The world-class global practice of engineers, designers and advisors Buro Happold has announced the selection of principal and Washington, D.C. office leader Roger Chang as a member of the U.S. General Services Administration Green Building Advisory Committee. The appointment presents an opportunity for the key independent federal agency tasked with acquisition and management of real property for the U.S. government to benefit from Buro Happold’s independent and deep expertise in high-performing sustainable designed structures.
Chang brings to GBAC two decades of professional experience as a practitioner and collaborator in building services engineering, from front-end strategic planning through technical implementation.
Constituted to provide independent policy advice and proposals to GSA’s Office of Federal High-Performance Buildings, the Green Building Advisory Committee fulfills a function required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The committee’s focus is advancement of federal building innovations “in planning, design and operations to reduce costs, enable agency missions, enhance human health and performance, and minimize environmental impacts.”
As a committee member, Chang extends his wide influence on the sustainability efforts and policies relating to one of the largest portfolios of real estate holdings of any agency, institution or organization in the country. GSA oversees management of 371 million square feet of space in 8,600 office buildings, courthouses, laboratories, post offices, data centers and land ports of entry across more than 2,200 communities nationwide, owned or leased.
According to the GSA, the Green Building Advisory Committee’s members reflect a wide range of stakeholders, including “leading high-performance building experts from state, local, private, nongovernmental and academic sectors.” Chang is an apt choice based on his experience, including contributions to two winning projects in the rigorous AIA Committee on the Environment Top 10 recognition program. Both honored projects were federal properties: the Wayne Aspinall Federal Building (2014) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Renwick Gallery (2018). In 2020, Chang was elevated to fellowship in the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
Aiding in his role as committee member, Chang will be able to tap the full organizational knowledge of Buro Happold, a global leader in implementing decarbonization and in sustainable design and advisory. The firm includes sustainability specialists from Paladino (a Buro Happold company) and across various fields and disciplines led by talented, expert individuals collaborating with Chang.
Adding to 12 existing practice locations across the United States, Buro Happold’s Washington, D.C. office leverages the consultancy’s extensive portfolio of innovative projects ranging in scale from single buildings up to entire campuses and regions. Current works underway include Amazon’s HQ2 with architect NBBJ, the Union Station redevelopment and the mixed-use project Capital Crossing with architecture firm Ennead. In the public sector, the Buro Happold Cities Team has led the Clean Energy D.C. 2.0, a comprehensive energy and climate action plan. Less than two years after opening, the Washington, D.C. office’s impressive roster of clients includes two federal agencies: the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations and GSA.
“I’m excited to work with GSA leaders and Green Building Advisory Committee members,” Chang said. “The committee’s goals align with initiatives by Buro Happold to help all stakeholders collaborate to create better buildings and cleaner cities with healthier futures.”
