Christopher Johnson, Associate AIA, LEED® AP
Christopher received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Winthrop University in 1999 and was awarded the top Interior Student for 1998 and 1999. His undergraduate research focused on how green design could effect the interior design profession and led to an internship at Dewees Island, South Carolina and at The President’s Council on Sustainable Development in Washington D.C.
In 2005, Christopher received his Master of Architecture degree from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. He was awarded the AIA UNC Charlotte College of Architecture Traveling Fellowship in 2004 and was awarded the 2005 Alpha Rho Chi Leadership Service Merit. His thesis research focused on the social considerations of a sustainable community, how architecture responds to the impoverished conditions of the community, and how to incorporate sustainable strategies within an impoverished community.
Since joining the FWA Group in 2005 as a Project Designer, Christopher assists with project design, visualization and 3D modeling. Chris also heads FWA’s Sustainability Committee and is a leader of the Emerging Green Builders Charlotte Chapter.
2010 Board of Directors Qualification Form
Nominee
Name: Christopher Johnson, Associate AIA, LEED AP
Title: Project Designer
Organization: The FWA Group
QUESTIONNAIRE
In general, why do you wish to be a member of the Charlotte Region Chapter Board and what opportunities do you see for the Chapter?
My interest to serve on the Chapter Board is to represent the diverse membership of both experienced professionals and emerging professionals who are beginning their careers in the green building industry.
Please provide a summary of your current and past involvement in the Chapter. Include attendance at Chapter events and contributions to Chapter committees.
I have been a Chapter member and LEED Accredited Professional since May 2006. I have attended approximately 80% of the monthly Chapter meetings, the signature event with, the keynote with, and I have attended the GreenBuild conferences in Denver and Chicago.
For the past three years, I have been chair of the Emerging Green Builders committee. Over the past year, EGB has hosted several events that are geared towards furthering the exposure of the emerging professional to the green building industry including a green home tour, marketing how to, Greenbuild wrap-up, a LEED® design charrette, and the second annual design competition. In addition, the committee organized an event to evoke collaboration between the EGB chapters in North and South Carolina, held in July. The committee has recently completed a draft of the schedule for the next 18 months to ensure that we are efficient in how we provide resources to the emerging professionals.
Please provide a summary of your professional qualifications, knowledge and experience of most relevance to the Chapter. Also indicate the degree to which you have senior management and executive level experience.
I graduated from Winthrop University in 1999 with a BFA degree in Interior Design. My studies included researching how the interior design profession would be influenced by the changes of the green building movement. My studies led me to an internship at Dewees Island in Charleston, SC in 1997, and with the President’s Council on Sustainable Development in Washington D.C. in 1998.
In 2005, I received my Masters of Architecture Degree from UNC Charlotte. I focused my research on the social considerations of a sustainable community. My thesis research began by studying the architecture of Joseph Noero in South Africa, how his firm responds to the impoverished conditions of the community, and how he incorporates sustainable strategies in his designs.
Since finishing graduate school in 2005, I have been with The FWA Group heading the Sustainability Committee as FWA is transforming how we work and how we design our projects to become a sustainable practice. My effort and commitment is driven by the understanding that we must practice what we preach. I have been a champion of LEED® and have been focused on developing a continuing education program within the office that focuses on opportunities to promote strategies of achieving a sustainable project.
The Charlotte Region Chapter is committed to strengthening its membership diversity. What resources could you bring to bear (e.g., demonstrated expertise, leadership positions, and willingness) to help further Chapter participation from high priority sectors including: real estate, energy/utility, finance/insurance, residential, corporate, and product manufacturing? You can also address other sectors you think require greater involvement in the Chapter.
If USGBC is to be successful at transforming Charlotte into a leader of a sustainable future, we must one, develop outreach to all sectors of the community – not just ‘sustainable’ partners. Second, the Chapter must be willing to reach out to our adversaries to identify the issues that limit our efforts outside of the USGBC circle.
In addition, as mentioned above, my commitment has been to nurture the collaboration between the Charlotte Region Chapter and emerging professionals. The EGB committee is developing an education program we are calling the ‘Feature Firm.’ Our intent is to introduce the emerging professional to leaders of the green building industry that they would not otherwise be aware of. Because the industry has many leaders from a variety of disciplines, the ‘Feature Firm’ would be a medium that the Chapter could utilize to emphasize how diversity plays a role in the certification process and reach out to those less familiar with USGBC’s efforts. It is very important that the Board provides resources to the committees to ensure that other programs such as the ‘Feature Firm’ are developed that reach out to these various sectors that could potentially contribute to a sustainable community.
Describe your experience with other organizations having successful chapter programs including leadership positions (profit/non-profit, volunteer/staff).
I have been volunteering time to an impoverished community in Rock Hill South Carolina since 2003. (See additional details below.)
Leadership positions (volunteer or professional staff) with nonprofit governance.
Currently serve on the Board of Directors for the community center, A Place for Hope. As a Board Member, I am responsible for advising design and construction efforts within the community as well as for the community center. One effort I led was the EGB design competition in 2008 that asked emerging professionals to design a sustainable home that addressed how the poverty of the community residents and LEED® for homes could be implemented successfully. All Board members are responsible for capital fundraising to ensure that the Community Center retains its executive director and has the operating funds to continue its important service to the disadvantaged residents. My contributions to the community have been limited to educating the community of the various housing opportunities that may benefit the residents. My desire has been to encourage the development of sustainable community by combining my passion for environmental issues with my commitment to improving the lives of people who have been ignored by the same social structure I have benefited from.
Please identify any affiliations, memberships, and accreditations which may be pertinent for Chapter leadership.
As an Associate member of AIA, I have been in contact with other AIA emerging professionals who are interested in the efforts of USGBC. I also have affiliations with the CSI emerging professionals and the Charlotte Chapter of Architecture for Humanity. In addition to these professional organizations, I teach Facility Design and Management at Winthrop University in Rock Hill South Carolina to Physical Education and Sports Management majors. A major portion of this course is to introduce students to how sustainability and LEED® Certification can influence their future.
