William McDonough is an internationally renowned designer and one of the primary proponents and shapers of what he and his partners call "The Next Industrial Revolution." Time recognized him as a "Hero for the Planet" in 1999, stating that "his utopianism is grounded in a unified philosophy that - in demonstrable and practical ways - is changing the design of the world." A leader in the sustainable development movement since 1977, Mr. McDonough helped launch the 'green office' movement in the U.S. with his design for the Environmental Defense Fund Headquarters, completed in 1985. His ideas and efforts were honored in 1996 when he became the first and only individual to receive the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, the nation's highest environmental honor.

Known for his profound approach to design and commerce, he incorporates concern for economic intelligence, social equity, and environmental responsibility in designs ranging in scale from molecules to regions. Mr. McDonough believes firmly in maximizing design effectiveness by modeling designs on the elegance and effectiveness of natural Systems. As Principal of WM+P, Mr. McDonough provides strategic leadership for each of the office's projects, particularly during visioning and conceptual design phases.

Mr. McDonough is frequently sought as an author, advisor and speaker. He is the author (with Michael Braungart) of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (North Point Press, 2002), as well as The Hannover Principles: Design for Sustainability, the City of Hannover's design guidelines for the 2000 World's Fair.

In addition to his role as principal and co-founder of MBDC, Mr. McDonough is actively involved with several other academic and professional organizations. A former dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, he holds professorships at the University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and at Cornell University. Mr. McDonough is also the U.S. Chairman of the Board of Councilors of the China-U.S. Center for Sustainable Development and a Board Member of H. John Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. Visit McDonough.com for the most complete and in-depth information on his activities.

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