don davies structural engineer building transparency

Using data and curiosity to decarbonize with Don Davies

Over the course of his 35-year career as a structural engineer and as the past-president of the Seattle-based MKA Structural Engineers, Don Davies has guided the construction of numerous high-rise buildings around the world. But nearly 15 years ago, his focus started to shift after realizing how important structural engineers were to lowering the carbon impact of the built environment, yet they often weren’t included in the conversation.

So, Don got curious. And that curiosity, in relative short order, led him to a tribe of like-minded, intrepid individuals who would go on to co-create several organizations and carbon-calculating tools that have forever changed the industry.

In this episode, Don shares how the Carbon Leadership Forum, Building Transparency, EC3 and Tally LCA came to be, how they’re testing low-carbon materials, and why those in the AEC community should stay curious about carbon.

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Materials Mentioned

Strategies Mentioned

People Mentioned

  • Obie Bowman
  • Sim Van der Ryn
  • Verdant Structures
  • Celestial Designs
  • Summit Architecture Co.

Projects & Resources Mentioned

  • The Sea Ranch Lodge
  • Real Goods Trading Company at the Solar Living Center
  • Hester/McNally Residence

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