The Zofnass Research Program conducts research that examines sustainable infrastructure topics and supports development and use of the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework. The program was originally developed in 2007 at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where it was called the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure, named after its benefactors Paul and Joan Zofnass. Its purpose was to develop and promote methods, processes, and tools that quantify sustainability for infrastructure. After its founding in 2010, ISI worked closely with the Zofnass program to integrate the best of industry experience with cutting-edge academic research to develop and release Envision in 2012. This achievement responded directly to the need for a comprehensive sustainability framework and rating system suitable for use in civil infrastructure development. Paul Zofnass foresaw that for the system to evolve to serve the diverse AEC industry, the Zofnass program would need to transition its focus from academic research and be able to more readily engage with the private sector. To make this possible, in 2022, the program moved from Harvard to ISI, where it is now called the Zofnass Research Program. The Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory Board (SIAB) is a collaboration of representatives from firms involved in the planning, designing, and engineering of infrastructure projects who provide guidance and insight on how best to develop, measure, and improve sustainability in the infrastructure industry. It has sponsored and supported the research that has been integral to the development, promotion, and continued improvement of the Envision framework. We are very appreciative of the SIAB’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and continued support and advocacy of Envision. For inquiries about sponsoring the SIAB, please contact us!
Sustainable Infrastructure Advisory Board
SIAB Representatives (2022 – current)
Kathy Collins, Director of Sustainability, NV5 • James Grant, Associate Vice President; Energy & Fueling Systems Director, HNTB • Harvey K. Hammond, Executive Chairman, HNTB • Gord Johnson, CEO, Stantec • Loren Labovitch, Vice President, International Development, Stantec • April Mendez, CEO, Greenprint Partners • Ashley Metius, Senior Environmental Specialist, NV5 • Brad Moore, Sustainable Infrastructure Team Lead, Stantec • Matthew Nayer, Director of Civil Engineering, NV5 • Linda Reardon, Senior Vice President, NV5 • Deepa Sathiaram, Executive Director, En3 • David A. Smith, Senior Vice President, Director of Strategy, Stantec (retired) • Dickerson Wright, CEO, NV5
Current Research Initiatives
The Zofnass Research Program continues to conduct research exploring sustainable infrastructure topics to facilitate the adoption of more sustainable infrastructure solutions for infrastructure projects. Two ongoing research efforts focus on understanding the influence of Envision implementation on costs and understanding the nexus of Envision with the environmental review process in the United States through NEPA.
Research Events
Each year, the Zofnass Research Program hosts an in-person workshop to engage insightful discussions with experienced Envision users on the latest research findings and trends in sustainable infrastructure, while offering a more in-depth analysis of select Envision-verified projects. The most recent workshop was in May 2024 in New York City, and before that, a workshop was held in November 2023 in Washington, D.C.
For more information…
Click here to learn more about the program’s substantial history and research output since its original inception at Harvard.
Click here to contact us with any questions or information on sponsorship opportunities.
