?Webinar series: The transformative potential of sustainable building retrofits
July 28, 2025
?Retrofitting existing buildings is not just an opportunity, it’s an essential step toward a sustainable future
?Building retrofits and sustainability go hand in hand. Rising costs, climate imperatives, aging infrastructure, and evolving performance standards make it essential to reimagine how we approach the built environment that already exists.
?What does a sustainable building retrofit look like? Join us for a three-part webinar series where our thought leaders will break down the transformative potential of building retrofits—from boosting energy efficiency and achieving long-term cost savings to delivering measurable benefits for the environment, enhancing climate resilience, improving human health, and elevating quality of life in our communities.
?This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. Register to receive AIA continuing education credit (?Learning credits: 1 AIA LU).
?Webinar 1: Making the case for building retrofits: Planning for performance and policy
?Building retrofits offer a powerful opportunity to advance sustainable practices through planning, design, and implementation. This session will explore the role of building retrofits in climate resilience and adaptation, energy conservation, and carbon reduction—while navigating the complexities of diverse policies, regulations, and mandates.
?Discover what makes a good retrofit opportunity and learn about the potential challenges and innovative solutions that can be employed. We will examine the strategic, regulatory, and environmental dimensions of retrofitting, emphasizing long-term value for both building owners and the environment.
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MDT
Presenters: Beth Tomlinson, Tanya Doran
?Webinar 2: Navigating the retrofit spectrum: Sustainable upgrades for existing buildings
?Existing buildings vary widely in form, age, and condition—making each retrofit unique. In addition, some existing buildings have heritage value that must be considered in any proposed interventions. This session explores the distinctions between restoration, rehabilitation, and renovation, along with key considerations for efficient, sustainable, and successful retrofits. We’ll highlight a real-world project involving the rehabilitation of a financial institution’s heritage headquarters. Learn how thermal performance upgrades and the integration of a new geothermal system are projected to deliver energy savings of up to 60 percent.
Date:?Thursday, September 23, 2025
Time:?11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MDT
Presenters:?Stéphane Hoffman, Kenneth Griffin
?Webinar 3: Retrofitting portfolios: Reducing operational emissions and the role of district energy
?Reducing greenhouse gas emissions across entire building portfolios is a common strategy among municipalities, campuses, and businesses. By improving energy efficiency and adopting cleaner technologies, portfolio-wide retrofits help lower carbon footprints while enhancing building performance and resilience. These efforts also lay the groundwork for broader systemic solutions, such as district energy systems.
?District energy systems are centralized networks that generate and distribute thermal energy for buildings. These systems have evolved significantly over the years, incorporating advanced technologies and renewable energy sources to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. This session will explore the concept of district energy, tracing its technological advancements and highlighting key opportunities that are shaping today’s marketplace. By leveraging economies of scale and integrating renewable energy, district energy systems are well-positioned to contribute significantly to reducing building emissions and enhancing energy resilience.
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM MDT
Presenters: Ghina Annan, Jeff Schroeder