Beyond Recycling: Designing with Steel and Carbon Reduction (PDH)

Presented by: Elizabeth Lapira, AIA, NOMA and Kristen Fritsch, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP

Reusing existing buildings is one of the most effective strategies architects have to reduce embodied carbon and structural steel plays a critical role in making reuse viable, adaptable, and measurable. This course examines how steel supports circular design strategies that extend building life, enable program change, and reduce carbon impacts beyond end-of-life recycling.

Using whole-building life-cycle assessment as a framework, the session explores how retaining and adapting steel structures compares to new construction. Case studies demonstrate how architects leveraged existing steel frames, selective reinforcement, and targeted interventions to achieve substantial embodied carbon savings while delivering new uses, density, and performance. The course emphasizes actionable design decisions architects can make early to preserve value, reduce waste, and document carbon outcomes.

This course is based on an Architect U Webinar.

You must view the video and pass the quiz to receive a PDH certificate for this course.

If you do not need continuing education credit, you can view the content here for free.