Spotlight on Sustainable Architecture

Gordon Gill is renowned as an architectural thought leader specializing in relationships between the built and natural environment. As the founding partner at Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture (AS+GG), he's helped create some of the most innovative buildings in the world.

In April, Gill shared his design philosophy with Northwestern Engineering’s Master of Science in Executive Management for Design and Construction (EMDC) program as part of "A Fireside Chat with Gordon Gill."

The event was part of the program's Built Environment Exchange (BuiltX), designed for attendees to network, discuss best practices, and gain deeper insights into industry trends.

That is exactly what Nagham Obaid (EMDC '23) took from her experience attending BuiltX.

“Gordon Gill is known for his sustainable designs,” said Obaid, a project manager for Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), the largest electric utility in Illinois. “His work emphasizes energy efficiency and advanced-technology integration, which is particularly inspiring for someone like me working in a power company.”

Hearing how Gill views innovation is what drew Obaid to the BuiltX event.

Gill's portfolio includes designing: 

• The world’s first net-zero-energy skyscraper, the Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, China 
• The world's first large-scale positive energy building, Masdar Headquarters in the United Arab Emirates 
• The world's largest immersive projection experience, part of an international exposition in Kazakhstan 

Gill is also working on Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, which, when completed, will be the tallest building in the world. That project adds to the dozens of performing arts centers, museums, and urban master plans he's led around the world.

Obaid, meanwhile, is in her fourth year at ComEd, where she oversees projects to expand, modernize, and maintain the electrical distribution infrastructure for Chicago's primary power provider. This includes managing initiatives to modernize the grid, limit outages, and add renewable energy. 

“What excites me most is the chance to innovate and improve how we deliver electricity,” Obaid said of her work. “I love tackling challenges like integrating renewables, enhancing reliability, and optimizing customer service.”

One of Obaid's current projects at ComEd is a wood-pole replacement effort to proactively identify infrastructure near the end of its lifecycle and replace it with more weather-resistant material. This helps ComEd improve resiliency, avoid outages, and enhance the overall customer experience. 

Obaid appreciated the actionable insights Gill shared in his talk, particularly the need to think strategically, remain adaptable, and always be learning — skills that are crucial for success on projects and as a leader in the built environment sector. On her own journey to building those skills and competencies, Obaid frequently reflects on her time in the EMDC program.

“EMDC offers a specialized focus on business management principles tailored for the design and construction industry,” she said. “I saw it as a valuable opportunity to enhance my leadership skills, gain insights into project management, and expand my professional network within the industry.”