Insights on Zero Carbon Design

Description

As the building industry moves toward more stringent zero-emissions goals, stakeholders across the AEC industry must master and implement Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD) throughout the building lifecycle. This afternoon session provides a comprehensive look at achieving carbon reductions and neutrality through both strategic planning and technical execution, featuring two panels of experts who will provide diverse perspectives.

The first panel brings together sustainability leaders from manufacturing, sustainability consulting and construction, who will discuss the intersection of design intent and project delivery. They will explore the intersection of material durability, recyclability, and whole-life embodied carbon reduction in high-performance building design. Through practical detailing strategies, life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, and other industry tools the session offers a framework for balancing complex, competing material criteria without compromising carbon performance or assembly resilience.

The second panel includes an architect and a regenerative design professional who will present recent and leading-edge all-electric building case studies. They will share practical insights from early stage goal-setting, community engagement, all design phases to final execution. Case studies include an all-electric affordable housing project — on track for zero net energy — built with modular technology to speed delivery, and a county office building that integrates all-electric systems, on-site renewable energy, battery storage, and microgrid controls to support both sustainability and critical operations during emergencies  

Learning Objectives (2 LUS - AIA HSW and California ZNCD)

Hosted by ROCKWOOL and  AIASF Knowledge Community - Committee on the Environment (COTE) 

Planning Committee: Charlie Stott, AIA, LEED AP | Stott Architects + AIASF COTE Co-Chair, Pamela Sadler, CSI CDT, Rockwool |  David Lehrer, NCARB  | Center for the Built Environment

Agenda

1:00 PM: Introduction

1:05 PM: Integrating Design Intent and Sustainable Project Delivery

• Brett Stuckley Turner Construction
• Timon Bruulsema, RDH
• Pamela Sadler, Rockwool [moderator]

2:00 pm Short Break

2:15 PM: Showcase of Zero-Energy Case Studies from the Bay Area

• Nikita Jathan, PAE
• Tom Bliska, AIA, David Baker Architects
• David Lehrer, Center for the Built Environment [moderator]

3:15 PM: Happy Hour + Networking

4:00 PM: Conclude

Speakers

Panel Presentation 1

Timon Bruulsema | PE
RDH Building Science   |   Associate, Building Science and Energy Engineer

Timon is working to improve building energy and sustainability throughout the US and Canada. Timon’s experience with RDH includes building science, facades, mass timber, and energy & sustainability. This wide-ranging background forms the foundation of his holistic understanding of high-performance buildings. With a focus on integrated, whole-building systems, he excels at performing energy and condition assessments and leading new building designs to meet sustainability goals.

Brett Stuckey

Turner Construction | Regional Sustainability Manager

Brett joined Turner Construction in 2009, and has held roles in nearly every department, including Engineering and Project Management, Preconstruction, Superintending, Finance, and Business Development. The projects he’s touched have spanned several market segments, including aviation, commercial, higher education, sports, R&D/Lab, and light industrial. Since June 2024, Brett has served as the Sustainability Manager for the Northern California Region, working collaboratively with project teams to reduce carbon, water, and waste impacts in Turner’s operations and the structures we build.

Pamela Sadler, CSI,CDT

ROCKWOOL   |  Architectural Manager for Northern California and Nevada

Pamela is a senior architectural representative partnering with architects, engineers, and owners to deliver energy-efficient, resilient, and durable building solutions. She is dedicated to consulting with the architectural community on technical systems application and code compliance for acoustics, fire, thermal, sustainability, retrofitting and moisture through building science.

Panel Presentation 2

Nikita Jathan, LEED AP BD+C

PAE Engineers  |  Regenerative Design Consultant

Nikita brings over a decade of experience along with a multidisciplinary background in environmental studies and architecture. She specializes in regenerative and sustainable design, carbon consulting, and green building certification, supporting project teams in delivering high-performance, future-focused solutions. With a holistic approach to sustainability, Nikita integrates master planning strategies across multiple scales to align project goals, stakeholder priorities, and long-term environmental impact. She is known for coordinating complex analyses, guiding teams through green building frameworks, and translating detailed technical insights into clear, actionable strategies that move projects forward.

Tom Bliska AIA 

David Baker Architects | Associate

Tom is an architect, artist, and parent who believes architecture is a fundamentally public endeavor that should demonstrate responsibility to the communities it serves. He recently oversaw the design and construction of Blue Oak Landing, an award-winning, fully electric modular supportive housing project for formerly unhoused individuals in Vallejo, California. 

David Lehrer, LEED AP, RA

Center for the Built Environment UCB  | Communications and Research Collaborations

David is interested in the nexus between human experience and sustainability. His background includes architecture and communications design, and he has occupied many roles in his work, including that of researcher, designer, manager, and educator. At the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) at UC Berkeley, David leads communications, facilitating industry/university collaborations, acting as the primary liaison between CBE’s research team and their industry partners, and providing strategy direction and oversight for their research portfolio.

Learning Objectives (2 LUS - AIA HSW and California ZNCD)

1. Explain the fundamental principles of zero net carbon design (ZNCD), including the core principles of energy efficiency, low-embodied carbon materials, and renewable energy.

2. Show familiarity with life cycle assessment (LCA) and strategies such as material durability and recyclability that help reduce the embodied carbon footprint of building materials and assemblies.

3. Explain key considerations for reducing carbon impacts for non-residential and multi-family residential buildings.

4. Describe successful ZNC buildings that have applied strategies such as all-electric systems, on-site renewable energy and/or battery storage.