Christopher Drew, PhD’s Post

Our COO/President, Vincent Martinez, talked with Gordon Gill, Christopher Drew, PhD, and Bob Forest, of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture about density and carbon for this piece in Architizer. Central to this question, they note, is the pressing, overdue need to conceive of buildings and infrastructure as not just connected but integral parts of the urban whole. https://lnkd.in/gyDfRXsN

Carbon Offsets: A Valid Strategy or an Excuse to Keep on Emitting? A two-part blog series by Helen Sanders as seen in usglassmagazine.com. The use of carbon offsets is a key strategy in many companies’ roadmaps to get to net-zero carbon emissions. Over the past several weeks, she's been engaging with colleagues at the Façade Tectonics Institute’s (FTI’s) carbon working group to understand if carbon offsets are a valid carbon reduction strategy or if they are just a convenient excuse for companies to avoid the hard work of reducing emissions. And if offsets are a valid strategy, which carbon credit programs deliver on the promise? Read Part 1 https://lnkd.in/e5bVK83f Read Part 2 https://lnkd.in/gc2dP4g8 #sustainability #climatechange #carbonreduction Christopher Drew, PhD, Mic Patterson PhD, LEED AP[BDC], Sanjeev Tankha AIA, Sophie Pennetier, Facade Tectonics, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, Laura Karnath, AIA, Thomas Bougher

Pretty excited to see the basement walls up on this first of its kind, innovative Will County Habitat for Humanity duplex in Elwood, Illinois. On November 9 we plan to be out there to celebrate the completion of the above grade walls. The partners on this exceedingly LOW #carbonfootprint #concrete and #icf project are many: Logix Brands Ltd. BASF Ozinga Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture Christopher Drew, PhD Ryan Cialdella, LEED AP Andy Lennox AMC Foam Technologies Inc. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association American Concrete Pumping Association Insulating Concrete Form Manufacturers Association and Build With Strength! AIA Chicago and AIA Illinois we look forward to having your members out on 11/9 to learn just how low we can go on embodied carbon with concrete and insulating concrete forms! CEUs will be available!

Not many people look too far back on individuals previous work history or experience but in mine, if you didn’t know and scroll down you will see that, many years ago I was the Queen's Equerry a fabulous role that is hard to even begin to describe. I saw and spoke with her almost every day over two year period and was lucky enough to meet, see and do some amazing things. Most people ask "but what was she like?” It is quite simple she was simply amazing. Just think for a moment on what she has seen in her lifetime. She ruled kindly for over 70 years as head of state for 15 countries of the Commonwealth. 87% of UK have known other monarch. She has had 15 Prime Ministers, received 113 State visits (I was there for Japan- where I was awarded a Knighthood equivalent by the last Emperor, and Brazil- where I played football with Pele in the Marble Corridor of Buckingham Palace). She went on 97 State visits and I saw her in Abu Dhabi in 2010 on her third visit to the region. She has been alive for 1/3 of the existence of the United States. Seeing her and other members of the Royal Family interact with everyone from Presidents, Prime Ministers to Policemen and Postmen whether at a State Visit, ship launch, garden party, race course or school opening there are so many observations. No-one I ever met or saw was not awestruck on the first meeting let alone the 10th but she could instantly put people at ease and knew exactly what to say. Many people had waited their whole lives for that brief interaction. They never forgot that first meeting.  She was inter 70’s when I worked with her but as sharp as a button with a great sense of humour but for me the takeaways of my time there have stayed with me and the values which she showed so perfectly- dignity, loyalty, respect, tolerance, humour and most importantly kindness. Even from the Middle East it is amazing to see from my much younger, non British colleagues across the region how much she also meant to them, and a note from one of my young Saudi ladies was the most moving of all. My LinkedIn feed has posts from every nationality, industry and age saying how much of an inspiration she has been, I am truly moved.  I have hundreds of memories and countless stories of my time and was due to fly back to London for a reunion lunch with Her Majesty next month. We had proposed presenting a private book on what the Equerries saw over the last 70 years which will now be consigned to our memories. Rest In Peace with Philip and your dogs that I loved so much. Thank you for making me the person I am today.

AS+GG is hiring! We have current job opportunities for Architects with 1-8 years of experience. The ideal candidates should be self-motivated team players with a compelling creative design portfolio and strong verbal and written communication skills.  Sustainable/High-Performance project experience is a plus.  Applicants should be proficient in REVIT, Rhino, Grasshopper, AutoCAD, Enscape, Adobe Creative Suite.  Knowledge of Environmental Simulation Analysis tools and Digital Fabrication Methods are valuable but not required. A professional degree is required; however, our search will not be guided solely on years of experience. AS+GG is looking for the right fit. Registration/Accreditation: LEED, IDP application recommended but not required. Education: Minimum Bachelor of Architecture Degree, Bachelor of Science of Arts in Architecture. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. AS+GG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified candidates should submit a resume along with examples of your work to resumes@smithgill.com

We’re #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested?