BOSTON– The Procopio Companies, a full-service construction, development, and advisory company, announced that Rachel Lodi, Procopio’s Interior Design Associate, has received her LEED (Leadership in Energy and Design) AP Interior Design and Construction Accreditation. This title is earned through demonstrating the knowledge and understanding of green building practices and principles needed to support the use of the LEED green building program.
Helping people and the communities they reside in is the main goal of LEED, something Lodi is both an expert in and passionate about. To become LEED-certified, applicants must pass a two-hour exam exhibiting an in-depth understanding of green building topics and specific applications. Lodi’s budding design expertise and newfound LEED knowledge will help Procopio create more sustainable and efficient buildings for New England communities through increasing indoor air quality, decreasing water use, and identifying efficiencies in energy usage.
In addition to her LEED Certification, Lodi has also been named as IIDA New England’s ‘Emerging Leader of the Year’ for 2020. Each year, one person from IIDA New England’s Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) graduating class is chosen by the ELN Committee as IIDA New England’s Emerging Leader of the Year and then honored at the annual Business Leaders Breakfast held each April. The ‘Emerging Leader of the Year’ award for both 2019 and 2020 ELN classes will officially be announced on April 8, during which Lodi’s achievements and dedication to the design industry will be recognized.
“Rachel’s commitment to the Emerging Leaders Network can be summed up in one word: Dedication. Once a month for more than a year, Rachel traveled by train up from New Haven, CT to participate in the 2-hour sessions,” says the ELN board. “Her enthusiasm for being a part of the group along with her continued commitment and support of IIDA New England has been inspiring as she continues to flourish in the local design industry and throughout her community.”
Specializing in Interior Design with a concentration in mixed-use developments with experience in designing religious centers, workplaces, K-12, and higher education, Lodi is WELL AP, LEED AP ID+C, and Fitwel certified. Lodi enjoys volunteering with the International Interior Design Association New England (IIDA NE) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and currently serves as Chair of Communications for IIDA NE and as an advisory committee member for SCALE, ASID’s student leadership conference. Previously, Lodi served on the IIDA NE Hartford City Center & Student Affairs Committee before transitioning into her role on the Communications Committee. In addition to receiving her LEED certification, Lodi is also a WELL AP and Fitwel Ambassador, two other certifications involved in the healthy building movement, demonstrating a commitment to advancing human health and wellness in buildings around the world.
“We are extremely excited for and proud of Rachel’s many achievements, especially her LEED certification and recognition by IIDA New England,” says Michael Procopio, Vice President of development. “The number of hours and preparation that goes into receiving achieving this certification and being recognized for her level of dedication to the design community is no small task. We feel this knowledge Rachel has taken from her studies and training, and her continued commitment to continued education and industry leadership, will help Procopio better serve our clients through increased building sustainability and efficiencies and creative design.”
