The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: How can we protect people as our buildings face hotter climates and evolving chemical risks? Dr. Christa Wright from UL's Chemical Insights Research Institute shares how predictive science, empathy in research, and bio-based solutions are shaping the future of healthier indoor environments. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Dr. Christa Wright is the Senior Research Director at the Chemical Insights Research Institute, part of UL Research Institutes. A trained environmental toxicologist and strategist, she leads the Center for Toxicology and Human Health, where her team studies how chemicals in products and materials affect people — and how data and partnerships can create safer, healthier spaces. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Dr. Wright transforms how we think about healthy spaces — connecting human health, materials, and predictive modeling for a new era of safety science. 🧠 Key Insight #1: Heat Changes Chemistry Indoors The Challenge: Building materials were never designed for today's rising temperatures. The Solution: Research from Chemical Insights shows even a 2°F temperature rise can release higher levels of formaldehyde from paints, flooring, and drywall — prompting a call for new standards and smarter material choices. ROI: Healthier air, longer material lifespan, and proactive protection from climate-related indoor pollution. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Nature Still Works The Challenge: Pandemic-era health strategies leaned too heavily on chemicals and filtration alone. The Solution: Wright's team is testing hydroponic classroom systems in New York, exploring how plants can filter toxins and improve indoor air quality naturally. ROI: Better student focus, cleaner air, and green innovation that reconnects sustainability and wellness. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Forecasting the Next Risk The Challenge: Most safety research is reactive — waiting for harm before changing standards. The Solution: Wright's team uses predictive modeling, AI, and machine learning to forecast future chemical and environmental risks. ROI: A proactive path for architects, product developers, and policymakers to prevent the next crisis before it happens. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "Our behaviors drive our exposures — and understanding them is key to building healthier environments." — Dr. Christa Wright 🏋️ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit how your materials perform under rising temperatures. Identify potential sources of indoor pollutants. This Quarter: Incorporate biophilic or plant-based filtration strategies into your next renovation or classroom design. This Year: Build partnerships that integrate predictive data and AI modeling into sustainability planning and certification. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources here 🗒 Read the transcript here 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 🔗 Connect with Dr. Christa Wright: Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) Website LinkedIn 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips twice a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🌍 The Green Impact Report Quick take: In this episode, Federico Steinvorth, a newly inducted LEED Fellow from Costa Rica, shares how he's championing sustainable building practices across Central America through early project integration, renewable energy, and a strong focus on community engagement. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Federico Steinvorth is an engineer, marathon runner, and co-founder of a regional sustainability consulting firm based in Costa Rica. With a background in mechanical and electrical engineering and a master's in construction management from Michigan State University, Federico has been leading sustainability initiatives across Latin America for over 15 years. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Federico revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: 🎯 Key Insight #1: Early integration of sustainability consultants leads to better design outcomes The Challenge: Consultants often brought in late in the design process. The Solution: Engaging early to guide KPIs and sustainable design strategies. ROI: Avoided costly redesigns, better project alignment with corporate sustainability goals. 🎯 Key Insight #2: Leveraging Costa Rica's 99% renewable energy grid for electrification The Challenge: High energy consumption in industrial and manufacturing projects. The Solution: Aligning electrification and decarbonization efforts with a clean national grid. ROI: Reduced carbon footprint, cost-effective clean energy adoption. 🎯 Key Insight #3: Partnering with communities to define sustainable success The Challenge: Sustainability frameworks don't always capture local community needs. The Solution: Engaging community teams to integrate social priorities into projects. ROI: Higher impact, long-term community alignment, enhanced project acceptance. 🎧 Sustainable Soundbite "Being named a LEED Fellow isn't just an honor—it's a responsibility to push our limits, lead by example, and elevate the sustainability movement across our region." — Federico Steinvorth ✅ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Reach out to community stakeholders to understand project impact beyond the site. This Quarter: Evaluate your region's energy grid for decarbonization opportunities. This Year: Commit to early-phase sustainability integration on every project. 