Susana Saiz Alcazar

Susana Saiz, based in Madrid, is an architect with a PhD in Architecture and a MASc in Civil Engineering. As a Director at Arup, she leads the Climate and Sustainability Services and serves as the Total Design leader for the Europe Region. With 27 years of experience, Susana specializes in sustainability advisory, focusing on metrics, assessment, and whole life cycle environmental and carbon methodologies. She is also a LEED AP, WELL AP & Faculty, and actively contributes to academia as a postgraduate lecturer in sustainable buildings, communities, and performance frameworks. Susana’s work spans a wide range of climate and sustainability projects, where she applies systems thinking to achieve regenerative design outcomes and develop ESG strategies. Her approach is rooted in helping clients transform sustainability ambitions into positive results for the environment, people, and society.

Corporate Experience

• Arup, Director | Total Design Leader- Europe Director | Total Design Leader- Europe,  2025 - present
• Arup, Director_ Climate and Sustainability Services Regional Leader Europe 2021 - 2025 
• Arup. Associate Director, Climate & Sustainability, Spain. Apr 2018 - May 2021  
• Arup, Associate, Climate & sustainability, Spain. Apr 2012 - Apr 2018
• Arup, Senior Manager Climate & sustainability, Spain. Apr 2009 - Apr 2012
• Halsall Associates, Project Manager, Climate and Sustainability project manager. Canada 2007 - 2009
• Moriyama & Teshima,Architect, Climate & Sustainability. Canada 2005-2007
• Environment Canada, Researcher, green infrastructure. Canada 2004-2005.
• SOGIM, Architect, Technical Director. Spain, 2001-2003
• Sociedad de Tasación , Real Estate Valuation appraiser. Spain 1999 - 2001
• Architect, freelance. Spain 1998 - 2009

Academic Experience

• University of Navarra: Lecturer. 2011 to 2025,  Master in Sustainability. Life Cycle Assessment Module.
• MAYAB Master program. 2012 to 2024. Lecturer: Sustainability assessments and metrics.
• Universidad Politécnica de Madrid: Lecturer, Facility Manager Master program.2015 - 2016.
• Universidad Europea de Madrid: Lecturer: Sustainability assessment and metrics, 2011 - 2013.
• University of Toronto, teacher assistant. Structural design, 2003 - 2004.

Academic Background

• PhD in Architecture- NBS impact on urban microclimates. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
• Master in Applied Sciences in Civil Engineering (MASc) University of Toronto (Canada). 
• Master in Retrofit and Conservation of Building and Urban Heritage. Universidad Politécnica of Madrid.
• Architect, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid, Universidad Politécnica.