| Session | Title | CE Hours | |
| 8:00am | 1A | Mindful Materials Common Material Framework: Columbus it’s time to get onboard. (Shaw) | 1 GBCI LEED specific BD+C 1 WELL specific 1 AIA LU / HSW |
| 1B | Thinking Inside the Box-Transforming Existing Spaces for New Uses (Legat Architects) | 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
| 1C | Circular Design: Strategies for Zero-Waste Buildings (MA Design / Turner Construction / Green Scope Consulting) | 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
| 9:20 am | 2A | Redefining Performance: How LEED v5 Inspires the Next Generation of Green Design | 1 GBCI LEED specific BD+C, ID+C and O&M 1 AIA LU / HSW |
| 2B | Columbus Building Performance Standard : Improving the Performance and Value of Our Existing Building Stock (Columbus Building and Zoning Services / Columbus Water & Power) | 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
| 2C | Preserving Ohio’s Historic Barns (GreenTech Construction)
| 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
| 12pm | Keynote | Empowering People and Saving Wildlife – The Future of the Columbus Zoo Tom Schmid Columbus Zoo and The Wilds | President and CEO | 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW |
| 1:30pm | 3A | SWACO’s New Administrative Office –Using Integrative Design to Lower Operational and Embodied Carbon (DesignGroup and Heapy Engineering) | 1 GBCI LEED specific BD+C 1 AIA LU / HSW |
| 3B | An 1880s Victorian Home: A Study in Sustainably Restoring Our Existing Housing Stock (Urban Green Design Ltd.) | 1 GBCI LEED specific HOMES 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
| 3C | Using Advanced Analytics and AI to Move from Reactive to Proactive and Predictive (Trane Technologies and BrainBox AI) | 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
| 3:00pm | 4A | Turning Existing Buildings into High-Performing Workplaces: Insights from Sarnova Headquarters (MA Design and HAWA) | 1 GBCI LEED specific BD+C 1 AIA LU / HSW |
| 4B | Challenging Convention with Unconventional Sustainable Methods (DLR Group / DIRTT / OSU Wexner Medical Center) | 1 GBCI CE 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
4C | Building the Future: 3D Printed Housing and Sustainable Workforce Innovation in Appalachia (Vitruvian) | 1 GBCI LEED specific BD+C and HOMES 1 WELL specific 1 AIA LU / HSW | |
Shaw
As Vice President of Sustainability at Shaw Industries, Tim Conway has changed the company’s attitude toward sustainability- namely that this goal is a collective responsibility. Tim is focused on the positive effects that sustainable flooring products have on our buildings, and more importantly, the people that occupy and live in the spaces we design.
Tim has worked closely with sustainability leaders within the industry and team at Shaw to reengineer products and supply chains, driving the sustainability= movement forward- both for the brand and the industry. For over 10 years, Tim has been at the forefront of educating and promoting Shaw’s Cradle to Cradle certifications, Declare Labels, HPDs, and EPDs. His significant product contributions include spearheading the company’s reclamation program, introducing Biobased resilient flooring, eliminating coal fly ash, among others. Throughout his career, Tim has served as a vital connection between sustainability industry leadership and has used his market intelligence to drive change in the way Shaw Industries makes products and designs spaces.
His industry expertise had allowed him to present at GreenBuild, Living Future Conference, CleanMed, and other major conferences. Tim is also heavily engaged in building and wellness programs such as serving on the mindful MATERIALS steering committee and creating the corresponding manufacturers group. He is heavily involved in Health Care without Harm, and the Healthy Hospital and Healthy Campus initiatives. Tim was also highly involved in Shaw Industry’s decision to sign the UN Global Compact.
Tim is passionate about collaborating with clients to develop flooring specifications that are safe throughout a product’s entire supply chain, from the chemical ingredients to end of service reclamation. He has a unique ability to translate complex systems like Cradle to Cradle and HPDs into simple stories that empower change and deliver buildings that have positive intent for the future of our people and our planet.
