Sydney Mainster

Sydney Mainster brings over two decades of professional and academic architecture, design, and construction experience to Durst. As Vice President of Sustainability & Design Management, she oversees the company leadership’s vision for sustainability in ground-up development projects, existing building renovations, and building management. Sydney is responsible for the Design Management team that ensures high quality documentation and execution of all new construction, capital improvements, and tenant projects. The team is responsible for maintaining consistency and high-quality services in the management of a project’s development from inception to operation.

Working cross-functionally with departments throughout the company, Sydney develops strategies for implementing guidelines, setting targets, and maximizing tenant engagement. She defines and refines design and construction sustainability criteria utilizing data from green building rating systems; health research and chemical red lists; sustainability best practices in energy, water, indoor environmental quality; and circular product manufacturing, use, and disposal. Sydney works closely with design consultants, construction teams, and manufacturers to ensure product selection, procurement, and installation all meet design, performance, and sustainability criteria—not only to achieve outcomes on current building projects, but also to improve environmental standards and innovation in the industry. Sydney is a board member of the NYLCV. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Master of Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design.