Paige Humecki is a passionate professional in the energy sector who has been with ArchTam since 2018. From her beginnings in Chicago to her current role in London, Paige’s career journey is a testament to innovation, collaboration and a commitment to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Today, Paige leads our Energy Advisory team in the UK, supporting a range of energy system feasibility and decarbonization programs for public and private clients.  

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I first became interested in the energy sector during my studies in environmental engineering, but it was my first job at a small energy consulting firm that truly ignited my passion. In my opinion, energy is the greatest challenge of the 21st century. How do we meet increasing energy needs while decarbonizing and achieving critical climate goals? This is the question that drives me every day.

I think what has kept me in the industry is that there is always something new. There’s always a new technology, or a new approach. I feel like every six months, there is something technically different about my job that I can learn about. I also like that often when we’re working on projects, we’re focusing on the feasibility of the project because it’s the first of its kind. No one has quite figured out how to broadly decarbonize multiple industrial sectors — or how to decarbonize an entire town. That means we’re often piecing together the puzzle in real time. What technical limitations do we need to navigate? Which emerging technologies are mature enough to apply?

The people in this industry have been a significant source of inspiration for me, both at ArchTam and within the energy sector. I think many people are driven by similar factors to those that inspire me — ultimately, these are decarbonization and achieving vital global goals. We face the immense challenge of addressing these issues on a global scale. Overall, the innovative approaches we take and the incredible people we work with along the way make this journey truly rewarding.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

Since joining ArchTam in 2018, I’ve had the privilege of working on a wide range of projects, from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to community-based energy initiatives. Moving to London has given me a global perspective on the energy industry, and it’s been fascinating to see how energy challenges are approached differently in different countries.

One of the things I love about working at ArchTam is the incredible technical expertise of my colleagues and their willingness to share knowledge. It’s a collaborative environment in which I’m constantly learning and growing — which is something I truly value.

I also love the scale and diversity of the work we do. It takes time to fully grasp everything ArchTam is involved in, but that’s part of the excitement. I’m always discovering new opportunities and areas of expertise within the company, which keeps my work dynamic and fulfilling.

It’s difficult to choose just one favorite project, but two stand out as particularly meaningful to me because of their scale, complexity and the impact they had on both my professional growth and the communities we served.

The first was a project on which I had the privilege of leading a team to help a major industrial client in Europe achieve its ambitious climate-neutral goals. This was a large-scale initiative that required us to travel across multiple European countries to assess a variety of industrial sites. Each site had its own unique challenges, from outdated infrastructure to varying levels of regulatory compliance, and we had to develop tailored decarbonization strategies for each one. The project was intense, with a fast-paced timeline and high stakes, but it was also incredibly rewarding. It pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated, from managing a diverse team to navigating the complexities of working across different countries and cultures. What made the experience even more fulfilling was the client’s genuine passion and commitment to sustainability. They were fully invested in the process, which created a collaborative and inspiring environment for everyone involved. It was a powerful reminder of how impactful partnerships can be when everyone is aligned toward a common goal.

The second project that stands out is the bus electrification study we conducted for the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency in California. This project was particularly meaningful because it combined technical innovation with a strong focus on community impact. The task was to design solutions for electrifying a bus fleet in a rural area with limited electrical infrastructure. This wasn’t just about implementing cutting-edge technology; it was about addressing the unique needs of small, often underserved communities. We had to think creatively about how to overcome the challenges of limited grid capacity while ensuring that the solutions we proposed were both practical and sustainable. Our analysis went beyond just the buses themselves — we explored how investments in electrification could bring broader benefits to the community, such as improving access to the electrical grid and reducing energy costs for residents. The project also required extensive community engagement, which was particularly challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to adapt to virtual outreach methods to ensure that the voices of local residents were heard and that their needs were incorporated into our plans. Despite these challenges, the project remains a highlight of my career because of its potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. It was incredibly rewarding to know that our work could help create a more sustainable and equitable future for these communities.

Both of these projects represent what I love most about working at ArchTam: the opportunity to tackle complex, meaningful challenges that require innovative thinking and collaboration. They have not only allowed me to grow as a professional but have also reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact on the world through my work.

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

Much of my work at ArchTam revolves around feasibility studies. While I may often be working a few steps ahead of actual implementation, I take immense pride in knowing that these early studies lay the foundation for projects that can transform communities. Our projects are a rewarding reminder that the groundwork we lay today sparks the transformative projects of tomorrow.

Ultimately, decarbonization and grappling with the practical limits in any community sits at the core of my work. Personally, however, a way in which I feel I have positively impacted the community and one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career has been engaging directly with students and young professionals.

The energy industry is experiencing significant growth, and there is a shortage of skilled professionals. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to host placement students and interns. I have also spoken at events and visited schools, which has allowed me to connect with individuals who are early in their careers or who may not have had exposure to this sector. I enjoy discussing the energy industry with them and sharing insights about its opportunities.

However, I feel that it is critical to tie decarbonization to real opportunities for people — and opportunities to engage with early professionals or anyone who’s still deciding what to study at university is my favourite way of doing that. We need so many skilled professionals across the energy industry, from all backgrounds and with various skill sets, and it takes time to develop them. Each conversation, internship, and school visit contributes to preparing these future professionals to tackle the big challenges in the energy industry. Seeing them leave with renewed enthusiasm and a clearer vision for their roles in our field is incredibly fulfilling.

