Skema AI CEO Charlie Cichetti discusses why embedding sustainability earlier in the design process is key to faster, smarter, low-carbon buildings.
The green building industry is at a pivotal moment. Decarbonization goals are becoming more urgent, and architects, developers, and engineers are under pressure to design higher-performing buildings without adding time, cost, or complexity. As discussed by Charlie Cichetti, CEO and Co-Founder of Skema AI, artificial intelligence and automation are emerging as powerful tools to embed sustainability earlier and more effectively in the design process.
In this conversation, Cichetti shares his journey from construction and real estate to early LEED adoption and now climate-focused technology. His perspective highlights how sustainability has evolved from a niche practice into a core industry expectation, and how the right technology can help scale impact across the built environment.
If you work anywhere in the built environment or are considering a career in sustainability, this interview offers both practical insight and a big-picture view of where the industry is headed. Having spent more than two decades in construction, real estate, LEED consulting, and entrepreneurship, Cichetti understands firsthand that smarter tools can help teams move faster while still making low-carbon choices.
He points to a common scenario many designers face early in their careers: a young architect adjusting a building’s design (e.g., swapping out windows, changing insulation, refining layouts) and wondering what those decisions really mean. Is this choice improving performance? Is it increasing carbon impact? Or is it moving the project in the right direction? Bringing real-time sustainability feedback into the design process can help answer those important questions.
Despite policy shifts and market challenges, Cichetti remains deeply optimistic about what’s next. More than anything, this conversation offers a hopeful message: momentum toward healthy, high-performance buildings continues to grow, and a new generation of professionals is ready to carry it forward.
To learn more about how AI is reshaping sustainable design and what it means for the future of green building, watch this video .
Isa Glassen is an COGNITION Smart Data Intern at Green Builder Media, where she supports research and content development focused on advancing sustainability, climate resilience, and responsible practices within the building industry. Her work focuses on translating ESG principles and market information into actionable insights for professional and industry audiences.
How AI is Reshaping the Future of Green Building
Skema AI CEO Charlie Cichetti discusses why embedding sustainability earlier in the design process is key to faster, smarter, low-carbon buildings.
The green building industry is at a pivotal moment. Decarbonization goals are becoming more urgent, and architects, developers, and engineers are under pressure to design higher-performing buildings without adding time, cost, or complexity. As discussed by Charlie Cichetti, CEO and Co-Founder of Skema AI, artificial intelligence and automation are emerging as powerful tools to embed sustainability earlier and more effectively in the design process.
In this conversation, Cichetti shares his journey from construction and real estate to early LEED adoption and now climate-focused technology. His perspective highlights how sustainability has evolved from a niche practice into a core industry expectation, and how the right technology can help scale impact across the built environment.
If you work anywhere in the built environment or are considering a career in sustainability, this interview offers both practical insight and a big-picture view of where the industry is headed. Having spent more than two decades in construction, real estate, LEED consulting, and entrepreneurship, Cichetti understands firsthand that smarter tools can help teams move faster while still making low-carbon choices.
He points to a common scenario many designers face early in their careers: a young architect adjusting a building’s design (e.g., swapping out windows, changing insulation, refining layouts) and wondering what those decisions really mean. Is this choice improving performance? Is it increasing carbon impact? Or is it moving the project in the right direction? Bringing real-time sustainability feedback into the design process can help answer those important questions.
Despite policy shifts and market challenges, Cichetti remains deeply optimistic about what’s next. More than anything, this conversation offers a hopeful message: momentum toward healthy, high-performance buildings continues to grow, and a new generation of professionals is ready to carry it forward.
To learn more about how AI is reshaping sustainable design and what it means for the future of green building, watch this video .
Publisher’s Note: This content is made possible by our Today’s Homeowner Campaign Sponsors: Whirlpool Corporation and ProVia. Learn more about building and buying homes that are more affordable and less resource intensive.
By Isa Glassen
Isa Glassen is an COGNITION Smart Data Intern at Green Builder Media, where she supports research and content development focused on advancing sustainability, climate resilience, and responsible practices within the building industry. Her work focuses on translating ESG principles and market information into actionable insights for professional and industry audiences.Also Read