Bio & Resume
Licensed Architect in Colorado, Illinois and Wisconsin
15 years + Extensive Sustainable Design Experience
Member - American Institute of Architects
LEED Accredited Professional
Author and Lecturer on Sustainability
Member - US Green Building Council
Member - American Solar Energy Society
Member - Boulder Green Building Guild
BIO
James Plagmann, AIA + LEED AP is an award-winning, published architect, author and photographer. He is the founder of HumaNature Architecture, LLC in Arvada, Colorado. Through HNA, James provides the full scope of architectural design and consulting services with expertise in sustainable design and building information modeling. James has been practicing sustainable design for over 17 years, including 2 ½ years at ENSAR Group, Inc., in Boulder, Colorado (now part of the Rocky Mountain Institute). James specializes in “full spectrum” green design, including sustainable site design, water- energy- and resource-efficiency, healthy, non-toxic materials, daylighting, and indoor environmental quality. Also James has been using Autodesk Revit Building Information Modeling software since 2002, and has been performing computer based energy modeling since 1997. James’ projects include a wide range of building types, from single family custom homes to multi-family affordable housing, hospitals, university buildings, office buildings, non-profit and retail. In addition, James incorporates more esoteric design principles such as Sacred Geometry into his work, to further connect people with the greater environment and to honor the design motifs of Nature.
James is a licensed architect, a LEED Accredited Professional, and is also a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Committee on the Environment (COTE). He also co-founded the Iowa Chapter AIA COTE in 1993, and is a current member of the Colorado Chapter AIA COTE. He is also a member of the American Solar Energy Society, the Colorado Renewable Energy Society and the Boulder Green Building Guild.
James’ residential designs have been featured in books and magazines, and his architectural photography and writing have been published in magazines, professional newsletters, and on magazine websites. His “Eagle Rising” home design – a Colorado solar home in the shape of an eagle – was published in several magazines including EcoStructure (which included James’ article and photos) and Colorado Homes and Lifestyles. In addition, the home won ICF Builder Magazine awards for “Best Custom Home” and “Best Overall Project,” as well as the calendar competition sponsored by Nudura, the manufacturer of the wall system used on Eagle Rising. James has presented talks and workshops on sustainable architecture for groups around the country, including the Colorado Renewable Energy Society, the Construction Specifications Institute, the Society of American Military Engineers and Earthworks Expo. In addition, James has appeared on The Hallmark Channel’s TV show, New Morning, in a segment titled “Sacred in the Ordinary”. And a Boulder, Colorado home addition and renovation James designed will be featured on Planet Green’s TV show, Renovation Nation.
Outside of architecture, James’ other interests include hiking with his dogs, Sage and Gaia, photography, music, and leading a monthly drumming and chanting circle. Visit James’ photo gallery here, or check out James drumming site, Drumantra.com
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Co-taught “Hands-On Home Energy Efficiency” 2-Day Workshop with Dan Chiras - May 2009.
Featured in the “Sacred in the Ordinary” segment on “New Morning”, a daily television series on the Hallmark Channel-April 2005.
Eagle Rising home design won “Best Custom Home” and Best Overall Project” in ICF Builder Magazine Competition, Won Nudura ICF Calendar Competition – December 2006.
Eagle Rising home published in Eco Structure Magazine, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, Living Green Magazine and Elevated Living Magazine. James designed the house, took the photographs and wrote the Eco Structure Article – May through September 2006.
Solar Home Design published in The Solar House by Dan Chiras: Chelsea Green, 2002.
Presentation on honoring and integrating the scientific (state-of-the-art computer applications) and the sacred (Nature, sacred geometry) in architecture at the Colorado Renewable Energy Conference in Colorado Springs – June 2002.
Lead in bringing the exhibit “Ten Shades of Green” to the AIA National Convention in Denver, and James authored the brochure for the complimentary exhibit “Colorado Shades of Green” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver – May 2001.
Article published in Environmental Design and Construction Magazine Website – May 2001.
Articles published in the Colorado AIA Newsletter – May, July, November 2000.
Lead architect from the sustainable design consultant on two LEED certified buildings – the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters for the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and the Central Supply Facility for the Argonne National Laboratory – Both in Chicago, IL – 1999-2000.
Facilitated and participated in design charrette for the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground prototype sustainable house design, Yuma, AZ - November, 1999.
Presentation on current projects at the Emerging Architecture session at the Colorado Renewable Energy Conference in Winter Park, Colorado - September, 1999
Facilitated and participated with the Rocky Mountain Institute at a design charrette for the master planning of the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California - May, 1999.
