Sustainable, Resilient, Climate-Responsive Structural Engineering
At Forell Elsesser, we are dedicated to championing environmentally responsible building design and construction practices that prioritize occupant well-being. Drawing from our rich tradition of innovation, we offer a holistic approach to sustainability. From the initial stages of project planning, including cost assessments, to the final post-occupancy evaluations, we provide expert guidance and support to our clients.
Embodied Carbon Data Visualizations
Forell Elsesser is committed to helping our clients make informed decisions to achieve sustainability goals for their projects. Data on the environmental impact of building materials, reported as Environmental Product Declaration (EPDs), is key to understanding the potential for optimization. Forell Elsesser created these visualization tools to offer insights into the carbon footprint of concrete materials across the United States today. The data is from the Building Transparency Embodied Carbon in Construction (EC3) database. Explore and discover more about the materials shaping our built environment and the climate.
Concrete EPD Availability
Use this tool to evaluate EPD availability by US state and zip code:
Check out our visualization tool →
Wood Embodied Carbon + Transportation
Use this tool to compare the impact of manufacturing wood products to transporting wood products for various plants across North America.
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Helping Our Clients Achieve Their Sustainability Goals
Sustainable Material Selection: We prioritize the use of sustainable materials to minimize the environmental footprint of our projects. This includes utilizing high cement replacement concrete mixes, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), and CarbonCure technology. By integrating these eco-friendly materials into our designs, we not only reduce carbon emissions but also contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
Resilient Structural Engineering Design: We prioritize resilience in our structural designs to ensure high performance and minimize embodied carbon. By implementing robust engineering solutions, we not only enhance the durability of structures but also reduce the necessity for post-earthquake repairs. This proactive approach not only strengthens buildings against seismic events but also contributes to a more sustainable and resilient built environment.
Energy Efficient Design Strategies: Our energy-efficient design strategies are pivotal in achieving your sustainability objectives. By prioritizing energy conservation and optimization, we not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance operational efficiency and cost savings for your project.
Adaptive Reuse Strategies: By focusing on adaptive reuse, we revitalize existing structures, which helps cut down on material consumption and construction waste.
Cost Control Strategies: We also specialize in cost-control strategies, enabling you to make informed decisions that meet your objectives. This approach ensures our solutions are both environmentally sound and economically practical.
Leading the Charge Toward a Sustainable Future.
We’re proud to be part of the SE 2050 Commitment Program, an industry-wide initiative with the goal of achieving net-zero embodied carbon in structural systems by 2050. Given that the built environment accounts for 40% of global carbon emissions, this effort represents a major step in combating climate change.
To meet the SE 2050 challenge and our own sustainability targets, we employ a variety of strategies to monitor and reduce the environmental impact of our designs. This involves integrating greenhouse gas emission targets into our design process through Life Cycle Assessment techniques and frequently updating our specifications to stay current with the latest sustainable materials. Additionally, we emphasize retrofitting and rehabilitating structures when possible, creatively addressing resilience, and promoting energy-efficient designs. This multi-faceted approach is crucial to achieving our sustainability goals and supporting a greener future for the architecture and construction industry.
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LinkedIn HQ – Middlefield Campus
Mountain View, California
Using CarbonCure Technology, LinkedIn HQ significantly minimizes its embodied carbon. Waste CO2 from industrial emitters is added to concrete during mixing and once injected this improves the concrete strength.
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Regeneration Medicine Building
University of California, San Francisco
The UCSF Regeneration Medicine Building can move laterally about 26” during an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 with minimal structural damage.
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Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation
University of California, Berkeley
The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation is designed to reduce energy use by a 90% and has achieved LEED Platinum certification.