2014 40 Under 40: Omar Hawit, PE, LEED AP, 33

Omar Hawit, PE, LEED AP, 33
Associate Principal, Westlake Reed Leskosky, Washington, D.C.
California Polytechnic State University, BS Mechanical Engineering

As mechanical engineer, Omar Hawit has been working for more than12 years to bring current technology to the built environment. Hawit began his career working toward sustainable design at California Polytechnic State University. During his time there, Hawit contributed to the Solar Decathlon team that won third place in the international competition. While working in San Francisco after graduation, Hawit focused on the design of health care facilities, laboratories, and education campuses. One of his projects, the MLK Middle School, was completed in 2008 and designed to California Collaborative High Performance Schools standards. It was enrolled in the utility Saving by Design program to achieve energy use reduction of more than 25% below the Title 24 baseline. As associate principal for WRL Design in Washington, D.C., Hawit continues to grow his experience in museum, performing art, and historic preservation. He has a number of interesting projects currently under construction and recently completed projects for the CalTech Keck Institute for Space Studies, the American Revolution Museum, and the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery. The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum targets dual U.S. Green Building Council LEED and Green Globes certifications and lays a new sustainable path for the future projects in St. Mary’s County, Md. The California Institute of Technology Tolman-Bacher compound targets LEED Platinum with the aid of a building-integrated natural ventilation system reducing energy costs by more than 30% below baseline. The Smithsonian’s 154-year-old Renwick Gallery renovation and modernization strives to bring new life to the historic landmark located just next to the White House. Outside of the office, Hawit volunteers with the local National Capital Chapter of ASHRAE and promotes STEM education. When Hawit finds free time, he can be seen across from the White House at Lafayette Park playing a game of chess, or taking a bike ride through Rock Creek Park. 

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