RISING’ began three years ago as a four-day event bringing together A/E/C (Architecture/Engineering/Construction) professionals to educate each other. As a committee, we maintain the AIA’s 2030 Commitment to “transform the practice of architecture in a way that is holistic firm-wide, project based, and data-driven.  By prioritizing energy performance, participating firms can more easily work toward carbon neutral buildings development and major renovations by 2030.”

This year, the symposium will be conducted via a virtual platform over two days: Thursday and Friday, January 26-27, 12:30-4:30pm CST.

Thursday’s event will consist of panel discussions, including both operational carbon and embodied carbon, and strategies to reduce emissions via design. Friday, we will advance discussions on climate justice and  creating more equitable and sustainable communities with two panels and an interactive session to close out the day.

We are excited to announce our keynote speakers this year: Jackie Dadakis of Green Coast Enterprises and Chair of Louisiana’s 2022 Energy Code Commission on Thursday. The next day will highlight the AIA’s national efforts on climate change and equity through our keynote from the AIA COTE Advisory Group and the 2023 Chair of AIA COTE, Lori Ferriss, AIA, PE, LEED AP BD+C.

This event has been submitted to AIA for consideration of 7.25 LU/HSW credit.

Complete program can be downloaded here.

DAY I, JANUARY 26:
CARBON (12:30-4:30 PM CT)

12:30-1:20pm CT (50min)

• Introduction from Z Smith of EskewDumezRipple and keynote address from Jackie Dadakis of Green Coast Enterprises (Chair of Commission reviewing Louisiana’s new energy code updates), plus Q&A

BREAK 

1:25-2:40pm CT (1hr 15min)

• Operational Carbon Panel, moderated by Corey Squire, AIA, Director of Sustainability for Dept. of Sustainability
• Panel includes: Brian Turner, PE, Principal/Electrical Engineer CMTA, Jeffrey Cantin of Solar Alternatives, Teresa Jan, Architect, Sustainability Director for Multistudio
• Q&A

BREAK 

2:45-4:00pm CT (1hr 15 min) 

• Embodied Carbon Panel, moderated by Josh Leger, AIA, CPHC – Forge Craft Architecture + Design and Austin COTE
• Panel includes: Holly Holton, the Global Director of Sustainability for Bentley Mills, Sherry Mundell of SmartLam and Steven Bingler, Founder and CEO of Concordia

4:00-4:30pm (30 min)

• Tools Matrix and Q&A

DAY 2, JANUARY 27: SUSTAINABLE/EQUITABLE COMMUNITY + CLIMATE JUSTICE (12:30-4:30 PM CT)

12:30-1:10pm CT (40min)

• Introduction, including the state of the New Orleans 2030 Commitment by Peter Spera, AIA New Orleans President, and our keynote from Lori Ferriss (AIA COTE National 2023 Chair), plus Q&A

BREAK 

1:15-2:30pm CT (1 hr 15 min)

• Climate Justice Panel, Moderated by Liza Calderon – Earthjustice
• Panel currently includes Devin De Wulf, Founder of Krewe of Red Beans and partner of Get Lit Stay Lit, Aron Chang of Civic Studio and Water Leaders Institute, and Stefan Knust, Director of Sustainability for Ennead Architects
• Q&A

BREAK

2:35-3:50pm CT (1 hr 15 min)

• Advocacy Panel, Moderated by Meagan Williams – City of New Orleans
• Panel includes: Zach Smith of Zach Smith Consulting,  Brooke Morris, PE, Civil Engineer & Landscape Architect at Waggonner & Ball, and David Bonaventure, PE at Salas O’Brien
• Q&A

3:50-4:30pm CT (40 min)

• Breakout Sessions, and Q&A

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please click here.