Little

Jan 23, 2023

min

by Carol Rickard-Brideau

Regen CoLab: Meet Jen Todd

At Little, we are committed to a regenerative future and driven to evolve from awareness to action. Our Regen CoLab is a talented team of collaborators who focus on building a culture of regenerative practice within Little. Over the next few months, we will spotlight these individuals and share how our focus areas of measurement in Health, Energy, Water, and Social Equity (HEWS) set a path toward a regenerative future. Today we are introducing Regen CoLab member Jen Todd.

Jen Todd’s career hasn’t always focused on regenerative design. In fact, when asked about the path that led her to Little’s Regen CoLab, the architect laughs, “It has most definitely been a winding road. Actually, more like a meandering trail in the woods where I’m looking for the next trail marker – hoping that I haven’t drifted too far off the path.”

It was the Master of Architecture graduate program at the University of North Carolina Charlotte that allowed her to explore her passion for sustainability. Insatiably curious about details and finding efficiencies, she loved the challenge of establishing more sustainable ways of working – from sourcing eco-friendly materials to implementing better systems.  

A career built upon passion

Working at Little has helped Jen foster and evolve her passion for sustainability. “Initially, I was working in the Retail studio and asking questions about how we could incorporate meaningful sustainability into our work. That quickly evolved into helping develop and grow Little’s Center for Building Performance (CBP). CBP, now rolled into the services of the Regen CoLab, focused on data-driven results for our projects that encourage occupant well-being, consider a neutral capital investment, and reduce operating costs. Quality of the design and longevity are also vital when evaluating design decisions,” explains Jen.

While much of her career has focused on energy, daylighting, and the data-driven design process, she is now laser-focused on regeneration. A concept, she says, “makes sense.”

“Little is starting at the core of the design process and really shifting our mindset to regeneration. We are thinking about the larger, longer-term impact of our design decisions. We must listen to the goals of our clients and then help craft a solution that will not only do less harm but ultimately do good—regenerating or revitalizing beyond the scope of the project without additional costs. If you approach design decisions with the larger picture in mind, everyone and everything benefits,” explains Jen.

Helping to lead the way

It is this mindset that has made Jen an esteemed leader among her peers and clients alike. Through her passions for regenerative design and building performance analysis, she seamlessly bridges the gap between architects and engineers, resulting in logical integration and measurable results. 

“I love working with Jen as she masterfully orchestrates data-driven, ecologically sustainable outcomes for our teams and our clients. Jen is our North Star for fiscally responsible building performance for clients that uplifts the health and well-being of the project stakeholders and the larger social and natural communities they exist within,” shares fellow Regen CoLab member Philip Donovan.

When asked about the one impact designers can have on pushing us toward a regenerative future, Jen replies, “Never stop learning. We live in a world that is constantly changing. We cannot keep building the way we always have.”

Jen Todd is a sustainably minded architect who focuses on high performance. With more than 17 years of experience in all phases of design, she leads the firm’s building performance efforts, providing energy modeling, daylighting analysis, and other related services. Jen is one of four Directors of Little’s Regen CoLab and helps build a culture of regenerative practice within Little through established processes, research, and education. Stay tuned for future employee spotlights featuring Little’s Regen CoLab. 

About

Carol Rickard-Brideau

Carol is a self-proclaimed foodie, is endlessly curious about how design affects humans, both psychologically and physically, and has a thing for gardens. She is also an architect and Chief Executive Officer at Little. Follow her on Twitter @WineDarkC.

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