LEED Accreditation

June 20, 2008 -

HOLT Architects is pleased to announce that three employees, Gwen MacFarland, A. Quay Thompson, and Ram Venkat, have recently passed the LEED Exam and received their Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) accreditation from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This accreditation distinguishes individuals with detailed knowledge of LEED project certification requirements and processes, and a command of integrated design principles. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Gwen MacFarland is a designer with the firm, and a after a sabbatical in 2008 to achieve a Masters of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University, she returned to HOLT in 2009.

Ram Venkat's diverse background includes work in higher education, healthcare and religious projects. As a designer, he is committed to sustainable ideas and as a project manager, he is dedicated to finding high quality architectural solutions.

A. Quay Thompson, AIA, is a Principal Associate and project manager for the firm and recently completed the LEED registered Peggy Ryan Williams Center at Ithaca College, which is targeting LEED Platinum certification. Quay is currently working on the new Educational Opportunities Center at the University at Buffalo, which is targeting LEED Silver certification.

HOLT Architects employs a socially and environmentally responsible approach to their work by establishing sustainability as a core principle of design.