Share a piece of career advice

I always tell people: never stop asking questions. Curiosity is so important, especially in a field like energy, as it’s constantly evolving. It’s critical to stay open to learning — whether it’s gaining technical knowledge or understanding the decisions being made around you. After all, if we had all the answers, we would already have decarbonized the world!

As a woman in this industry, I’ve felt the pressure to always have the answers, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask questions and seek clarity. I feel that this is the only way to grow and contribute meaningfully. I encourage everyone entering this field to embrace curiosity and not shy away from asking for help or deeper understanding.

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In this blog, Marc Colella, ArchTam Fellow, examines how digital innovation can help cities and portfolio owners accelerate their net-zero transition while safeguarding long-term value and livability.

What’s the urgency?

The built environment remains responsible for nearly 40 percent of global carbon emissions, making it both a major contributor to climate change and a crucial lever for mitigation. Although progress has been made — the sector’s carbon share has dropped from 39 to 37 percent in just five years, energy intensity is down 15 percent since 2010, and renewables now supply almost one-third of global electricity — the momentum remains uneven. High retrofit costs, regulatory complexity and rising investor expectations are placing pressure on portfolio owners to act decisively.

Key barriers to portfolio decarbonization

The pathway to portfolio decarbonization remains constrained by several persistent challenges, especially related to mobilizing technology. The four digital and systemic barriers that must be overcome to unlock large-scale transformation are:

1. Data fragmentation – Asset-level carbon and energy data is often trapped in silos across diverse geographies, sectors and standards.
2. Regulatory complexity – Over 40 national carbon regulations exist worldwide, each with distinct formats, verification processes and disclosure requirements that complicate cross-market alignment.
3. Scope 3 tracking – Indirect emissions, often forming the majority of a portfolio’s carbon footprint, remain largely untracked or inconsistently measured.
4. Technology infrastructure – Many organizations still rely on disconnected digital tools. Scaling a digital platform across markets with different cybersecurity and data laws is a significant undertaking.

Despite these challenges, the pace of digital evolution in the built environment offers reasons for optimism. Over the past decade, the industry has moved from static spreadsheets to predictive digital twins, and from manual compliance to AI-powered climate intelligence capable of optimizing investments in real time.

The next frontier is integration, which includes building scalable ecosystems that link data, technology and human insight. This approach allows for simulation, planning and action across entire portfolios, which then turns decarbonization from a fragmented exercise into a coordinated, data-driven strategy.

Portfolio Decarbonization Transformative Framework

To guide this transition, we’ve developed a Portfolio Decarbonization Transformative Framework, mapping five domains where digital transformation must occur simultaneously for decarbonization to reach its full potential. Each domain connects people, processes and technologies in one shared ecosystem, ensuring that every stakeholder from portfolio managers to facility operators can act on consistent, real-time insights.

The potential benefits are clear:

• 35 percent reduction in operational emissions.
• 40 percent higher return on investment (ROI) on capital works.
• 95 percent faster regulatory reporting.

The framework also underpins our pioneering work in Portfolio Carbon Capital Optimization, an approach that integrates financial and carbon intelligence to optimize investment decisions across complex asset portfolios.

Turning strategy into action: The role of digital twins

The Portfolio Carbon Capital Optimization Framework is a digital planning twin designed to optimize both carbon reduction and cost performance across entire asset portfolios. It unites a suite of analytical tools within a shared data ecosystem, enabling portfolio and facility managers to make coordinated, data-driven decisions. Using an optimization algorithm, it generates capital works programs that balance carbon reduction, cost efficiency, and compliance priorities.

By connecting users, tools and data across disciplines and systems through a centralized data lake, the platform delivers consistent, real-time insights across all assets, thus transforming strategy into actionable and financially defensible pathways toward net zero. Beyond portfolio management, it also serves as a model for how city-scale digital ecosystems can inform infrastructure planning, energy transitions and investment prioritization.

Advancing the decarbonization agenda

Accelerating decarbonization requires more than technology. It requires commitment, leadership and systems thinking. Resilient city-making is a collective endeavor, driven by the shared goal of achieving a net-zero, inclusive urban future.

So, what are some of the next steps the industry can take?

• Approach decarbonization as a portfolio-wide challenge, not an individual asset issue.
• Establish a digital framework that unifies data, personas and outcomes.
• Align capital programs with carbon optimization, prioritizing the execution of projects with the lowest returns to maximize overall impact.
• Adopt an open ecosystem approach — recognizing that no single technology or organization can deliver the full solution alone.

Our work alongside clients, governments and industry partners helps to turn climate goals into actionable pathways — helping shape cities that are not only decarbonized, but also equitable, connected and ready for the future.

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Looking back on your career and time at ArchTam, what’s one moment or experience that really affirmed your purpose or values — something that made you stop and think, ‘this is why I do what I do’?

I can’t pinpoint one defining moment but rather reflect on the journey — where my career has taken me and the incredible people I’ve worked alongside. I’m inspired by connecting with others, clearing the path to help them succeed and solving problems to support collective progress.  

I’ve enjoyed a career where I’ve grown personally and professionally, made possible by supportive workplaces and my parents, who’ve helped me balance work and family life.

