Bios
Richard Lee Parker, AIA, LEED Accredited Professional, Principal
Richard has more than twenty-five years of experience providing comprehensive architectural design services. As principal and co-founder of 450 architects, Richard has been responsible for design and project management on a diverse range of projects and has extensive experience leading neighborhood community design workshops. Richard advocates for changes to state and local building codes to facilitate green building, social and environmental justice, and received the SAFE-BIDCO 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly. He lectured at the 2005 World Environment Day and 2007 Dwell on Design conferences and has written articles on sustainable building for the San Francisco Business Times and Green Home Guide’s “Ask an Expert” series. He volunteers his time with non-profit groups including Mission Graduates, the Youth Leadership Project for a Sustainable Future, The Local Investment in Child Care Project, and he mentors youth through the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for the San Francisco Green School Yard Alliance. Richard has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University and is a licensed architect in California.
David Allen Bushnell, AIA, LEED Accredited Professional, Principal
As co-founder and principal of 450 architects, with over twenty-five years of experience, David’s work has been recognized with regional and international awards. Practicing in San Francisco, New York, Seattle and Switzerland, he has been responsible for the design and construction administration for a variety of projects ranging from large-scale commercial projects to small-scale interiors, including educational, institutional, industrial and commercial buildings, housing, and renovation projects. David’s collaborative approach yields design solutions inspired by a thoughtful understanding of program, innovation and sustainability, developing consensus and unique solutions tailored to each project—most recently multiple projects on track to receive LEED Gold Certification, San Francisco Waldorf High School, Argonne Child Development Center, Yuba River Charter School, University of New Mexico’s Tamarind Institute, and a private residence which integrates the first rainwater harvesting system for domestic use in the State of California. David serves on the Board of Directors of Architects Designers Planners for Social Responsibility, working to support environmental protection, ecological building, social justice and the development of healthy communities. His academic experience includes teaching design at the Swiss Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland, and as a visiting critic at Columbia University and MIT. David has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University.
Josh Lowe, LEED AP, Certified Passive House Consultant, Associate
Josh has actively contributed to a wide variety of architecture and green building design projects. He uses a practical and collaborative approach to create beautiful designs, connecting built form, environment and inhabitant. Focusing on owner’s aspirations and spatial needs allows for tailored architectural solutions that are economical and sustainable. A proven collaborator and diligent project manager, Josh joined 450 architects in 2007 and has since played a central and positive role in the successful completion of many projects including the San Francisco Waldorf High School, Solar Schools California Projects (75+), and the Tamarind Institute Green Building Project. He has worked as a project manager in both the construction and architectural fields at scales from residential to multi-million dollar institutional projects. Josh received a Bachelor of Architecture from Roger Williams University with a minor in Botany. Since then Josh has sought out opportunities for continued learning in his field. He is a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Green Building Professional, and a PassivHaus Consultant. Josh has done illustrations for Dwell magazine and has retained an active relationship with many design schools, often sitting on design juries at C.C.A., University of Maryland, and Roger Williams University.
Niharika Hablani, Certified Passive House Consultant, Designer
Niharika brings a broad international vision to 450 architects with her background in architecture, design, and extensive travels. Her experience as a writer for DETAIL Magazine in Munich, Germany, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and minor in City Planning from UC Berkeley have informed her outlook on architecture and its impact and opportunities in local and global societies. Currently at 450, Niharika is working with the Foundation for Environmental Education in coordinating the design for solar panels on schools across California. Outside of the office she works within her community and is deeply involved in non-profit organizations Architecture for Humanity and the South Asian Giving Circle. Her passion for sustainability, the right to a better quality of life, and sensible design at the human scale make her essential to the 450 team. Niharika is a certified PassivHaus Consultant, a freelance writer for DETAIL Magazine, and is currently seeking LEED accreditation.