Who is Riley Carter?
Dr. Riley Carter is a distinguished architect, educator, and author with over twenty years of experience shaping the future of high-performance, climate-conscious architecture. Her work spans Passive House design, residential building science, sustainable construction, and housing economics—each grounded in a conviction that architecture must serve people, place, and planet in equal measure.
Riley’s approach challenges the notion that sustainability is a luxury or a trend. Instead, she frames it as a practical design imperative. Whether she’s developing Passive House retrofits in wildfire zones, advising city planners on resilient housing policies, or teaching the next generation of architects, her focus is clear: design must reduce harm, restore health, and remain economically viable.
From airtightness to occupant well-being, Riley bridges technical rigor with human-centered thinking. Her projects are known not just for their performance metrics but for their livability—spaces that are quiet, sunlit, breathable, and enduring.
A Teacher and Mentor Committed to Impact
Riley has taught architecture and building science at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, where her lectures blend codes, climate data, and construction realities into digestible lessons. Students often describe her style as both technically exacting and refreshingly grounded. “Progress over perfection,” she reminds them. “Every smart decision gets us closer to resilience.”
She also mentors early-career architects and contractors through professional development workshops focused on Passive House strategies, high-performance detailing, and code alignment. Her work with local building departments has helped standardize energy-efficiency reviews, bridging the gap between design ideals and jurisdictional realities.
Writing That Moves the Field Forward
Riley’s writing is celebrated for transforming dense building science into accessible guidance. Her acclaimed six-book series, The Passive House Revolution, is used in architecture firms, training centers, and university classrooms across North America. Each volume tackles a critical topic—ranging from thermal bridge mitigation to ecological materials—with technical precision and plainspoken clarity.
Her recent release, 2021 IRC Updates: Critical Changes in Residential Construction, has been particularly well received among residential builders, code officials, and policy analysts. It distills complex code changes into actionable steps and demonstrates how these updates dovetail with broader goals in energy efficiency and occupant safety.
Resources and Community Engagement
The official Riley Carter site is more than a digital archive—it’s a launchpad for thoughtful, future-ready design. Architects, builders, policymakers, and students will find a range of tools to navigate sustainable construction, including:
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In-depth case studies demonstrating high-performance design across climates
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Commentary on evolving regulations, like air leakage thresholds and low-carbon material incentives
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Book excerpts and downloadable guides covering topics like HRVs, envelope detailing, and heat modeling
Visitors can also engage with Riley’s active calendar of events—lectures, Q&A sessions, and design charrettes that foster both learning and connection. These gatherings draw professionals from diverse fields, all committed to reshaping our built environment through collaboration and innovation.
Join the Mission: Design for a Livable, Low-Carbon Future
Riley Carter’s platform is rooted in a belief that sustainable architecture is not the work of individuals alone—it is the outcome of shared knowledge, collective action, and community resolve. By joining this growing network, you don’t just gain insights—you become part of a movement to reimagine what buildings can be: energy-efficient, durable, healthy, and deeply responsive to their context.
This site is your resource. Your workshop. Your call to action.
Welcome—and let’s build forward, together.
Dr. Riley Carter
Architect | Educator | Passive House Advocate
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