I’ve been involved in encouraging and inspiring the next generation. The real “this is why I do what I do” moments come when students tell me they’re inspired to pursue engineering or mining after we connect at industry events. What drives me is helping others see the many career opportunities this sector offers — and empowering them to choose their own path.

Tell us about your career journey.

I studied Mining Engineering and Commerce in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia in the mid-nineties, a wild, fun time with a strong sense of family. We all moved there straight from high school, living and studying in the heart of the mining world. Most holidays were spent gaining experience on sites across the Goldfields.

After graduating, I spent five years in operations at WMC Mt Keith nickel mine in the Northern Goldfields, then up to Hamersley Irons Yandi mine in the Pilbara.

When I had my first child, I returned to Perth and transitioned to consulting. It was the right move — exciting projects, the ability to be home every night and opportunities to travel overseas, including to Russia and Colombia!

My move to ArchTam and infrastructure consulting was driven by a desire to broaden my   experience and skills. After 25 years in it, I wanted to stay connected to the mining sector, while broadening my perspective by working in a space that supports it in new ways. ArchTam’s commitment to delivering a better world really resonated with my personal values.

Tell us about yourself outside of work.

I’m a mother of two vivacious and dynamic teenagers! They are my world, and I’ve loved witnessing them find their way in the world.

Outside of family, I’m passionate about volunteering, particularly when it comes to educating and inspiring high school students about the wide-ranging career opportunities in the resources sector. There’s an awareness gap between the hundreds of roles available, and how essential mining is to our everyday lives.

For over a decade, I’ve been involved with the not-for-profit Get Into Resources, serving as Chair since 2021. Our committee runs events that help students connect with the industry. I also volunteer with the National Association of Women in Operations. We’re focused on achieving gender balance at all levels of operations. We create opportunities for our members to learn, share insights and build connections across organisations, all with a shared vision of inclusive, diverse workplaces.

How do you see your role evolving in the next few years, especially with how the industry is changing?

I envisage in my role at ArchTam that I’ll continue to provide support to the teammates around me, in step with the changing needs of our industry.  While our client base and projects may shift toward different commodities or expanding portfolios, the basic core skills like technical expertise, collaboration and strategic insight will remain essential.  

Our Resources + Industry team plays a critical role in supporting clients across the full project lifecycle, from concept studies through to detailed design.

There is huge potential for growth in renewable energy and decarbonisation. Western Australia is on the cusp of major transformation, and we’ll need resilient, sustainable infrastructure to support that, from power and water to transport, defence, schools and hospitals. I’m excited to contribute to solutions that will serve communities and industries for decades to come.

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave — in your team, in the work you deliver or in the culture you help shape?

I hope to leave a legacy of fostering a team culture where people feel a genuine sense of belonging, connection and support. To me, a high-performing team is one that communicates openly, shares knowledge, builds each other up, tackles challenges together and celebrates the wins.

At the core, we’re all human and our need to belong is a fundamental psychological motivator.

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Joseph Schoenborn specializes in station design that prioritizes architectural excellence and elevates the passenger experience. With a solid background in architecture and a focus on urban transit projects, Joseph contributes to the development of stations that are both functional and aesthetically engaging. His work supports the creation of user-centered transit infrastructure that enhances urban mobility and community connections.

Tell us a bit about yourself – your role and career journey.

I began my career with an international architectural firm, working with a small team dedicated to the design of a 550-meter mixed-use tower in Doha, Qatar. It was a great experience that showed me how collaboration and attention to detail can deliver iconic results.

After the project, I pursued my master’s degree in architecture at Virginia Tech and then joined a small architectural firm in Washington, D.C. where I gained experience of working on historic preservation projects, including the statue restoration at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

I joined ArchTam in 2014, where I discovered my passion for transit architecture. It’s a discipline where thoughtful design directly impacts the daily lives of thousands, improving not just function but community identity, connectivity, and even property value. Over the last decade, I’ve worked on stations and transit facilities across the United States and internationally — from Riyadh to Toronto and Mexico. Recent career highlights include working on the station design for Pittsburgh’s bus rapid transit system, and new light rail lines in Austin, Phoenix and Los Angeles.

Since late 2023, I’ve been serving as Architecture Manager for our Baltimore team, helping to grow our practice while continuing to learn from every new project we take on.

Talk to us about a transit or rail station project that has impacted or been a major highlight of your career. How is it helping to solve some of the challenges and issues our clients and communities are facing? 

One project I am particularly proud of is the Salt River Bridge in Phoenix. The light rail project extends the system that was originally built in the early 2000’s from Downtown into South Phoenix. Our transit architecture team designed eight new stations along the alignment, each featuring artist integration that highlights the different communities in unique ways.

Early into the project, our client saw an opportunity to celebrate the Salt River crossing — a historic, dry riverbed — through design. We seized this opportunity to elevate the overall experience of the transit system. The design we came up with introduced a delicate steel structure that mimics the form and cadence of the existing, more traditional bridge features. The rise and fall of sculptural form — replicated on both sides of the bridge — signifies progression and movement to one’s destination. The result not only creates a memorable experience for passengers but also serves as a gateway between two communities.

You’ve worked on station renovations across cities like New York and Baltimore. How do you approach balancing historic preservation with modern design expectations in transit architecture?

I’ve always considered myself a modernist. I think generally the modern approach is often best. By modern architecture, I mean simplicity — clean lines, minimal clutter, and the use of transparency and open space. In transit station design, every square foot matters, and the challenge is to make the most of it.

