BAC Talks 2025 Schedule of Events
sessions will be virtual, and afternoon sessions will be in person at the BAC and available virtually. We welcome all local guests to join the BAC Talks Reception for networking with alumni, students, and BAC friends before enjoying our keynote speaker.
Day I | Wednesday, April 2, 2025
12:00PM | Cultivating the Next Gen and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Isaac Andrade, Assoc. AIA, B.Arch’18, Associate, Sasaki
Dragana Bogavac, MDS-SUD’15, Director of Pre-College and Faculty, BAC
Luis Frias, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, City of Boston Planning Department
Anna Mezheritskaya, B.Arch’17, Project Architect and Sustainability Lead, NBBJ Design and Sustainability Director of Gateway Office, BAC
Moderator:
Bethany I. Lundell Garver, AIA, NOMA, Dean of Practice and Director of Gateway Office, BAC
Location: BAC and Virtual
As cities face unprecedented challenges, the role of architects and designers in building resilient urban environments has never been more critical. This panel brings together leading voices from academia, design practice, and planning to explore how to support and cultivate emerging talent from all backgrounds.
1:45PM | Housing and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Kyle Barker, AIA NCARB, Founder, Primary Projects
Prasanna Lachagari, M.Arch’20, Director of Design/Partner, SDI Architecture and BAC Alumni Advisory Council Member
Rand Lemley, AIA, CPHC, MDS-RED’21, Architect / Sustainability Lead, DREAM Collaborative and Adjunct Faculty, BAC
Paul E. Linet, Founder and CEO 3i Housing of Maine
Moderator:
Isra Banks, AIA, M.Arch’16, Senior Architect, Gannett Fleming, BAC Alumni Advisory Council Member, and Adjunct Faculty, BAC
Location: BAC and Virtual
Dive into the critical role of housing in promoting urban resilience through a panel of experts from architecture, sustainability, and housing development. This panel discussion will examine innovative design strategies, resilient building practices, and policy solutions aimed at creating needed housing in urban environments, with insights from leading practitioners shaping the future of the built environment.
3:30PM | Decarbonization and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Samira Ahmadi, BEMP | LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, Homes | WELL AP, Founding Principal, enviENERGY Studio LLC and BAC Board of Trustees Member
Edward Ransom, AIA, NOMA, CCM, LEED AP, BOC Lvl. 1, B.Arch’84, Deputy Director for Energy and Sustainability, DCAMM
David J. Silverman, FAIA, B.Arch’94, Principal, STA Design, Inc.
Moderator:
Sarah Howard, LEED AP, MPP, MDS-SUD’21, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Relations, BAC
Location: BAC and Virtual
This panel will tackle the real challenge of decarbonization and urban resilience—not just what’s needed, but how to make it happen. Experts from architecture, urban policy-planning, and energy systems will share practical strategies. The discussion will focus on overcoming barriers, aligning policy with design, and turning ambitious goals into tangible outcomes. Through case studies like the BAC’s geothermal wells, panelists will explore the technical, financial, and regulatory aspects required to implement sustainable solutions at scale—offering insights that can be applied across cities and communities.
5:00PM | BAC Talks Keynote: Brian Swett
Keynote Speaker:
Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer, City of Boston.
Location: BAC and Virtual
Brian Swett is the City of Boston's first Chief Climate Officer. In addition to overseeing the Environment, Energy and Open Space Cabinet (EEOS), as Chief Climate Officer, Brian is charged with spearheading the Mayor's bold agenda on climate action throughout the City while advancing Boston's commitment to sustainability, resilience, and environmental justice. Brian is a nationally recognized leader in climate change and sustainability strategy with over two decades of leadership experience in municipal government, private sector real estate development, federal government, and non-profit sectors. Prior to accepting the role as Chief Climate Officer Brian served as a Principal at Arup, a global engineering, design, and consulting firm focused on sustainable development. Most recently he served as their Americas East Leader and a member of the Americas Region Board.
Brian returns to the City of Boston where he previously served as the Chief of EEOS from 2012 to 2015. Over his tenure, Brian led a variety of major policy and program initiatives including developing and passing a rental inspection ordinance and Boston’s energy benchmarking ordinance, BERDO. He launched Climate Ready Boston, the City of Boston’s initiative to plan for the near and long-term impacts of climate change, and led the update of the 2015 Climate Action Plan. Under his leadership, Boston was recognized by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the #1 city in the country for energy efficiency policies and programs in their 2013 and 2015 biennial rankings. In his free time, Brian enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, his two sons, and his rescue dog, Rosy.
5:30PM | Cascieri Lecture Reception
Location: 2nd Floor, 320 Newbury Street
Join us for drinks and light appetizers to celebrate the 33rd lecture in the Cascieri Lectureship in the Humanities Series.
