image credit: courtesy of EcoVidalDesign
Event Description
Architect and urban planner Carmen Vidal-Hallett (Brazil/Spain) brings more than 20 years of experience advancing sustainable architecture and urban planning in Brazil and Chicago. Deeply influenced by her Brazilian heritage—particularly the pioneering planning strategies of Curitiba, Paraná—she has dedicated her career to promoting environmental stewardship and educating future generations.
This presentation highlights the key zoning and master planning strategies that shaped Curitiba’s international reputation for sustainability, including integrated land use, open space preservation, environmental protection, affordable housing, historic preservation, and the development of cost-effective Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
Since 2004, Carmen has collaborated with government agencies, academic institutions, and corporate organizations in Chicago, translating Curitiba’s lessons into practical initiatives. She will share project examples, policy strategies, and educational efforts that have contributed to Chicago’s first Climate Action Plan, as well as recent citywide initiatives focused on energy reduction, stormwater management, and BRT implementation.
This talk offers a cross-cultural perspective on scalable, resilient urban strategies that link policy, design, and education to advance sustainable cities.
Speaker
Carmen Vidal-Hallett, Intl. Assoc. AIA, LEED AP, COAM, President, EcoVidalDesign, Inc.
Moderator
Gustavo Rocha Ribeiro, Intl. Assoc. AIA; Treasurer, AIA International; Founder, Sito Arquitetura
Speaker Bios
Carmen Vidal-Hallett is an architect, urban planner, and sustainability leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing integrated design, ESG strategy, and resilient urban development. She is the Founder of Eco Vidal Design (EVD), a Chicago-based WBE/MBE/DBE-certified consulting and design firm established in 2008, delivering projects that span green construction, LEED education, affordable housing, urban design, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Her work includes community-centered planning initiatives, rain gardens, bioswales, sustainable streetscapes, and large-scale urban frameworks that integrate equity, environmental performance, and economic viability.
Previously, Carmen served as Global Director and Senior Project Manager at JLL, where she led international real estate and construction programs across Asia, Europe, and Latin America for major corporate clients, managing complex portfolios, multimillion-dollar budgets, and multidisciplinary teams.
Her career also includes senior roles at the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she managed large public-sector and institutional projects. She also advanced green building standards and educated professionals.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Carmen is recognized for her leadership in community engagement, sustainable development, and global collaboration. Her work consistently advances the triple bottom line—economic performance, environmental stewardship, and social equity—positioning her as a trusted leader in sustainable urban transformation.
Born in Curitiba, Brazil, Gustavo Ribeiro obtained his Architecture and Urban Design bachelor degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais State – UFMG in 1992. He founded Sito Arquitetura in 1994, after winning the "National Competition for the Usiminas Cultural Center at Ipatinga, MG Brazil”, from which a book was later published in 1996. This significant prize created an excellent opportunity for him to achieve a rich experience at an early career stage, leading to 24 years of generalist practice.
He has won many other noticeable prizes throughout his career, namely Milton Campos Square, Betim MG; Belo Horizonte Centennial Landmark; COHAB headquarters, Belo Horizonte, MG; Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora Community Center.
At Sito Arquitetura he is the head of design for projects of various scales and typologies and has been diligently working on Single Family, Multi Family, Housing, Commercial, Hospitality, Retail, Mixed-use and Urban Development projects in Brazil and Africa.
He was a board member of CAU/MG for the 2021-2023 term, having also served the 2018-2020 term; Board member of AsBEA MG, serving as Director from 2010 to 2018; BIM committee member of AsBEA, conducting the BIM Workgroup from 2015 to 2016; In 1999 he took a graduate specialization course in Real Estate Development at FUMEC University in Belo Horizonte Minas Gerais Brazil, increasing his knowledge in this area. Since then, he has started a real estate development initiative, researching, planning and delivering projects. He truly believes that an insightful architect vision in this industry can greatly improve the way people relate to their environment.
