Ireland House: Low-Carbon Interiors Project
Our recent renovation of The Consulate of Ireland’s office space in Chicago exemplifies this commitment in several ways. Interiors can be a hidden source of embodied carbon – from finishes and partitions to ceiling systems and furniture. From the outset, we brought together designers, sustainability specialists, and construction managers to align carbon goals and understand how each decision would impact the project’s footprint.
Using Tally and EC3, we conducted an LCA to understand which materials carried the greatest carbon load, as well as prioritized finishes with third-party verified EPDs and low global warming potential that we found on the Mindful Materials database. Materials like recycled-content carpet tiles, FSC-certified wood, low-carbon acoustic ceiling panels and tiles, and bio-based wall coverings all contributed to a significant reduction in emissions. The material choices allowed us to reduce the life cycle emissions of our finishes by nearly 10%.
We also specified modular and demountable systems, including partitions and storage components, which not only supported workplace flexibility but also lowered the carbon footprint by minimizing waste, reducing renovation impact, and supporting reuse over time. By balancing design vision, carbon modeling, cost, and constructability, we were able to create a space that is elegant, adaptable, and measurably lower in embodied carbon.
DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center: Synthesizing Function with Carbon
Our design for DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center set in a forest preserve presented a different kind of challenge—one that required reconciling carbon impact with critical performance needs. Protecting both the animals and staff inside the facility meant designing a durable and resilient exterior. Using Kaleidoscope, we evaluated a range of envelope assemblies, ultimately selecting brick and concrete for their structural reliability, despite their higher embodied carbon.
We worked to offset those emissions through concrete mixes that included recycled aggregates. Inside the building, we dramatically reduced the use of manufactured finishes by opting for exposed timber elements, open ceilings, and polished concrete floors. These raw, honest materials not only aligned with the center’s aesthetic and mission, but they also avoided the carbon costs of drywall, ceiling grids, flooring, and adhesives. And again, Tally and EC3 allowed us to see the impact of those choices and communicate the carbon savings with clarity and transparency.
To further reconcile the building’s embodied carbon footprint, the facility is also designed to achieve net-zero energy, powered by on-site solar and geothermal heating and cooling systems — ensuring that the building operates as lightly as possible on the planet, both today and in the long term.
Whether it’s choosing the right materials, collaborating across disciplines, or using the right tools to measure impact, we’re focused on making smart, intentional choices that lower carbon without sacrificing quality, experience, or performance. At Wight, we’re always working to strike the right balance between good design, functionality, and sustainability – and paying attention to embodied carbon is now a significant part of that equation.
As the urgency of climate action grows, we’re committed to continuously improving how we measure and reduce embodied carbon, as well as uncovering new, creative ways to design with both purpose and accountability. We’re focused on pushing this practice forward and shape a built environment that’s not only high performing, but also part of a more sustainable future.
