Oct 1, 2026 WHEN
Center for Architecture
and Design, 140 Sutter St,
San Francisco, CA 94104
WHERE
Leading the Way
to a Better Built Environment
Join us for Synergy, the METROPOLIS Sustainability Lab + Conference, a premier gathering of influential decision makers shaping the future of the built environment.
We bring together designers, clients, and decision-makers to harness collective power and drive sustainable change. Throughout the day, leaders in workplace, healthcare, and education will share how they navigate design, economic, and business challenges—and the opportunities that emerge—to deliver groundbreaking sustainable projects.
You’ll also take part in interactive workshops designed for peer-to-peer exchange, explore a curated showcase of innovative products at our Sustainability Lab, and be introduced to new materials and solutions in editor-led crawls.
GET TICKETS
AGENDA
9:30 AM
Avinash Rajagopal editor in chief, METROPOLIS
KEYNOTE
Walter J. Hood
Creative Director and Founder, Hood Design Studio
A visionary landscape architect, designer, artist, and educator, Walter Hood was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2026 by Time magazine.
He is the creative director and founder of Hood Design Studio in Oakland, CA and a former professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Intertwining landscape, history, culture, and ecology, Hood Design Studio has shaped significant places across America, including the International African American Museum in Charleston, SC, Panorama Park in San Francisco, the NVIDIA Campus in Santa Clara, CA, and Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park in Jacksonville, FL.
Hood is a recipient of the 2017 Academy of Arts and Letters Architecture Award, 2019 MacArthur Fellowship, 2019 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, 2021 Architectural League’s President’s Medal award, and the 2024 Vincent Scully Prize. He is also the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medalist in Architecture.
WORKSHOP
Real Estate for a Resilient Future
How can corporate buildings and commercial real estate contribute to healthier communities, resilient places, and regenerating ecosystems? Join a group of leaders in sustainable buildings, consulting, and real estate to discuss priorities and strategies that support business goals and deliver a better built environment.
CRAWL
Sustainability Lab
Led by METROPOLIS editor in chief Avinash Rajagopal and senior editor Francisco Brown, this small-group tour offers a curated walkthrough of the Sustainability Lab, showcasing top sustainable products currently on the market. If you’d like to participate, please email Kelly Allen, METROPOLIS Programs Director, at kallen@sandowdesign.com. Spots are limited, and all crawl attendees will receive a special gift from METROPOLIS.
LUNCH + PANEL
The Power of FF&E
Furniture and finishes today offer incredible opportunities in supporting human wellbeing and minimizing embodied carbon emissions. Join a discussion with manufacturers at the forefront of circularity, materials, and new material technologies to understand how interior design choices can make a huge positive impact in the world.
WORKSHOP
Building Tomorrow's Campuses Today
Educational campuses are proving grounds for a better built environment, testing new design strategies for spaces that will shape the next generation of responsible citizens. Join decision makers in higher education and schools to share how they are driving impact at some of the most sustainable educational facilities in North America today.
CRAWL
Sustainability Lab
Led by METROPOLIS editor in chief Avinash Rajagopal and senior editor Francisco Brown, this small-group tour offers a curated walkthrough of the Sustainability Lab, showcasing top sustainable products currently on the market. If you’d like to participate, please email Kelly Allen, METROPOLIS Programs Director, at kallen@sandowdesign.com. Spots are limited, and all crawl attendees will receive a special gift from METROPOLIS.
WORKSHOP
Healthcare Spaces for Holistic Wellbeing
Hospitals, clinical spaces, and other healing environments can make a broad impact in their communities—not just by delivering care but also by being examples of resilience and environmental stewardship. Join visionary leaders in healthcare to discuss how they are broadening their mission and goals through the built environment.
NETWORKING RECEPTION
Insights from the Day
Avinash Rajagopal, Editor in Chief, METROPOLIS
PREMIER SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
FAQ
What is the format of the conference?
Where at The New School will the conference be hosted?
Is the conference really free to attend?
Who is eligible to attend?
Do I need to register for specific sessions?
Will there be networking opportunities?
Will food and beverages be provided?
Do I need to register for specific sessions?
AGENDA
FAQ
Will I receive a confirmation or ticket after registering?
REGISTER FOR FREE NOW!
9:40 AM
10:30 AM -
11:30 AM
11:30 AM -
12:30 PM
12:30 PM -
1:30 PM
1:30 PM -
2:30 PM
2:30 PM -
3:30 PM
3:30 PM -
4:30 PM
4:30 PM
WELCOME
Thursday, Oct 1, 2026
Kenneth D. Potts, AIA Senior Project Manager, Department of Facilities Project Services at Mayo Clinic
Absolutely! Be among the first 100 guests to check in and score a Strand Books gift card, your ticket to treasures from NYC’s legendary bookstore. Plus, enjoy extra goodies, including GOB Earplugs, the world’s first plant-based, plastic-free earplugs, crafted from fully compostable, lab-grown mycelium, and more!
