Designing a Sustainable Future: An Engaging Conversation with Stacy Smedley on Innovation and Women in Architecture
Welcome, everyone. I’m excited to introduce our guest today, Stacy Smedley, the Executive Director of Building Transparency and a dedicated advocate for sustainability in architecture. Stacy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of Washington and brings over a decade of experience in the field, leading initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment. She has shared her expertise at various universities, conferences, and workshops, highlighting the vital role of sustainable design in addressing climate change. In our conversation, we’ll delve into Stacy's journey, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of architecture, particularly regarding the next generation of architects and innovative materials. Additionally, she is featured in the acclaimed documentary Women of Carbon. Welcome, Stacy!
Stacy Smedley: Thank you so much, I appreciate it. Thank you.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: Stacy, I’ve watched Women of Carbon three times already, and it’s absolutely masterful! I can’t get enough of each and every one of you, but I’m especially curious about your involvement. How did you become involved in this project? What brought it to your desk?
Stacy Smedley: Oh, it’s an interesting story. We probably don’t have time to go into it fully, but Basia is actually a mutual friend of my brother, who’s a civil engineer at the Oregon Institute of Technology. She reached out to me with the idea of doing a documentary about women. We started talking, and I shared some insights about my work and the work of others in our field. I think it’s been a journey for her as well, learning everything she needed to create this documentary. It all stemmed from a mutual connection through my brother, who is also doing great things in the realm of buildings and civil engineering.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: Wow! Do you come from an academic background, perhaps in architecture?
Stacy Smedley: My mom—well, I would say I come from a background of deep thinkers and forward thinkers. While she wasn’t in the built environment, she worked her way up to become the chief information officer at Oregon Health & Science University. I watched her journey from being an administrative assistant to reaching that role as I grew up. I think I was influenced by her strong entrepreneurial spirit and leadership.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: When did your fascination with architecture begin, perhaps in your childhood?
Stacy Smedley: My interest in architecture began when I was eight. I did a report on Julia Morgan, the first female architect licensed in California. There were pictures of her in boots and hard hats, surrounded by men with drawing sets, and I became fascinated by the idea of being a woman who could achieve groundbreaking things like her. I was also inspired by the land in Clackamas that my grandpa had bought. When he sold it, I watched it be clear-cut and transformed into a suburban housing development at that same time. I decided then that I wanted to grow up to be like Julia Morgan—a woman who did things first and built in ways that didn’t harm nature. That’s really how my passion for architecture developed. The most significant influence was finding a strong, powerful female leader who was a pioneer in a predominantly male-dominated field at that time.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: That’s so beautiful! It sounds like you were destined to be a leader. Did you have a sense that you were meant for this role and felt that calling to lead?
Stacy Smedley: I don’t know if I would say that I thought I was going to be a leader. I think I was always trying to find a way to make the most impact that I could. I lead by example; I guess that may be a leadership quality. There’s real power in just showing and doing to bring others along and to make a positive impact in the world. So I think we grow into leadership through that desire to find a way to make a positive impact and inspire others to do the same.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: That’s very relatable. I’d like to circle back to your mention of your mother. I have a soft spot for amazing moms—they’re often our backbone. Mine is a huge motivator for me, too. What does your mother think of you and your accomplishments today?
Stacy Smedley: I think she’s very proud of me. She’s always been my biggest advocate and champion, providing support throughout the years. That support has changed over time. When I was younger, her mantra to me was, "Can't is a coward that never tried." I don’t know if she remembers where she heard that or if she made it up herself. Now, she’s that same force of nature for my son as she was for me, and there’s a real comfort in that. I think that mindset really drove me to be out there and not be afraid to try. Now she’s there for me during busy times, and I believe the biggest thing is her support—not only for me but also for my son and the relationship she has with him. I appreciate being able to lean on her when I have a lot to do professionally.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: From what I’ve gathered in our emails and discussions over the past few days, it sounds like you do an amazing job of prioritizing and balancing your family life. How do you manage to do that so flawlessly? From my perspective, especially after watching you in the movie, it seems like you have everything perfectly in place!
