Carl S. Sterner

How can we design a humane, just and joyous world?

I believe in the power of design to create a better world -- to help tackle the systemic problems underlying ecological collapse and social injustice.

FEATURED WORK

Iowa City Passive House

DESIGN

An all-electric, low-carbon Passive House by Sol Design + Consulting. Winner of the 2023 Phius Passive Building Design Competition.

Five Ideas on the Future of Architecture

SPEAKING

We live in times of dramatic change. How can architecture help create a truly sustainable world? Guest lecture at Xavier University.

Iowa Nest Residence

DESIGN

A Net Zero Energy passive solar house in Southeast Iowa built at near-conventional cost. Winner of the 2020 ICF Builder Award.

Retrofitting to Minimize 30-Year Carbon Emissions

RESEARCH

How can a 150-year-old building minimize carbon emissions over 30 years, including both upfront carbon and operational emissions?

Reclaiming Nature's Metropolis

DESIGN

This dramatic re-envisioning of Chicago as a regenerative, Net Zero Energy city won a top award in the Living City Design Competition. With Rollerhaus Pictureworks & Design Co.

Variations on a Copeland Theme

MUSIC

For solo piano. Variations on a theme from Aaron Copland's Piano Variations.

Designing Resilience

RESEARCH

This essay links compelx systems theory, network theory, and urban planning to explore how the built environment can address resilience at a structural level. Pubished in New Directions in Sustainable Design (Routledge, 2011).

National Forecast

MUSIC

A composition for soprano and piano. Lyrics from The New York Times.

Shaker Spa

DESIGN

A movement against man/nature and spirit/body dualisms. The building takes an open approach to thermal comfort, relying on thermal mass, shading, and surface temperature to provide a varied and visceral experience.

NEWS & UPDATES

19 May 2026 Carl moderates AIA panel on Sustainable Design

Carl moderated the Soapbox / AIA Cincinnati Architecture Matters panel discussion "Good Design is Good for the Environment" at the Cincinnati Garden Center. More information here: https://soapboxmedia.com/series/architecture-matters/

30 Apr 2026 Spring Green Townhomes wins AIA CRAN Award

On April 30, 2026, Spring Green Townhomes received a CRAN Award from AIA Cincinnati in the multi-unit housing category. This LEED Platinum near-Passive House project advanced contemporary design within the context of Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

10 Oct 2025 Carl moderates AIA panel on Passive Building

Carl moderated the Contractors Panel as part of AIA CIncinnati's Ice Box Challenge. The event raised awareness about passive building by melting 1,000 lbs of ice in two boxes: one built to code minimum standards, and one built to Passive House standards. Thanks to panelists Allison Biernacki, Andy Hueber, and Paul Blackwell! More info on the event here: https://aiacincinnati.org/programs/events/2025iceboxchallenge

03 Mar 2025 Sol's design work featured in SketchUp Blog

Sol design + consulting's design work, including the Iowa City Nest Passive House, was featured in a recent SketchUp blog post "Sol design + consulting: balancing sustainability and aesthetics," https://blog.sketchup.com/home/sol-design-consulting-balancing-sustainability-and-aesthetics

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