Dr. Raj Barr, FAIA RIBA IIDA USGBC, is an architect, interior designer and environmentalist, and President of Barr Group International LLC and Barr-Kumar Architects Engineers PC, established in Washington, DC in 1981.

A pioneer of sustainable design, he is internationally renowned for his environmentally sensitive designs. Dr. Barr has practiced throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East on a wide variety of building types including Hotels, Eco Developments, Hospitals and Medical Centers, Commercial, Retail and Restaurants, Embassies and Office Buildings, and Residences. Project experience includes Hyatt Regency and Hilton Hotels, the Eco-Maya Condominiums in Playa del Carmen Mexico, the Altos Escondidos Eco Development in Panama, the Cortlandt Medical Center in New York, the World Bank and the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington, DC, The York District General Hospital in England, and prototypical building types for the US Army world-wide.

1997 National President of the American Institute of Architects, the first person of color elected in the 140 year history of that august body, Dr Barr has served as keynote speaker at international symposia, and provided expert testimony to the US Congress. He has lectured at numerous Universities including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, London, Oxford, Singapore and Hong Kong. A graduate of the University of Ceylon, he earned his post-graduate degrees from the University of London and the University of Kansas. He earned his Architecture Doctorate in Sustainable Design from the University of Hawaii.

Dr. Barr served as the Emens Distinguished Professor at Ball State University, as a Visiting Professor at the Washington-Alexandria Center, and as treasurer and board member of the National Architectural Accrediting Board. He directs Environmental Design Technology and serves as Professor of Practice at Catholic University. He is the author of leading books in the field:

Sustainable Design Strategies, 2010

Green Architecture Strategies for Sustainable Development, 2003

Fire, Water, Sound and Motion, 2011

He earned the Exceptional Achievement in Green Architecture and Sustainable Design Award in 2008. The recipient of many design awards, he has been honored with the following memberships:

Fellow of the American Institute of Architects

Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of British Architects

Certificate of the National Council of Architecture Registration Boards, USA

Professional Member of the International Interior Design Association

Corporate Member of the US Green Building Council

His outstanding contributions to architecture and society have been recognized with the highest honor bestowed by the following national organizations:

Honorary Fellow, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

Honorary Fellow, Japan Institute of Architects

Honorary Fellow, the Philippines Institute of Architects,

Fellow, the Bahamas Institute of Architects

Honorary Fellow, FCARM, the Mexico Society of Architects

Honorary Fellow, the Pan American Federation of Architecture Associations

Honorary Member, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects

Raj Barr-Kumars buildings are environmentally sensitive and aesthetically pleasing

-The Washington Post, Page 1, Earth Day, 1990

James Wyble, PE – Senior Mechanical Engineer

Mr. Wyble serves as Director of Engineering, and has over 35 years experience in mechanical engineering. He earned his Masters and Bachelors degrees in Engineering from the Catholic University of America. Licensed in Washington DC, and 22 other states, Mr. Wyble brings extensive experience and detailed knowledge of heating, cooling and plumbing design. Mr. Wyble is a retired Colonel of the US Air Force Reserves with three years field experience in military engineering.

Sam Davati, PE – Senior Electrical Engineer

Mr. Davati earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Engineering from the University of Ohio, and has over 25 years of professional experience in a wide variety of building types. He has extensive experience working with institutional and military clients including the Department of Defense, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the US Navy Facilities Command.He is licensed in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Ohio.

Robert Neubauer, PE – Senior Structural Engineer

Mr Neubauer is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with Bachelors and Masters degrees in Engineering. Licensed in Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia and 10 other states, he brings over 20 years of deep knowledge in building, infrastructure and development engineering.

Hussam Elkharraz, Assoc. AIA – Senior Designer

Extensive experience in design and construction documentation, information technology and 3D visualization, and a Masters in Architecture from Catholic University make Mr. Elkhassraz a highly respected and valued member of the team. Knowledgeable, energetic and resourceful, he serves as project architect on numerous buildings, and brings a keen intellect and unparalleled attention to detail.

Katherine Lord, Assoc. AIA – Senior Interior Designer

An in-depth knowledge of materials, detailing and impeccable taste give Ms Lord a distinctive advantage as an interior designer. Educated at Syracuse University and Catholic University, her innate sense of color, masterful combination of textures and uncompromising pursuit of the correct ambiance, have helped create many stunning interiors.