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Username
Alexandra Gadawski
Proposer First Name
Alexandra
Proposer Email
agadawski@hmfh.com
Proposer Last Name
Gadawski
Proposer Company/Organization
HMFH Architects
Proposer Phone
(401) 536-6875
Proposer Job Title
Architect and Sustainability Leader
Proposer Additional Info
Alexandra Gadawski AIA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C is an architect and sustainability leader at HMFH Architects, where her passion for building performance and knowledge of lighting design has made her crucial to projects at every stage. Providing integral support to project teams, Ms. Gadawski uses her skillsets to push sustainable initiatives and assist in problem solving for complex designs. Her commitment to promoting student wellness is reflected in her daylight and energy modelling which maximizes daylighting in learning environments, as well as her comprehensive research of healthy material options. With a background in energy consumption and voluntary building standards, Ms. Gadawski holds a Master of Science in Environmental Design of Buildings from Cardiff University in Wales and a Master of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She is involved with Illuminating Engineering Society as President of the Boston Section, and is Co-Chair of the IES Sustainable Lighting Committee. Her passion for sustainability and community involvement intersects through her work as Co-chair of the Mindful Materials Architecture & Design Engagement Working Group, which promotes transparency in architectural material libraries.
Proposed Session Description
It is easy to set sustainability goals, but it’s not always easy to quantify or compare impacts of design choices or product options. Every building needs lighting, and thoughtful lighting choices will help projects reach sustainability goals. We often think of energy use impacts when discussing lighting, but there are impacts along the full life cycle of the product, and critical choices that we can make whether we are manufacturers, specifiers, utilities, or others. This presentation will provide a framework for weighting the impacts and tradeoffs that come from prioritizing operational energy use, embodied carbon and material impacts. Methods for balancing these competing priorities to align with project goals will be shared. The impact on users and those all along the supply chain will be discussed. Actionable steps you can do right now to make a positive environmental impact in the short and long-term will be shared. Learn the levers for impact all along the process, from product design to specifying and end of life. Everyone has a role to play when it comes to following sustainable pathways, in buildings and lighting. You will be empowered to ask questions and understand how to advocate for more sustainable lighting for everyone.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
Historically low income and minority communities have been disproportionally impacted by poor product choices. This session will discuss the life cycle impacts of products, and how to reduce the human health impacts all along the supply chain, from resource extraction to end use.
Learning Objectives
Discuss the difference between embodied carbon and operational carbon and explain to colleagues and clients why both should be considered when making sustainable lighting choices.
Analyze design decisions and quantify potential environmental impacts.
Identify pathways and levers to improve sustainable design choices.
Define sustainability policies or goals and implement them on a personal or company level.
Has this session been presented before?
No
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Session Format Details
We will begin with 10 minutes spent on interactive surveys and polling to gauge current knowledge of this topic and identify problem areas in procurement and specification of sustainable products. We will have a 60 minute presentation, alternating between three speakers. We will end with 30 minutes engaging participants in brainstorming around future projects and industry advocacy.

Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2022

Comments about your speaker roster
Kate Hickcox joined PNNL as a Lighting Research Scientist in 2020. She is a creative thinker in the field of lighting, with over 15 years of experience in both lighting research and lighting design. No matter which hat she’s wearing, her goals are simple – to provide equitable and universal lighting solutions that support humans and the environment. Kate’s unique background blends the artistic with the practical and allows for discovery of unique design solutions and innovative research-based strategies. She has authored or co-authored many technical publications/reports and has presented seminars at LightFair International, IALD, LEDucation and the IES on topics including lighting and sustainability, designing for darkness, glare and brightness perception, lighting and acoustics as well as lighting quality metrics. She is currently the Treasurer of the IES Portland Maine Section, Secretary of the IES Technical Committee: Discomfort Glare in Outdoor Nighttime Environments and lead of the DGONE Pedestrian-scale sub-committee. Kate is a contributing member of the IES Sustainability Committee which is currently re-writing the LP on lighting and sustainability. Alexandra Gadawski AIA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD+C is an architect and sustainability leader at HMFH Architects, where her passion for building performance and knowledge of lighting design has made her crucial to projects at every stage. Providing integral support to project teams, Ms. Gadawski uses her skillsets to push sustainable initiatives and assist in problem solving for complex designs. Her commitment to promoting student wellness is reflected in her daylight and energy modelling which maximizes daylighting in learning environments, as well as her comprehensive research of healthy material options. With a background in energy consumption and voluntary building standards, Ms. Gadawski holds a Master of Science in Environmental Design of Buildings from Cardiff University in Wales and a Master of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She is involved with Illuminating Engineering Society as President of the Boston Section, and is Co-Chair of the IES Sustainable Lighting Committee. Her passion for sustainability and community involvement intersects through her work as Co-chair of the Mindful Materials Architecture & Design Engagement Working Group, which promotes transparency in architectural material libraries. As the leader of Sladen Feinstein’s sustainability efforts, Melissa’s orientation towards regenerative design began by redefining her professional habits to align with her personal sustainable values. She holds a BA in Sociology and Spanish from Anderson University and a MA in Interior Architecture from the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University. Melissa is an Ambassador for ILFI, taught lighting courses at RISD, speaks at national conferences on sustainable lighting practices, and consults for manufactures on sustainable product development. As a periodic industry writer on the subject, her article on material transparency in lighting and the quest for sustainable products was recently featured as the cover story in LD+A Magazine. In 2020, Melissa was named one of Lighting Magazine’s international class of “Top 40 Under 40” lighting designers, and in 2021, began leading the IES Sustainable Lighting Committee as Co-Chair.
Reviewer 1
Davis, Fred
Reviewer 2
Davis, Fred
Curator
Davis, Fred
Proposal #
135
Session #
318
Committee Decision
Accepted
Full Description
While the amount of information we have on the health and environmental impacts of the products we specify has increased dramatically over recent years there are still gaps in our knowledge. It can be difficult to make decisions using incomplete information but given the current urgency around climate change and the human health impacts of buildings it is important to know understand what information is available, where the gaps are, and how this impacts the decision-making process. Participants will learn where to find the most current information on the impacts of the products they specify and understand how to apply this on projects. Using lighting as an example we will show to find information on energy use, as well as human and environmental impacts. We will also empower participants to advocate for increased transparency and holistically sustainable products. No matter what your role in the design process, with the right knowledge you can improve the quality of the build environment.