At Camden Yards in Baltimore, we designed a new commuter rail station adjacent to the iconic Warehouse. Instead of mimicking historic architecture, we used modern materials like glass and steel to create a station that feels light and open. The large canopy and extensive glazing not only protect passengers but also frame views of the historic site, allowing the new and old to complement each other.

In New York’s Astoria, we rehabilitated four century-old, elevated stations, replacing the original solid metal walls with glass windscreens to open up the views to the neighborhood and transform the stations into transparent, connected public spaces. By thoughtfully integrating modern elements, the neighborhood became part of the station experience, a living backdrop to the transit journey.

Can you share more insights into how modular construction methods can support decarbonization goals in transit projects?

I’ve had the opportunity to tour several modular and offsite fabrication facilities. What struck me most during these visits was how clean, organized and efficient the operations were. The inherent environmental benefit of this approach lies in its ability to significantly reduce construction waste while improving overall efficiency.

For transit stations, offsite construction can be used to great effect because station elements are repeatable. One example is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Pittsburgh. The station shelters were prefabricated in Wisconsin, with every component prefinished and predrilled. Onsite, the installation process was like assembling a puzzle — fast, precise and clean. This minimized construction time, reduced disruption to the surrounding area, and eliminated metal waste onsite.

Use of offsite construction practices can support clients to decarbonize projects by cutting down material waste, reducing transportation-related emissions, and limiting energy use during construction. It also improves enhanced quality control and accelerates delivery, helping transit agencies meet their sustainability targets while delivering high-performance infrastructure more efficiently.

The post Transforming Transit: Meet Joseph Schoenborn appeared first on Blog.

What has shaped your passion for the energy sector and power systems engineering?

Ever since I saw my first transformer phase effective diagram, I was in. I haven’t looked back since.

My career has been shaped by my passion for the game-changing potential of solar energy and battery storage, which are growing exponentially each year. This duo is the cornerstone of Australia’s clean energy future, and it’s scalable, flexible and rapidly evolving.

What’s your career journey, and what kinds of projects are you working on now?

Having worked in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain, I bring a global lens to my work. But I’ve now settled in WA, where I’ve spent most of my career. I joined ArchTam from a role at Western Power, which was a surprisingly smooth transition. I was impressed by how integrated the team is. There are no silos or barriers, we just get straight into the work. It’s genuinely collaborative.

We’re figuring out how to integrate AC and DC systems, how to expand existing networks, and do it all while navigating environmental and social concerns. It’s a real intersection of engineering and policy.

What makes ArchTam stand out?

We can deliver the hardware that connects renewable generation to where it’s needed. We’re building our team here in WA, training them and making sure they’re ready for the scale of change ahead.

What challenges is the sector facing in Australia?

There’s a big skills gap. When I started, there was a 30-year gap between me and the next senior power systems engineer. We just hadn’t trained people in this space for decades, and now we’re feeling it.

Community resistance is also big. We all know of NIMBYs [Not In My Backyards]. Now it’s BANANA, which is Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything. Planning timelines are ballooning, and a lack of community acceptance is a huge barrier to getting the green light on projects.

Neither the government nor the private sector is stepping up to lead, creating a gap where strong leadership is missing.

What opportunities are there in the sector?

REZs (Renewable Energy Zones) are thousands of kilometres from where energy is needed. Our existing systems are near capacity, and system strength and frequency control are still unresolved.

I know this sounds like I’m just listing more problems, but these are exciting challenges that make it a good time to be an electrical engineer.

There’s more coming for batteries, because betting against them is a surefire way to lose money. We’ll see more virtual synchronous machines too, to help manage inertia.

So, how do you keep the balance? What do you like to do outside of work?

I’m obsessed with astronomy. It’s humbling. Looking up at the stars reminds me how small we are. I used to be one of the telescope operators at the Perth Observatory, taking people on tours of the night sky.

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Aimee Ruiter is a licensed civil engineer and sustainability professional with 24 years of experience in environmental remediation consulting. She specializes in sustainable remediation and leads multidisciplinary teams through complex remediation design projects. Her experience spans the full lifecycle of remediation – from site investigation and remedial alternative evaluation to design, construction, and site closure. Over the years, she has focused on the remediation design of former industrial sites, including manufacturing facilities, manufactured gas plants, railyards, and petroleum refineries.

A passionate advocate for sustainability, Aimee is an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) and holds a professional certification in Sustainability from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She plays a key role in advancing ArchTam’s sustainable and regenerative remediation program. Her work includes development of internal guidance, tools, and training to support sustainable practices throughout remediation.  She also advises clients on updating their sustainability frameworks to align with evolving industry standards and business goals, making them more accessible and actionable.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I originally majored in civil engineering with a focus on transportation. But my interests took a new direction when I read A Civil Action, a book about a 1984 lawsuit in Woburn, Massachusetts, where a spike in childhood leukemia was linked to industrial contamination of the local water supply. The case led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require two companies to fund what became the largest toxic cleanup in the Northeastern United States at that time.

That story hit close to home. The book also mentioned the McKin Company Superfund Site in Gray, Maine, my hometown, where a waste storage and disposal facility had contaminated residential wells with industrial solvents. That personal connection made the issue feel urgent and real, and inspired me to shift my academic focus to remediation.

