C.Scale helps EHDD secure AIA National HQ project commission.

5%

Difference between final LCA embodied carbon results and C.Scale predictions

100%

Of project’s embodied carbon offset through local PV installation

About the customer

EHDD is an award-winning west-coast architecture firm with a strong commitment to advancing climate action. With eight decades of experience helping clients achieve their dreams, EHDD creates transformative places of belonging and impact.

NAME: EHDD
SITE: www.ehdd.com
SIZE: 70 employees
LOCATION: San Francisco, USA | Seattle, WA

HOW C.SCALE HELPED

A path to cost-effective carbon neutrality that meets AIA 2030 Commitment targets.

Carbon instead of energy.

C.Scale helped EHDD present scenarios in their proposal through the lens of climate impact to find the lowest cost path to building decarbonization.

Charts comparing energy efficiency only, clean electrification, and clean electrification with local carbon offset scenarios for the AIA headquarters — Three scenarios from the proposal, charted as cumulative emissions to 2050. Energy efficiency only leaves operational emissions growing to about 18,000 tCO2e; clean electrification with 170 kW of rooftop PV holds net emissions near 5,000 tCO2e; adding local carbon offsets brings net emissions to zero by 2040.

Visualizing electrification benefits.

Building electrification coupled with purchased 100% renewable electricity is visualized as a building design strategy, side by side with efficiency and low carbon materials.

Chart of cumulative carbon emissions with energy efficiency and electrification at the AIA National Headquarters — Cumulative carbon emissions from 2025 to 2055 for the AIA National Headquarters renovation. White bars show the reduction from a typical new building (about 51,000 tCO2e by the end); the black line shows net emissions after electrification and energy efficiency, which levels off at about 21,000 tCO2e.

“We used C.Scale in the proposal stage... I think it set us apart, as we were up against the best firms in the country. What's really amazing is that when we did a detailed LCA, the embodied carbon results were within 5% of the C.Scale estimates!”

Rebecca Sharkey

Design Principal @ EHDD

The “whole life” view reveals opportunities

By viewing carbon emissions over time, C.Scale graphically demonstrated from the start how providing PVs for Habitat for Humanity homes could offset remaining embodied carbon emissions over 15 years.

Chart of cumulative carbon emissions over time for the AIA National Headquarters renovation — The same renovation with every strategy stacked: electrification and energy efficiency, zero-carbon energy procurement, retrofit and low-carbon materials, and community offsets. The net emissions line reaches zero around 2040, the climate positive threshold, and holds there as community offsets accumulate.

You’re in good company.

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