Rewards and Challenges of Design-Assist  

Holger Schulze Ehring, a structural engineer and architect, principal at New York and Los Angeles based engineering firm Büro Ehring, where he works on national and international landmark projects at the intersection of architecture and engineering. His work focuses on long-span, lightweight, specialty, and façade structures, with an emphasis on concept-driven design and technical clarity.

Matt Dionne, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal and project architect at Ennead Architects with over 22 years of experience across a wide range of project types, with particular expertise in research laboratories and higher education facilities. As a project architect, Matt leads the documentation effort, overseeing the technical development of drawings and specifications while coordinating closely with consulting engineers. He is involved in all phases of a project, from programming and planning through construction and closeout. Matt is especially interested in integrating sustainability and constructability strategies seamlessly into the early phases of design to support high-performing, efficient projects. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Shanta Tucker, LEED AP BD+C, ASHRAE BEMP, Fitwel Ambassador, director at Atelier Ten, Shanta is recognized for her leadership in building performance simulation and sustainability consulting on local and international projects. With 25 years of experience, she has consulted on net zero, carbon neutral and LEED Platinum certified buildings. Shanta has experience with the engineering and design of HVAC systems, as well as modeling and analysis techniques for optimizing energy efficiency of high-performance building envelopes, mechanical systems, and electrical systems.

Shanta has worked on a variety of commercial, laboratory, cultural, multi-use, university, and institutional buildings that are known for their efficient energy performance. Notable projects include the LEED Platinum and Zero Carbon Kroon Hall at Yale University, the LEED Gold Moynihan Train Hall in New York City, the LEED-Platinum Tour Carpe Diem in Paris, and the LEED Platinum São Paulo Corporate Towers in Brazil.

Shanta is a registered Professional Engineer in the States of California, New Jersey and New York, a LEED-Accredited Professional, an ASHRAE certified Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP), a FItwel Ambassador, ASHRAE member, past chair of the ASHRAE’s Certification Committee, and past president of IBPSA-USA. She holds a BS in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado and studied at Mines Paris - PSL. She has taught environmental systems courses for the undergraduate program at Pratt Institute’s Architecture School, a graduate environmental studio at the Yale School of Architecture, an environmental technology course at Parsons School of Design, and a building systems course for Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture. Most recently she has guest lectured at the Harvard’s GSD and Columbia University Department of Mechanical Engineering.