📲 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources here 🗒 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Federico Steinvorth: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/federico-steinvorth Website: http://www.spherasostenible.com/ 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🌍 The Green Impact Report Quick take: From authentic storytelling to biophilic design and grassroots sustainability, Giuli Ann Schacht shows how creative thinking and a deep respect for nature can transform communities like High Point, NC — and how you can do the same. 👋 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Giuli Ann Schacht is a passionate creator, businesswoman, and advocate for biophilic design. With a background in brand storytelling, fresh food entrepreneurship, and green real estate development, she's now bringing it all together to inspire greener communities through film, design, and sustainable living. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Giuli shares how she's reimagining how we live, build, and connect — with a strong foundation in biophilia and community-driven sustainability. 📌 Key Insight #1: Redefining Real Estate in High Point The Challenge: Vacant buildings and underutilized space in a small North Carolina city. The Solution: Biophilic design + creative placemaking = vibrant living and production spaces. ROI: A thriving neighborhood hub where architecture, nature, and people connect, plus local job creation and property value growth. 📌 Key Insight #2: Biophilic Design Is a Lifestyle, Not a Trend The Challenge: Urban living often strips away our connection to nature. The Solution: Water features, cedar wood, filtered water systems, and intentional landscaping — even on a tiny lot. ROI: Better health outcomes, increased joy, and higher productivity — backed by neuroaesthetic science. 📌 Key Insight #3: Storytelling as a Green Industry Tool The Challenge: Green building messages don't always resonate with everyday people. The Solution: Use storytelling and media to inspire change and elevate local makers. ROI: Increased visibility, community pride, and new pathways for sustainable industry. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "You don't have to redo everything to start changing your life. Just start small. Do it really." – Giuli Ann Schacht 🛠 Your Green Building Action Plan 1. This Week: Add a biophilic element to your home — start with a plant, water feature, or filtered drinking water. 2. This Quarter: Look for ways to reuse and repurpose materials in your next project. 3. This Year: Invest in community-based sustainability — whether it's real estate, education, or mentorship. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources here 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 🗒 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Giuli Ann Schacht: LinkedIn, Website Museum piece- vimeo Daytona 500 Flash Mob- youtube https://www.gonaturalliving.com/ https://www.gonatural.live/pov Alexandra Dummit- https://thesageplant.com/ 📬 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: This episode uncovers how acoustics, materials, and design intersect to create healthier, more sustainable buildings. Dana Pucillo shares how listening — in design, leadership, and innovation — is transforming interior environments for human wellness. 👋 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Dana Pucillo is the Vice President of the Acoustics Division at Carnegie, a leader in sustainable interiors. With a career spanning 30+ years in interior design, commercial manufacturing, and sustainability, Dana champions healthy materials, innovative product development, and people-first leadership — all with a strong New York edge and an artist's heart. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Dana Pucillo revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: 💡 Key Insight #1: Replacing Fiberglass with Recycled PET in Acoustic Panels The Challenge: Fiberglass acoustic panels are industry standard — but come with VOC and chemical binder concerns. The Solution: Dana's team transitioned their fabric-wrapped acoustic panels to an American-made, recycled PET core. ROI: Maintains acoustic performance while eliminating harmful materials — a big win for sustainability and indoor wellness. 💡 Key Insight #2: Making Acoustics a Wellness Conversation The Challenge: Acoustics are often overlooked in building performance and wellness. The Solution: Carnegie positions acoustics as a central factor in how people feel in environments like classrooms and healthcare facilities. ROI: Improved user experience and health outcomes — acoustics become a strategic part of wellness design. 💡 Key Insight #3: Equipping Specifiers and Facility Managers to Make Healthier Choices The Challenge: Budget and lead time constraints push decision-makers toward status quo materials. The Solution: Dana's team is building tools and visibility into acoustic solutions that meet budget and sustainability goals. ROI: Democratizes green choices for specifiers and facility managers alike — without trade-offs. 🎙 Sustainable Soundbite "Just because something might look good doesn't mean it's necessarily solving the problem in the best way… we are solutions for our clients." – Dana Pucillo 🧩 Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Reevaluate material choices for acoustic performance and health impact. This Quarter: Explore vendors and manufacturers using RPET or other low-VOC, recycled materials. This Year: Develop educational tools or internal guides to help specifiers choose sustainable acoustic solutions. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🗒 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Dana Pucillo: Website, LinkedIn 🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 📩 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

