Our Story

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Okapi Architecture Inc. was established August 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. Over the course of the past ten years, Okapi has grown in staff and support services.

 

The primary role of Okapi Architecture is to serve as a bridge between Architectural/Engineer professionals who need financial support for projects’ advanced energy efficiency design and implementation and that of the Utility Companies which administer Public Purpose Program (PPP) surcharges collected from the ratepayers. California Public Utility Commission requires the surcharges to be used for ratepayer benefit through energy efficiency programs.

 

For more than seven years and confidently into the foreseeable future, we have been the sole provider for the new construction energy efficiency program – Savings By Design, sponsored by Southern California Gas and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.  The program has provided financial assistance to more than two hundred significant projects since its inception, providing more than $10 M in incentives to building owners and the respective design teams. The impact on the Los Angeles area design and real estate market is substantial, and Okapi has become the go-to-expert on energy efficiency and sustainability matters. 

 

Our record on program management and technical support, while keeping connected to the roots of environmental sciences and humanity build upon leadership in the design and construction community in Southern California.

 

To build upon our achievements, we hope to expand into more diversified programs with utility companies beyond our region. In doing so, we acknowledge our primary challenge is the lack of strong ties to professionals and utility companies outside of southern California. Ideally, we would like to expand our market share and offer technical services to other areas in and outside of California including the international market.

 

Our success has taught us to “be genuine,” “treat people fairly,” “provide the most relevant advanced knowledge,” and to “be compassionate to whom and what we serve.”

 

A pioneer in sustainability, she will serve as the project lead and owner’s overall project management representative for USC. With an impressive thirty-plus year background in program management, energy efficiency, and sustainability consulting, teaching, and architectural practice on diverse building types, Ying manages the Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Program and provides technical assistance to various customers and clients.

Ms. Ying Wang, AIA, LEED Fellow, LEED AP, Okapi CEO /President

A pioneer in sustainability, she will serve as the project lead and owner’s overall project management representative for USC. With an impressive thirty-plus year background in program management, energy efficiency, and sustainability consulting, teaching, and architectural practice on diverse building types, Ying manages the Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Program and provides technical assistance to various customers and clients.
Responsible for issues regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, Life Cycle Analysis support, Post Construction support, climate actions and etc. An accomplished engineer and Certified Energy Manager (CEM), David is the go-to person in Savings By Design for technical review and Life Cycle Analysis.

Mr. David J. Holly, CEM, Okapi Technical Engineer Support

Responsible for issues regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, Life Cycle Analysis support, Post Construction support, climate actions and etc. An accomplished engineer and Certified Energy Manager (CEM), David is the go-to person in Savings By Design for technical review and Life Cycle Analysis.
Devoted to promoting green building practices. She is responsible for plan- ning the logistics of Okapi’s resources and deliverables. With over twenty years’ experience, her career has spanned organizations such as, the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering, where she worked on the design and construction of many public works, as well as the senior program manager for The Gas Company where she was responsible for regulatory policy and operations, and, prior to joining Okapi, the principal manager at Southern California Edison, where she held leadership roles overseeing organizations, including residential and commercial new construction, field engineering, Technology Test Centers, and Energy Education Centers.

Ms. Jessica Mack, LEED AP, Okapi Project Management

Devoted to promoting green building practices. She is responsible for plan- ning the logistics of Okapi’s resources and deliverables. With over twenty years’ experience, her career has spanned organizations such as, the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering, where she worked on the design and construction of many public works, as well as the senior program manager for The Gas Company where she was responsible for regulatory policy and operations, and, prior to joining Okapi, the principal manager at Southern California Edison, where she held leadership roles overseeing organizations, including residential and commercial new construction, field engineering, Technology Test Centers, and Energy Education Centers.
Responsible for issues regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, Life Cycle Analysis support, Post Construction support, climate actions and etc. An accomplished engineer and Certified Energy Manager (CEM), David is the go-to person in Savings By Design for technical review and Life Cycle Analysis.

Mr. David J. Holly, CEM, Okapi Technical Engineer Support

Responsible for issues regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, Life Cycle Analysis support, Post Construction support, climate actions and etc. An accomplished engineer and Certified Energy Manager (CEM), David is the go-to person in Savings By Design for technical review and Life Cycle Analysis.
About Us – Draft Working
Okapi Architecture