Abodo® Presents / Carbon-Conscious Design: Embedding Sustainability from Day One |

Abodo® Presents / Carbon-Conscious Design: Embedding Sustainability from Day One

Hosted by Teulo CPD Platform on behalf of Abodo. NZRAB: 10 CPD - 5 Core Professional Development | 5 Design | Australian CPD: 1 Formal CPD - AACA NSCA Units: 2, 3 (NSCA 2 covers sustainable concept design; NSCA 3 focuses on material selection and detailed delivery.)

Synopsis: This talk explores how carbon calculation, carbon offsetting, adaptive reuse and everyday design decisions shape a more sustainable architectural mindset. At Pac Studio, sustainability isn’t an add-on — it’s embedded early in how we think, choose materials and evaluate impact.

The Karanga Changing Sheds project is a clear example of this approach. Designed as a temporary public structure, it uses locally sourced and recycled materials, including cleanstone panels made from reclaimed plastics, resulting in a carbon-positive outcome. The project demonstrates how thoughtful choices, even at a small scale, can meaningfully reduce embodied carbon while still delivering functional, joyful architecture.

The project will act as a starting point for the presentation, outlining how these ideas have informed changes to our workflows, material decisions and design culture as a carbon-positive studio.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the basics of carbon in architecture, including embodied vs operational carbon, and how carbon calculation can guide design decisions early.
• Identify practical strategies to reduce and offset carbon through material selection, procurement, reuse, and lifecycle thinking (with real examples from Pac projects).
• Apply a sustainable mindset to everyday practice, understanding how studio culture, design workflows, and project decision-making can support carbon-positive outcomes over time.

Speaker BIO: Pac Studio Director, Sarosh Mulla has a wide array of architectural experience, spanning residential, heritage, and civic projects, and whose influence has helped shape the studio’s design ethos from its very beginning. With over 19 years of experience, Sarosh brings a deeply considered approach to architecture, grounded in clarity, sustainability, and strong ideas.

After graduating at the top of his class from the University of Auckland in 2008, Sarosh has led projects awarded by both the New Zealand Institute of Architects and the Designers Institute of New Zealand.

Some of his proudest works include projects such as Lava Flow and Waka Huia. Alongside practice, Sarosh completed a PhD in Architecture by Practice at the University of Auckland as a Doctoral Scholar and continues to lecture there, bridging academic research and architectural practice in ways that keep both forward-looking and relevant. He also led the funding and construction of the Longbush Eco Sanctuary, coordinating the efforts of 88 volunteers and sponsors.

Speaker BIO: Sarah Buckley | National Sales & Specification Manager - New Zealand. With 19 years of experience in the building industry, Sarah began her career as an architectural designer before transitioning into sales and specification management. Passionate about innovation and healthier building practices, Sarah is dedicated to educating designers and builders on the impact of their material choices, helping to shape a more sustainable and informed future for the industry.

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