Los Angeles, CA According to, Buro Happold, one of the global leaders in planning and implementation of aviation and airport projects, Patti Harburg-Petrich will lead the U.S. practice team leader for the sector.
Buro Happold selected Harburg-Petrich, SE, LEED AP BD+C, as the new U.S. aviation lead for the firm on the heels of her July elevation to president of a major engineering society in Southern California, SEAOSC. In her new national leadership role with Buro Happold, Harburg-Petrich furthers the firm’s expertise as a worldwide authority in airport design and aviation planning and engineering at every scale. Author of a new white paper on sustainable aviation concepts and airport buildings, Harburg-Petrich also leads the firm’s noted pursuit of innovative building projects that embody environmental and social governance (ESG) values.
Known for her focus on high-value solutions that optimally support client and collaborative partners at the vanguard of these markets, Harburg-Petrich has supported the firm’s continued growth in aviation even through recent disruptive changes in air travel. Notable works completed include The Jewel at Changi Airport in Singapore, the new Midfield Satellite Concourse South at LAX in Los Angeles currently in design, and 25 years of work with Heathrow Airport including terminals T3 and T4.
“Our focus is always to address the complex challenges in any aviation expansion or new building while also recognizing opportunities for greater sustainability and more positive engagement of air passengers from the moment they arrive,” says Harburg-Petrich, a LEED-accredited professional and certified disaster service worker for California’s statewide safety assessment program who has also served on the executive board of the ACE mentor program. “This helps operators prime revenues as it also makes airports more desirable destinations for not just travellers but also every worker and visitor.”
Harburg-Petrich joins the global team led by Karl Lyndon, the firm’s Global Aviation Sector leader, Varughese Cherian, a principal and sector specialist with Buro Happold.
“Patti Harburg-Petrich’s experience, passion and visibility in the aviation sector are matched by her exceptional dedication to design excellence and sustainability, helping keep people connected in their business and personal lives,” said David Herd, chair of the U.S. Board for Buro Happold. “Patti is leading the sector by showing clients and colleagues how to design airports to minimize carbon, what sustainable fuel options are gaining interest, and in general how tomorrow’s airports are doing more while touching the earth ever more lightly through the increased use of modular construction techniques.”
Harburg-Petrich’s aviation and sustainability expertise will also be visible in a forthcoming white paper to publish in the fall of 2022. The new research lays out a case for improved architectural, material and engineering solutions to promote both efficiency and resiliency in airport design.
In addition to her work in the aviation sector, Harburg-Petrich has experience leading teams in varied commercial, healthcare, education, and sports projects. Known for community-centric work, adaptive reuse and seismic retrofit successes, she is frequently called on for sustainability-focused aviation and transportation projects.
Sign up is quick, easy, & FREE.
