Join AIA North Carolina for a half-day Summer School program designed to help architects deepen their understanding of building performance, material impacts, and construction best practices. This engaging program provides 4 HSW credits and includes lunch and networking with colleagues.
The morning begins with Danielle Mokris, Technical Director for the Southeast Region of the Beauty of Block Design Collective, who will lead two sessions exploring embodied carbon in concrete masonry. Through the Beauty of Block’s Embodied Carbon Series, Danielle will break down the environmental impact of concrete materials and explain why not all concrete is created equal. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of carbon sequestration, lifecycle assessment (LCA), and how CMU can play a role in reducing embodied carbon in building design.
The program continues with Derek Hodgin, PE, RBEC, CCCA, F-IIBEC, founder of Positive Friction Consulting, who brings nearly 30 years of experience as a forensic engineer and building enclosure expert. In his interactive session, “It’s All in the Details,” Derek will explore the often-overlooked decisions that can dramatically influence building durability, safety, and long-term performance. Drawing from real-world lessons learned throughout his career, he will share practical insights that architects can immediately apply to improve construction outcomes.
Together, these sessions provide a valuable blend of sustainability insight and practical construction knowledge, equipping architects with the tools to design buildings that are both environmentally responsible and built to last.
Speaker Information:
Danielle Mokris
Danielle Mokris is the Beauty of Block Design Collective Technical Director for the Southeast Region. Mrs. Mokris received her B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.E. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida. Before joining the Concrete Masonry Checkoff team in Fall 2025, Danielle was a Research Civil Engineer and Program Manager for the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center specializing in cold weather concrete research. Danielle is an active member in the American Concrete Institute and American Society of Civil Engineers.
Derek Hodgin, P.E., RBEC, CCCA, F-IIBEC
Derek Hodgin, P.E., RBEC, CCCA, F-IIBEC is the owner of Positive Friction Consulting (PFC), which Hodgin created for the sole purpose of teaching about building better. Hodgin has served the industry for nearly 30 years as a forensic engineer and expert witness, but has recently retired from that role to share what he has learned through PFC. Over his career Hodgin became a licensed Professional Engineer in 23 states and earned credentials as a Registered Building Enclosure Consultant and Construction Contract Administrator, among many others. In 2020, Hodgin was inducted as a Fellow in IIBEC to honor his contributions to the industry, including numerous technical articles and presentations related to construction issues. Most recently, Hodgin published “More Than 100 Ways to Build Better – A Contractor’s Field Guide to Better Practices” in an effort to educate the industry about common sense ways to improve the durability and safety of the built environment. When not teaching about construction, Derek enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, listening to music of all types, and SCUBA diving on coral reefs while practicing his underwater photography skills.