By Allison Maynard, Communications Associate
Our chapter is comprised of many of the best leaders in the sustainability field and we are always excited to see what new strides they have made in their work. Their ingenuity and tireless commitment to sustainability are what make our chapter such a wonderful community of professionals. HMFH has used High Performance as a guiding design principle from their earliest work with passive solar design in the 1970s to 21st century buildings that meet or exceed LEED or CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) standards. Through a collaborative, integrated design process, they provide their clients with innovative, energy-efficient, high performance buildings and systems.
Energy conservation
- HMFH’s comprehensive energy modeling allows owners to systematically explore energy-related design alternatives that can result in significant utility rebates and energy cost savings, such as at the Capuano Early Childhood Center, which saves the owner 40% in energy costs.
Optimal indoor environments
- Because people learn and work more readily in effectively day-lit spaces, they develop optimal daylighting strategies that combine enhancement features like light shelves and borrowed lights with classroom dimming sensors to reduce artificial lighting usage and cost. Their research also sets performance guidelines for other environmental characteristics that are critical to effective learning, such as acoustics, indoor air quality, and thermal comfort.
Materials and resources
- At HMFH they have long been sensitive to the impacts of building material selection on the overall environment, both in terms of occupant health and well-being, as well as long-term environmental effects. They continually evaluate and incorporate rapidly renewable and recycled materials into the design of our buildings, and have developed detailed specifications and life-cycle analysis to select reliable, economical, and low-maintenance materials and systems.
We especially recognize Chapter Member and regular volunteer Stephanie MacNeil – she has been co-chair of our Emerging Professionals Committee for a few years now and is a Chapter All-Star!
Here are some projects where HMFH has put their sustainability principles into action:
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Van Meter Hall Renovation, Amherst, MA
The Fensgate Cooperative, Boston, MA
Cambridge War Memorial Recreation Center, Cambridge, MA
Global Head of Sustainability, Superior Essex
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter Associates
PE | Associate, LeMessurier
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group
Interior Designer, Jacobs, Boston
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building Council
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston 
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings program
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for Sustainability
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Jamestown
Director of Sustainability Programs, DASNY | LEED AP BD+C
Associate Principal, BuroHappold Engineering
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Vice President of Sustainable Development, Shaw
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building Network
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North America
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel Ambassador
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYP
Principal, Integrated Ecostrategy
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building Institute
Principal, Bruner/Cott
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and Engineering
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green Specs
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreen
Director of Acquisitions and Development
Director of Restorative Enterprise, Interface
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Company