For the past 10 years our industry has come together to address the building material impacts on Human Health, Climate Health, Circular Economy, Social Responsibility, and Ecosystem Health. From this collaboration, the Mindful Materials Common Material Framework has become the network and the blueprint that is making a positive impact to the built environment. Today, with the some of the new digital database platforms that are available to the industry, the MM CMF has been simplified and is becoming the new standard of practice all over the country. Learn about how the mM CMF has been implemented by Owners, A&D Leaders, Manufacturers, USGBC LEED V5, Living Building Challenge, WELL, and many more.
Legat Architects
Erin Reilly-Sanders, PhD, AIA is a Senior Architect at Legat Architects and the 2026 President of AIA Columbus. As a long-time member of the local Committee on the Environment, she has been working with the Committee on Design to strengthen the ways that our awards reflect the AIA Columbus focus on environment and equity. She won a 2024 Young Architect Award and the 2024 Ohio Emerging Professional Award for her education work spanning areas of sustainability, visual literacy, and advocacy for the profession.
Legat Architects
Dennis Paben, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP has been a Senior Architect with Legat Architects for 25 years. He strives to create great work for great people, which typically focuses on schools and colleges across Ohio.
Robin Randall, FAIA, ALEP, LEED AP BD+C leads clients in a design process that transforms their mission into budget-conscious, forward-thinking learning environments as Legat’s Director of Learning. For over 30 years, she has designed and planned educational facilities from early learning centers to high schools. In 2022, AIA elevated her to Fellowship for using a researched-based process integrating the science of learning, language of nature, and the art of innovation to create customized learning environments.
Monique Taylor, IIDA, LEED AP ID + C, WELL AP, LFA is a Senior Interior Designer and Sustainability Coordinator at Legat Architects. She advocates for regenerative interiors that are ecologically responsible by choosing environmentally safe materials with a strong aesthetic resonance and appeal. Focusing on design that incorporates nature into our daily interior spaces, her designs work responds to our instinctive need to connect with the environment.
Space for much-needed programming can appear in unexpected places, often in the over-looked buildings all around us. Affordably priced, this real estate presents opportunities for creatively thinking inside the box while reducing total carbon consumption. Comparing four case studies—1) an abandoned drugstore retrofitted to become a much-needed urban day care facility, 2) a mega call center transformed into an innovative public preschool, 3) a big box store reincarnated as a career training center, and 4) a nondescript department store turned church reshaped into an award-winning preschool—demonstrates the potential for not only supportive, safe spaces but also delightful environments for education in these ordinary existing structures. Successful transformations depend on a number of techniques to complete a makeover from cheerless utilitarianism or banal commercialism to joyful space for even the youngest users. Improvements can also be quantifiable in tons of carbon, allowing designers to assess the efficacy of building reuse. Together, these projects make a strong case for using existing building stock to “think inside the box.”
MA Design
Ally Balmer, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C, LFA is a Sustainability Specialist and Project Captain at MA Design, where she champions regenerative, high-performance buildings that respond not only to today’s challenges, but to the needs of future generations. With a portfolio spanning corporate offices, manufacturing facilities, education environments, mixed-use, multifamily developments, and more, Ally brings a systems-thinking mindset to every scale of the built environment. Her work bridges vision and execution—integrating energy and life-cycle assessment modeling, green building certification, and performance-driven design into projects that measurably reduce carbon and elevate human experience. In parallel, Ally leads internal sustainability efforts at MA Design, helping the firm measure and reduce its own impact by assessing the company’s carbon footprint and benchmarking the environmental performance of its portfolio—ensuring that climate leadership begins from within and that data informs both practice and culture.
Beyond her project work, Ally is deeply committed to advancing the profession. She actively mentors emerging professionals and contributes to industry-wide climate action as a member of the AIA Cincinnati Committee on the Environment and as a co-lead of the Carbon Leadership Forum Ohio Hub. She believes architecture is a powerful climate tool—and that designers have both the responsibility and opportunity to lead the transition toward a more resilient, equitable, and low-carbon future.
