As we race towards meeting the AIA’s 2030 zero carbon challenge, the design and construction industry faces the difficult task of delivering beautiful, sustainable architecture that achieves net zero emissions while remaining financially viable. This pre-conference session will explore the innovative strategies employed in the design and construction of the Sustainable Engineering Laboratories (SEL) at UMass Amherst, a pioneering project aimed at achieving zero embodied and operational carbon. We will discuss how interdisciplinary collaboration, advanced technologies, and cost-effective solutions can be integrated to create a living laboratory that serves as a model for future sustainable construction projects.

Following the session, attendees will tour the Sustainable Engineering Laboratories at UMass Amherst, a building designed to be a hub for clean energy research and education, embodying the principles of sustainability and innovation. With a total area of 74,000 GSF, the SEL will achieve LEED Platinum and ILFI Zero Carbon certifications. This project exemplifies how ambitious design and sustainability goals can be achieved with budgetary limits. By sharing our experiences and insights, we aim to inspire other institutions and professionals to pursue net zero carbon projects that are innovative, beautiful, and financially feasible.