Around the globe, architects are making Architecture 2030 goals a part of their design workflow to combat the escalating threat of climate change. Join host Sandeep Ahuja and panelists Stefan Knust, Charlotte Dreizen, Riya Patel, and Alfonso Hernandez as we dive into the firms' Sustainability Action Plans and provide actionable examples to help your firm move toward this goal by designing buildings with less energy consumption and carbon emission.
Key topics include:
Alfonso Hernandez
Alfonso is an Architect and Building Performance Specialist // Design Integrator at Gensler. He is a graduate of the Sustainable Environmental Design program at the Architectural Association in London as well as the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design at the University of Houston. He has extensive experience in High Performance Based / Resilient Design, Building Performance Modeling & Simulations (Daylight/Glare, Solar, CFD, Envelope, Thermal, and Energy Modeling), Performance Parametrics, Solar Form Finding and Performance Oriented Design Integration.
Charlotte Dreizen
Charlotte is a Sustainability Manager for Digital Products and Training with the American Institute of Architect’s 2030 Commitment team, supporting signatories in reporting through the DDx and developing training to help architects integrate sustainability throughout their portfolio. Prior to joining AIA in 2021, Charlotte led sustainability initiatives in the public sector and in the consumer product goods and packaging industries. She is currently enrolled in Georgetown University’s Urban Planning program and holds a B.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in International Environmental Studies from the George Washington University, as well as a Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Virginia.
Riya Patel
Riya Patel Ar, WELL AP, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP is an Associate working at Pei Cobb Freed & Partners Architects in New York City and holds a license to practice architecture in India. While at PCF, she has been involved in designing commercial, residential & mixed-use towers, as well as cultural campuses across the United States, Denmark, India, and Israel. She is a member of the Carbon team at PCF and leads the AIA 2030 reporting for the firm. Since graduating from Pratt Institute’s B.Arch program, she has pursued her interest in sustainability and wellness in the built environment by obtaining the LEED Green Assoc. accreditation and WELL AP. She is passionate about exploring the performative aspect of buildings. Her projects have been showcased at the Venice Biennial and won prizes at Thorton Tomasseti’s Hackathon in New York.
Stefan Knust
Stefan Knust AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, CPHC is the Director of Sustainability at Ennead Architects. He brings over 25 years of experience as a project architect and sustainability expert to the design and construction of complex institutional projects that serve their community and strive for high performance. Incorporating design strategies that are inherently responsive to the site, context, and climate, he works to develop integrated architectural solutions that create healthy environments, conserve resources, and restore natural ecosystems. He is a steering committee member of the New York City Chapter of the AIA Committee on the Environment; chairs an ASTM Committee developing a standard for testing bird collision deterrent materials; and is a Certified Passive House Consultant.