Lori Ferriss: Architect-engineer Advances the reuse of buildings

His technical roots began at the structural engineering firm Silman in New York, where he contributed to major cultural projects, including the Harvard Art Museums with the Renzo Piano Building Workshop and the structural design of Grace Farms with the design firm SANAA. He later led preservation efforts at such landmarks as Boston’s Christian Science Center and the Custom House.

At Goody Clancy, Ferriss became the firm’s first director of sustainability and climate action, integrating regenerative design and adaptive reuse into award-winning institutional projects. He now advises companies across the country and holds influential roles in global organizations, from the Climate Heritage Network to Architecture 2030. A co-developer of the widely adopted CARE (Climate Avoided: Retrofit Estimator) tool to measure the carbon benefits of building retrofits rather than demolition and new construction, Ferriss helped shape international policy debates and COP268 to the international event COP266. and other important forums.

How did you get into the industry?

I don’t think of my career in terms of “breaking into” the industry. I’ve focused on doing the work: building skills, seeking out mentors who challenged me to keep growing, and being intentional about how my efforts could make an impact. Early training in architecture, construction technology and structural engineering gave me a broad view of the built environment early on, and this mindset continues to shape the opportunities I pursue.

Engagement with industry organizations has been a crucial part of this journey. Early on, volunteering with groups like the AIA Historic Resources Committee and the Boston Preservation Alliance became an important part of my career, eventually leading to volunteer leadership within national and international organizations. These roles have helped me gain a better understanding of how our industry works, build an incredible network of mentors and collaborators, and gain visibility that has opened up opportunities that I would not have been able to access otherwise. Just as importantly, they showed me that meaningful change happens through sustained collective effort.

What is a challenge you have overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?

A challenge in my career has been that traditional practice projects and roles have not always provided me with the opportunities for exploration, innovation and impact that I have sought. Working at the intersection of sustainability, design, and preservation often means focusing on questions that don’t fit neatly into typical project types or job descriptions within the AE industry.

In response to this challenge, my career has taken a non-traditional path from structural engineering to preservation and architecture, and finally to founding a non-profit research practice and working as a practice consultant. I’ve taken an iterative approach to identifying the problems I want to address, gathering the right expertise and partners, communicating the value of the work, and learning from each effort to inform what comes next. This approach has allowed my practice to evolve alongside the field and remain focused on meaningful and effective work, even when following a non-traditional path.

What is your favorite project and what challenges have you overcome?

More than a specific project, the projects I’m most proud of over the years are those that gave me the opportunity to support the stewardship of places that have deep environmental, cultural, and social value, whether it’s designing a major renovation, leading a campus-wide decarbonization effort, or developing a public resource like the CARE tool. With these projects, the technical solutions are rarely the hardest part; the real challenge is to make the work useful to those responsible for the care of these buildings. One of the most important aspects of my work is translating technical solutions into ideas, language and tools that are relevant and actionable. It starts with understanding who you’re working with and the challenges they face. When work speaks directly to these needs, it is much more likely to move from analysis to action.

What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the people I work with. In my two roles, leading the Built Buildings Lab and as a Principal Consultant for the Cameron MacAllister Group, I have the opportunity to collaborate with many of my professional heroes across the industry and around the world. I continue to learn from each interaction. Exchanging ideas, listening to different perspectives and working towards a common purpose is what makes work meaningful. It’s also where I find real hope: progress in this field is about relationships and collective effort, and being a part of that is incredibly rewarding.

How do you balance work and family life?

I’m honestly still figuring this one out! There is a lot of important work to be done, knowing when to stop is one of the hardest things. I have a seven-year-old boy, and maintaining balance is a constant, daily negotiation. I want to be present and truly cherish the time I spend with my family, while showing my daughter what it feels like to work hard for something you believe in. The busier I am, the more I try to focus on where my efforts have the greatest impact, so I’m using my time and energy intentionally.

What is your career advice for other young professionals in the industry?

What I hear most from students and young professionals is that they want their work to help solve big social and environmental problems. My advice is to be clear about your mission, but also understand your agency. As our industry works through complex and long-term systemic challenges, it’s important to remember that we all have a role to play, but none of us can do the job alone.

It takes time and patience to develop the skills, relationships, and pathways necessary to do the work that matters most to you. Stay open to learning, seek collaborators and mentors, and don’t lose sight of what you’re trying to do, even if the path isn’t linear. And don’t be afraid to try new things where you see fit.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years and what goals have you set yourself to get there?

I’ve never been one to set rigid five- or ten-year plans for myself. What I do have is a clear set of values ​​and a strong personal mission that guide my decisions, while allowing me to remain flexible enough to keep learning, growing, and adapting how I work as circumstances and opportunities change.

As co-founder of Built Buildings Lab, my short-term focus is to grow our nonprofit as a platform for meaningful, mission-driven work, while remaining open to how my role and the organization itself may evolve over time. With the Cameron MacAllister Group, I am excited to see how our newly expanded ownership group can innovate our consulting approach to reflect the rapid industry transformation our A/E clients are experiencing. Staying on purpose, while being responsive and adaptable, has been essential to my path thus far, and I hope that this balance of clarity and flexibility will continue to shape what’s to come.