Miller Hull

10/2025: AIA California —The Climate-Forward Firm: Sustainable Architecture in Practice: Chris Hellstern

Date: 10-8-2025
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Virtual

9-22-2025 | Events

Architectural practices vary widely in size, approach, and perspective, but what unites successful firms to positively shape the built environment and its inhabitants are the core values and principles that guide their decision-making and design processes. These foundational elements shape not only workplace culture, but also the projects a firm undertakes, client relationships, the future of the profession, and ultimately the lived experiences of the communities and individuals who inhabit built spaces.

In our new “Running a Practice” series, AIA California explores how architectural firms are integrating three essential principles into their practice:

  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
  • Climate Action
  • Support for Emerging Professionals

This second session will offer insight into how firms of varying sizes approach Climate Action as a key value of their practice. Firms will discuss how they establish climate action goals early in the design phase, what strategies they employ in achieving carbon reductions in their projects, and share best practices and lessons learned to help other firms in their climate action journey.

Speakers:

Gwen Fuertes, AIA, LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects

Chris Hellstern, AIA, LFA, LEED AP, CDT | Living Building Challenge Services Director & Senior Architect, The Miller Hull Partnership

Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA | Associate Principal & Studio Director, Brooks + Scarpa

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Chris Hellstern

AIA, LFA, Associate, Living Building Challenge Services Director

Every architect should be responsibly designing. According to Chris, influencing architecture from an ecological perspective is the most meaningful impact one can have on the industry, as it is so imperative that the field of architecture move forward at no less than the same speed that the climate changes.   As Miller Hull’s Living Building Challenge Services…

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