Finegold Alexander's Senior Associate and Sustainability Strategist, Lara Pfadt, AIA, LEED AP BC+C,CPHC, had the pleasure of attending the recent Greenbuild Conference held in Washington, D.C. During the event, she enjoyed catching up with colleagues and actively engaged in discussions centered around the core principles of sustainable design.

One key takeaway from the conference was the importance of envisioning the optimal future and working backward to achieve it. Lara learned that by setting ambitious sustainability goals and integrating them into the design process from the outset, it becomes possible to realize significant progress over time through the accumulation of marginal gains.

Moreover, the conference emphasized the significance of understanding the impact of buildings on wellness and mental health as integral components of a successful design matrix. Lara was inspired by the idea that sustainable design extends beyond environmental considerations and should also prioritize the well-being of occupants.

In summary, Lara's experience at the Greenbuild Conference reinforced the value of forward-thinking, holistic sustainable design processes, and the importance of considering not only environmental but also wellness and mental health factors in the pursuit of innovative and impactful architectural solutions.