Following the success of the first workshop, ULI Atlanta and Livable Buckhead hosted a second session on March 4, 2025, at Cousins Properties, bringing together industry leaders to advance embodied carbon strategies in Buckhead. This workshop focused on developer perspectives, zoning considerations, and real-world implementation strategies for low-carbon materials and reporting.

Attendees participated in breakout discussions on policy updates, market-driven solutions, and the role of soft power in encouraging adoption without mandates. The session concluded with a keynote on mass timber’s potential in urban development, offering insights into cost, feasibility, and scalability.

As Buckhead continues to position itself at the forefront of efficient, high-value development, this workshop provided actionable steps for businesses and policymakers to drive forward practical, market-friendly solutions for reducing embodied carbon. This workshop reinforced Buckhead’s commitment to leading the way in reducing embodied carbon through innovative building practices and industry collaboration. With support from ULI, Livable Buckhead, and key sponsors like Georgia Power, stakeholders are working together to drive meaningful progress in the built environment.

Livable Buckhead’s work on Embodied Carbon is made possible through the generous support of ULI Atlanta.

Collaboration is at the heart of this initiative. Engaging a diverse group of stakeholders—each bringing unique insights, expertise, and perspectives—is essential to shaping a clear path forward. Over the next several weeks, ULI’s technical writer will be distilling the key takeaways from this workshop into a comprehensive deliverable for Livable Buckhead. We look forward to seeing how this work translates into actionable steps driven by shared consensus.

Summary of Past Embodied Carbon Work

Presenter: Helen Petersen, Livable Buckhead

Dive into Embodied Carbon in Buckhead: The Path Forward, where Helen Petersen of Livable Buckhead recaps past work with ULI Atlanta on reducing embodied carbon in the built environment. This session explores key findings from previous workshops, the importance of material choices, and strategies for integrating low-carbon construction practices into Buckhead’s development future.

A Developer’s Perspective on Embodied Carbon

Presenters: Ayden Kristmanson and Vincent Delfaud – Bosa Properties

Explore A Developer’s Perspective on Embodied Carbon with Ayden Kristmanson and Vincent Delfaud of Bosa Properties. This session dives into the challenges of mainstreaming embodied carbon reduction, the impact of zoning on sustainable design, and the financial considerations for developers. Learn what it will take for the industry to embrace low-carbon construction and hear firsthand experiences with embodied carbon reporting and reduction requirements.

Mass Timber & Embodied Carbon in Development

Presenter: Susan Jones – FAIA, atelierjones LLC

Discover the potential of Mass Timber & Embodied Carbon in Development with Susan Jones, FAIA, of atelierjones LLC. This session explores the role of mass timber in urban multifamily projects, insights from the Heartwood project in Seattle, and strategies for overcoming cost, code, and feasibility challenges. Learn how mass timber is scaling in regional and national markets and its impact on embodied carbon reduction.

Resources & Next Steps

Buckhead is taking decisive action to lead the way in smart, high-value development. Through these efforts, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance the long-term value of their projects.

For further information and to get involved, contact Helen Petersen