SANDRA MONTALBO
LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Assoc. AIA
The University of Texas at San Antonio
SAY IT LOUD - TEXAS Exhibitor
Texas Based Designer
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by good people in the world to include: Dr. Alison Kwok (U of Oregon) & Helena Zambrano (Mahlum Architects) titans in sustainability. Also, Michael Rey (Gensler) for empowering me and Dr. Rashed-Ali (UTSA) who challenges me daily.
SANDRA MONTALBO
Bio:
The great designer, Sandra has a B.A. in Communication (UTSA, 2006), an M.A. in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development (Hawaii Pacific University, 2010) and a M.Arch (UTSA, 2015). She is the primary author of “The Habits of High-Performance Firms". She received AIA San Antonio's Rising Star Award, helped develop San Antonio's Climate Action Plan, served on NCARB’s AXP Advisory Board and USGBC's South Regional Council, was awarded TSA’s Associate Member of the Year and UTSA’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
When I learned that the built environment contributes to 40% of CO2 emissions I decided to enter Architecture as a profession.
What do you do?
I am a PhD candidate in the Civil Engineering (Building Performance), focusing all intellectual energy on prioritizing human health and nature within the built environment. I want to lead research in sustainable design within a firm.
What excites you in the work you do?
I'm grateful to work with such amazing, positive, solution-oriented people. I recognize the importance of sustainable design and the impacts it can have on human health and the natural environment.
Who or what inspires you professionally?
I am inspired by good people in the world to include: Dr. Alison Kwok (U of Oregon) & Helena Zambrano (Mahlum Architects) titans in sustainability. Also, Michael Rey (Gensler) for empowering me and Dr. Rashed-Ali (UTSA) who challenges me daily.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
My proudest professional achievement was going back to graduate school in my mid-thirties with the help of my one-year old, three year-old, and amazing husband to study Architecture. I now lead discussions in sustainability on a national platform.
Featured Project Name:
Intersections
Featured Project Location:
U.S.A.
Featured Project Completion Date:
06/01/2021
Role in Featured Project:
Lead Researcher
Featured Project Description:
A deep dive into the trends affecting the built environment and surrounding communities in the face of climate change (natural disasters, homelessness, affordable housing), the pandemic (COVID-19, health impacts) and racial justice (environmental justice, red-lining, unhealthy materials, and their impacts). This national industry report will help AIA National and Architects make informed decisions around program, policy, and design strategy prioritization by identifying intersecting issues.