Turner Construction
Green Scope Consulting
Dominique Hadad is the founder of Green Scope Consulting, where she helps organizations transform their operations through zero waste practices and sustainable business strategies. With experience spanning waste reduction, circular economy principles, and operational sustainability, Dominique brings a systems-thinking approach to helping organizations implement comprehensive zero waste initiatives. With a background in engineering, she focuses on identifying inefficiencies and building frameworks into programs that measurably reduce environmental impact and build organizational capacity for long-term environmental stewardship.
Beyond her consulting work, Dominique is committed to advancing the conversation around sustainability. She co-hosts the Green Champions podcast, sharing sustainability success stories. She believes that operational sustainability is a powerful tool for systemic change—and that businesses have both the responsibility and opportunity to lead the transition toward a more resilient future.
Achieving zero-waste outcomes requires a fundamental shift in how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated. This session examines emerging design strategies and practical frameworks that support material circularity, reduce landfill waste, and extend the life of building components. Through examples and cross-disciplinary perspectives, attendees will gain an understanding of how early design decisions, procurement choices, construction practices, and operational protocols collectively influence a project’s total waste profile.
Join this presentation and panel discussion featuring leaders from architecture, construction, and sustainability who will share real-world strategies for deconstruction and material salvage, waste-stream planning, and operational approaches that help organizations pursue zero-waste goals. Participants will walk away with actionable insights they can apply to future projects seeking measurable reductions in waste and stronger circular-economy outcomes.
Browing Day
Daniel Overbey, AIA, NCARB, LEED Fellow, LEED AP (BD+C, ID+C, O+M), WELL AP, EcoDistricts AP, Fitwel Ambassador, is an Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability for Indiana-based Browning Day and an Associate Professor of Architecture at Ball State University’s R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning. His work focuses on high-performance and zero net energy/zero net carbon building design and construction, environmental systems research, energy/life cycle assessment modeling, and resilient design. Daniel has over twenty years of experience in research, teaching, and practice.
Sheri Brezinka is the Midwest Regional Director for U.S. Green Building Council. She oversees market transformation and development activities across the ten-state region. Sheri is an experienced senior leader in sustainability with a focus on the built environment, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement and organizational management. She is a resource to policy makers at the state and local level, and raises awareness about the USGBC’s work through public speaking and serving on stakeholder groups. With a background in the construction industry, Sheri brings over 30 years of experience in the building industry. Sheri holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
As the LEED v5 rating system begins its market rollout, project teams are seeking clarity on how the updated requirements, metrics, and performance pathways will influence documentation, certification strategy and long-term project outcomes. In this advanced session, Kerrie Schueffner, Senior Product Manager for LEED, will provide a detailed examination of the structure and intent of the LEED v5 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M rating systems, with a focus on how the new frameworks improve consistency, measurability, and market alignment across the suite of credits and prerequisites.
The session will delve into key programmatic updates—including the strengthened linkage between design-phase modeling and operational performance, expanded carbon- and health-related metrics, updated materials evaluation pathways, and refined resilience and equity requirements.
Practitioners will gain technical insight into redesigned credit language, performance thresholds, and documentation approaches, as well as guidance on how LEED Online and related tools will support verification and ongoing accountability. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to integrate LEED v5 requirements into project workflows, assess impacts on certification strategy, and provide effective technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams
Management Analyst II, Energy Efficient Buildings
Eric manages the Columbus Benchmarking Ordinance, in the department of Building & Zoning Services. He has a bachelor’s from Otterbein College and an MS in Management and Sustainability from New England College.
Eric has a background in Energy Efficiency (EE) and his passion for sustainability is evident in both his personal and professional life. He has worked for the United States Green Building Council as a Program Manager, a Technical Account Manager on the AEP Ohio Incentives Program for Commercial New Construction, and as a Residential Energy Specialist conducting Home Energy Assessments on the MASS SAVE Program while employed with CLEAResult. Eric developed his passion for sustainability by designing and building ‘Earthships’ with his wife and friends in rural Ohio with the use of a waste veggie-oil truck. Most recently, Eric has been able to share his passion by teaching sustainability merit badge in Scouting America.
