Director of Sustainable Design at LMN - Kjell Anderson

Kjell Anderson, FAIA, LEED Fellow, practices architecture and serves as a Principal and the Director of Sustainable Design at LMN Architects, working with all of LMN’s clients to set and exceed sustainable design goals. He wrote the first architect-centered book on energy modeling, co-authored AIA’s first policy statement on climate change, and has spoken extensively on energy, water, materials, and embodied carbon. He founded the Seattle Hub of the Carbon Leadership Forum and serves on the AIA National Committee on the Environment and the Washington State Building Code Council where he chairs the Energy Code Technical Advisory Group (TAG).   Kjell is a conceptual thinker who understands that details are often the only difference between success and failure. To ensure he continues to understand and apply sustainability at all phases, his time is split between Project Architect and Sustainability roles. A lifelong Washingtonian, he lives in Seattle with his wife and two daughters and enjoys playing music and soccer. Show Highlights Understanding what the scope is for sustainability to achieve certification goals.  ​​Different programs for retail spaces.  Why the conversation around electrification is easier to have than solar resources in Washington.  Kjell shares the path for Zero Carbon, his team is working on. University of Washington Founders Hall project analysis on carbon.  Transitioning from energy use to carbon is not a direct translation and demands a different conversation.  Sustainable action plans need to be updated for the future to include all the forms of carbon emissions associated with the environment.  We need great interactivity in our buildings to reduce the cost significantly by having grid friendly buildings. The Inflation Reduction Act addresses climate action and climate justice to expand conversation surrounding inclusivity and practices.   “I would say working directly with clients who have expressed interest in sustainability, and all of a sudden they realize they can do it. And then they're like, ‘Of course I want that. I thought it was beyond my reach to get there.’ Getting a client to go from LEED Silver to LEED platinum, that's a big deal…” -Kjell Anderson     Kjell Anderson’s Show Resource and Information Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES   GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!   If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on .  We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the !   Copyright © 2022 GBES