Around the same time, I attended a presentation where environmental scientists were collecting sediment samples from a boat on a beautiful sunny day. Like environmental detectives, they used forensics to discover that there were actually two distinct contaminant plumes requiring cleanup. The project combined my love for the outdoors with complex problem-solving. It looked like fun and meaningful work.

After college, I joined ArchTam and began working in environmental remediation, and I’ve been here ever since, for nearly 24 years.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

Rather than a single project, I’d like to highlight a current initiative that I believe will lead to many of my future favorite projects: embedding sustainability into our remediation practice.

Over the years, I’ve become increasingly passionate about sustainability and climate action in my personal life. I’ve volunteered with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and serve as chair of my small town’s energy committee. Naturally, I wanted to bridge that interest with my professional work at ArchTam.

With the incredible support of my supervisor, Kris Carbonneau, I was able to realign my career to better reflect my evolving goals. She encouraged me to pursue further education, and earlier this year I completed a Professional Certificate Program in Sustainability from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also connected me with John Bleiler, our global remediation lead, who has been championing a framework and tools for embedding sustainability into our remediation work.

Although the concept of sustainable remediation has been around for over a decade, I hadn’t truly appreciated that connection, and I know I’m not alone in that. Remediation projects are uniquely situated to make a meaningful impact, as they intersect with land, air, water, and communities. For the past year and a half, I’ve been in a new role in which I’m working closely with John and a steering committee to help drive a cultural shift at ArchTam — one where sustainability is embedded into every stage of remediation practice.

One of our key accomplishments is the development of our Foundational Standard: Sustainable Remediation Guidance, a practical “how to” guide. We encourage project teams to incorporate sustainable remediation best management practices (BMPs) and conduct lifecycle analysis to evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs). Many of the recommended practices are simple, cost-effective, and impactful –  such as optimizing excavation volumes, reducing soil transport distances, or using rail instead of trucks to lower greenhouse gas emissions. We’re also advocating regenerative remediation, which integrates ecological and community uplift into site restoration, transforming formerly blighted properties into valuable assets for both clients and communities.

ArchTam’s sustainable remediation team has developed several internal digital tools to help practitioners incorporate sustainability into their day-to-day work:

• ArchTam’s Sustainable Rem BMP Checklist: This web-based tool draws from a range of industry sources, including EPA and ASTM guidelines, to identify BMPs for sustainable remediation. Users input details such as project type, remedy, phase, and sustainability priorities. The tool then generates a tailored list of applicable BMPs for that specific project. These outputs can be used to guide internal teams and engage clients in conversations about integrating sustainability.
• ArchTam’s Sustainable Rem KPI Estimator: This simple tool provides quick, high-level estimates of key sustainability metrics for typical remediation scenarios. It calculates greenhouse gas and air emissions, water and soil usage, and estimated field exposure time. Designed as a rough screening tool, it enables teams to rapidly compare different remedial approaches and identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts.
• SiteWise^TM into ScopeX Automation: For more in-depth assessments, many of our practitioners use SiteWise^TM, an industry-standard remediation lifecycle analysis tool developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Navy, and Battelle. ArchTam has created an automated process to upload SiteWise^TM results directly into the ScopeX Portal, ArchTam’s internal digital hub for evidence-based decarbonization strategies, project carbon data and asset specific methods and workflows. This integration allows us to scale insights across projects, enabling teams to identify and implement more effective decarbonization solutions for our clients.

To support ArchTam’s cultural shift toward more fully embracing sustainable remediation, we’re also building a strong support system. I’ve been leading a Sustainable Remediation Enterprise Capabilities Team, composed of international staff who are ready to assist remediation projects in integrating sustainability more effectively. In addition to the foundational standard and tools mentioned above, we’re also developing training modules and template language to help equip staff for conversations with clients and to build confidence in applying sustainable practices. I’m also excited to co-lead the new Sustainable and Regenerative Remediation Technical Practice Group Specialty Area — an internal community for ArchTam staff who are eager to learn more, share knowledge, and advance best practices in this evolving field.

I’m excited to watch ArchTam lead the industry in sustainable remediation and the positive impact we can create together.

Share a piece of career advice.

“Bloom where you’re planted.”

For a long time, I daydreamed about finding a career that directly addressed the climate crisis, without realizing I already had that opportunity right in front of me. Through my work in remediation at ArchTam, I discovered I could drive meaningful change from where I was. I just wish I had realized it sooner!

People often ask how they can get involved in sustainable remediation. My advice? Start where you are. Look for ways to integrate sustainability into your current projects. Talk to your clients – many already have corporate sustainability goals, and we can help them achieve those through how we approach remediation.

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Now based in Perth, he’s focused on building a high-performing, locally based team that can solve WA’s most pressing energy challenges: decarbonisation of heavy industry, grid integration of renewables, and the safe, cost-effective decommissioning of ageing coal assets.

What’s your career journey, and why have you joined ArchTam?

I’ve been lucky enough to work on projects across the globe, from the UK to Australia, that have shaped the energy landscape. I’ve worked on high-profile infrastructure and large-scale energy transition projects. My career has been built on learning from real-world challenges, learning from the ground up. The key to success is understanding the real-world implications of energy projects and using that knowledge to drive sustainable change.

What is it about the WA energy market that makes you so excited?

