Nakita Reed

Building Reuse is Climate Action

The connection between the climate crisis and social inequality is evident and solving both will require rethinking how we use our buildings. Every building has value—from its materials to its history—and every project is a chance to address social and environmental challenges. Buildings create 40% of global CO2 emissions, so it's crucial to reduce their carbon footprint. Building owners play a key role in our collective climate action battle and helping them reuse and improve their spaces sustainably is essential for creating a better future.

Join Nakita Reed, a preservation architect who is a Senior Associate at Quinn Evans, as she discusses her journey into the profession and delves into why building reuse is climate action.

Nakita will share a dialogue with Emma Castro-Krivanek, AIA, President of NOMA KC.

Day Seven - April 28

Apr 28, 2025 | 11:30am-1:00pm

11:30am | Check-in
12:00pm | Presentation
Lunch Provided

Center for Architecture & Design
1801 McGee St, Ste 100
Kansas City, MO 64108
United States

$18 + fees online | $25 at door

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Presenters

Nakita Reed, AIA, CPHC, LEED AP BD+C, NOMA

Quinn Evans, Senior Associate

Nakita Reed is a Senior Associate at Quinn Evans and award-winning architect with experience in the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, with a focus on sustainable strategies in design and construction. She has a Master of Architecture and a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia. She is a registered architect, a LEED®-Accredited Professional, and a certified Passive House Consultant.

She serves on the board of the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, the Zero Net Carbon Collaboration for Existing and Heritage Buildings (ZNCC), Built Buildings Lab. She is also the host of Tangible Remnants, a podcast for lovers of existing buildings that explores the intersection of architecture, preservation, sustainability, race & gender.

Personal website: www.NakitaReed.com
Podcast IG & FB handle: @tangibleremnants

Emma Castro-Krivanek, AIA | NCARB | NOMA | LEED Green Associate (Moderator)

Emma Castro’s zeal for architecture was first sparked by her interest in world history, culture and language. Today, Emma designs sports and entertainment venues, specializing in arenas, collegiate and NFL projects. She played a vital role in the design and delivery of Colorado State University’s Canvas Stadium and the renovations of Gillette Stadium. She has experience working on multiple phases of projects, including the design work and concept development for facilities such as the TB12 Sports Therapy Center.

Emma feels strongly about justice. As a Hispanic woman, she constantly pushes for equity for minorities in the field of architecture and design. She is also passionate about climate justice across the firm’s projects. Emma received her Bachelor of Architecture from Temple University. She served as the AIA Kansas City Women in Design Co-Chair and is a founding member of National Organization of Minority Architects’ KC Chapter. She is the 2025 NOMA KC President.

A native of Nogales, Sonora, a border town in Northwest Mexico, Emma is fluent in Spanish and brings a global perspective to projects.

Emma is a member of POPtogether and EcoPOP, internal organizations that respectively promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and incorporate practices of sustainability and climate justice more deeply into the firm’s culture and projects. Emma also participates in the Architecture Professional Advisory Group at Temple University.