Lara has extensive experience in preservation, adaptive reuse and new construction for educational, institutional and private development projects. She serves as Finegold Alexander’s Sustainability Strategist, bringing a passion for sustainability and expertise in environmentally-conscious solutions to all of the firm’s projects. Lara is especially skilled in managing systems integration as they relate to sustainable practices and the role they play in preserving and reusing existing buildings. She is also a Certified Passive House Consultant and brings this expertise to all of her projects and clients.
When she’s not managing complicated projects—or leading the office sustainability effort—Lara is either rock climbing, playing with her two dogs Norman and Darby or tearing apart portions of her house – much to her husband’s annoyance. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech, and is an active member of multiple professional groups including the Northeastern Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), and Association for Preservation Technology Northeast Chapter (APTNE).
Boston Society of Architects, Committee on the Environment (COTE) Co-Chair
American Institute of Architects
Boston Preservation Alliance
Building Electrification Accelerator (BEA)
Built Environment Plus (Formerly U.S. Green Building Council)
Northeastern Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)
Association for Preservation Technology Northeast Chapter (APTNE)
Former Wellesley Town Planning Board Member
Teaching
Amherst College, Guest Lecturer in Global Sustainability Class (Spring 2012, 2014, 2015)
Wentworth Institute of Technology, Guest Review Panel (Spring 2008)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Guest Lecturer in Professional Practice (Fall 2022)
Architectural Record Webinars, 2019: "The Lucas - Multi-Family Residential Paired with a Historic Building Reclaims a Neighborhood"
Architecture Boston Expo 2014, Session Convener and Speaker, Confronting Boston's Climate-Related Challenges While Respecting its History
Amherst College Guest Lecturer in Global Sustainability Class
Charles River Regional Chamber, 2023 "Adapting to the 2023 MA Stretch Codes Updates"
Wentworth Institute of Technology, Guest Review Panel
Favorite mode of transportation? Kayak, not the most useful for commuting but usually means something fun is happening.
Favorite author? Dickens, the characters are amazing. I tend to name things after them - we called our last house Pumblechook.
Any hobbies? Restoring a 1947 Dodge Pickup