As colleges and universities grapple with how to integrate embodied carbon into both individual projects and long-term campus planning, the stakes extend beyond single renovations to institution-wide master plans.
This interactive session will explore this challenge using Boston University's Warren Towers, the nation's second-largest residence hall, as a case study. Join us to discover how embodied carbon considerations can inform design and material choices as well as portfolio-level decision-making in real estate. Plus, learn how existing buildings factor into carbon planning and how large-scale renovation projects can influence future campus strategies for health, safety, and student well-being.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate embodied carbon–reduction strategies for large-scale renovation projects and how these strategies inform institutional approaches to existing building portfolios.
- Discuss the health, safety, and welfare impacts of material and system choices, including structural resilience, indoor environmental quality, and long-term student well-being.
- Analyze the trade-offs between operational performance, embodied carbon, and occupant welfare in residence hall planning, renovation, and campus-wide sustainability strategies.
- Apply embodied carbon lessons from Warren Towers to institutional master planning, enhancing your ability to make portfolio-level decisions and integrate carbon considerations into future campus development.