Posted on December 3, 2025
Post categories: Architecture Climate Honors & Awards
The College of Built Environments is pleased to share that Kate Simonen, FAIA, SE, FIStructE (Hon.), professor of Architecture, Director of the Life Cycle Lab, and Board Chair of the Carbon Leadership Forum has been elected to the National Academy of Construction (NAC). The Academy honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the construction industry and advanced its role in shaping a more sustainable future.
A licensed architect and structural engineer, Simonen is internationally recognized for her pioneering work in life cycle assessment (LCA) and her leadership in transforming how materials, buildings, and infrastructure are designed, constructed, and evaluated. Her research and teaching emphasize the integration of science, design, and policy to advance sustainable and equitable practices in the built environment.
Reflecting on the honor, Simonen shared, “I’m deeply honored to join the National Academy of Construction. This recognition reflects the collective work of our partners, researchers, and practitioners who are transforming how we design and build. Together, we’re proving that addressing embodied carbon is not just possible—it’s essential for creating a sustainable and equitable future.”
Advancing Decarbonization Through Research and Collaboration
Through the Life Cycle Lab, Simonen leads an interdisciplinary team dedicated to advancing the science and application of LCA in architecture and construction. The lab develops new methods and tools that inform material innovation, guide climate-conscious policy, and educate the next generation of designers and engineers.
“Research is most powerful when it moves beyond the lab and into practice,” Simonen said. “At UW, we’re connecting data, design, and decision-making so the buildings we create today contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.”
Her collaborative approach has helped shape a growing movement in the building industry to measure and reduce environmental impacts. She convenes initiatives that unite professionals around shared decarbonization goals, including the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool, the Structural Engineers 2050 Challenge, and the MEP Engineers 2040 Challenge. Each initiative reflects her commitment to practical, collective progress in reducing embodied carbon across the built environment.
John and Rosalind Jacobi Family Endowed Dean Ken Yocom emphasized how Simonen’s work reflects the mission of the College of Built Environments, “Kate’s scholarship and leadership demonstrate how design research can drive real-world change. She brings together faculty, students, and industry leaders to reimagine construction practices and the life cycle of materials used for a more sustainable future. Her election to the National Academy of Construction reflects the impact she’s had both at UW and across the built environment professions.”
Celebrating Leadership in the Built Environment
The National Academy of Construction described Simonen as a “transformational leader driving collective action to advance industry decarbonization goals while shaping a sustainable and resilient future.”
Simonen holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and a master’s degree in architecture and structural engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers (UK)—recognitions that highlight her ability to bridge research, policy, and practice.
Her election to the National Academy of Construction stands as a testament to her visionary leadership, collaborative spirit, and lasting influence on how the built environment responds to the urgent challenges of our time.