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Join CLF-LA and USC Public Exchange for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of translating embodied carbon research from academia to real-world applications in the built environment. Experts from USC and SCI-Arc will share their experiences navigating the process for taking a concept from theoretical research to market-ready products and procedures, and attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a semi-structured dialogue with the speakers.
RSVP to attend here!
When:
Thursday, March 27, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm (PT)
Location:
Grimshaw
432 Colyton St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Schedule:
5:15pm Doors Open
5:30pm Networking
6:00pm Presentations by Prof. David Gerber, Julia Sulzer, and Sophie Pennetier
6-6:10: Welcome from Aaron from Grimshaw & Max and Monica from USC PX
6:10-6:15: Lightning Talk 1 from David
6:15-6:20: Q&A
6:20-6:25: Lightning Talk 2 from Julia
6:25-6:30: Q&A
6:30-6:35: Lightning Talk 3 from Sophie
6:35-6:40: Q&A
6:40-7:00: Discussion Moderated by Aaron
7:00pm Networking
7:30pm Event Ends
Light refreshments and drinks will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Speaker Bios: David Gerber
Dr. Gerber holds a joint appointment at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC School of Architecture as a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Practice and of Architecture. Dr. Gerber is the program Director for the Civil Engineering Building Science undergraduate program and the program Director for the Masters os Science in Emerging Technologies for Construction Program. Dr. Gerber is an associate director in the Office of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He teaches in the Viterbi School of Engineering, the School of Architecture and at the Viterbi Startup Garage. Dr. Gerber's professional experience includes working in architectural, engineering and technology practices in the United States, Europe, India and Asia for Zaha Hadid Architects; Gehry Technologies; for Moshe Safdie Architects; The Steinberg Group Architects; and for Arup as the Global Research Manager. Dr. Gerber’s research has been industry, fellowship, and NSF funded and is focused on the development of innovative systems, tools, methods for design of the built environment. He has developed digital twin technologies and advises, and co advises PhD students from Architecture and Engineering on topics that integrate computer science, robotics, engineering, and sustainability with architecture. David Gerber received his undergraduate architectural education at the University of California Berkeley, his first professional degree at the Design Research Laboratory of the Architectural Association in London, his post professional research degree and his Doctoral studies at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Dr. Gerber was the recipient of the Frederick Sheldon Fellowship at Harvard University and was a Research Fellow at MIT's Media Lab in the Smart Cities group.
Julia Sulzer
Julia is an LA-based Swiss architect. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). She served Zurich’s Office of Urban Planning in a leading position for more than seven years. Julia oversaw the unit 'Architecture & Urban Space' and was the head of the unit 'Urban Space'. Before joining the City of Zurich’s Office of Urban Planning, she was a design instructor for the Master of Advanced Studies in Urban Design (MAS-UD) at the chair of Professor Dr. Marc Angélil of ETH Zurich’s Institute of Urban Design.
She currently teaches undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate design studios at the USC School of Architecture. In her teaching, she focuses on 'Adaptive P/Re-Use' – working with existing infrastructure, buildings, and materials. In her design-build studios, she teaches students to design with recycled materials from LA's film industry.
Julia is also an Adjunct Instructor at USC's Sol Price School of Public Policy. She co-founded 'Co-Urbanism', an Urban Design Initiative, and 'Reuse LA', a platform to promote circularity in architecture.
Sophie Pennetier
Sophie Pennetier is a structural engineer with expertise in façades and sustainability. She founded Digne in 2024 to support manufacturers and non-profits decarbonization in the built environment. Digne projects include glass recycling research and innovation, carbon-informed design and procurement support to manufacturers including Enclos, and other circularity projects. Her 17 years’ experience spans from consulting (with RFR, GNA, SHoP Construction, Arup) to contracting with Enclos, where she has lead Sustainability efforts until 2024.
Adjunct Faculty with SCI-Arc since ‘21, Sophie teaches Structures, Facades Tectonics and Embodied Carbon. Serving on the Board of Directors of the Façade Tectonics Institute, she has developed the FTI Carbon group research and grown its educational content. In 2023 she was awarded, in the individual category, the US Glass Sustainability Award for her contributions to industry research and education.
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