The conference includes keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and a curated exhibition experience inside the METROPOLIS Sustainability Lab. As panelists are confirmed, we will be announcing them—so check back soon to see the exciting lineup. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions and actively participate in discussions throughout the day—this is a forum for meaningful exchange and collaboration.
The conference will take place at The New School’s Starr Foundation Hall and Event Café, located inside the University Center at 63 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. Exact check-in instructions will be provided via email prior to the event.
Yes, complimentary refreshments and lunch will be provided for all registered attendees. After the final panel of the day, we’ll also host a cocktail hour—an ideal time to unwind, network, and continue the conversation.
Yes! The day is designed to foster connection, with dedicated networking breaks, a lunch reception, and time to explore the Sustainability Lab and engage with peers and industry leaders.
Yes, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all event details, including check-in instructions. Please keep an eye on your inbox (and your spam folder, just in case). More logistical information, including the full agenda, will be sent closer to the event date.
No, all workshops are open seating and available on a first-come, first-served basis. We expect guests to move fluidly throughout the day—between sessions, workshops, and the Sustainability Lab showcase—so we encourage you to arrive early to secure your seat for the sessions you’re most excited about. The Sustainability Lab will remain open all day for exploration.
This event is designed for professionals working in architecture, interior design, real estate, construction, facilities, and related fields. We also welcome sustainability and wellness officers, students, and educators focused on the built environment. Please note: Only partnering product manufacturers are able to attend at this time.
Yes! Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, METROPOLIS’s Sustainability Conference + Lab is free for qualified professionals in the architecture, design, and real estate industries.
Who do I reach out to if I have questions?
A single registration gives you access to the entire conference. All sessions are open seating and first-come, first-served—so we recommend arriving early for the sessions you’re most excited about. However, the Sustainability Lab Crawls—led by METROPOLIS Editor in Chief Avinash Rajagopal—require separate registration. These small-group tours offer a curated walkthrough of the Sustainability Lab, showcasing top sustainable products currently on the market. If you’d like to participate, please email Kelly Allen, METROPOLIS Programs Director, at kallen@sandowdesign.com. Spots are limited, and all crawl attendees will receive a special gift from METROPOLIS.
Will there be swag?
The METROPOLIS team is here to help! If you have any questions about the event or would like to get involved, please contact Kelly Allen, METROPOLIS Programs Director, at kallen@sandowdesign.com.
Suzen L. Heeley, IIDA, LEED AP, CDF AIA Executive Director, Design+Construction at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Joel Towers
President, The New School
Victoria Kocian, AIA, LEEP AP Project Manager, Energy & Sustainability, Real Estate Development and Facilities at NYU Langone Health
Kristen Dotson Principal, Worldwide Sustainability, Sustainable Buildings, Amazon
Melissa Berardi Senior Director, CBRE Americas Sustainability Consulting
Vasso Mathes Senior Campus Planner, MIT Office of Campus Planning
Cotter Christian Dean, School of Constructed Environments, The New School
Gordon Boggis
CEO, Carnegie
Andrea Mulloni Head of Sustainability, Arper
Mark L. Donohue Undergraduate Architecture Program,
Associate Professor of Architecture, CCA
Whitney Ray Senior Manager, Design & Delivery NAM, adidas
What if I can’t attend the conference—can I still come to the networking reception?
Will there be standing room if the workshops fill up?
Can I come and go throughout the day?
When will the venue open for check-in?
Yes! You’re welcome to join us for the networking reception event if you can’t attend the full day. Editor in Chief Avinash Rajagopal will share a brief recap of the day’s highlights, and it’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and speakers.
Yes, standing room will be available once seats are filled for the workshops.
Absolutely. The conference and Sustainability Lab are designed for flexible participation. You can explore the exhibits, attend select workshops, or stay for the full day—it’s up to you!
Doors will open at 9:00 AM. We recommend arriving early to secure your seat and get settled before each workshop begins and seats fill up. Plus, the first 100 attendees to check in will receive exclusive swag!
Why Attend:
Hear from large end-users and real estate leaders about their sustainability priorities
Engage with major corporate and institutional decisionmakers in interactive sessions
Discover new products and materials that make a positive impact on people and the planet
Discuss the path forward for sustainable design in these uncertain times
