Sustainability is fundamental to our practice in every sector and at every scale. We design with the environment in mind, targeting reductions in pollution and carbon emissions, conserving water, and advancing the use of clean energy. As our clients increasingly prioritize environmental, social, and corporate responsibility, we focus on creating spaces that promote well-being, support productivity, and encourage thoughtful resource use.

To strengthen our efforts, we’re announcing two new leadership appointments focused on advancing sustainability across the firm.

Sara Beardsley, FAIA, LEED AP, CPHC, has been promoted to Director of Technical Design. She works closely with SCB’s technical leaders in this role to champion high-performance design and uphold quality across all projects. With over two decades of experience, including complex projects in both domestic and international markets, Sara brings deep expertise in navigating technical challenges on diverse sites. Her design philosophy is rooted in a commitment to livable urban environments, as demonstrated in her published work on decarbonization, building envelope performance, and adaptive reuse.

Since joining SCB, Sara has played a key role in projects such as 1234 W. Randolph and the adaptive reuse of 30 North LaSalle. She was recently featured in ENR for her insights on the carbon reduction benefits of office-to-residential conversions.

“Sara has demonstrated exceptional leadership in her ability to guide design teams towards high-performance outcomes,” says President and CEO Chris Pemberton, AIA. “Her commitment to environmental responsibility and deep expertise in carbon reduction and adaptive reuse bring significant impact to our work and our clients.”

Natalia Quintanilla, LEED AP, CPHC serves as SCB’s Firmwide Sustainability Leader, where she bridges design and building science to drive sustainable practices in a meaningful, integrated way. Natalia’s experience in sustainability and enclosure consulting spans a variety of complex projects, including residential, commercial, aviation, and large-scale mixed-use developments.

Her role elevates the firm’s sustainability knowledge and culture, empowering staff to set and achieve ambitious environmental goals and look at projects analytically. She will also be an expert resource to guide the growing portfolio of projects pursuing certifications such as LEED, Well, Fitel and PHIUS. 

“We are very excited welcome Natalia as our Firmwide Sustainability Leader,” says Sara Beardsley. “Her enthusiasm, expertise, and holistic, integrated approach to sustainability will help us deliver high-performing, efficient buildings in terms of both operational and embodied carbon.”

Sara and Natalia’s leadership advances the role of technical design within the firm and reinforces SCB’s position at the forefront of sustainable architecture.