Melissa Kelly, 34
Senior sustainability specialist at Gensler
Melissa Kelly’s fingerprints will soon be found across Gensler’s entire portfolio. That’s no small feat, given that Gensler is one of the most prominent design firms, known for designing the offices of Marriott, The New York Times, L’Oréal and many Gap stores, to name just a few.
Better yet, her work could help make interior buildouts more environmentally friendly across the industry.
Over the past year, the senior sustainability specialist has combed through massive data sets to figure out ways to bring down carbon emissions tied to the manufacturing of 12 ubiquitous materials. In August, the hard work resulted in the publication of the Gensler Product Sustainability Standards report. Starting in January, manufacturers of those 12 materials will need to meet these carbon performance requirements on any Gensler project in North America, the UK, and Europe.
“We’re setting the carbon performance number and then we’re asking the manufacturers to meet this number,” Kelly explained. “So, if you’re one of our clients you’re getting sustainable materials without having to think about it whatsoever.”
Take carpet. Its production typically creates about 11 kilograms (roughly 24 pounds) of carbon dioxide per square meter. Gensler’s procurer will soon have to come in under the average. “We’re not throwing out crazy numbers — the report is thoroughly researched — but it’s still moving forward. So we’re still getting carbon savings and helping to push people in the entire industry,” Kelly said.
Since it’s public on Gensler’s website, the report could have a ripple effect across the industry. Most importantly, manufacturers and other design firms won’t “have to do that work — and it was a lot of work.”
