Sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's a necessity. If we want the built environment to serve the evolving needs of future generations, we need to invest in sustainability today. The good news? Every project holds the potential to be a catalyst for a greener, more resilient future.
In our latest episode of the Autodesk Digital Builder podcast, I sat down with Ben Cohen, Principal at Davis Construction (DAVIS).
Recognized as a leading general contractor and employer, DAVIS is a 100% employee-owned firm that empowers its people to drive innovation and quality. Additionally, the company prides itself on having high sustainability standards; the firm thoughtfully integrates responsible building procedures in its projects to reduce carbon impact and promote transparent sourcing.
Ben and I dive deep into sustainable construction, covering topics such as environmental standards, the circular economy, high-performance buildings, and more.
We discuss:
Ben starts the conversation by discussing the impact of the construction sector on the planet. He cites some sobering stats:
These facts and figures are concerning (to say the least), and Ben points out that the industry must take responsibility for its footprint.
"We cannot ignore the fact that the construction industry plays a role in keeping the earth habitable. Throughout my role as a builder, I've realized and focused on the importance of sustainability. It's important to develop a worldview on trying to make this world a better place and reducing the building industry's impact on the environment."
The construction industry has made significant strides in integrating sustainability into everyday practices.
Going green was once a niche consideration, but over time, these practices have become embedded in building codes, regulations, and performance requirements. As Ben explains, "It's become standard practice, and code has changed now where there are energy and building performance requirements. Sustainability has existed for over 20 years, but LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was the big jump in green building practices."
He shares how sustainability in construction has progressed through multiple phases. Initially, the focus was on material selection—prioritizing locally sourced, renewable, and non-toxic materials. As awareness grew, energy efficiency became a key driver, pushing advancements in HVAC, electrical systems, and overall building performance.
"I firmly believe that the next level in transparency is what goes into HVAC equipment and how we can have more efficient equipment. We also need more transparency in what it takes to manufacture that equipment. That's the MEP 2040 challenge, which is, I think, the next evolution of sustainability in construction."
In the construction industry, the circular economy can minimize waste and repurpose buildings to reduce the demand for new construction.
Ben uses the National Building Museum as an example.
"When you talk about a building like this, it used to be a pension building, but now it's a museum. This is a great example of a beautiful asset that the public still can benefit from in the construction world. Our company does a lot of projects where we're taking an office building and now, we're reimagining the space, with folks not necessarily coming back to work. Older buildings are being converted for residential, hotel, or education purposes. It just depends."
Ben admits that adaptive reuse can't apply to every project, so it's crucial to assess a building's long-term viability early in the planning process.
"Not every building's a candidate for that type of conversion, but when it comes to the circular economy, we must look at the big picture of a building's end of life."
He continues, "The more I think about this, the more I believe we could do a better job documenting as-builts. If we tracked and quantified every material in a building—not just its placement but its total quantity—we could determine how to reuse those materials at the end of the building's life. Yes, you'll need labor to deconstruct the building, but you might save on costs in the process. And you'll definitely have a positive environmental impact."
What challenges do firms face when working on sustainable construction projects? For Ben, one of the biggest hurdles is the industry-wide knowledge gap—many stakeholders, from engineers to subcontractors, are still adapting to sustainable building methods.
"There's a lack of knowledge of how the systems work and come together. So, we set goals and try to understand engineering, constructability, labor, and how the pieces come together. Sometimes, we even educate the subs and navigate their resistance to change."
Beyond that, he acknowledges that not all clients are equally committed to sustainability, making it difficult to gauge who genuinely prioritizes it versus those who see it as a compliance requirement.
"Another challenge for me is understanding which clients really do care about this versus checking a box. I know checklists are important, but sometimes I feel like we can over-checklist our life and society."
"For instance, there are a lot of European companies now that are a bit ahead regarding ESG and their commitment to reducing social and environmental responsibilities. So those companies that are doing business here have different requirements."
There are many misconceptions about sustainable construction. Ben admits that he doesn't have all the answers, but he believes the industry has made significant progress. Plus, the tools needed to build more sustainable structures are readily available—it's just a matter of awareness and adoption.
"There are so many proven tools that the design industry has grown up with. These opportunities allow for healthier buildings with safer materials. Occupants have a better experience, students learn better in schools, and operating costs go down—with little to no additional premium. Refrigerants are already being phased out, so upgrades are inevitable. The real question is, how many recognize these opportunities and take action to build more efficiently?"
Our conversation also touched on client interactions around sustainability. Ben shares that his team has taken a proactive approach by benchmarking projects, so clients understand both the cost and carbon impact of different building methods.
According to Ben:
"We made a conscious decision to start benchmarking certain types of projects and buildings to understand what the baseline could and should be. For example, we recently looked at a project for a client who had initially designed their office building as cast-in-place concrete. And then we gave them several other options for that building and carbon budgets."
Ben explains that while many clients are committed to sustainability, not all are fully aware of the trade-offs, challenges, or opportunities. His team has worked on net-zero energy projects for government buildings and has begun conducting carbon evaluations to better inform their clients.
"A lot of clients are looking at net-zero energy, but we're also doing our own assessments to minimize embodied carbon in these projects. Many don't realize that in interiors work, a significant portion of embodied carbon comes from MEP systems. And there's not a lot of transparency in that."
Digital Builder is hosted by me, Eric Thomas. Remember, new episodes of Digital Builder go live every week. Listen to the Digital Builder Podcast on:
