CHICAGO, IL – March 17, 2011 – ESD (Environmental Systems Design, Inc.), an international leader in the design of high performance building systems, announced senior management changes that include Raj Gupta (a member of BD+C's editorial advisory board) becoming the firm’s chief executive officer, replacing Hem Gupta, who remains chairman, and Kurt Karnatz being named president.
Since Hem Gupta founded ESD in 1967, the firm has grown to be one of the largest consulting engineering firms in the U.S. ESD has been responsible for designing systems for many of Chicago’s iconic buildings and for high profile projects around the world, including UBS Tower, Citadel Center, Hyatt Center and 111 S. Wacker Drive in Chicago; Masdar Headquarters and Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi; and several buildings for the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Gupta will continue to play an active role as chairman of the board of directors.
As chief executive officer, Raj Gupta oversees all operations and strategic planning for ESD. He joined the firm in 1984 as a mechanical engineer and became vice president of the mechanical engineering department in 1990. In 1993, he was promoted to executive vice president and in 1998 was elected president. Throughout his career Mr. Gupta has led design teams to integrate creative engineering solutions for a wide variety of project types, including governmental, educational, mixed-use, libraries, office buildings, cultural and medical facilities. He is recognized within the industry for his leadership ability and professional and civic contributions. He is a member of the executive committee and a trustee of the Chicago Architecture Foundation, a trustee of the Adler Planetarium, a member of the board of directors of the Advocate Charitable Foundation, a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and a member of the Young President’s Organization. He is also active as a board member of the Roberts Environmental Center at Claremont McKenna College.
Mr. Gupta is a licensed professional engineer in 33 states and a LEED accredited professional. He earned a masters of science degree in communications from Northwestern University, a bachelors of science in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelors of arts in management engineering from Claremont McKenna College.
Formerly Executive Vice President, Mr. Karnatz has been a driving force within ESD in the development of sustainable, optimized engineering solutions for high performance buildings. He has gained international recognition as a leader within the engineering industry for his ability to bridge a commitment for sustainable design with real world constraints of real estate development. A licensed professional engineer in 21 states, Mr. Karnatz is a registered energy professional in Illinois, a certified energy manager and a LEED accredited professional. He holds a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
ESD is a global consulting-engineering firm that focuses on the delivery of high-performance buildings. They deliver value by making healthy and productive environments and by making facilities more cost effective, flexible, reliable, and sustainable. Utilizing an integrative design process, their engineering and design professionals (200+) apply innovative technologies such as energy modeling and BIM (Building Information Modeling) to address owners’ needs. Founded in 1967, the firm is a valued partner for many public and private clients seeking to enrich collaboration through diversity. ESD’s services include: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineering; LEED Certification Consulting; Sustainable Design / Energy Modeling; Commissioning; Technology Systems; and BIM. For more information, please visit: www.esdglobal.com.
Related Stories
| Mar 1, 2012
Cornell shortlists six architectural firms for first building on tech campus
Each of the firms will be asked to assemble a team of consultants and prepare for an interview to discuss their team’s capabilities to successfully design the university’s project.
| Mar 1, 2012
Aragon Construction completes 67,000-sf build-out in NYC
Aragon constructed the space in partnership with Milo Kleinberg Design Associates, (MKDA) and the Craven Corp. as the owner’s representative.
| Mar 1, 2012
Bomel completes design-build parking complex at U.C. San Diego
The $24-million facility, which fits into a canyon setting on the university’s East Campus, includes 1,200 stalls in two adjoining garages and a soccer field on a top level.
| Mar 1, 2012
Eidco Construction bolsters Chicago office
Eldco hires Peterson and Vivoda as senior project managers.
| Mar 1, 2012
Reconstruction of L.A.’s Dunbar Hotel underway
Withee Malcolm Architects’ designs for the project include the complete renovation of the Dunbar Hotel and the Somerville Apartments I and II.
| Feb 29, 2012
C.W. Driver opens new office, appoints Castillo regional SVP
Castillo will oversee projects with new and existing clients in northern California within the areas of education, healthcare/biomedical, public sector, military contracting, entertainment, retail, corporate and hospitality.
| Feb 29, 2012
Report says BIPV glass market to reach $6.4 billion by 2016
The report analyzes the opportunities for BIPV glass products using c-Si, thin-film and OPV/DSC materials and provides eight-year forecasts in terms of MW and square footage shipped as well as forecasts of revenue generated.
| Feb 29, 2012
Construction begins on Keller Army Community Hospital addition
The 51,000 square foot addition will become the home for optometry, ophthalmology, physical therapy, and orthopedics clinics, as well as provide TRICARE office space.
| Feb 29, 2012
Carvalho appointed Shawmut Safety Director
He has been a driving force behind multiple safety-orientated initiatives at Shawmut, including Safety Week, the creation of an online safety manual, and the implementation of a new safety reporting and tracking system.
| Feb 29, 2012
Shepley Bulfinch selected to design new Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
The firm was selected because of their past experience in designing clinically complex facilities that emphasize patient- and family-centered care and operational efficiency as well as distinctive architectural forms for many other children's and women's hospitals.
