2026 Showcase – Architects – Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Sustainable Interiors

Thursday, January 22 @ 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Edmonton Expo Centre | Room 108

CEU Credits Granted | Architects badge: $79.00 

The future of interiors is sustainable—and it starts with the choices we make today. As demand for environmentally responsible spaces grows, architects and designers are being asked to deliver more than beauty and function. They need solutions that meet climate goals, align with green building standards, and satisfy client expectations. 

This session gives you the tools to make it happen. You’ll learn how to integrate Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) into your material selection process—from flooring and wall coverings to ceilings, furniture, and beyond. 

Through real-world examples and case studies, Dr. Shiva Zargar will walk you through how to: 

• Interpret environmental indicators within EPDs. 

• Evaluate trade-offs in material performance, aesthetics, and impact. 

• Make informed, transparent product decisions for both commercial and residential interiors. 

• Understand the process of developing, verifying, and approving an EPD with a program operator. 

Whether you’re designing a hotel lobby, a healthcare facility, or a residential interior, this session delivers the practical knowledge you need to elevate your sustainability practice. 

Meet the Speaker: Dr. Shiva Zargar 

Founder & Director of Science and LCA, Build Neutral 

Dr. Shiva Zargar is a life cycle assessment (LCA) scientist and accredited EPD verifier with more than a decade of experience helping businesses navigate complex environmental challenges. As the founder of Build Neutral, she combines data-driven solutions with practical insight to guide organizations toward sustainable success. 

Her background includes: 

• PhD in Sustainable Bioeconomy from the University of British Columbia (UBC), supported by the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. 

• Two master’s degrees in renewable energies and environmental impact assessment. 

• Over 10 years of applied research and consulting across industrial ecology, environmental modelling, and techno-economic analysis. 

Dr. Zargar has contributed to international conferences and publications, and her mission is clear: to empower businesses through the lens of life cycle thinking.