📌 The Green Impact Report Quick take: Architect-turned-tech CEO Benjamin Glunz is reshaping the AEC industry by tackling inefficiency, waste, and legacy workflows. In this episode, he shares how platforms like BIMsmith® and Swatchbox® are making sustainability the standard — not the exception. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Benjamin Glunz is the Founder and CEO of Anguleris, the company behind BIMsmith® and Swatchbox®. An architect by training, Ben is driven by a mission to simplify specification, reduce material waste, and empower the next generation of AEC pros with smarter tools. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building 🧠 Key Insight #1: Circular Sampling with Second Life The Challenge: Architectural material samples often end up in landfills after projects end. The Solution: Swatchbox's Second Life initiative collects, recirculates, and redistributes unused samples. ROI: 50,000+ samples diverted from landfills, reducing demand for net new sample production. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Turbocharging Sustainability Through Product Selection The Challenge: Architects waste critical hours shuffling paperwork instead of making high-impact material decisions. The Solution: BIMsmith® streamlines product research and specification with architect-built tools. ROI: Faster, more informed decisions that increase sustainability and reduce project waste. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Moving from Time-Based to Value-Based Architecture The Challenge: AEC firms are locked into a billable-hours model that disincentivizes innovation. The Solution: Ben advocates for shifting to value-based pricing and tech-integrated workflows. ROI: Increased profitability, better design quality, and accelerated project timelines. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "Helping architects make better product decisions is the fastest way to scale sustainability across projects." – Benjamin Glunz 📈 Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit how your firm manages material samples — can any be returned, reused, or recirculated? This Quarter: Test BIMsmith® or similar tools to reduce friction in product specification. This Year: Champion circular practices internally and pitch one initiative to your leadership team. 🔗 Connect & Learn Mo 🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 📄 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Benjamin Glunz: LinkedIn Website 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get exclusive tips, expert interviews, and green design tools — delivered twice a week. 📬 Subscribe FREE → https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: Maureen Waters is redefining what ESG looks like in commercial real estate. From legacy giants like Cushman & Wakefield to her current role as President at Measurabl, Maureen shares the hard-won insights that are helping decarbonize global portfolios — using data at a scale never seen before. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Maureen Waters is President of Measurabl, the most widely adopted sustainability data platform in real estate. With 25+ years across tech, VC, and real estate giants, she leads with a rare blend of strategic rigor and operational clarity — helping $3 trillion in assets get ESG right. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building 🧠 Key Innovation #1: Democratizing ESG Data with a Freemium Model: The Challenge: ESG reporting has long been cost-prohibitive for smaller real estate owners. The Solution: Measurabl's free self-serve platform now enables widespread access to ESG tools. ROI: Expanded inclusivity, compliance readiness, and broader sustainability participation. 🧠 Key Innovation #2: Automating Utility Data with AI: The Challenge: Utility bill collection was inefficient and error-prone. The Solution: Measurabl's "Bill AI" automates data capture across diverse formats. ROI: Dramatically faster processing, lower labor costs, and higher data accuracy. 🧠 Key Innovation #3: Shifting from SaaS to Sustainability Ecosystem: The Challenge: Fragmented tools couldn't meet the demands of modern ESG strategy. The Solution: Measurabl evolves into a data ecosystem, serving not just owners but capital markets, insurers, and index providers. ROI: Stronger market positioning and full-spectrum ESG intelligence. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "If you're always looking in the rearview mirror, you can't move forward. The future is in how we leverage data to make sustainability scalable." – Maureen Waters ♻️ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Identify where your ESG workflows still rely on manual utility data. This Quarter: Test a freemium sustainability platform like Measurabl. This Year: Map your real estate ESG data strategy to city and state compliance requirements. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 📄 Read the transcript here 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: Link 🔗 Connect with Maureen Waters: LinkedIn Website 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get exclusive tips, expert interviews, and green design tools — delivered twice a week. 📬 Subscribe FREE → https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

