Climate IMPACT | SmithGroup

MEETING THE CHALLENGE - EXPANDING OUR IMPACT

SmithGroup is committed to meeting the climate challenge through bold, transformational changes in how we design, construct and advocate for the built and natural environments. 

SmithGroup’s Integrated, Multidisciplinary, Performance Analytics Climate-Impact Team (IMPACT) is a national group of experts advancing parametric modeling and analysis, quantified performance evaluation and an integrated design workflow. IMPACT is accelerating the speed and rigor with which we can meet our industry climate commitments by defining the leading edge of net-zero strategy and design – continuing our legacy as the firm that designed the world’s first LEED-Platinum certified building.

OUR PRIORITIES

DPR Sacramento Interior Workplace — Reduce Life-Cycle Carbon Impact of Our Projects
SmithGroup seeks to expand our industry’s focus on reducing embodied carbon and addressing the full life-cycle carbon footprint of our designs through adaptive reuse and by fostering circular and living systems of economy and scale.

Climate Impact Graphic — Use Innovative Modelling to Maximize Operational Performance 
IMPACT leverages an innovative performance-based design workflow, using cutting-edge technology and advanced computational modeling techniques with a goal to achieve net-zero energy design for all our active projects by the end of the decade.

The adverse effects of an already altered climate continue to intensify—from unprecedented heat waves, droughts, and wildfires to catastrophic flooding and habitat loss. These shocks and stresses are having a growing impact on our communities – with an undeniable link between poverty, health, and climate vulnerabilities. SmithGroup seeks to emphasize an intersectional framework for resilient and equitable design decisions – managing our clients’ risk while enhancing community well-being and livability. — Manage Risk Through Adaptation
The adverse effects of an already altered climate continue to intensify—from unprecedented heat waves and wildfires to catastrophic flooding and habitat loss. IMPACT employs advanced climate modeling and vulnerability analysis to better manage our clients’ economic risks and enhance community safety and livability.

Muse Torrey Pine Rendering — Center Design in Human Experience
Our holistic design approach emphasizes the health and well-being benefits that can be realized along with carbon reduction, including improved human comfort and air quality, daylighting, connection to nature and a responsive commitment to user/community needs and input.

REALIZING NEW SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

IMPACT’s uniquely data-infused approach provides rapid-paced analysis for decarbonization and resilient design solutions at a comprehensive range of scales – encompassing single buildings and sites as well as districts, campuses, cities, utilities and clients with national portfolio holdings. Team leaders are also actively engaged in research and policy collaborations with industry partners and peers to increase transparency around open-source climate solutions.

Diagram for Climate Action — Building on SmithGroup’s history of next-generation energy designs and innovative waste-heat recovery practices, IMPACT aims to improve performance and maximize carbon reductions by pioneering new ways to apply analytics, computational modeling and technological innovation in our design process.

We know that new thinking, practice and partnerships hold the key to our decarbonized future. That’s why our work is leading to more integrated approaches that can foster larger scales of collaboration, impact and benefit.