SESSION three
Transforming Movement
Donna Kacmar, FAIA, Principal @ Architect Works, PLLC
Donna Kacmar, FAIA is a practicing architect, author, and educator in Houston, Texas, USA. Donna is the principal of Architect Works, PLLC, where she designs modest commercial and residential projects. Her Fisher Street House led to her first book, Big Little House, published by Routledge in 2015. Her edited book on the work of Victor Lundy was published in 2018 by Princeton Architectural Press and her most recent book, Big Little Hotel, was published in March 2023. Donna has taught at Rice University, Texas A&M University, and is currently a Professor at the University of Houston where she teaches architecture design studios and seminar courses. She also founded the Materials Research Collaborative (MRC) in 2009 and directed its material focused research for ten years. Donna’s recent courses include Design Justice and Just Move which connect to her current interest and service work with groups such as Greater Houston Complete Streets Coalition Steering Committee, advocating for more inclusive transportation options for all.
Taboo Terminology
Julie Hendrixs, AIA, Sr. Sustainability Building Standards Manager with Amazon @ JLL
Julie is a Sr. Sustainability Building Standards Mgr with Amazon through JLL. Over twenty years as a registered architect and sustainability consultant, she has developed a deep knowledge of almost every aspect of building industry sustainability. Her work at JLL and Amazon includes portfolio scale sustainability and decarbonization strategy
Julie has guided the sustainability process and goals for over two hundred building projects (including LEED, WELL, and LBC). She’s developed custom strategies to serve specific client needs related to energy efficiency, site design, waste management, and many other topics.
She has been a vocal advocate for sustainability in public presentations, media appearances, written articles, and legislative advocacy, as well as an active volunteer serving in many capacities in USGBC at the state and national level, as well as AIA Houston and the Gulf Coast Green Regional Conference. She was awarded the LEED Fellow designation in 2016.
Tricia Loe, President @ Sustainable Concepts, LLC
As Founder and President of Sustainable Concepts, Tricia Loe has helped AEC firms reach their sustainability goals for over a decade. Her expertise lies in helping clients achieve LEED green building certification and WELL building certification.
Tricia is an active leader in professional organizations. She is Chair of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) Texas chapter and is a past-Chair of the Dallas AIA Committee on the Environment (COTE). She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from LSU and an MBA from SMU.
Garrett Ferguson, AIA, Senior Sustainability Manager @ JLL
Garrett is a visionary leader in sustainable commercial real estate, revolutionizing approaches from individual interiors to expansive portfolios. A master of big-picture thinking, he champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, breaking down communication barriers to drive innovation. His architectural background empowers him to identify critical intervention points throughout the design and construction process, maximizing impact while optimizing costs.
A dynamic workshop facilitator, Garrett has spearheaded LEED certifications for 5M+ square feet of building space across diverse rating systems, including complex multi-certification projects integrating WELL, Fitwel, and ILFI Zero Carbon. He firmly believes that transforming how we design, construct, and operate buildings is a cornerstone of global betterment, recognizing the profound influence our built environment has on shaping human lives and experiences. Garrett serves on the North Texas Regional Council of USGBC Texas.