Edgar Farrera Joins Circuit of The Americas as Sustainability Director

Circuit of The Americas has hired Edgar Farrera, AIA, LEED AP BD+C as Director of Sustainability. With 20 years experience in green building and environmental stewardship, Farrera is considered a leader in the industry of sustainable design and architecture.

Edgar Farrera

Farrera will oversee the development of environmental initiatives and programs associated with construction, maintenance and operation of the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States. He will establish the facility’s ongoing sustainability efforts and will work in collaboration with the City of Austin’s Sustainability Office on efforts such as air quality, green transit, green tech research and development, alternative energy events and sustainable on-site development. Additional responsibilities include developing educational programs focused on the facility’s environmental practices and coordinating volunteers.

“Adding Edgar to our team demonstrates our commitment to sustainability,” said Steve Sexton, president of Circuit of The Americas. “We have a unique opportunity in the motor sports world to develop a strong sustainability program. Edgar understands our vision to set a new standard for environmental programs within major event facilities and he knows the importance of keeping the local community educated and informed.”

Farrera worked as Director of Sustainable Design at Marmon Mok Architecture in San Antonio, Texas from 2001-2011, where he established the firm as a green leader in the architecture industry. He crafted project and client specific approaches for optimizing environmental sustainability for facilities such as the $130M Tobin Performing Arts Center, the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Facility, the LEED-Gold certified Miller Residence Hall at Trinity University, and the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center.

“Circuit of The Americas is going to provide extraordinary opportunities in terms of advancing sustainable development and fostering environmental stewardship,” said Farrera. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this world-class team, and I look forward to dedicating myself to helping CoTA realize its sustainable potential.”

Prior to working with Marmon Mok, Farrera worked at award-winning sustainable architecture firm Barley + Pfeiffer. He serves on the Board of the Central Texas – Balcones Chapter of the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and is its former Advocacy Chair; he is State Chair for the Texas Society of Architects Sustainable Environment Committee (SUSCOM), and also serves on their task force evaluating the International Green Construction Code. Farrera also served on the City of Austin’s Design Commission from 1993-2001, and on the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Advisory Board from 1997-1999 while the new airport was under construction.

Farrera is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin and has taught architectural design as adjunct faculty at The University of Texas at San Antonio. In recognition of his efforts and accomplishments, he was named “2011 Sustainability Expert” by the San Antonio Business Journal.

About Circuit of The Americas

Circuit of The Americas will be a world-class destination for performance, education and business. It will be the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing, from motor power to human power, and be the U.S. home to the Formula 1™ and MotoGP™ Grand Prix World Championships and V8 Supercars series.

The Circuit of The Americas’ master plan features a variety of permanent structures designed for business, education, entertainment and race use. Its signature element will be a 3.4-mile circuit track with capacity for 120,000 fans. Other support buildings will include a medical facility, 14 executive meeting suites, a conference center, a banquet hall as well as an expansive outdoor live music space. Future proposed amenities include a driving/riding experience, a motorsports driving club, kart track, grand plaza event center and tower, and a trackside recreational vehicle park.

The Circuit of The Americas will host its first race, the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix™ on November 18, 2012.

For more information, visit: www.CircuitofTheAmericas.com.

© RIF | Media Circuit of The Americas