Julie Hiromoto, FAIA leads integration efforts at HKS to bridge silos and connect specialized expertise with the needs of the clients and the communities they serve. Her experience managing a diverse portfolio of complex and large-scale projects (including One World Trade Center) transforms the built environment through the application of research, systems thinking, and inclusive best practices. She balances business, design excellence and technical expertise while instilling her passion for socially and environmentally responsible design to our next generation of leaders. Julie taught at NYU’s Shack Institute of Real Estate from 2009-2018 and influenced the curriculum for the Sustainable Design Certificate program. Ms. Hiromoto is a recognized leader in the local and national sustainable design community. She chaired the National American Institute of Architect's (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE) Leadership Group in 2020. She represented 95k AIA members as a part of its first delegation to the United Nations annual climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland and Architecture 2030 as a COP28 delegate. Hiromoto testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on energy efficiency and fuel source and is currently the Mayor’s appointee to the Dallas Environmental Commission and a board member of the International Living Future Institute.
Speaking at
Tue May 13
2:30 PM — 3:30 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time
Brain-Healthy, Climate-Positive Cities
A growing body of research indicates that physical space profoundly impacts our brain health. However, the regenerative capacity of our buildings and public places remains largely untapped. The way we think, feel, learn, and behave are influenced by our context. What if every real estate and capital infrastructure investment was intentional about its regenerative potential for equitable public health, economic development potential, dignity for all, and nature? A mindset shift, from "less bad" to positive outcomes, is required, and brain-healthy cities will help us better leverage the stressed and constrained cognitive power of our citizenry. These efforts have been shared in international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly Science Summit and World Economic Forum, as well as local policy and advocacy events such as the Innovate4Cities conference co-hosted by UN-Habit and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.