WA is at a pivotal moment in its energy transition, and we’re leading the charge. It’s uniquely complex and WA is remote, large-scale and heavily reliant on industry.

With the increasing demand for renewables and storage, the WA energy market is forced to evolve rapidly. It’s an exciting challenge, and we have the expertise to support our clients through this transformation. I’m especially focused on grid integration, storage solutions and helping the state reduce reliance on coal.

Looking ahead, what’s next for ArchTam in WA? What’s your vision?

I’m growing our local team, so we have boots on the ground and the technical skills to support WA’s long-term energy and infrastructure goals. Our team has already expanded significantly in renewables, grid and battery integration and environmental approvals.

We’ve already supported a range of mining, energy and government clients. We’ve found clients value honest conversations, clear-eyed assessments and practical strategies, not just imagined ones. Our combination of local insight and global experience adds value here.

We’re working to be the consultant of choice for complex, high-impact decarbonisation and energy projects.

What makes ArchTam stand out?

Our ability to execute. We can do it all, across the energy lifecycle. From technical advisory roles to infrastructure delivery and asset decarbonisation.

ArchTam brings a particular strength in projects that are first-of-a-kind, strategically important or technically challenging.

Whether it’s supporting renewables integration, responsibly phasing out coal, or decarbonising while keeping operations running, we know what works because we’ve done it before. And we’ve got the right team in WA to do it again.

So, how do you keep the balance? What do you like to do outside of work?

I’ve been windsurfing for 30-odd years. It clears the head, sharpens my focus and lets me switch off. The phone can’t ring because it’s not on me.

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Victoria Watson leads ArchTam’s High-Performance Buildings team in California, overseeing sustainability consulting, high-performance and net zero building design, and energy simulation. With over 17 years’ experience working in both North America and Europe, she has spearheaded numerous net zero energy projects. Victoria partners with clients to realize their net-zero ambitions such as LEED Platinum, carbon neutrality, and resilience.

Tell us a bit about yourself – your role and career journey.

My journey into sustainability engineering was unexpected—I initially planned to attend medical school but soon realized my true career path lay elsewhere.

I didn’t realize it at the time but a key moment that led me to choose a career in engineering came when I was at high school and I heard a female engineer speak about her career. Her experiences of travel and innovation sparked my interest in engineering, though my real passion for it developed gradually over time. While studying engineering at the University of Manchester, I secured a six-month internship in ArchTam’s Advanced Design Group where I worked on performance-based design, renewable energy, and sustainability. This led to ArchTam sponsoring my last year of study and offering me a full-time position after graduation. That was 17 years ago!

My desire to grow led me to seek new opportunities and, through a timely connection, transitioned to ArchTam’s High-Performance Buildings team in Orange County, California, moving to the U.S. in 2013, where I now live with my husband and two children Noah and Sophie. Initially, I faced challenges adapting, but over the past decade, I’ve embraced them, growing into my current role as co-lead of ArchTam’s High-Performance Buildings and Communities Team in U.S. West.  Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with remarkable individuals on transformative projects, further solidifying my passion for sustainability engineering.

Talk to us about a sustainable design or high-performance building project that has impacted or been a major highlight of your career. How is it solving the challenges and issues our clients and communities are facing today?

So many exciting projects come to mind, but one that stands out is the Intuit Dome, the new home of the LA Clippers located in Inglewood, California. I led the high-performance and sustainable design analytics for this incredible new NBA arena. Venues like Intuit Dome present invaluable opportunities for honing new skills and pioneering innovative processes. A significant challenge faced by our clients today is the imperative to decarbonize their assets and operations. In response, the Intuit Dome is not merely aiming for excellence; it has set a new standard as the first LEED v4/4.1 Building Design and Construction (BD+C): New Construction (NC) sports arena in the world.

Notably, its 2-megawatt solar panel array and 11-megawatt hour battery storage system underscores not only the arena’s and client’s commitment to sustainability but also ensures resilience and reliability in its energy infrastructure. Moreover, the vision for Intuit Dome wasn’t just focused on environmental impact during its design phase; it was equally dedicated to sustainable operations, leveraging their zero-waste room to sort and reduce waste from events.

Being part of this endeavor has been immensely fulfilling, emphasizing the significance of sustainability in our work and local impact.

What are some key design principles that you take into consideration when creating sustainable, high-performance buildings? 

The ethos behind high performance building design champions a collaborative, process-driven approach aimed at crystallizing a project’s vision and establishing tangible performance benchmarks. Our role involves translating our clients’ definition of what performance means for a project into a performance-based approach leveraging our multidisciplinary integrated teams to track and meet performance goals.   

In recent years, there’s been a notable pivot from energy efficiency towards addressing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon footprint comprehensively. This includes scrutinizing embodied and operational carbon, integrating renewable energy solutions, and exploring avenues for carbon offsetting.

Looking ahead, I anticipate a heightened emphasis on waste management, occupant well-being, resilience, and optimizing building controls. It’s imperative to recognize that we’re not designing for today alone; we’re shaping the built environment for future generations. As such, we must continue to evolve our approach to meet the ever-changing needs and priorities of tomorrow.

As the global lead for ArchTam’s High Performance Buildings Technical Practice Group (TPG), I am very fortunate to work with amazing colleagues who remain committed to delving deeper into these critical areas, driving innovation, and staying at the forefront of sustainable building design.

