The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Waste management expert Brandie Townsend revolutionizes how we view "trash" by demonstrating that landfills are obsolete and most materials can be repurposed, recycled, or reused for both environmental and economic benefits. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Dedicated to the triple bottom line: people, profit and the planet, Brandie Townsend brings a wide range of environmental connectivity and resources to the table with an extensive background in sustainability and hospitality. This energetic and skilled professional excels at developing positive relationships with clients and communicating the benefits of sustainable design, products & services. With experience developing optimal solutions and driving sustainable returns on investments, she's an influential strategist with talent for initiating & building teams and projects. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Brandie Townsend revolutionizes traditional construction and waste approaches: Key Insight #1: Landfills are obsolete when we recognize the value in waste The Challenge: Traditional waste management uses expensive landfills ($11 million holes in the ground) to dispose of valuable materials The Solution: Parse out materials for their next best use through deconstruction instead of demolition ROI: Save on dumpster fees ($75/ton, 5-ton max on roll-offs) while recapturing value from materials like dimensional lumber, metal, and gypsum Key Insight #2: Circular economy starts at the landfill scale house The Challenge: Municipalities lose money burying valuable resources while contractors pay to dispose of materials The Solution: Transform landfills into material recovery facilities where contractors can exchange materials ROI: Creates a marketplace where small contractors can bring materials for credit and purchase what they need, generating revenue for municipalities Key Insight #3: Construction waste management must be logistically planned The Challenge: Contractors default to the "easy button" - throwing everything in one dumpster The Solution: Use Gaylords, super sacks, or small hoppers to parse out waste by material type ROI: Makes material recovery more practical, reduces hauling costs, and adds value by directing materials to appropriate processors Sustainable Soundbite "All of that… is truly embodied energy [/Carbon]. We took a lot of time to make all this stuff and then we ended up throwing it into a hole. And that's really not the best use of our embodied energy." – Brandie Townsend Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Look at how much you're paying for dumpster service and explore alternatives for material separation This Quarter: Make trades responsible for their own waste streams (electrical, plumbing, etc.) since these materials have value to them This Year: Implement a comprehensive waste management plan that identifies appropriate receivers for each waste stream and tracks the value recovered Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 🗒️ Connect with Brandie Townsend: 🔗 Learn about her reverse vending machine initiative for bottle and can recycling 🔗 Check out her work with Brewmark Flooring creating closed-loop recycling for trade show flooring Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: From youth activism to spearheading digital twin innovation at Nemetschek, Andreas Steyer reveals how technology is transforming building sustainability and why trusting design data is crucial for the industry's green future. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Based in Berlin, Andreas Steyer leads the global go-to-market strategy for Nemetschek's digital twin solution, DTwin.  With experience spanning software development, product management at Procore, and co-authoring a book on BIM and circular economy, Andreas brings a unique perspective to how technology accelerates building sustainability.  His journey from advising youth initiatives to shaping the future of construction tech demonstrates how diverse experiences drive innovation. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Andreas Steyer revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: Bridging the Trust Gap with Open Platform Philosophy The Challenge: Construction teams don't trust architects' data and start from scratch when operating buildings The Solution: Create an open digital twin platform that accepts multiple data formats (BIM, point clouds, photogrammetry, 2D drawings) ROI: Prevents waste of valuable design and construction data, enabling seamless lifecycle management Key Insight #2: Real-Time Energy Monitoring and Predictive Simulations The Challenge: Buildings consume energy inefficiently without real-time feedback The Solution: Digital twins that monitor energy consumption in real-time and simulate future scenarios ROI: Optimizes energy usage, extends building system lifespans, and tracks emissions for decarbonization goals Key Insight #3: Enabling Circular Economy Through Data Connectivity The Challenge: Building materials end up as waste instead of being reused The Solution: Digital twins that connect data across projects to facilitate material reuse ROI: Reduces construction waste, lowers embodied carbon, and maximizes resource efficiency Sustainable Soundbite "Buildings are one of the areas where you can make the biggest difference in shaping a sustainable future." – Andreas Steyer Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate your current building data strategy – are you losing valuable information between phases? This Quarter: Start a pilot project using digital twin technology to bridge design-construction-operations gaps This Year: Implement a circular economy strategy using connected data to track reusable building components Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link] 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Andreas Steyer: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

