Holly Samuelson

On leave for Spring 2024

Holly W. Samuelson, DDes, LEED, Registered Architect

Dr. Samuelson is an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, teaching architectural technology courses. Her teaching and research focus on issues of building design that impact human and environmental health. Her current projects harness advanced building simulation to investigate issues of greenhouse gas emissions, heat vulnerability, and indoor environmental quality while considering the future of buildings in a changing electricity grid.

Samuelson has coauthored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific papers, including a Best Paper awarded by the journal Energy and Buildings. She has coached multiple winning student teams in international design competitions. Her work has been commended twice at scholarly conferences, and she regularly gives public lectures internationally. A recognized expert in architectural technology, she has been interviewed by national media outlets, including the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Wall Street Journal.

Prior to joining Harvard, Samuelson practiced full-time as an architect (2000-2007) and sustainable design consultant (2007-2008), and she prioritizes forging links between academia and the building industry. She earned a Doctor of Design and Master of Design with distinction from Harvard Graduate School of Design, where she was awarded the Gerald M. McCue medal. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture with honors from Carnegie Mellon, where she was awarded the American Institute of Architects Henry Adams Gold Medal.