The Speakers

A landscape architect and co-founder of PLACE, Charles’ design leadership distinguishes the studio’s award-winning projects. Known for his progressive ideas, his green infrastructure techniques successfully integrate natural systems with human use resulting in sustainable designs that stand the test of time, use the land respectfully, and increase public awareness. The ecological solutions Charles brings to each project has led to a beloved public realm with Net Zero, One Planet Living, and LEED Platinum/Gold certifications. During his 30-year professional career, he has served as a frequent juror, guest lecturer, and collaborator on local and global projects focusing on stewardship, art, and community. 

Mark is a registered professional civil engineer, author, and inventor with over 30 years engineering experience on sustainable projects around the world, including nature-based wastewater treatment & water reuse systems, material recycling & composting facilities, and net zero living buildings. In 1995, Mark founded 2020 ENGINEERING, a professional engineering consulting firm, which has been dedicated to providing simple and innovative solutions for the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of local, national and international communities. 

David advises on growing and operations related questions for our clients and assists with Agritecture's West Coast business activities. David has more than 20 years experience working in numerous types of agriculture, including indoor and outdoor hydroponics and soil based agriculture. David has an MBA in sustainable management, a BA in environmental studies with a focus on agroecology and a certificate in horticulture. 

Joel L. Cuello is a Professor of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and Director of the Global Initiative for Strategic Agriculture in Dry Lands (GISAD) at The University of Arizona.

A globally recognized expert in the engineering of sustainable biological and agricultural systems, his technical expertise in both engineering and biology provides the platform for engineering designs in various agricultural and biological systems with emphasis on optimizing biological and agricultural productivities while fostering resource sustainability and environmental protection. 

Prof. Cuello has designed, constructed and implemented varied types of engineered agricultural or biological systems, including those applied in bioregenerative space life support, hydroponics, tissue culture, and industrial mass production of algae, plant cell and microbial cultures for production of biomass, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, etc. He is the Principal Inventor of the patented algae photobioreactor series -- the Accordion photobioreactors -- and is the creator of the Minimally Structured, Modular and Prefabricated Vertical Farm design (the Vertical Greenbox® Solution) that is considered an archetypal design for Vertical Farming 2.0.

Lance Davis is part of the Sustainable Design Program in the Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings in Washington, DC. He serves as a sustainable design expert and focuses his work on gaining knowledge and educating within the federal government and its client agencies. Lance’s experience also includes twelve years as an architect focused on integrated sustainable design. Mr. Davis’ more prominent architectural work includes the Korean War Veteran’s Memorial, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, and the Walter Reed Community Center in Arlington, VA which achieved a LEED Silver rating, He has a Bachelors of Architecture from Mississippi State University, is a member of the American Institute of Architects, AIA Committee On The Environment, a founding Board Member of the National Capital Region Chapter of the USGBC, a committee author for the new LEED EB: Operations and Maintenance, and he is a LEED Accredited Professional. 

Benjamin is an ecological designer, educator, land consultant, natural builder and foremost a farmer. For the last 20 years he has worked to create models of alternative ways to produce food that values nature. His passion lies in building ecological landscapes and addressing responsible land stewardship. Benjamin is currently the owner and operator of Top Leaf Farms a CA licensed contractor specializing in urban agriculture systems and roof top farming. With Top Leaf Farms he designs and develops integrated systems that produce food and grow seeds, soil and starts specific for the urban climate. As now more people live in cities than not he believes that we must re-address how we can produce within the urban environment and make these landscapes more functional. 

Brad Gaolach is a Professor for Washington State University Extension who focuses on community sustainability in Washington’s metropolitan communities. He is the founding director for both WSU’s Metropolitan Center for Applied Research & Extension and the National Urban Research & Extension Center. 

Prior to his current appointment, he served as the County Director for the two most populous counties in Washington State. Trained as population and community ecologist, he is recognized for bringing systems and sustainability based approaches to community-based applied research and education programs. Dr. Gaolach utilizes his training as a research scientist and ecologist to bridge the world of academia with community based applications. Since joining WSU Extension in 2001, Dr. Gaolach has emphasized collaboration amongst the assets of WSU and community-based partners.

Brad often provides leadership on Center projects related to environmental stewardship, systems thinking, and organizational development. He has additionally conducted applied research and developed extension programs relating to water quality, climate change, agriculture, food systems, and community and economic development.

Chris is the president & a partner of Green City Growers, a premier urban farming company based in Massachusetts.  He is a professional with 25 years in global management/executive business development, fresh produce, farmland, urban agriculture, vertical farming, controlled environment agriculture (CEA), agribusiness, seed, crop protection, crop nutrition, value chain, and bioenergy industries in the United States, Europe and Latin America. Chris is also an entrepreneurial with experience in - general management, operations, sales & marketing, farming, farmland, biomass, organic and sustainable agriculture. Interested in fresh produce, agriculture, sustainable technologies, new businesses, composting/organics & food waste recycling and farmland investment. 

Myer is a trusted industry leader in high performance design, drawing on teaching, research, and volunteer service to inspire commercial design practice. He is a Sr. Regenerative Design Advisor and Sr. Project Manager at Perkins&Will Seattle.

Myer was a member of the design team for the award-winning Eco-Laboratory, a Building-Integrated Agriculture concept that won first place in the USGBC 2008 Natural Talent Design Competition and was included in the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum 2010 Design Triennial Exhibit. Since then, he has developed and advised several BIA design concepts focused on integrated systems.

Myer earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Maryland and a Master in Architecture and Commercial Real Estate Certificate from the University of Washington. He has co-instructed architecture studios and seminars at the University of Washington and has been invited as a guest lecturer and studio critic.