Stacy Smedley: I don't think anyone's flawless. I wouldn’t say it’s easy, either. I believe it’s about the support system you have. I think I've always been authentically this way, driven by the need to make an impact and to always be doing something. My grandma used to ask me, "Can you just sit down for a second?" My husband plays a big role in this, too; he supports me in raising our son and encourages me to pursue my passions. I’ve been this way since he met me, and my mom really helped shape who I am. I believe it’s about having a support system around you that understands your purpose and encourages you in that journey. With Jackson, my son, it’s all about honesty and transparency. I made a commitment to him when he was little that I would only be gone for two nights at a time, even with all my travel. I stuck to that promise, sometimes taking red-eye flights or leaving conferences a day early. Now that he’s 13, he’s not as attached at the hip and is okay if I’m gone longer. I think being transparent and authentic in all your relationships, especially with your children, allows them to grow alongside you. In fact, I consider COVID a gift, as it gave us more time together while I was launching my work at Building Transparency. He absorbed a lot more than I realized at the time, and now he tells me, “Mom, you’re doing important work. Go, go do that.”
Nicole Alicia Xavier: How do you navigate the challenges of this generation? I've noticed that many children I teach in the Orange County and Los Angeles area seem more enticed by fields outside of STEM. As educators, we're trying to encourage them to explore STEM and engineering, along with other incredible industries. How do we encourage kids to recognize the value of STEM? How do you keep Jackson level-headed and aware that there’s so much more out there than he might realize?
Stacy Smedley: If I reflect on how we raised him, I think the common theme is that to be the happiest and healthiest version of yourself, you should engage in the things that truly interest you and find a way to turn those interests into something meaningful. When he was younger, he loved to build robots. He would take our little metal drink shaker apart and turn it into a robot, transforming it from a drink mixer into his creation. There was even a time when he noticed a bad smell outside and said, “Mom, there should be an air-sucking robot that cleans the air.” We gathered supplies and helped him build that! Now he’s into Minecraft and all sorts of other projects. We directed him toward those interests, which align with building and engineering—areas where I think his brain thrives. My mom’s approach to education and my professional life has always been to follow your interests and passions. She taught me to pursue what excites you and makes you happy because those are the things that will help you give back professionally and become the best version of yourself.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: Now, I'd like to ask about strategies for young architects and academics, particularly those working toward their bachelor's or master's degrees. What recommendations do you have for them to persevere during such a pivotal time in their lives, as they strive to excel and potentially surpass their mentors? How can they stay level-headed, and what strategies have worked for you?
Stacy Smedley: I think, reflecting on where I sit now, people often ask how I ended up as the executive director of a software-driven nonprofit with a degree in architecture. I believe it’s about being flexible—don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t feel that you have to mirror your mentor. If you embrace that flexibility, new pathways you might not have considered can emerge, allowing you to apply everything you’ve learned. So my advice is not to be too locked into your path, thinking you must follow a specific set of steps to be successful. There may be four or five different paths that present themselves based on the education you’ve pursued and what inspires you, which might change your direction—and that’s okay.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: I really appreciate that perspective on flexibility. It’s empowering to think about the different paths that can open up when we allow ourselves to adapt. In your experience, how challenging is it to gain support from politicians and policymakers for clean policies and secure those approvals? How difficult is it to confront corruption and negativity directly in an executive role?
Stacy Smedley: Yes, there are a couple of things. From where we sit at Building Transparency, transparency is in our name, and we’re here to provide a mission-driven service. For me, it’s essential to stay true to that authenticity and our mission in how I present the data, the science, and the positions we may take based on that. We’re deeply engaged in material science and carbon emissions, exploring how things are made in the construction industry. We’ve been able to leverage that data and the service we provide in a way that is truly honest. The data is what it is, and this is what it tells us. Unfortunately, there’s a benefit to the increased climate events we’re experiencing. Even those who may not be strong climate advocates are beginning to see the need for action, as these events are happening more frequently and must somehow be linked to us. I believe there’s a shift occurring in the case for climate policy. For me personally, and for what we do at Building Transparency, it’s about being grounded in the data and science and presenting that information to people honestly and without bias.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: How do you handle situations where there are always individuals who oppose scientific evidence?
Stacy Smedley: Well, you can’t change everyone’s mind, right? You just can’t. I think it’s important to listen and accept when someone has a different opinion, no matter what it is. However, it’s crucial to find those who are aligned with your views. What we’ve done at Building Transparency over the past five years is really create a movement and a collective voice. Once you have a variety of voices all pointing in the same direction, and you can find the avenues to reach the right people, a consensus begins to form. This can help sway those who might be somewhat on the fence, simply because so many are saying, “This is what needs to happen.” Another approach is to demonstrate how these solutions can benefit those who may not necessarily believe in your views on climate science. There are many opportunities within this work that relate to economics, job growth, and other areas that matter to them.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: That makes a lot of sense.
