As climate change heats classrooms across the nation, school districts are facing millions in added costs to install, operate and maintain HVAC systems.

The AEC sectors face a pivotal opportunity: retrofitting existing buildings to reduce carbon emissions. Recent advancements in technology have made daylighting as a dominant interior daytime light source a priority in commercial building design, especially in retrofits.

EMission Zero, an initiative launched by Seattle-based architecture firm Miller Hull, is designed as a replicable and scalable framework, demonstrating that coordinated action between owners, contractors, and designers can drastically reduce embodied carbon emissions in the built environment.

Commercial property specialists must stay abreast of current trends that could shape their future work. One is “hypostruction” — a method pioneered by design firm Caplow Manzano. Although that group currently applies it to residential projects, there are benefits of interest to those involved with other buildings, too. 

Indoor air quality and energy efficiency are critical considerations in building design as more people become aware of their impact on health and productivity. They’re also intricately linked — a well-sealed structure with effective ventilation maintains fresh air and minimizes electricity waste.