- Cesar Escalante, 2025 TAP Chair, Autodesk
- Vickie Patel, 2026 TAP Chair, HKS
- Sara Laudeman, TAP, Lord Aeck Sargent
- Thesla Collier, TAP, HNTB
- Dan Stine, COTE LG, Lake Flato
Advancing a Sustainable Future through Technology Innovation
Wednesday, June 4, 8:45am-5pm | Boston
Program code: SYM102 | Fee: $279 / $149 | CE: 6 LUs HSW
The built environment plays a significant role in climate change and resource depletion, making transitioning to sustainable design practices an imperative priority in the AEC industry. This symposium addresses the critical intersection of architectural practice, technological innovation, and environmental stewardship. Through expert-led panels, participants will explore strategies for integrating artificial intelligence, optimizing building performance, and navigating the evolving landscape of sustainable design and regulatory compliance. This event examines the practical application of advanced technologies, the importance of carbon accounting methodologies, and the collaborative approaches necessary for fostering resilient and equitable built environments, emphasizing actionable solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors of small and medium size.
This symposium is co-hosted by:
- Technology in Architectural Practice, an AIA knowledge community (aia.org/tap)
- Committee on the Environment, an AIA knowledge community (aia.org/cote)
Agenda
Please note, schedule is still subject to change as we finalize the presentations
9:30am - Introduction to TAP+COTE® Symposium
Presenter: Cesar Escalante, 2025 TAP Chair + Dan Stine, COTE® leadership
8:45am - Keynote
Speaker: Corey Squire
The Ghost and the Machine: Defining Human & Computer Roles in Sustainable Design
The AIA Framework for Design Excellence now defines good design as that which meaningfully addresses human health, ecological thriving, and social equity. At the same time, new technology, such as AI and advanced situation tools, has entered the forefront of architectural discourse, bringing with it unique challenges and opportunities. To navigate the current era, and to reach the potential of high-performance design, we’ll need a clear vision for how we can most effectively leverage technology to serve human needs.
Drawing on a decade of sustainable design leadership, Corey will discuss the unique roles of human purpose and computational prowess within an effective sustainable design process.
9:45am - Panel: Regulatory Compliance and Sustainable Building Certification Strategies
Panelists: Alejandra Menchaca, Jessica Zofchak, Kjell Anderson, Z Smith.
Moderated by Dan Stine.
How will the rise of green codes impact practice, both now and in the future? Identifying the gaps in current practices, highlighting the need for collaboration between policymakers, technology experts and the AEC community to align with new and dynamic regulations, support compliance, and the increased need to secure sustainable outcomes and building certifications (LEED, WELL, BREEAM, etc).
10:45 - Break
11am - Panel: Carbon Emissions Reduction / LCA
Panelists: Ian Molloy, Jack Rusk, Nazish Pathan, Phil Northcutt.
Moderated by Sara Laudeman.
How can architects effectively integrate carbon accounting throughout the project lifecycle to drive meaningful emissions reductions? This panel will be a focused discussion on the critical role of carbon accounting, the tools available for measuring emissions at various project phases and scales, and the role of high-quality actionable visualizations and outputs appropriate for each stage.
12pm - Lunch (provided)
1:15pm - Accelerate Decarbonization: Tools for Low-Carbon Design
Speaker: Sheena Zhang
Key design choices directly influence sustainability metrics, making them a practical lever for rapidly reducing carbon emissions. While achieving zero carbon can be complex, architects and designers can drive meaningful change by leveraging the right tools at the right project stages. As sustainability becomes integral across all phases, this session will show the Autodesk platform vision for sustainability data in the future, and how Autodesk Forma and Insight—using features like custom dashboards, metrics, factors, and benchmarks—enable more informed design decisions to lower carbon impact today. It will also demonstrate how project data can be seamlessly reported to AIA’s Design Data Exchange (DDx) via direct BIM integration, streamlining how firms track and report progress toward AIA 2030 Commitment goals. The session will also preview the future state of Autodesk sustainability strategy. Join us to discover how you can leverage Autodesk's powerful tools in tools you likely already have to design a more sustainable future.
1:45pm - Panel: Implementation Strategies for Small and Medium firms
Panelists: Barry Yoakum, Hafsa Burt, Marisol Foreman, Paul Doherty.
Moderated by Vickie Patel
How do practitioners from small & medium firms incorporate and advocate for tech inside and outside their firm? In this session, we'll explore strategies for firms to embrace and champion design performance technologies for small and medium sizes, including ways to overcome adoption barriers, secure stakeholder buy-in, and scale environmental practices in an organization.
3:00pm - Break
3:15pm - Panel: Re:Think – Talks on Tech & Sustainability
Panelists: Dana Moore, Miguel Elizardo, Scott Axel, Enrique Galicia, Tom Butler, Jack Rusk.
Moderated by Thesla Collier
If technology can accelerate sustainability, why are we still designing for a world that struggles to keep up? What’s holding us back, and how can we break through? In a world where technology and sustainability must go hand in hand, this fast-paced session highlights cutting-edge innovations, breakthrough ideas, and game-changing solutions at the intersection of tech and environmental responsibility. Through real-world case studies, each speaker will demonstrate how digital tools, AI, innovative materials, and sustainable design drive measurable impact in industries ranging from architecture and energy to transportation and urban planning.
4:30pm - Closing remarks
Presenter: Vickie Patel, 2026 TAP Chair