Stacy Smedley: Someone who may not actively raise the flag for climate change might instead advocate for more local jobs and less pollution. It also depends on how you frame the conversation; I think.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: From an advocacy perspective, how can individuals like myself and my friends—who aren't in the architecture or construction fields—hold these industries accountable for their carbon footprints, particularly when some may be resistant to change?
Stacy Smedley: I think that's where public awareness and the ask come in. What we're really discussing is the request for those who aren't deeply involved in the technical science we often use, with all its jargon and acronyms. Ultimately, it's about saying, "Create something that will positively impact me, my community, and my environment, and prioritize that." I believe the core foundational element is to frame your work around environmental impact, human health, and other values I care about, and to clearly show me how you’re achieving that. Make it obvious in the way you design and construct these projects. That’s where the market signal lever comes into play. You can also provide more details, such as showing how you reduce carbon emissions by specific amounts—there are layers to this. But fundamentally, it’s about encouraging designers, contractors, and building owners to do the right thing. Fortunately, we now have enough data and examples to understand what that means.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: Moving forward, I want to become more involved in environmental changes. After watching the movie, I told my mother that, despite having a degree in entertainment business, I’m contemplating going back to school for a second degree in a field that has a greater environmental impact. What direction would you recommend for someone looking to make a meaningful contribution in this area?
Stacy Smedley: There’s also the idea that if your superpower is what you’re currently doing, it’s about how you apply that and truly leverage that skill set to accelerate, advocate, or amplify. So, I would say you don’t necessarily need to go back to school; instead, think about how to leverage what you’re already doing well to create the positive impact you’re seeking.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: Thank you, Stacy, you are giving me a lot to think about. It makes me recognize the potential in my current skills and how I can apply them to create a meaningful impact in the environmental field. I have just a few more questions before we wrap things up. What upcoming projects are you currently excited about?
Stacy Smedley: Oh, man. Well, I think, you know, again, Building Transparency is all about providing data on material carbon emissions. That’s what we’ve been doing for the past five years. However, the board has given us the directive to expand our thinking. So, I'm excited at Building Transparency to start considering more holistic material impacts, such as health, water consumption, and toxicity related to how we produce these materials. Another aspect that I love, which I never thought I would, is the policy support we’re providing. There’s an ever-increasing number of policies at the state, local, and federal levels that are leveraging our data and putting real funding behind reducing the carbon emissions of construction materials. It's exciting to watch these new products and materials come online, some of which are featured in the film. Being part of this emergence and supporting the policies that secure funding for them is something I’m really happy we can continue to do.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: It's inspiring to hear about the holistic approach you're taking at Building Transparency! Expanding the focus beyond just carbon emissions to include health and water consumption shows a commitment to a truly sustainable future. I'm also impressed by the emphasis on policy support—Can you share a specific project or notable example in Orange County or Los Angeles that showcases innovative, sustainable materials that people might not know about?
Stacy Smedley: I mean, one notable development in California right now is the policy side of things. Not everyone may know that the first biplane policy requiring low-carbon materials was established in California, and that’s been in place for several years now. There's also a new policy from CARB focusing on low-carbon building materials. Additionally, there are some impressive projects happening in California, particularly from large tech companies. For example, the Microsoft campus is utilizing mass timber, among others, that are experimenting with these new materials in innovative ways. So, I would suggest becoming a policy nerd—some of the emerging policies will significantly drive this movement forward, and California is really leading the charge in that regard.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: Thank you for sharing those insights! It's inspiring to hear how California is at the forefront of innovative policies and projects that prioritize sustainability. I appreciate your time and expertise today. It's clear that there's so much we can do to make a positive impact in the environmental field, and I'm excited to see how these initiatives evolve. Thank you again for this enlightening conversation!
Stacy Smedley: Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch the documentary three times. I feel like it takes three viewings to actually grasp all the content, especially with so many amazing women in it.
Nicole Alicia Xavier: I can’t wait for everyone to see Women of Carbon at the Newport Beach Film Festival!