MPA, Buildings & Energy Coordinator, City of Columbus
Cassie implements the Buildings section of the Columbus Climate Action plan which seeks to reduce pollution by increasing renewable energy, increasing building efficiency, and improving resilience of new construction. Prior to joining the Sustainable Columbus team, Cassie engaged and supported Ohioans in their understanding of the impacts of local and statewide policy on the Communications Team at The Ohio Environmental Council. She then earned her master’s degree in public administration from The Ohio State University.
In February 2020 Columbus Mayor Andrew J Ginther announced an ambitious goal for the Columbus community to be carbon neutral by 2050. Buildings account for 55% of community-wide carbon emissions so ensuring our building stock is as efficient as possible is beneficial to Columbus building owners, tenants, public health, energy demand, infrastructure, and utilities.The Energy and Water Benchmarking and Transparency Ordinance requires all larger buildings to track and report energy and water usage to the city. Five years into benchmarking, Columbus began a stakeholder engagement process to develop a Building Performance Standard (BPS) that will use data and lessons learned from benchmarking, along with community input, to set energy targets for buildings and provide technical and financial assistance through the process of building improvements and compliance.This presentation will look at the Benchmarking Ordinance, the process to develop a draft BPS, the status of the Columbus Ordinance, and how building energy performance fits into the larger Columbus Climate Action Plan. We will examine the major components of a BPS, and relevant lessons from existing BPS’ around the country. The session will also include an activity where attendees can provide feedback about the draft BPS Ordinance and reflect on how it will affect their organization’s sustainability goals.
GreenTech Construction
How do we measure progress? Maybe the best way to move forward is to pause and look back from where we came. Not too long ago we were all farmers here in Ohio, and there is no better representation of that agrarian past than our historic timber frame barns cut from centuries’ old virgin growth trees. Today, they are being torn down at an alarming rate, and their beautiful timbers are being sawn and shipped to every state in America where builders and architects appreciate their value–all the states where they don’t have barns. We, however, have the barns and the rare opportunity to celebrate those who got us to where we are and create a lasting legacy through their preservation. Pay it forward, as they say. With the passage of Senate Bill 86, Section 5.074, the Ohio barn is now The Official Historical Architectural Structure, and it’s time to raise that awareness. Ohio barns are architecturally and aesthetically inspiring. When one steps inside, they feel something totally different, a heartfelt sensation and a connection to the past. We can now preserve them while utilizing the latest and best building science technologies. Generations past would be proud, and future generations will be thankful. “Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.” Jonas Salk
Tom Schmid is the President & CEO of the Columbus Zoo, which, in addition to the Zoo, includes The Wilds, a 10,000-acre wildlife conservation center located in Muskingum County, Zoombezi Bay Water Park, and the Safari Golf Club.
With a team of 350 full-time and over 1000 part-time team members, and a $110 million annual operating budget, Tom and his teams are focused on a mission of empowering people and saving wildlife.
Tom joined the Columbus Zoo in 2021 after serving for 20 years as the President and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium, a wildlife conservation and marine education institution, and the 7th largest aquarium in US.
After graduating with a MS degree from the University of Central Florida, He began his career at Sea World in Orlando, Florida in 1987. Tom then served as the Director of Operations for NAUTICUS-The National Maritime Center, located in Norfolk, Virginia.
Tom currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Columbus Partnership and the Ohio Chamber Tourism Committee.
Tom previously served as the Chairman and a Director with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a Council member for the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Chairman and Director for the Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau, Director with the Texas Travel Alliance, and a Director with the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.
In 2023 Tom was appointed to the Executive Order of the Ohio Commodores.
Born in Miami, Tom grew up in South Florida, and received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Stetson University and his MS degree from the University of Central Florida. Tom and his wife Kim live in Powell.
As it approaches its centennial, the Columbus Zoo has big plans for the future. Building on the success of the Columbus Zoo, along with The Wilds, Zoombezi Bay water park, and the Safari Golf Club, this presentation will explore the new strategic plan and new vision for the institution, and a preview of a very ambitious 2040 Framework master plan.
