Public-use buildings are often exempt from policies, overlooked by programs, and ignored by leading practitioners due to their unique design and operational needs, yet they make up 8% of all commercial buildings in the U.S. and attract millions of visitors annually. These spaces serve as powerful platforms for showcasing high-performance building design.

This panel features experts in designing, operating, and decarbonizing museums, performing arts venues, and airports. They will share key lessons from real-world projects, cutting-edge research, and industry-wide initiatives to scale decarbonization efforts across sectors.

Pais will be accompanied by Jeff Becksfort, associate principal at PAE Engineers and Alexi Miller, director of building innovation at New Building Institute. The panel discussion will be moderated by Sarah Sutton, CEO at Environment & Culture Partners.

The panel discussion will be held on the second day of the conference, Wednesday, April 23 from 9:00-10:00 AM.