SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PROFILE
My company, Lynne Latham Sustainable Design, specializes in creating interiors and exteriors that incorporate sustainable practices. It is my mission to design spaces using materials that are non-toxic, renewable and do not place a burden on future resources. I have been designing for over 25 years and have quite a varied portfolio with experience in a wide range of design practices. In addition to interior design, I have designed clothing and handbags for celebrities, designed products that were voted, “Product of the Year” by Newsweek Magazine. I spent a number of years working in India as a colorist and textile designer and have a very keen eye for the subtleties of color schemes and the emotions that they evoke. Color is very important in the overall feeling and effect of design.
My training for interior design came mostly from UCLA, in their professional Architecture and Interior Design program. I studied space planning, architectural drafting, sketching and rendering. I created residential projects, designed a restaurant and hotel, studied building codes and ADA compliance, landscaping, history and ultimately ecology. My studies with notable green architect, David Hertz convinced me that Ecology and sustainable design were the areas that I wanted to specialize in. After completing my studies at UCLA, I interned for visionary architect James Chuda and worked with him on building Los Angeles Magazine’s, “Green House of the Year” in 2005. In 2008 I began studying for the LEED exam. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. I subsequently passed the exam and am now a LEED Accredited Professional, The LEED AP credential is considered a mark of professional excellence recognized throughout the industry.
To further my education in that area, I studied and graduated from the Permaculture Design Course. My favorite description of Permaculture is by Dan Hemenway, one of my teachers and author of the book, Gaia’s Garden. He states: “Permaculture integrates people into Nature's design”. A great deal of my design philosophy involves creating in a way that is harmonious with nature.
Continuing in that direction in, I began the study of Feng Shui with landscape architect and author, Shelley Sparks. Ms. Sparks has over 30 years experience in Feng Shui and has become my mentor in this field. I have used Feng Shui and other aspects of my training to create what I call, “Sacred Space”, a place not only of beauty, but also incorporating refuge and renewal. More people are beginning to realize what a difference it makes to be in a completely healthy, energized and harmonious environment.
Most recently I am completing my “off the grid” home. It was my ambition after choosing to specialize in sustainable design to develop a property from raw land to sustainable homestead. I now have hands on experience with siting and grading a property, incorporating passive and active solar design, building out an interior that is extremely energy efficient as well as being non toxic and spacious within a small footprint; paying homage to both beauty and innovation, all in the context of a sacred space.