DesignGroup
Joe Mayer is a managing principal and design director at DesignGroup, leading the firm’s design practices across all markets and regions with a broad portfolio of award-winning, community-impacting work including the Columbus Museum of Art Walter Wing, OSU Wexner Medical Center New Inpatient Tower, Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Hilliard Branch and Directions for Youth and Families’ Crittenton Center. Inside the office, Joe provides leadership for design-related endeavors, including advancement related to sustainability, wellness, and trauma-informed design; outside the office, Joe is also heavily involved in the Columbus community, recently completing a term on the board of the Kaleidoscope Youth Center as Development Chair and leading the firm’s Pelotonia team. In 2024, he was recognized by Columbus Business First as a 40 Under 40 honoree.
Heapy Engineering
David is a highly skilled and diligent project manager with over 10 years of engineering experience.
He is a fast learner with an exceptional ability to prioritize, multitask, analyze data, and make decisions. David and is particularly adept at developing and managing large improvement projects. His corporate design expertise includes new construction, major additions, extensive renovations to existing facilities, and complex infrastructure upgrades.
He has worked on diverse facilities including corporate offices, consumer packaged manufacturing environments, commercial sites, education buildings, and more. Using his strategic leadership and collaborative communication style, David has led multi-disciplinary teams to deliver successful products and fulfill client’s visions on-time and on budget.
SWACO
Matt Reardon is a professional engineer registered in the State of Ohio. He received his BS in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Ohio State University. Mr. Reardon is the Senior Environmental Manager at SWACO (Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio). He and his team are responsible for the engineering and compliance of the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, two transfer stations, and all facilities. Recently, his team completed construction on a new Operations and Maintenance Facility which they are awaiting final review of LEED certification from USGBC and is in the design process of a new Administrative Building, prioritizing LEED and sustainable design.
SWACO, whose mission is to help support a sustainable future through waste reduction, is walking the talk with its development of a new Net-Zero facility incorporating advanced geothermal, and solar PV systems to produce more power than it consumes on an annual basis. In addition to these operational carbon-focused elements, the project team also focused on lowering embodied carbon in the building’s materials, most impactfully through its mass timber structural system. The project is a renovation and expansion of its Administrative Office Building and incorporates a new Educational Resource Center where SWACO can provide ongoing waste reduction education for the community.
Join DesignGroup and HEAPY as we walk attendees through the project’s goals and design process, discussing how sustainability as well as cost effectiveness were key objectives in developing the low embodied and operational carbon building. The project team will discuss how energy performance, embodied carbon reduction and available federal tax incentives were leveraged to create a building with a substantially lower life cycle cost (and whole life carbon emission) than a traditional building.
Urban Green Design Ltd.
As communities contend with challenges in housing availability, affordability, and sustainability, restoring existing homes has emerged as a compelling and often overlooked solution. This session presents an in-depth case study of an 1880 Victorian home, initially in severely deteriorated condition, and the strategies used to transform it into a high-performance residence ready for the next century.
You will learn how the project team approached energy and water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials and waste management, financial incentives, and historic preservation while pursuing an ambitious LEED v4.1 HOMES certification.
We will examine the realities of working within the constraints of 19th-century construction, including assessing the home’s original condition, maintaining historic character, and integrating modern systems without compromising architectural integrity. The presentation will highlight key design and construction methodologies, from door and window selection to wall and roof detailing, structural restoration, HVAC design, and other system upgrades.
Ultimately, this case study demonstrates how a neglected historic structure can be holistically revived while achieving exceptional design quality and environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The resulting LEED Platinum home exceeded expectations and showcases the powerful potential of restoration as a pathway to a more resilient housing future.
Trane Technologies
Kurt Barrett is a 30-year Trane Technologies professional, Certified Energy Manager, and LEED Accredited specialist with deep experience in optimizing building performance.
He leads digital enablement initiatives that help building operators reduce operating costs, improve indoor environmental quality, and strengthen system reliability. Kurt supports customers across the Great Lakes Region and brings extensive cross market experience in applying data driven strategies to enhance HVAC operations and long-term facility performance.
Trane Technologies
Brian Fox is the Director of Digital Sales for Trane Commercial at Trane Technologies, leading digital transformation initiatives that drive customer engagement and business growth across the commercial HVAC industry. With over 20 years of experience in building technologies, energy solutions, and operational leadership, Brian specializes in integrating advanced technologies with best-in-class sales practices.
He has held several high-impact roles at Trane Technologies, including Area General Manager, Regional Controls Sales Leader, and District Intelligent Services Leader, consistently driving growth and innovation. Prior to joining Trane, Brian served as a Captain in the U.S. Army and began his professional career as a Controls Technician, later holding various leadership roles in Operations.
An advocate for operational excellence and sustainability, Brian is passionate about advancing the future of the built environment through digital innovation.
This presentation will provide an overview of the evolution of cloud hosted analytics and AI innovations and how they can assist facility teams move from “reacting to fires” by catching sparks ahead of time as well as predictive, automated applications that can drive optimization 24/7. The presentation will include real life examples of how building operators have applied these applications to improve their building operations and supplement their team’s efforts.
MA Design
Jessica (Jess) Glorius-Dangelo is an Associate, Project Manager and Sustainability Manager at MA Design. She leads the firm’s sustainability initiatives across diverse projects while driving internal and external impact. With expertise in sustainable design and wellness, she is chair of the firm’s Sustainability Committee and leads the Sustainability Service. Her accreditations—AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, LFA, and SITES AP—demonstrate her commitment to integrating sustainable and healthy building strategies.
Jess has established herself as a thought leader in sustainable design by presenting at industry events such as DesignColumbus (2024, 2025), Rebuild 2024, Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit (2025) and USGBC Ohio’s Women in Green panel (2023). With a strong background in leadership and project management, she ensures projects are both efficient and impactful. Dedicated to advancing sustainability in the built environment, Jessica continues to drive innovation and strategic growth within the industry.
MA Design
Alison Crumley, NCARB, is an Associate and Senior Project Manager at MA Design who approaches projects holistically—giving equal weight to design intent, functionality, and the experience of the people who use the space. She is known for her thoughtful leadership and detail-driven approach, taking time to understand client goals and guiding teams through complex projects with clarity and purpose. Alison believes successful design is not only about how a space looks, but how well it works, and she takes pride in delivering environments that reflect her clients’ vision and support long-term success.
HAWA Principal | Director of Business Development
Jim Porter has two decades of mechanical engineering experience, most of which has been spent with HAWA Incorporated. A Principal in the firm, he regularly assumes the role of project manager where his strong organizational and decision-making skills are an asset. As a project manager, he works closely with architects, owners, and HAWA’s team of engineers and designers to make certain the requirements of his projects are met. Jim also serves on HAWA’s Business Development Leadership Group as the Director of Business Development and is very active in maintaining client relationships.
His project responsibilities often include designing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and fire protection systems for new facilities as well as renovation projects. His clients span corporate, health care, research laboratories and higher educational disciplines. Mr. Porter’s strengths also include energy modeling and sustainable design.
Jim serves on the Board of Directors for the Columbus Chapter of ACE, an organization dedicated to raising the awareness of high school students on career opportunities available in the architectural, construction and engineering fields. He is a LEED accredited professional through the U. S. Green Building Council.
Kokosing Solar
David Zelasko has over 12 years in the solar industry. He started in solar in 2014 as an installer for residential and small commercial projects in Ohio and West Virginia. David joined Kokosing Solar in 2015 as a Solar Consultant, and since his start has helped over 300 homeowners, non-profits, and businesses go solar. David specializes in optimizing solar designs based on customer goals and educates customers on Solar’s impact on their electricity bills and sustainability targets.
The Sarnova Headquarters project demonstrates the powerful potential of transforming an existing building into a modern workplace centered on innovation, sustainability, wellness, and collaboration. This major renovation is pursuing LEED v4.1 Gold, driven by a focus on energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and a high-quality interior environment.
Join this presentation and panel discussion featuring representatives from architecture, sustainability, engineering, and ownership. The team will share the key sustainability and wellness strategies implemented throughout the project and highlight lessons learned from the renovation process.
