Architecture for a Better Future: Advanced Materials + Sustainable Design
Thursday, April 3, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (PDT)
Category: Center for A+D
Join the Center for Architecture + Design for a dynamic panel of experts moderated by Francisco "Pancho" Brown, Senior Editor of METROPOLIS Magazine, pushing sustainable design's boundaries. Discover how cutting-edge tools and materials are reshaping the AEC industry’s future. Learn about projects making a measurable impact and get insights on the latest strategies to design more efficient, low-carbon buildings and public spaces.
This program is hosted by the Center for Architecture + Design in collaboration with Vestre. Thank you to you AIASF COTE for advising on the Learning Objectives and sustainability components.
Agenda:
6:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Doors open, light bites and refreshments will be served
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Panel Discussion
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Party + Reception!
Moderator:
Francisco "Pancho" Brown
Francisco 'Pancho' Brown is Senior Editor and Engagement Manager at METROPOLIS Magazine, where he specializes in architecture, technology, and new voices. Pancho is also a correspondent for the Mexico-based Arquine Magazine and co-founder of MICROPOLITAN studio, a multidisciplinary art and design collective. He serves on the Steering Committee for US Architects Declare and the Harvard Graduate School of Design Alumni Council. He completed a Master in Design Studies from Harvard's Graduate School of Design and a Master in Architecture at the Center for Architecture, Science and Ecology (CASE) at New York's Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Pancho is an Associate AIA and a guest Lecturer at Cornell's School of Architecture.
Panelists:
Kristoffer Vestre
Kristoffer Vestre is the Chairman of Vestre, a company known for creating innovative, sustainable site furniture that brings people together. Since 1947, Vestre has helped shape public spaces around the world – from Times Square in New York City to Kings Cross in London and Aker Brygge in Oslo. Vestre’s new factory, The Plus designed by BIG, is the most sustainable furniture factory in the world, certified BREEAM Outstanding. Continuously innovating with materials, Vestre was the first furniture company to introduce fossil-free steel. Their Tellus bench cuts carbon emissions by approximately 75% compared to a traditional steel bench.
Mariana Ricker
Mariana is passionate about California landscapes and emphasizes the importance of place-based, sustainable design. She enjoys working in urban settings that engage diverse user groups and activate spaces essential to civic life.
In her work as a licensed landscape architect, Mariana seeks to create a vibrant public realm, connect people to the environment, and develop strategies to accomplish the project vision. At SWA, she leads a wide range of projects, from community parks to district-scale urban development and planning around the Bay Area and beyond. Mariana is committed to climate action and advancing sustainability efforts within her project work, at a firm-wide level, and professionally. Additionally, she is an active ULI member, serving as Co-Chair for the local Technical Assistance for Communities (TA4C) committee in SF, and holding a position on the national Sustainable Development Council.
Brad Jacobson
Brad Jacobson, FAIA, is an architect and co-founder of C.Scale, a software platform advancing low carbon buildings through whole life carbon data models and tools for all building professionals everywhere. After 22 years delivering net zero projects for EHDD, a leading west coast sustainable design firm, Brad is building upon up the innovations incubated there with his co-founder Jack Rusk to help speed and scale decarbonization across the building industry.
Tim Sperry
Tim Sperry is the Founder and CEO of Carbon Limit, a climate tech company transforming the built environment with CO₂-reducing concrete solutions. His innovations include CaptureCrete, which increases performance, reduces cement requirements, and absorbs and permanently stores CO₂, and CoolCrete, a high-SRI cooling concrete that reduces urban heat effect and lowers energy demand in homes and buildings. A self-taught chemist and successful entrepreneur, Tim’s passion for sustainability stems from personal loss to air pollution, driving him to develop technologies that improve both environmental and human health. With a background in business and innovation, he has led multiple ventures in air purification and Climate Technology companies. Through Carbon Limit, Tim is helping the construction industry build smarter, greener, and more resilient cities—where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.
1 LU PENDING
Learning Objective 1:
Understand how integrating advanced and emerging materials into building envelopes can improve energy efficiency and contribute to healthier indoor environments, including occupant well-being and reduced environmental impact
Learning Objective 2:
Discuss strategies for evaluating the life-cycle impacts of new materials, including extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and disposal, and how these considerations inform sustainable design decisions that meet or exceed code requirements.
Learning Objective 3:
Identify how cutting-edge building products and construction technologies can enhance occupant safety, minimize resource consumption, and elevate overall building performance for long-term resilience.
Learning Objective 4:
Analyze how collaborative design processes and integrated project delivery methods promote effective use of next-generation materials, ensure compliance with evolving regulations, and address broader sustainability goals such as net-zero emissions and reduced carbon footprints.
The Vestre Tellus bench cuts carbon emissions by approximately 75% compared to a traditional steel bench.
TELLUS seat, Vestre | Photo: Einar Aslaksen