Build Like It's the End of the World: A Practical Guide to Decarbonize Architecture, Engineering, and Construction

Authoritative roadmap to the design and construction of a carbon-positive built environment

Build Like It’s the End of the World stands as a compelling manifesto for the AEC industry, confronting the urgent challenges of climate change with actionable solutions. Authored by Sandeep Ahuja and Patrick Chopson, this text embarks on a journey to redefine the future of our built environment. Through a lens of decarbonization, it challenges established norms and introduces a new benchmark for sustainable design and construction.

This book not only advocates for a radical shift in design and construction philosophy but also provides a concrete blueprint for achieving carbon-positivity in our projects and practices. The authors bring their extensive experience and research to the forefront, offering a guide that marries rigorous analytical methods with practical applications. It is a call to action, urging professionals and students alike to embrace innovative technologies and strategies that can lead to significant changes in how we conceive and construct our spaces.

Within its pages, readers will find:

• A comprehensive strategy for carbon-positive design: a detailed blueprint showcases step-by-step how sustainable practices can be integrated into projects, drawing on the authors’ vast experience and thorough research.
• Engaging tools for practical implementation: bridging the gap between high-level sustainability goals and their execution, providing readers with learning objectives, instructional activities, and compelling case studies.
• Insights on embedding sustainable practices: it offers valuable perspectives on incorporating carbon-positive principles into existing workflows, highlighting the simplicity and profound impact of these efforts.
• The economic and cultural case for sustainable buildings: demonstrating the viability and necessity of carbon-positive buildings, emphasizing the importance of a cultural shift towards decarbonization in the construction industry.

Build Like It’s the End of the World is an essential read for anyone in the AEC field looking to navigate the complexities of decarbonization of buildings. It serves as a powerful testament to the role of technology and strategic innovation in transforming the industry, guiding us towards a future where our buildings play a pivotal role in the health of our planet.

Sandeep Ahuja is the co-founder and CEO of cove.tool, an AI-first consulting platform that breaks down barriers in the design and construction cycle, creating a new network of shared information, interoperability, and accountability across projects and teams. Sandeep is a recognized leader and influencer in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, having won the Forbes 30 Under 30 Award, presented at the UN Environment Assembly, and presented at TEDx Atlanta, SXSW, and multiple professional conferences. She is passionate about transforming the AEC industry with intelligent and innovative solutions to reduce risk, boost transparency, and maximize productivity across the board.

Patrick Chopson, AIA is Chief Product Officer and co-founder at cove.tool and a licensed architect with over twenty years of experience committed to climate action through decarbonizing the built environment. He ran a successful consulting and architectural practice before turning his attention to building simulation, AI, and computational design. He built one of the world’s fastest daylight simulations and holds a patent for cove.tool’s cost vs. building performance optimization methodology.