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Susan Suhar, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED  AP, WELL AP

Susan Suhar, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, WELL AP

Interior Design Principal

HDR Architecture

Susan is an award-winning and accomplished design professional with over 20 years’ focused in commercial interiors. Leading design in primarily health and workplace interior environments, Susan's passion is creating spaces and experiences that are restorative, sustainable and contribute to overall occupant well-being. Her interior environments are motivated by the process of discovery, distilling and defining using evidence-based design and concepts of sensory design. Susan also volunteers her time with organizations such IIDA, LA Business Council and Children’s Institute.

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    As our industry is responding to the dire need to reduce our carbon footprint, we are seeing a rise in the transformative approach of using Mass Timber and other Low Carbon material construction in different building typologies such hospitality, office, residential, schools, health care facilities and laboratories. The benefits of Mass Timber lie greatly in its authentic self - from it being a renewable resource to carbon sequestering to its natural inherent beauty. The interiors of Mass Timber spaces should also be designed on the principles of health, honesty and authenticity. In this program we will explore the nuances and considerations of Mass Timber construction specific to: - Air quality, acoustics, natural light, ergonomic design and biophilia - Transparent sourcing practices; ensuring that every element in the space is ethically and sustainably produced. - How Authenticity is woven into the fabric of our interiors, celebrating the natural beauty of materials and embracing a design philosophy that resonates with the inherent character of the space. Several HDR projects will be used as case-studies to demonstrate how Mass Timber interiors can be a testament to the seamless integration of aesthetics and sustainability. We will identify valuable take-aways/lessons-learned, new hierarchies in working within exposed structure and creative solutions. We will also explore how to design for Low-Carbon Interiors and quantifying carbon impact through LCA's. In summary, by combining the strength of Mass Timber with a commitment to healthy and honest interiors, we shape spaces that not only stand tall in structural excellence but also nurture the well-being of those who inhabit them. Join us in building a future where architecture harmonizes with nature and fosters a genuine sense of vitality.