📌 The Green Impact Report Quick take: Donald Jacobs takes us back to the early days of Sea Ranch and shows how designing with the land — not over it — can spark a half-century of sustainable building practices. From passive solar to international design work, his career proves sustainability is both timeless and scalable. 🤝 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Donald Jacobs is an architect whose career spans 58 years. From designing 100+ custom homes and the Sea Ranch Chapel to co-founding JZMK Partners, he has shaped communities in the U.S. and abroad. Today, he continues to restore past projects and support HomeAid, a nonprofit building shelters for the transitionally homeless. 🔨 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Donald Jacobs revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: 🎯 Key Insight #1: Disappearing Architecture The Challenge: Conventional homes often clash with natural landscapes. The Solution: At Sea Ranch, Jacobs embraced a philosophy of blending structures into the land, using native materials and natural tones to minimize visual impact. ROI: A community where homes feel part of the ecosystem, preserving views and reducing environmental disruption. 🎯 Key Insight #2: Passive Solar Before It Was Popular The Challenge: Rising energy costs and inefficient heating/cooling in the 1970s. The Solution: Jacobs collaborated with pioneers like David Wright to integrate passive solar design, shielding from northwest winds while capturing southern sun. ROI: Homes that were more comfortable, energy-efficient, and decades ahead of green codes. 🎯 Key Insight #3: Scaling Sustainability Globally The Challenge: Mainstream developer housing often resisted sustainable innovation. The Solution: Through JZMK, Jacobs pushed design excellence and brought sustainable principles into master-planned communities across six countries. ROI: International recognition, larger project scales, and ripple effects for future sustainable developments. 🧠 Sustainable Soundbite "Real innovation isn't ruled by technology—it's powered by the people who believe it must work." – Donald Jacobs 📣 Episode Overview From Sea Ranch's pioneering design philosophy to leading an international firm, Donald Jacobs has spent nearly six decades proving that buildings can — and should — work in harmony with nature. In this conversation, he shares lessons from iconic projects, mentors who shaped him, and his nonprofit work that extends sustainability into the social realm 📈 Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Walk your project site and identify one way to work with the land, not against it. This Quarter: Explore passive design strategies — like wind protection or solar orientation — that can be integrated without added cost. This Year: Build partnerships with community organizations or nonprofits to ensure your work has both environmental and social impact. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 🗒 Read the transcript Here ♻️ Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 🔗 Connect with Donald Jacobs: Email: don@donjacobsarchitect.com LinkedIn Website ♻️ Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: This episode is a must-listen for architects, contractors, and LEED Pros looking to level up athletic spaces. Karl Borree shares how flooring can dramatically impact health, sustainability, and even climate goals — if you design it right. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Karl Borree is a veteran of the performance flooring industry and a passionate advocate for sustainable product innovation. As a key voice at Action Floors, Karl works at the intersection of health, athletics, and material science — driving forward the only carbon-negative maple flooring solution on the market today. With a background in coaching, economics, and rhetorical theory, he brings a unique human-centered lens to sustainable product strategy. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building 💡 Key Insight #1: Flooring Isn't Just About Bounce — It's About Emissions, Safety, and Lifecycle The Challenge: Traditional gym floors often use PVC-based pads that off-gas and lose performance over time. The Solution: Action Floors uses natural rubber pads that don't off-gas, last longer, and offer superior restitution for athletes. ROI: Improved air quality, safer impact absorption, extended lifespan — with verified carbon-negative. 💡 Key Insight #2: One Size Doesn't Fit All — Design for the Athlete, Not Just the Space The Challenge: Many school districts default to "standard" flooring systems without considering age, activity, or use-case. The Solution: Action Floors offers 14+ custom subfloor systems tuned to the specific athlete profile — from preschoolers to pros. ROI: Reduced injuries, enhanced performance, and floors that align with building lifecycle and functional demands. 💡 Key Insight #3: Carbon-Negative Sports Flooring Exists — If You Know Where to Look The Challenge: Most stakeholders assume performance floors are carbon-intensive due to manufacturing and global shipping. The Solution: Action Floors sources maple from the UP of Michigan, leveraging cold climate slow-growth trees, and runs a verified carbon-negative operation. ROI: Global shipments with a smaller footprint than local competitors — backed by SGS-certified EPDs. 🎧 Sustainable Soundbite "Follow your passion, not your pension — that'll bring you everything you really want." – Karl Borree 🌍 Episode Overview Think sports flooring is just about looks or bounce? Think again. In this episode, Karl Borree of Action Floors pulls back the curtain on a massively underappreciated part of green building: what's under your feet. From carbon-negative maple to all-natural rubber pads engineered to reduce concussions, Karl shares how performance flooring is being reimagined with sustainability — and athletes — at the center. ✅ Your Green Building Action Plan This Week: Ask your flooring vendor if they have an EPD — and what's under the surface. This Quarter: If you're designing a space for athletes (of any age), evaluate whether your flooring supports performance and long-term health. This Year: Shift from lowest-bid procurement to lifecycle-focused design — especially in public education and athletic facility projects. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 📄 Read the transcript: here 🔗 Connect with Karl Borree: [LinkedIn] 🏗️ Explore Action Floor Systems, LLC 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe ✉️ Want More Green Building Insights? Get exclusive tips, expert interviews, and green design tools — delivered twice a week. 📬 Subscribe FREE → https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe