Carbon Smart Design

California’s new embodied carbon regulations mark a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change. On August 2, 2023, the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC), voted unanimously for building code changes to limit embodied carbon emissions in the construction, remodel, or adaptive reuse of commercial buildings larger than 100,000 sf and school projects over 50,000 sf.

These changes will be integrated into the 2022 California Green Building standard code and will go into effect on July 1, 2024, statewide. The code provides three distinct compliance paths for designers:

1. Reuse of at least 45% of an existing structure
2. Specification of materials that adhere to specified emission limits
3. A Performance-based path employing a Whole Building Lifecycle Assessment analysis

What is embodied carbon? Why does it matter?

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of a building–from the extraction of raw materials and construction to operation and eventual demolition. By addressing this oft-overlooked aspect of building emissions, the new California regulations aim to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects across the state.

In considering how our buildings can reduce embodied carbon impacts, our team of designers, architects, and engineers has developed a set of principles to guide our work:

See below how these design principles have already taken form in our projects.

By repurposing existing building structures, we significantly minimized the demand for new construction materials (an embodied carbon reduction of nearly 70% for a recent project), thereby reducing the project’s embodied carbon footprint. This approach not only conserves resources but also breathes new life into the buildings and surrounding urban environment.

By leveraging innovative materials and construction techniques, we can decrease our reliance on traditional cement, a significant contributor to embodied carbon. These projects serve as beacons of sustainable construction, showcasing how smart material choices can make a substantial difference (a 30-50% reduction on average).

By utilizing our multi-faced expertise in building design, we have explored the benefits of mass timber in reducing embodied carbon. Mass timber not only sequesters carbon but also offers a versatile, aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional construction methods.

Click here to read our innovative mass timber life science building research, completed as part of the ONEder Grant program.

The amount of embodied carbon emission from global new construction is projected to nearly match operational carbon emission by 2050. Tackling the source and impact of embodied carbon is urgent and requires collaborative efforts among architects, engineers and all the players in the building construction industry. DES’s carbon-smart approach to building design positions us to take a leading role in advancing California’s new path to zero carbon! Join us.