Maureen Colburn
About Maureen Colburn
Maureen Colburn is the Climate Solutions Studio Leader at LHB in Minneapolis, with a background in architecture and environmental studies. She co-manages sustainability programs, conducts research on renewable energy, and engages with communities to promote climate solutions.
Company
Maureen Colburn currently holds the position of Climate Solutions Studio Leader at LHB, based in Minneapolis. LHB is involved in various sustainable design projects and initiatives. As a leader within the company, Maureen utilizes her expertise in sustainable architecture to guide and implement climate solutions across a range of projects.
Education and Expertise
Maureen Colburn received her Master of Architecture from Iowa State University, where she studied from 1995 to 1998. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Environmental Studies from Grinnell College, attending from 1991 to 1995. Her academic background in architecture and environmental studies forms the foundation of her expertise in sustainable design and climate solutions.
Background
Before joining LHB, Maureen Colburn built her career as an architect focusing on sustainability in multifamily residential projects for non-profit developers and institutional clients. She co-founded several groups that advocate for equity and sustainability within the architecture profession. Maureen also co-leads a project through AIA Minnesota Women in Architecture, aiming to document and share the stories of prominent women architects in Minnesota.
Achievements
Maureen Colburn's work was recognized with the AIA Minnesota Young Architect Award in 2011. She co-manages the Minnesota Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) suite of programs and tools for sustainable design, and the Regional Indicators Initiative, which focuses on energy and greenhouse gas reduction strategies for communities. Her achievements also include engaging with community partners, local governments, and state agencies to promote sustainability and conducting research on emerging technologies for energy saving and GHG emission reduction.
Community Engagement and Impact
Maureen Colburn is actively involved in engaging impacted communities through outreach and facilitated engagement projects. She works on developing training programs, providing technical guidance, and creating detailed reports and webinars. Her focus is on working with clients to prioritize impactful climate solutions and informing policies, guidelines, and programs that promote sustainability. Additionally, she interfaces with LHB’s design teams to foster regenerative work that is grounded in applied research.