The US and California in particular is facing a host of environmental issues, such as wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, and extreme heat. How are we embedding resilience into our designs and engineering to mitigate the impact of these issues? Can you give any examples?

Resilience encompasses the capacity to prepare for, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse circumstances successfully. In our approach to design and engineering, we view resilience through the lens of encouraging resilient communities. For example, we recently completed Integrated Energy Resource Plans for three campuses within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), the largest community college system in the United States, catering to over 80 percent of students from underserved populations.

Central to these plans is the concept of a microgrid, leveraging innovative infrastructure that integrates renewable energy sources and battery energy storage systems to enable continuous operation of critical campus facilities, even in the face of extreme conditions or utility blackouts. For instance, during heatwaves or power outages, designated areas of the campus can function as cooling centers, providing essential relief to the community.

By prioritizing resilience in our designs and engineering solutions, we not only fortify the physical infrastructure of campuses but also strengthen the social fabric of the communities they serve, ensuring their ability to withstand and thrive in the face of adversity.

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The Global ABC program plays a crucial role in reshaping the future of our built environment. Their mission is clear: to create a resilient, decarbonized built environment to improve people’s lives, and to represent this critical sector at future COP summits.

This year’s discussions zeroed in on a core truth: we cannot meet climate goals without transforming the buildings sector — and we must do so in a way that prioritizes both decarbonization and climate resilience equally. Buildings are responsible for nearly 37 percent of global CO₂ emissions, and with half the 2050 global building stock yet to be constructed, the stakes and opportunities are enormous.

Beyond emissions, the transformation of our built environment must also maximize social value by enhancing affordability, health and inclusion. Circularity and the principles of near-zero emission and resilient buildings must be embedded throughout the entire construction value chain, from pre-tender design decisions through procurement and post-construction operations, ensuring a comprehensive, lasting impact.

Key challenges in decarbonizing the global built environment

Launched at COP28 in Dubai in 2023, the Buildings Breakthrough initiative aims to make near-zero emission and climate-resilient buildings the global standard by 2030. It offers a shared policy and technical framework to guide national action across five priority areas: standards, demand creation, finance, research and skills development.

While this provides much needed direction, there are six significant barriers to meaningful progress:

1. Policy gaps and inconsistent frameworks

 Although 136 countries reference buildings in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), most lack concrete policies or actions targeting the buildings and construction sector.  Approaches and ambition levels vary widely, making global coordination difficult. The absence of harmonized definitions and overarching frameworks further complicates efforts to align and measure progress.

2. Support for developing and emerging economies

Under-developed and emerging nations need greater support in developing and implementing effective roadmaps, policy tools and regulations. However, challenges such as capacity building, knowledge sharing, and access to finance are not limited to these regions — they are systemic issues that must be addressed across the global program to ensure equitable and inclusive progress.

3. Financing barriers

Mobilizing finance continues to be a major hurdle. Key challenges include the need for innovative financial instruments, risk mitigation strategies, and the mobilization of private sector investment to support large-scale decarbonization projects.

4. Slow renovation and delivery risks

The rate of building renovation remains far too slow to meet climate targets. Retrofits are often seen as risky due to cost uncertainty, performance variability, and supply chain limitations. Extending the life of existing buildings is essential but requires clearer strategies and market mechanisms to accelerate delivery.

5. Embodied carbon and materials

With roughly half of the 2050 building stock yet to be constructed, addressing embodied carbon is increasingly urgent. Circularity, material reuse, new technologies and lifecycle emissions must be prioritized from the earliest planning stages.

6. Supply chain complexity

Delivering low-carbon goals depends on coordinated action across fragmented supply chains. Collaboration between manufacturers, contractors, designers and policymakers is critical to scale solutions effectively.

While global frameworks like the Buildings Breakthrough provide much-needed alignment and momentum, addressing these persistent, on-the-ground challenges is essential to deliver a built environment that is truly zero-emission, resilient and inclusive.

Accelerating action for a resilient built environment

To meet global climate goals, urgent action is needed across the lifecycle of buildings — from design and construction to operations and materials. While roadmaps have been created by the Global ABC to establish a common approach across planning, building design, operations, systems, materials, resilience and clean energy, implementation remains fragmented.

Two-thirds of countries currently lack voluntary minimum energy performance codes. The goal is for most new buildings to achieve whole-life net-zero carbon emissions.

The key actions these countries should look to take include:

• Developing national roadmaps and mandatory building codes.
• Reducing reliance on mechanical space conditioning.
• Cutting embodied carbon.
• Increasing public awareness and transparency.
• Governments leading by example, especially by implementing policy for public buildings.

Driving decarbonization across building operations and materials

Few buildings currently use tools for energy performance management. To reach operational net-zero, the sector must adopt rating tools, energy audits, smart controls and building passports. These technologies offer practical pathways to improving efficiency and reducing emissions at scale.

Addressing the embodied carbon from building materials is crucial, as it remains a major emissions source often overlooked. Priorities include data collection, integrating embodied carbon into regulations, supporting reuse and circular models, stimulating demand for low-carbon products, and accelerating R&D in manufacturing decarbonization. Although methodologies for net-zero buildings exist, their widespread implementation is lacking due to inconsistent incentives and global inconsistency. The sector must embrace whole-life carbon principles through harmonized accounting, open data, and standardized targets. Industry-led carbon pricing and transition risk assessments are vital for valuing the cost of inaction.

