Jessica Bristow

Jessica Bristow focuses on the intersection of architecture and environmental sustainability. She is an Instructor at the Yale School of Architecture where she teaches environmental design. Bristow’s work and research are in whole life carbon emission reduction strategies, embodied carbon accounting, and the social and equity considerations within industry and supply chains. She underscores the urgency of climate action and the vital connection between education and industry in advancing scalable regenerative design practices.

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Bristow earned a Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Science in Architectural Science with a focus on Built Ecologies from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her experience spans New York City’s private and public sectors, involving roles in architecture, construction, research, and high-performance design. She is deeply committed to fostering healthy and ecologically restorative buildings, contributing to the industry’s growth toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

In her most recent role, Bristow served as Director of the Living Building Challenge at the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), where she led the development of ILFI’s building programs, including the Living Building Challenge, Zero Energy, and Zero Carbon standards. Prior to this, she was a Project Director within the Office of Sustainable Design at the NYC Department of Design and Construction and a High Performance Buildings & Technical Lead at AECOM. Additionally, Bristow has taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute, where she instructed courses on Building Environments and Building Services. She is also an active member of the New York State GreenNY Embodied Carbon Guidance Working Group, leading state efforts to reduce embodied carbon in major capital construction projects.