Participation and facilitation of design, charrettes, planning and coordination for EcoVillage Co-housing community in Lovettsville, VA – 1998.
Panel Member on discussion of sustainable design in Iowa at A.I.A. Iowa Chapter Spring Meeting - March, 1995.
Facilitated small group sessions at the 1993 World Congress of Architects - "Architecture at the Crossroads - Design for a Sustainable Future" - Chicago, Illinois.
RESUME OF JAMES R. PLAGMANN AIA + LEED AP
6110 Dudley St. Suite B1
Arvada, Colorado 80004-5465
T: 303-667-9629
www.HumaNatureArch.com
PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE
To create architecture incorporating the principles of sustainable, regenerative design and sacred geometry, and to contribute my abilities to the success of projects through co-creative collaboration. To educate others on the values and value of green design.
EXPERIENCE
January 2001 to Present
Principal + Architect. HumaNature Architecture, LLC, Arvada, Colorado.
Providing design and consultation in sustainable architecture, for residential, institutional and commercial projects. Also providing charrette facilitation, computer energy analysis, and Green Building Analysis and certification through the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. Projects include: Hines Residence (Castle Rock, Colorado), Melvin Residence Addition (Boulder, C0), Wells Residence (South Fork, CO), Lagow Residence (Red Feather Lakes, CO), Culbertson Residence (Boulder , CO), Elevation Studios (Golden, CO), Rellstab Residence (Pinedale, WY), Creekmore/Durham Residence (Magdalena, NM), Broome/VanPeursem Residence (Boulder, CO), Hall/Chubrilo Residence Addition/Remodel (Boulder, CO), Hern Residence Addition/Remodel (Boulder, CO).
March 2000 to November 2000
Architect. Terra Verde International, LLC, Boulder, Colorado.
Project Architect for a variety of projects, including single- and multi-family residential and resort. Responsibilities included initial client contact, proposal preparation, programming, design, specifications writing, code research, interdiscipline coordination, construction document management and creation with AutoCAD 2000, construction administration, marketing, writing articles for publication. Assisted with management of staff of 4 interns. Projects include: Speculative residence for Kurowski Development at Lowry (Denver, CO), Cabin Club for Fox Acres Country Club (Red Feather Lakes, CO), Gerstenberger Residence Addition/Remodel (Boulder, CO).
September 1997 to February 2000
Architect. ENSAR Group, Inc., Boulder, Colorado.
Architect and Sustainability Consultant for a variety of projects, ranging from residential to institutional, commercial and government, all focusing on sustainable design. Performed consultation and design, production and construction administration, including initial client contact, proposal preparation, programming, schematic design and design development, specifications writing, energy analysis, report writing, code research, interdiscipline coordination, CADD. Extensive involvement with the US Green Building Council's LEED Green Building Rating System and with Energy-10 building energy modeling software. Projects include: Great Lakes Naval Training Center Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (Chicago, IL) [LEED Certified], Argonne National Laboratory Central Supply Facility (Chicago, IL) [LEED Silver], Berger/Schreibman residence (Morrison, CO), EcoVillage co-housing (Lovettsville, VA), Signal Soft Tenant Finish (Boulder, CO). ENSAR Group is now a part of the Rocky Mountain Institute, Boulder, CO.
June 1992 to August 1997 - Architect. Stanley Consultants, Inc., Muscatine, Iowa.
March 1991 to April 1992 - Intern Architect. Gere + Dismer Architects, Moline, Illinois.
May 1989 to February 1991 - Intern Architect. Hansen Lind Meyer, Inc., Iowa City, Iowa.
March 1987 to May 1989 - Intern Architect. Schemmer Associates, Inc., Davenport, Iowa.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Architecture. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Passive Solar Design Strategies Workshop. Presented by the Sustainable Building Industries Council. Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Designing Low Energy Buildings Workshop. Training course in using the Sustainable Building Industries Council’s “Energy-10” energy analysis software. College Park, Maryland.
Effective Daylighting Design. University of Wisconsin. Madison, Wisconsin.
LICENSURE/ACCREDITATION
Licensed Architect in Colorado, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
LEEDTM Accredited Professional
AFFILIATIONS
Member – American Institute of Architects.
Member - A.I.A. Colorado and National Committee on the Environment.
Member – US Green Building Council
Member – American Solar Energy Society
Member – Colorado Renewable Energy Society
