presentations for Design, Construction & Operational Innovations
Speakers:
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- Jim Baldwin, Founder & CEO, Domatic
- Robert Shephard, Senior Technical, iMod
- Apoorva Pasricha, Chief Operating Officer, Cloud Apartments
2:45 PM | Panel & Fireside Chat: Policy, Finance, and Political Challenges
Speakers:
- Tyler Pullen, Researcher, Terner Center for Housing Innovation
- Jan Lindenthal, Chief Investment Officer, Housing Accelerator Fund
- Lois Kim, Assistant Project Manager, Mutual Housing
- Sean Kennedy, Deputy Director of Energy Investments, State of California Strategic Growth Council
3:30 PM | Bakar Labs for Energy and Materials: An Energy Efficiency Showcase
Speaker: Rudy Letsche, Project Architect, Gensler
4:00 PM | Fireside Chat: Scaling Sustainability Across the Built Environment – Lessons from Public and Private Sectors
Speakers:
• Matt St. Clair, Chief Sustainability Officer, UCOP
• Alex Spilger, Vice President of Real Estate Sustainability, Sobrato
4:30 PM | Happy Hour & Reception
Conclude the day with a relaxed networking reception and happy hour, connecting with fellow attendees, speakers, and partners over refreshments and conversation.
Speakers
Organizing Committee
Hosts and Sponsor Organizations