By aligning operational tools, material innovation and financial strategies, the building sector can achieve global decarbonization and resilience, impacting both existing and future building stock.

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Miriam Ozanne has a background in mechanical engineering and currently leads ArchTam’s Building Performance team. She established and now oversees this team, which is dedicated to achieving key building performance targets in operational buildings. While the majority of their work focuses on decarbonization and energy optimization, they also provide services aimed at broader wellbeing metrics, such as Indoor Air Quality.

Miriam’s role involves significant client engagement to understand their needs and tailor service offerings accordingly. She continuously liaises and collaborates internally with ArchTam’s multi-disciplinary teams. Clients highly value the team’s ability to provide integrated, multi-disciplinary services to address their building performance needs.

Tell us about what inspired you to join the industry.

I was initially inspired to study mechanical engineering because of my love of Formula 1 as a teenager. However, after graduating, I chose to stay in London and start my career in Building Services. I was drawn to the construction industry by its diversity and the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from various backgrounds and disciplines throughout the entire project lifecycle.

I’m a very purpose driven person, and so applying my built environment design skills to locations beyond just the UK also inspired me to pursue a career in this field. Early in my career, as I honed my core building services skills in my graduate role, I already had the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to international development projects. As a member of PART (Palestine Regeneration Team), a voluntary network of architects, urban planners, academics and engineers based in the UK, I assembled multi-disciplinary engineering teams to support sustainable regeneration projects with NGOs in Palestine.

As my career progressed and I developed my project management skills, I later created the scope and secured the funding to develop renewable energy and recycled water strategies for schools in the Levant using two schools in Lebanon and Palestine as case studies. In addition, I secured research funding to develop a holistic masterplanning methodology to facilitate the planning and implementation of electricity mini-grid projects both in Palestine and in other emerging economies around the world.

What is your favorite ArchTam project that you’ve worked on and why?

One of my recent favourite projects has been working on 20 Fenchurch Street, London (popularly known as the “Walkie Talkie”), where our team helped reduce the building’s operational energy consumption and plan the route to net zero. As project director, I really enjoyed collaborating with the engaged client and building management team to deliver the best outcomes.

When analysing the performance of buildings in use, the challenge often lies in the lack of data. However, in this case, the challenge was the abundance of data available. Our team developed a new tool to efficiently sort and sanitise the data, enabling us to identify significant energy saving opportunities. These included measures such as changing central plant operating set points and optimising plant sequencing which were simple to implement but required in-depth design knowledge and experience to understand the optimum balance between different systems. The building management team were already regularly reviewing plant schedules to minimise plant operation when the building was not in use. However, the in-depth data analysis helped us identify occurrences when main plant was still being triggered to run out of hours and variable speed controls were not working as expected, based on our understanding of building loads and external conditions. This also led to further savings opportunities.

Many of these measures have now been implemented, alongside other initiatives by the building management team, without requiring any investment in capital expenses. This contributed to a 10.6 percent reduction in gas consumption and a 5.3 percent reduction in electricity use in 2023, despite occupancy rising by more than a third over the same period. We recently reviewed the progress for 2024 and found that even greater energy savings have been achieved as the building management team continues to implement many of our recommendations. 

Tell us a story of how your work positively impacted the community.

While much of our building performance work focuses on energy and carbon reduction to address the current climate crisis, I believe that true building performance encompasses a wide range of factors that affect not only the environment but, among other things, people’s health, wellbeing and overall experience within a space.

We explored this with a longstanding client while carrying out a building performance review several years after the refurbishment of their building which our MEP team designed. Alongside reviewing the energy performance, we monitored indoor air quality and measured the lighting performance in typical spaces around the office. It was particularly interesting how the indoor air quality monitoring gave insights into how occupants were using spaces as well as how the plant was operating in a level of detail not available from the electrical meter data. This enabled us to recommend changes to plant operation that balanced optimizing energy performance with enhanced indoor air quality, matched to space utilization and occupancy patterns.

Research suggests people in the UK spend 80-90 percent of their time indoors (homes, schools, workplaces, other public spaces and on transport) and so working to ensure these are healthy spaces that promote wellbeing and support occupants to thrive is critical.

Poor indoor air quality has been linked to sick building syndrome, reduced productivity, and impaired learning in schools. Indoor air pollution has increased in recent decades with the increased use of synthetic materials and greater focus on air tightness to reduce energy loss contributing to this. Improved air tightness in buildings is one example where driving energy efficiency can have knock on consequences for indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing, demonstrating the need to balance a wide variety of metrics to achieve true building performance.

I regularly talk to clients and others in the industry about the importance of maintaining a holistic perspective of building performance and aligning the positive impacts on occupants in buildings with wider considerations impacting building operators such as financial and business metrics.

Share a piece of career advice.

Celebrate the “now” and dream for the future! I am a very passionate and ambitious person, always pushing on to the next thing, and I believe this has helped me achieve a lot of the things I’m proud of in my career. However, sometimes I think I’m too busy looking ahead to what’s next to pause and reflect on where I’m at and what I’m doing in the present. The risk is I forget to appreciate and celebrate some of the smaller things along the way. As I go forward, I’m striving to get a better balance of valuing the present whilst still dreaming big for the future and I would encourage others to do the same!

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