Dr. Mohamed Imam is a Senior Architect with over ten years of experience in architecture, computation, and performative design. Holding a Ph.D. in architecture and an M.Sc. in Sustainable Buildings, he specializes in optimizing building resource circularity using computational models. As a CPHD and LEED AP BD+C, Mohamed is dedicated to creating sustainable cities through multidisciplinary investigations.

In his role at P&W, he leads diverse design projects and innovative research initiatives, exploring emerging design and construction technology. Mohamed'sexpertise encompasses various areas, including resource circularity, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making. As an educator and public speaker, he is passionate about bridging gaps between architectural research and practice. 

Pat brings more than 25 years of experience as a practicing landscape architect and green infrastructure consultant to his role with Recode. He has been part of finding permit pathways for a wide range of projects from rainwater to blackwater; from residential to campus scale. He recently completed a district infrastructure master plan for Boise, Idaho that includes district heating, cooling, non-potable water and stormwater management.  Pat is currently working in partnership with ILFI on eliminating hurdles that allow for 'next generation' water reuse in California, Oregon and Washington.  His long-term vision is to optimize our water resources within a dynamically stable nutrient cycle. 

Adrian Parr, PhD, is an internationally recognized environmental, political, and cultural thinker and advocate, author, and filmmaker. 

Adrian is a transdisciplinary scholar working at the intersection of architecture criticism, aesthetics, political theory, and environmental studies. She has authored eight books, the latest three of which focused on environmental politics and sustainability culture, and she has served as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) water chair for eight years.

The driving force behind her work is the question of how to overcome ecological and economic scarcity. She asserts that environmental devastation and climate change are crimes against humanity. Her 2016 documentary, “The Intimate Realities of Water,” won more than a dozen awards, including Best Documentary at the 2016 United International Independent Film Festival.

Gundula Proksch is a scholar, licensed architect, and Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture and Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture. She is the Founding Director of the Circular City + Living Systems Lab (CCLS), an interdisciplinary research group investigating transformative strategies for sustainable urban futures. The CCLS leverages research and design methods to investigate the potential of synergetic systems to apply circular economy principles and integrate living systems in buildings and cities. These approaches produce and circulate resources within the food-water-energy nexus toward efficient, just, and sustainable urban built environments.

Professor Proksch is the Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research project “Belmont Forum Collaborative Research: CITYFOOD.” As part of an international research consortium, with partners in Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and Brazil, CITYFOOD investigates the potential of integration of aquaponic systems into cities on a broad scale, as an innovative solution to mitigate daunting environmental, economic, and social challenges. Her book Creating Urban Agricultural Systems: An Integrated Approach to Design (Routledge, 2017) is the first source book on how to approach urban agriculture from a systems perspective. It explores the ways urban farms provide integrated environmental systems, innovative operational strategies, and design approaches to create environmentally sound and economically viable urban agricultural operations.

Professor Proksch’s interdisciplinary sustainability research builds on her professional experience spanning fifteen years of practice in Europe and the United States. 

Abeni Ramsey is a seasoned Food Systems Strategist with a distinguished 20-year career dedicated to fostering sustainable and equitable food production in urban environments. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Development and a Minor in Economics, she has cultivated a deep understanding of the complex interplay between agriculture, market based solutions and community well-being. 

Her journey began as a Farm Manager in Oakland, California, where she honed her skills in developing efficient production strategies and successfully launched two urban farms in partnership with the city. Recognizing the potential of agriculture as a tool for social change, Abeni established her own market farm, creating economic opportunities for marginalized communities through partnerships with local organizations. With a proven track record as an agricultural producer, Abeni expanded her impact by founding an organization dedicated to supporting urban farmers and gardeners. Today, she empowers individuals and communities to cultivate thriving food systems by providing essential technical assistance, resources, and mentorship. 

Abeni’s expertise lies in bridging the gap between agriculture and urban planning, making her an invaluable asset in exploring the integration of these two critical sectors 

Oscar is a UK and Spain registered Architect actively contributing to the definition of Regenerative Design through accumulated expertise in Urban Food Systems, Architectural ETFE design and Carbon Negative Construction.

He has worked at high profile Architectural practices on a range of project sectors, stages and scales with pronounced experience in large scale residential, commercial, rail infrastructure, biome design and Green Belt village masterplanning.

He runs his own specialist consultancy, Architecture & food to explore how the Built Environment could be designed to viably grow fresh produce using technology while delivering economic, biospheric and social value.

Since 2020, he has been Director of Policy for UK Urban Agritech, a 50+ member professional body for technology-led urban agriculture and vertical farming enthusiasts and professionals, and currently leads a campaign to get urban food systems their own planning Use Class.

In 2022 he was the UK external consultant to an Interreg-NWE-funded research project called GROOF, assembled to define the state of the art of the Building Integrated Greenhouse.

Oscar can speak the language of technology-led horticulture and apply design thinking to any architectural or spatial challenges urban farmers may be dealing with, particularly those seeking to exploit synergies between growing operations, their host buildings and their immediate environments.

Garen brings over a decade of expertise in architecture, sustainability, and urban design to his role as Urban Designer for the City of West Hollywood’s Community Development Department. In this position, he spearheads a variety of key projects, including overseeing the City's Design Review processes, managing architectural initiatives, and fostering cross-departmental collaboration to enhance urban and public spaces.

Before joining the City of West Hollywood, Garen gained valuable experience in the private sector, where he worked on diverse urban planning, architecture, and design projects. His work included sustainability master planning, resiliency planning, and community engagement.

Garen is also an active member of the Placemaking Leadership Council with Project for Public Spaces, where he contributes to a global dialogue on creating inclusive and people-centered public spaces.

He holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Woodbury University.