How we build sustainably: Interview with expert Julia Gisewite

Building modern and protecting the environment: "We pay particular attention to the use of steel and concrete in order to reduce our impact," says the sustainability manager at our US building construction subsidiary Turner. Julia Gisewite: "We used a sustainable concrete mix for the construction of the Seattle Aquarium, for example."

What are the current trends in green building?

There continues to be a clear focus on net-zero buildings and energy-efficient design in the construction industry. More companies are setting public net-zero commitments and new environmental regulations are on the horizon. Many clients see this as a proactive way to green their operations, save money, remain compliant, and stay ahead of the curve. Turner is also working with our clients and partners on carbon mitigation strategies and climate change readiness. Regarding carbon, we are focused on procurement of sustainable building materials throughout our supply chain. As more and more industry participants are making material choices that reduce the carbon footprint, we are seeing a rising demand for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). We are seeing a wave of innovation to replace highly-GHG-emissive materials (such as cement and concrete) with greener alternatives and a flurry of activity around carbon capture technology. The smart building space is also evolving quickly. Smart buildings strive to use the optimal and least amount of energy possible using sensors and automated controllers.

Is there a special challenge for making projects such as data centers “green”?

Between the fossil fuels used to build these structures and the embodied carbon stored within them, data centers present considerable opportunities for sustainable practices and carbon reduction. Forward-thinking clients in the data center market have set aggressive targets to reduce the use of carbon-intensive building materials and fossil-fuel dependence during the construction and operations of their facilities. They rely on key partners in their supply chain, such as Turner, to bring innovative, viable solutions to achieve their goals. Turner’s low-carbon equipment pilot is an example of how we are decarbonizing construction.

How does Turner work to come up with the best green solution for clients?

In addition to establishing goals for safety, budget, schedule, and quality, we work with our clients to define and understand the sustainability goals of their project. We are best able to solve critical sustainability needs through early project engagement.

During preconstruction, we present current, technical information to the project team to facilitate highly informed decision-making. Through an open, collaborative process, we work closely with the client, design, and engineering team to develop solutions that best align with the client’s definition of success.