Doug Farr, AIA, LEED AP

Monadnock Building/David K. Staub

Pullman in the late 19th century/Chicago History Museum

XOCO Restaurant/Andrew McCaughan

XOCO's famous chocolate and churros/Andrew McCaughan

Doug Farr is the founding principal of Farr Associates, a 20-year-old sustainable architecture and planning firm in Chicago. He is the chair of the USGBC LEED-ND Core Committee and author of the planning best-seller Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature.

Favorite Sustainable Sites
“The Yannell Net Zero Energy Residence [designed by Farr’s firm] in the north side of the Ravenswood neighborhood demonstrates that net zero architecture is possible in climates like Chicago that have four full seasons.”

Must-See Historic Buildings
“Even though the Monadnock Building was built in the 1890s, it is model today for a green building. Its slender footprint allows for cross ventilation without mechanical systems and high levels of daylight in interior spaces.”

Off-the-Beaten-Path Architecture
“Take the Metra commuter train to the far South Side of the city to see the historic Pullman railroad car factory town and experience an early example of self-sufficient sustainable development. In the 1880s they were practicing sustainable strategies like district energy usage that are considered cutting edge today.”

Museums and Galleries
“Coinciding with Greenbuild, the Chicago Architecture Foundation will be opening a new exhibition called Neighborhoods Go Green! highlighting the newest LEED rating system, LEED for Neighborhood Development. CAF also offers unrivaled architectural walking and boat tours in the Loop.”

Dining, Drinking, and Shopping
“They serve delicious Mexican street food at XOCO, a Rick Bayless-owned quick-service cafe. While the space is small, they have big sustainability mission which includes a LEED-Gold interior and a vegetable garden on the roof.”