DLR Group
Hans designs environments that balance the technical demands of healing with the psychological needs of caring. A Principal with DLR Group, Hans has diverse experience leading highly technical projects for nationally recognized academic and healthcare institutions such as The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Hans advocates for successful integrated design through teaching, mentoring, community board engagement, and public speaking. Nationally, Hans serves as the director for the Design Awards Committee for the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health, and he contributes to the Career Path Committee with the American College of Healthcare Architects.
DIRTT
Regional Director
kgreene@dirtt.com | 412-400-6903
Over 30 years in Design and Construction industry with focus on Construction Administration and Project Management. 16 years with DIRTT. Considered an expert in the prefab construction process, leading to several industry speaking engagements and general assist to the A&D and GC community.
Wexner Medical Center
Corporate Portraits
Dublin – Fifth Floor
Mar-02-2023
Photo by Jay LaPrete[/caption]
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Garth is the Senior Director of Capital Projects and Space Planning at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Ambulatory Services, leading strategic initiatives that transform healthcare facilities into spaces where clinical excellence and patient experience converge.
Leveraging deep expertise in capital planning and facility optimization, Garth oversees critical projects that directly enhance the quality of care delivered across the medical center. He approaches each initiative with a clear focus: creating environments that enable healthcare teams to do their best work while ensuring patients receive exceptional care.
Driven by healthcare’s capacity to transform lives, Garth brings both strategic vision and operational rigor to complex facility challenges. His work bridges architectural design, construction, facilities optimization and efficiencies, and clinical function, ensuring that every space serves the medical center’s mission of advancing health through innovation and collaboration.
Vice President – CK Construction
Jay serves as Vice President for CK Construction, bringing over 25 years of experience. He oversees all phases of construction operations, ensuring projects meet strict regulatory, safety, and quality standards while being delivered on time and within budget. He has spent the past decade-plus working on healthcare construction projects, including hospitals, medical office buildings, and specialized clinical facilities. Through a collaborative, team-oriented approach, Jay has successfully led teams to complete projects for all major healthcare systems in the Central Ohio region.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Outpatient Care Powell project exemplifies how rethinking familiar approaches to sustainability can lead to transformative results in design, construction, and long-term performance. Challenging Convention with Unconventional Sustainable Methods explores how The Ohio State University, DLR Group, CK Construction, and DIRTT embraced prefabrication and integrated collaboration to deliver a high-performing healthcare environment that supports both operational and educational goals. Through this case study, the team demonstrates that true sustainability extends beyond material selection—it includes the adaptability, efficiency, and longevity of the built environment itself.
Attendees will learn how this project leveraged innovative construction practices to accelerate the schedule, enhance safety, and significantly reduce waste while maintaining flexibility for future program changes. By comparing the Powell project to two conventionally built predecessors, the session highlights measurable benefits in cost, time, and operational resilience. The result is a compelling model for how institutions can meet today’s sustainability challenges through intentional design, collaborative processes, and smart prefabrication strategies that turn constraints into opportunities.
Vitruvian
Chris Sentz, Founder and CEO of Vitruvian, has more than a decade of experience leading multidisciplinary teams across different industries. He has experience taking companies from ideation to nine figures as well as joining existing businesses to bring growth and efficiency.
Career highlights include exiting his first business at 23 then jumping into corporate America to take a company from $28M to $133M of online revenue in 18 months. As a community leader Chris runs multiple meetup groups.
Vitruvian
Stefano Alva, Director of Operations, Master’s program in Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, with half a decade of experience commercializing innovative technology from its concept stage.
SBIR grant winner, raised funds from world renowned foundations e.g. the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and secured contracts with global multi-billion dollar companies e.g. Georgia Pacific.
The future of housing will not be built solely by faster tools, but by reimagining who builds, where innovation lives, and how communities participate in shaping their own futures. This keynote explores Vitruvian, a bold initiative emerging from Appalachian Ohio that unites large-format 3D printing, local materials, and workforce transformation to deliver resilient, low-carbon housing. Through real-world demonstration projects and national-lab partnerships, the session reveals how advanced manufacturing can restore local agency, create durable economic pathways, and position the Heartland as a leader in the next era of sustainable, community-driven construction.
