• Sustainability Part 3: Higher Education Targets Net Zero

    In this third and final episode in our three-part series on sustainable design, we hone in on the higher education market to learn how colleges and universities are meeting aggressive sustainability targets.
    Feb. 8, 2023
    3 min read
    Courtesy of Getty Images
    Getty Images 182062692 63e40dba9b28b

    In this third and final episode in our three-part series on sustainable design, we hone in on the higher education market to learn how colleges and universities, both public and private, are setting (and achieving) aggressive sustainability targets on their journey to reach net zero. Guests Martha Larson, director of Sustainability for RMF Engineering, Jennifer Cordes, principal at Hord Coplan Macht, and Darrah Jakab, associate principal, sustainable design, at MHTN, join chief content director Robert Nieminen for a conversation about the successes and strides this industry is making in the field of sustainability.

    Meet Our Guests

    Martha Larson, director of sustainability, RMF Engineering

    Martha Preferred Web
    Working alongside leadership at each of RMF’s eleven offices, Larson focuses on climate-driven and carbon reduction efforts across the firm’s utility and energy planning portfolio. Larson works with cross-disciplinary teams of energy master planners, building systems engineers, underground utility distribution engineers, and utility generation engineers to strengthen decarbonization strategies and implementation plans for clients across the country. She is also responsible for deepening RMF’s commitment to sustainability and identifying opportunities to further ingrain carbon reduction practices into the organization’s culture. Larson is professionally and personally dedicated to fighting the climate crisis on all fronts and working to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible. She loves the problem-solving aspects of engineering combined with its ability to create a more resilient, clean energy future.

    Larson comes to RMF following more than a decade as the Manager of Campus Energy and Sustainability at Carleton College, where she championed campus-wide climate action initiatives. At Carleton, she oversaw the installation of the institution’s second commercial-size wind turbine, development of the campus climate action plan and a campuswide transition from district steam heating to low temperature hot water tied to a geothermal heat pump system. Larson’s role was directly responsible for reducing the college’s carbon footprint by nearly 70% since 2008. Prior to Carleton, she worked in Chicago as an acoustical consultant with Kirkegaard Associates and an owner’s representative with the Rise Group where her project portfolio featured many prominent cultural and performing arts projects. 

     Jennifer Cordes, principal at Hord Coplan Macht

    Jenniferc 2020
    With more than 20 years of experience in architecture, Jennifer serves as the Market Sector Leader for the firm’s higher education practice. She also provides planning and design leadership for the firm’s most complex campus projects, specifically for the design of science and laboratory spaces. She is a strong advocate for a collaborative and interactive design process that focuses on high-performing designs that capture the culture of an institution and support active learning and research. Her dedication to building consensus amongst administration, faculty, staff, and researchers has helped to produce creative design solutions for their programs whether constructing an all-new structure or weaving complex additions and renovation work. Jennifer’s organized approach and communicative process encourages stakeholder engagement while streamlining her projects for maximum efficiency. 

    Darrah Jakab, associate principal, sustainable design, MHTN

    Darrah Jakab
    As an architect, Darrah has experience guiding project teams through various certification processes such as LEED, WELL, and Zero Energy. Her background in environmental science, geology, and architecture helped pave the way for her exploration in sustainable design. Throughout her career, she has been championing the impact of sustainability and climate-responsive design.

    About the Author

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    Robert Nieminen

    Chief Content Director

    Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources

    Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.

    He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.

    Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.

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