Speaker: Tatiana Bilbao, Hon'24, Architect and Founding Partner, Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO
Location: Cascieri Hall and Virtual
Architecture is essential for existence, as it holds bodies and spaces together, but survival and growth are only possible through the presence of others. As a species, we are deeply interconnected, with collectivity emerging from our need to feed, clothe, and shelter, as well as our desire to gather. Within these shared spaces, opportunities for growth, cultural exchange, and the transmission of knowledge arise. Ultimately, collectivity persists because human beings need each other to exist. For the 33rd Cascieri Lecture, Tatiana Bilbao, Hon’24, will explain the ethos behind her work through examples addressing the topics of living and living together.
Day II | Thursday, April 3, 2025
10:00AM | Emergent Technologies and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Sam Coats, B.Arch’14, Global Research Lead, WATG
Adrienne Erdman, MDS-DHH’17, Director of Design Research, EwingCole, Vice President of Research and Development, Trauma-informed Design Society and BAC Alumni Advisory Council Member
Takbir Fatima, Founder and Director, DesignAware and Director, Fractals Workshop
David Morgan, B.Arch’17, BIM Data Engineer at Suffolk and Digital Design Director of Gateway Office and Adjunct Faculty, BAC
Moderator:
Hamze Machmouchi, B.Arch’19, Senior Designer, Zaha Hadid Architects and Adjunct Faculty, BAC
Location: Virtual
Explore the role of emergent technologies in shaping resilient urban environments through a panel of experts in design research, digital innovation, and resilience practice. This panel discussion will highlight how cutting-edge technologies are transforming design and architecture to create more adaptable and responsive cities.
11:30AM | Development and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Kyle Brunel, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP GPR, M.Arch’00, Founder and Principal Architect, Pencil Box Architects, Inc.
Robert Fejeran, AIA, URP, CRB, MDS-RED’22, CEO, urbanue limited
Gonzalo Montoya, Urban Development Coordinator, Rosario’s Planning Secretary
Moderator:
Don Hunsicker, Dean, School of Design Studies, BAC
Location: Virtual
This panel discussion will examine how innovative design and development strategies can contribute to creating resilient urban environments, with insights from leaders in architecture, planning, and development.
1:00PM | Health and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Gabriela Mier, MDS-SD’23, Owner at WITH.studio
Kate Spinelli, IIDA, MID’11, Principal and Director of Interiors, isgenuity and BAC Alumni Advisory Council Member
Ann Sussman, President, the Human Architecture + Planning Institute and Adjunct Faculty, BAC
Moderators:
Davis Harte, Director of Design for Human Health and Faculty, BAC
Janet Roche, MDS-DHH’17, CEO, Trauma-informed Design Society, Adjunct Faculty, BAC, and BAC Alumni Advisory Council Chair
Location: Virtual
Explore the critical relationship between health and urban resilience in the built environment. This panel will delve into strategies for creating spaces that prioritize human well-being and community resilience in urban settings.
2:30PM | Regeneration and Urban Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Jonathan Cave, MLA’18, Landscape Architect, Halvorson | Tighe and Bond
Esteban Martínez Lozada, MDS’14, LEED Fellow, Regenerative Practitioner, COO GreenLoop
Daniel Swartz, M.Arch’23, Designer and Builder, GLA
Kurt Yeghian, Founder and CEO, Existing Conditions
Moderator:
Nick Kraus, MDS Student, 2024/2025 Regenerative Practitioner Cohort, Energy Transformation Consultant at Siemens Energy
Location: Virtual
This panel will explore how regenerative design can shape the urban environment, focusing on strategies that enhance adaptability and long-term viability. Practitioners with expertise will share various approaches to regeneration, from cutting-edge technology to nature-based solutions. The discussion will highlight practical methods for designing spaces that support environmental and community resilience and regeneration, highlighting the importance of collaboration across disciplines.
4:00PM | BAC Talks Keynote: Nicholas Mangon
Keynote Speaker:
Nicolas Mangon, Vice President AEC and AutoCAD Strategy, Autodesk
Location: Virtual
In this keynote, Nicolas will explore how technology has supported rebuilding efforts following disasters, from the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral to the recovery of the Freedom Tower, Fukushima, and Los Angeles. Nicolas is recognized for his leadership in advancing Building Information Modeling and the industry’s transition to Cloud. He has played a key role in advancing solutions that optimize the lifecycle management of projects for architects, engineers, and contractors.
Location: View Boston
We invite you to join us for the Hive Week Happy Hour on April 3 at 5:30PM at View Boston as we raise a glass to a week full of design-focused seminars, receptions, and award ceremonies showcasing and celebrating our vibrant community of BAC alumni, faculty, partners, and friends.
We’re thrilled to announce that Tatiana Bilbao, Hon’24, the 33rd featured Cascieri lecturer, will not only deliver the distinguished 