The cornerstone of a shared and abundant future
Overland is a pioneer of sustainability. For more than 30 years, we have invested in our sustainable design knowledge, culture and capabilities. Since first being awarded the inaugural AIA COTE® Top Ten Award in 2000 for our work on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Overland has consistently been recognized for sustainable performance by the world’s leading certification authorities.
10%
Top 5
Design Performance at Overland
Overland’s in-house Design Performance team is committed to ensuring that projects meet or exceed their sustainability milestones. Beyond meeting sustainability goals, we are one of the only firms that ensures quality and translation of the design intent after construction by conducting Post-Occupancy Evaluations on 100% of our projects.
We practice sustainability through our projects — and in our daily office life. Our headquarters is a model for environmental stewardship, merging renewable energy and sustainable building practices with supportive behaviors, including the use of compostable single-use materials, regular composting, calculating our carbon footprint and paying for our carbon offsets, up-keeping a garden and more.
Overland’s work integrates concepts and strategy to create a series of virtuous transactions that are the hallmark of true sustainable design.
Overland has a bold vision for the future. We create places that care for the Earth and promote human flourishing by utilizing innovative strategies that define the next generation of design.
Overland is part of only 2.5% of architecture firms nationwide who signed the AIA (American Institute of Architects) 2030 Commitment, a climate strategy to reach carbon neutrality and net zero emissions. While that elite group averages 2% net zero projects, Overland consistently outperforms them with 10-13% net zero projects annually.
Thought Leaders
Sandra is a multi-faceted professional with a diverse educational background, including degrees in Communication and Public Relations, Global Leadership and Sustainable Development, and Architecture. Her accolades include the ARCC King Student Medal, the AIA San Antonio Rising Star Award, and the Texas Society of Architect’s Associate Member of the Year Award. She has contributed significantly to research, including studies on architectural design and sustainability. Sandra’s leadership extends to various committees and working groups focused on climate action and adaptation planning. Currently serving as the Design Performance Manager at Overland Partners, Sandra is also pursuing a Ph.D. in Land Use Planning Management and Design at Texas Tech University.
The Master Plan of Selby Botanical Gardens imagines a greener future, one where architecture blends into the landscape, creates its own energy, and respects and is informed by its ecological context in order to inspire others and serve as a model of truly sustainable, resilient design.
John Byrd, OVERLAND Partners
Strategic / Individualization / Futuristic / Input / Learner
Rooted in a deep appreciation for the interplay between architecture and environment, John has built a distinguished career marked by award-winning projects that unite design excellence with sustainability.
John brings over two decades of experience crafting innovative and sustainable projects across diverse scales and locations. From wellness and ecological resorts in California and Mexico to custom-tailored residential, hospitality, mixed-use, educational, and cultural projects throughout Texas, the Southwest, and the Gulf Coast, his work tells compelling stories though physical form. Passionate about sustainability, John integrates regenerative design principles into his projects as well, which have earned numerous AIA, ULI, & other design awards; sustainability distinctions such as COTE® Top 10, LEED Certifications, WELL, & Living Building; and accolades from publications including Time, Vogue, & Conde Naste.
He believes the true poetry of design lies in the details… like the way materials come together or light falls into a space. His projects enhance the quality of life of their occupants by responding to daily and seasonal rhythms and foster deep connections to land, place, and culture. His collaborative approach with clients and creative professionals ensures each project reaches its fullest potential, delivering spaces that inspire, connect, and provide enduring value.
Viviana, a Chilean architect with a Master’s in Design Studies from Harvard University, specializes in Energy and Environment. With diverse educational experiences at the University of Tokyo and MIT, she brings a comprehensive understanding of design, architecture, and sustainability. As a Design Performance Specialist at Overland, she leads sustainable design solutions, utilizing building performance simulations and life-cycle assessments to reduce carbon footprints and energy consumption. Passionate about creating healthy, resilient buildings, Viviana aims to improve the built environment’s adaptability to climate change. Beyond work, she delves into tea culture, languages, and literature, even becoming a certified Tea taster in Taiwan.
Let’s design a greener future together.