COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT 2026
COMMITTEE CHAIR BIOS
Chair
Casey Castor (he/him), Associate AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Casey Castor is a Principal of Practice Labs, where he has spent nearly a decade advancing sustainable design in projects across the greater Los Angeles area. With expertise spanning K-12 schools, civic projects, and affordable housing, he integrates building science analysis into every phase of project development. His academic foundation includes an undergraduate in architectural design and a master’s in building science from USC, which has shaped his metrics-driven approach to sustainable design. Casey has also co-founded Mack Research, where their team is developing an innovative vertical wall wind technology for energy generation that is currently in R+D. He also collaborates locally as the 2026 Chair of AIA|LA’s Committee on the Environment (COTE), he works to advance sustainable design practices, advocating for policies and strategies that harmonize built and natural systems. Casey received the Rising Star Planet Positive Award from Metropolis magazine in 2025 showing national recognition for his work in sustainability especially for underserved communities. Through his leadership, Casey is committed to pushing the industry toward innovative, climate-responsive solutions that support long-term environmental resilience.
Vice Chair
Esmeralda Ward, AIA, LEED AP – Associate Principal – NAC Architecture
Esmeralda Ward is an Associate Principal at NAC Architecture with over 20 years of experience in designing sustainable, resilient environments that support learning, wellness, and community enrichment. A recognized leader in LEED, CHPS, and zero net energy strategies, she also spearheads NAC’s firm-wide sustainability initiatives, integrating environmental goals with business operations.
Esmeralda’s approach challenges conventional norms, advocating for deep sustainability aligned with client values and long-term impact. Her leadership brings clarity and optimism to the climate conversation, emphasizing design as a tool for stewardship and change. She holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the Southern California Institute of Architecture, and is transitioning into the role of NAC’s inaugural Director of Sustainability to further advance the intersection of design, sustainability, and hope.
Past Chair
Brendan Townes Bailey, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Brendan, a registered architect with over a decade of experience, is dedicated to advancing sustainable design in architecture. Specializing in Multi-Family, Mixed-Use, Creative Office, Emergency Response, and Transit-Oriented Development, he has expertise in Healthy Materials, Biophilic Design, and Coastal Sustainability. Brendan holds key accreditations—LEED AP BD+C, Living Future, and EcoDistricts—alongside a Healthier Materials certificate from Parsons School of Design. His practical experience includes impactful design research as a graduate assistant for LSU’s Coastal Sustainability Studio, focusing on post-disaster rebuilding of communities in Southeastern Louisiana affected by inland flood events, emphasizing resilience, health, and well-being. With a BEnvD from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MArch from Louisiana State University, Brendan believes in advancing the AEC industry through volunteerism, demonstrated by his service as this year’s AIA LA COTE Committee Vice Chair. He also contributes to subcommittees on climate action (AIA CA Climate Action Advocacy), and green schools (USGBC Green in Schools), and is a thought leader at Johnson Fain’s Sustainability + Resilience Lab.
