Upendra Poudel is a Principal at EM Structural, based in the Firm's Arlington, VA office. With over two and a half decades of experience, he has led projects across multifamily, hospitality, higher education, senior living, federal facilities, and adaptive reuse and repositioning. Upendra brings authoritative expertise in structural systems, including cast-in-place and post-tensioned concrete, structural steel, timber, and masonry. He has designed buildings to meet rigorous seismic and wind performance standards. His collaborative style and commitment to resilient, efficient, and architecturally integrated solutions make him a valued partner to design teams and clients alike. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Alabama, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, DC, and holds NCEES record registration. Upendra holds membership with the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Steel Construction, and the Structural Engineers Association of Metropolitan Washington.
Courses
Office to Home Conversions: Adaptive Reuse in Suburban Markets
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 3-4pm ET
As remote work transforms the commercial real estate landscape, architects face unprecedented opportunities to address the affordable housing crisis through innovative adaptive reuse strategies. This course explores how underutilized office buildings in suburban markets can be transformed into vibrant residential communities. Our expert panel will examine current office vacancy trends and their implications for conversion opportunities, while diving deep into practical design strategies that navigate stringent zoning challenges and building code adaptations essential for structural health and safety. Participants will discover the complexities of adapting essential infrastructure, particularly the requirements for updating mechanical, electric, and plumbing systems to ensure adequate sanitation. These design challenges also include addressing issues such as the potential need for seismic retrofits in certain areas and determining the usability of existing structures, such as existing circulation and floor slabs. Beyond addressing housing shortages, these conversions offer substantial environmental benefits by extending building lifecycles and reducing construction waste. Join us to explore cutting-edge approaches that transform vacant commercial spaces into thriving residential neighborhoods while supporting sustainable development goals.