
our core team

Lauren C. Roth Venu
Founding Principal & Project Director
Lauren Roth Venu is passionate about developing strategic, innovative solutions to build water resiliency. As the Founding Principal of Roth Ecological Design Int. LLC, Lauren strives to bridge her background in ecological design, the water sciences and policy to elevate site design by maximizing onsite water conservation, reuse and stormwater recharge practices that meet the triple bottom line. Her educational background includes B.A. in Environmental Science with a specialty in Water from the University of Colorado at Boulder; a Master of Science in Oceanography from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa; a graduate of the Proper.net Leadership Program from the United Nations University / East-West Center; and is a fellow of the 2015 Water Leadership Institute (Water Environment Federation).
Lauren is a frequent lecturer and published author on ecological design and green (water) infrastructure. She also has served on a variety of public service roles including an advisory role for the State of Hawai‘i Water Security Advisory Group (2017), State of Hawai‘i Water Conservation Plan Committee (2011-2013); member of the City and County of Honolulu Sustainable Building Task Force of which she chaired the Water and Wastewater Sub-Committee (2010-2011); the State of Hawai‘i Department of Health Water Reuse Guidelines Advisory Committee (2013-2016); and as Chair of the Hawai‘i Chapter United States Green Building Council Advocacy Committee she led the (green) plumbing codes investigation for the Green Codes Investigative Committee for the Hawai‘i State Building Code Council (2013-2018). She has also volunteered her time as a (Co)-Project Manager for the Hawai‘i Engineers Without Borders Chapter. In addition, she serves as a Board of Directors member for 'Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi. Some of Lauren's accolades include: a Region 9 Environmental Protection Agency awarded project (2005); being named one of the "Top Forty Under Forty Business Leaders" by Pacific Business News (2014); and named by Pacific Edge Magazine (2015) as an "Emerging Leader in Design".

Mel Yoo
Design Associate
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Mel is an architectural designer with a passion for sustainability and regenerative practices. She is a LEED Green Associate and an Associate Member of the AIA. With over eight years of professional architectural design experience, she has contributed to award-winning projects and is passionate in implementing innovative solutions to environmental challenges, particularly through the integration of green infrastructure in urban environments. Mel is pursuing her Doctor of Architecture at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, where she holds summa cum laude standing. Her dissertation examines opportunities to address low access food areas in urban Honolulu through the integration of regenerative architecture, fostering sustainable and resilient communities. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
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Having spent part of her childhood on O‘ahu, Mel developed a deep connection to the islands' rich cultural heritage and landscapes. These formative experiences shaped her passion for place-based design, inspiring her to create architecture that harmonizes with ecology. She is an advocate for community-centric design and has collaborated with local organizations to promote green infrastructure initiatives.
partners & affiliates

John Todd Ecological Design
3R Water
Ocean Arks Int.
ECO Lake Solutions
NSI-Biohabitats
LAULEA Engineering, LLC