Maryland’s top sustainability consulting companies join forces in 2022
September 1, 2022 | by Matt Torr
After more than 15 years of collaboration in the green building industry, Doo Consulting has joined Lorax Partnerships to bring the area’s best minds in sustainability under one roof. With a combined staff of 14 talented green building professionals, a deep network of service providers, and vast experience to draw upon, Lorax’s team is equipped to serve the green building design and construction market with unparalleled sustainability consulting service in Maryland, Washington DC, and across the United States.
In June of 2022, the collaboration between the firms was solidified when Doo Consulting joined Lorax Partnerships, creating one of the largest and most capable sustainability consulting firms in the region. Lorax provides consulting services for LEED, NGBS, Fitwel, and WELL, among other green & healthy building rating systems, in addition to advising clients on sustainability planning, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) assessments & reporting, and a list of other sustainable building services for commercial real estate professionals, locally and nationally. With expanded capacity and a broader knowledge base to draw from, Lorax is prepared to support our clients with all of their sustainable goals.
Doo Consulting joined Lorax Partnerships on June 16, 2022
A History of Sustainability Collaboration
Recently celebrating 19 years in operation, Lorax Partnerships was founded in 2003 by Neal Fiorelli and David Pratt. Soon after its conception, Lorax set a precedent as a local leader for sustainability in Maryland, helping to form the USGBC Baltimore Regional Chapter, which included the City of Baltimore and five surrounding counties. Among other key contributors to the Chapters success was Peter Doo, a leading architect at the time and the first appointed Chapter Chair.
A year later, David and Peter collaborated once again as they co-chaired Baltimore City’s Green Building Taskforce. Their efforts helped to establish the City’s Office of Sustainability which went on to create the first sustainability plan for the City of Baltimore; eventually helping to pave the way for Maryland to pass a Green Building Law in 2005-the first of two states to do so at this time. By 2007, Peter took his vast knowledge of building architecture and his passion for the environment, combining them to form Doo Consulting.
Since the founding of Doo Consulting, Lorax and Doo have continued to work together on a wide range of sustainable projects and initiatives. With over a decade and a half of collaboration, the two firms have built an impressive resume of sustainability projects, including multiple Net Zero Energy public schools, a distinguished Living Building Challenge project, and countless LEED certified green buildings. Both Lorax and Doo have been and continue to be vocal advocates for sustainable and equitable development; as well as supporters of the local community through volunteer efforts and participation in numerous industry organizations and boards.
Projects of Notoriety
Merriweather District Area 3 LEED ND v4: Plan Certified, LEED BD+C: New Construction Gold
Throughout the years, Lorax and Doo have collectively and independently consulted and advised on a number of impactful and industry leading projects. To date, Lorax and Doo have consulted on over 500+ green and sustainable building projects in Maryland, Washington DC, and throughout the United States.
Operating under the Lorax name, the firm continues to advise on industry-leading sustainability projects across the country. As our capacity to provide environmental consulting services continues to strengthen, the Lorax team is anticipating the completion of projects such as the Maryland Zoo Sustainability Plan, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Headquarters, a mixed-use building in Arizona, the Lexington Market (Baltimore), the Carnegie Libraries (New York), and many more!
Past Collaborations:
- Baltimore City 21st Century Schools Program
- Graceland/Holabird Net Zero Schools
- Lemur Conservation Foundation Lovejoy Dormitories
Distinct Lorax Projects:
- Merriweather District Area 3
- M&T Bank Stadium & Ravens Training Facility
- Clifton Mansion
- McCormick & Co. Global Headquarters
- Wake Forest Innovation Quarter
Distinct Doo Projects:
- Johns Hopkins School of Public Health MICUA Labs
- Oriole Park and The Warehouse at Camden Yards
- Merriweather Post Pavilion Stagehouse
- The Gaddy House
- MD Healthcare for the Homeless
Peter Doo’s Path
Peter first began his career in building design and construction in the 1980s after receiving a B.S. in Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Masters in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania. As an architect, Peter demonstrated his interest in sustainable design through his work on multiple passive solar homes and office buildings, as well as designing many LEED certified, LEED equivalent, and Net-Zero energy buildings.
Peter Doo – LEED Fellow & Founder of Doo Consulting
His decision to move away from individual project design was influenced by the realization that he could more rapidly transform the sustainable building industry through policy and consulting work. Now, after 35 years of industry experience, Peter has a long list of accolades that have greatly influenced sustainable building efforts in Maryland and beyond, including but not limited to:
- Being co-founder and first chair of the USGBC Maryland Chapter
- Helping to pass Maryland’s Green Building Bill in 2005
- Co-chairing the Baltimore City Green Building Task Force in 2006
- Helping to pass Baltimore’s Green Building Bill, thus establishing the Office of Sustainability in 2007
- Transforming the State of Maryland’s stormwater management (SWM) practices through the creation of the first green roof/SWM pilot project in the State
- Serving 10 years as a commissioner on the Baltimore City Sustainability Commission
Peter’s decision to merge Doo Consulting with Lorax is influenced by his desire to enter retirement after almost four decades of architecture and sustainability work. Upon retirement, Peter enters retirement as a LEED Fellow, a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and a Living Building Challenge Hero. Until his official retirement, Peter will remain as a member of the Lorax team over the next year as the transition from Doo to Lorax is made. Peter and Doo Consulting brings a distinguished portfolio of projects and industry knowledge.
Learn more about Lorax or Contact Us to discuss your next sustainability project!