TOPIC:We want to make buildings that provide for greater occupant comfort with lower energy consumption and better environmental impacts. This talk will profile what’s been learned from a number of low-energy and net-zero projects in climates as diverse as the Pacific Northwest and the Gulf South, for clients rich and poor, farsighted and stubborn.

PRESENTER: Z Smith has been involved in nationally published sustainability research and design for thepast ten years. He has served as a Project Architect for carbon neutral, net-zero energy andnet-zero water use buildings, and taught sustainable design courses at universities in theU.S. and Canada.

With training and experience in the fi elds of architecture, physics, information technology,
and renewable energy, Smith now serves as our studio’s Director of Sustainability &
Building Performance. He integrates his broad range of skills in service of lowering the
environmental footprint of each of our buildings, while continuing to help us deliver
projects on time and on budget. He brings an approach of scientifi c rigor to green design
in our studio’s wide array of community, educational, and institutional projects, and brings
tremendous added value to our clients through the reduction of energy consumption, and
subsequently the reduction of energy bills.

In addition to his Directorial role within our practice, Z is also a frequent public speaker on
sustainable design issues, Chair of the USGBC Louisiana Chapter, and an adjunct professor
at the Tulane School of Architecture.