Paul Frischer on Organic Printed Semiconductors: The Future of Zero-Carbon Buildings The Green Impact Report Quick take: This episode reveals a breakthrough in sustainable building technology - organic printed semiconductors that can turn any window into a power generator while reducing energy consumption by up to 50%. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Accomplished Senior Executive with successful management experience in global real estate strategy, research, financial technology and ESG investment. An extensive track record in real estate operations management, financial product development, revenue growth and capital funding. Full P&L responsibility for go-to-market strategies, the pursuit of operational improvements, and organic growth. Broad areas of expertise include strategic insight, innovation, financial and operational control, writing, marketing, sales, leadership, and forecasting. He currently dedicates himself to delivering expert consulting to companies in the real estate industry, renewable energy, and startup ventures. Strong consulting professional background, graduated from Bucknell University and NYU, MBA. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Paul Frischer revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: Organic Printed Semiconductor Breakthrough The Challenge: Traditional solar panels are heavy, expensive, and disruptive to architectural design The Solution: Ultra-lightweight transparent film that creates power while maintaining visibility and aesthetics ROI: Generates 25% of lighting power needs while reducing HVAC costs by 30-50% through infrared absorption   Key Insight #2: Power Over Ethernet Revolution The Challenge: AC electrical systems are inefficient for modern DC-powered devices The Solution: Integration with Power over Ethernet distributes DC power efficiently throughout buildings ROI: 70-85% energy savings compared to traditional AC systems, with built-in battery storage for resilience   Key Insight #3: Zero-Carbon Power Distribution The Challenge: Shipping fossil fuels globally for power generation creates massive emissions The Solution: Shipping lightweight semiconductor film as "zero-emission carbon power" ROI: Democratizes clean energy access - anyone, anywhere can generate power with simple installation Sustainable Soundbite "Leadership isn't about titles or positions; it's about the courage to stand up for what's right, even when it's not popular."– Paul Frischer Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate your building's window systems for semiconductor shade integration This Quarter: Assess Power over Ethernet infrastructure opportunities This Year: Create a pilot installation to demonstrate ROI to stakeholders   Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Paul Frischer: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon!   Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Hollywood is going green! This episode reveals how the film industry is tackling its environmental footprint with innovative technology and practical solutions that can inspire any sustainability professional. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion  Ben Hall is a film director who splits time between Los Angeles and Atlanta and has worked in the production department on multiple studio feature films and television shows.  He is developing and directing independent feature films via his production company, Marianna Motion Pictures.  Some of his films include shorts Sergeant Townsend (2012), Old Souls (2013), and feature films The Man From Outer Space (2017), Night Into Day (2020), and upcoming, Remote (2025)🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Ben Hall sustainably upgrades traditional production approaches: Key Insight #1: Replacing generators with clean energy alternatives The Challenge: Film sets typically run on massive diesel generators that create significant emissions The Solution: Implementing battery technology and solar power solutions to reduce generator usage ROI: 75% of base camp operations powered by solar and battery tech instead of generators, dramatically reducing emissions and fuel costs Key Insight #2: Creating sustainable waste management systems The Challenge: Film productions generate enormous amounts of waste that typically goes straight to landfill The Solution: Implementing compostable materials for catering and partnering with composting vendors ROI: Thousands of pounds of waste diverted from landfills monthly, creating a cleaner production environment Key Insight #3: Securing leadership buy-in for sustainability initiatives The Challenge: Middle-management sustainability efforts yield "middling results" without top-down support The Solution: Educating directors and producers about how sustainability practices integrate with production needs ROI: Crew-wide adoption of green practices when leadership demonstrates commitment to sustainability goals Sustainable Soundbite "Filmmaking is the best sector in the world to be playing around with green tech. We are the industry that is supposed to challenge,inspire, and entertain. Therefore we should be the first ones to do it in a sustainable manner." – Ben Hall Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Assess where your current operations could substitute batteries or solar power for traditional energy sources This Quarter: Implement a comprehensive waste management program with compostable materials This Year: Build sustainability requirements into your leadership training and project planning phases Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link to episode page] 🗒️ Read the transcript . 🔗 Connect with @hall_ben_hall - Instagram Handle  Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Packaging and sustainability expert Tom shares how AI and smart technology are transforming recycling and landfill diversion efforts in stadiums, universities, and corporate buildings – creating a more engaging path to sustainability for the next generation. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion  Thomas (Tom) Grinnan is a Global executive and consultant who thrives in new markets, leveraging 25+ years in the Pharmaceutical, Life Science & Packaging industries. With a strong background in sustainable packaging innovation, he's now leading DC1 as CEO, where they develop AI-powered solutions to drive recycling and reduce landfill waste. At DC1, Tom is focusing on landfill diversion through innovative technology that makes recycling more accessible, measurable, and engaging for users while providing valuable sustainability metrics for organizations. Tom began his career in strategic planning after studying French and biology at the University of Virginia. His multilingual skills (fluent in French with knowledge of Spanish, Japanese, and German) helped him develop a niche in cross-border market expansion. Throughout his career, Tom has grown businesses by 15%+ annually through strategic innovation and mentoring. Prior to joining DC1 in March 2024, he worked with major corporations like Midwest, Faco, Westrock, and Silgan, where he gained firsthand experience in sustainable manufacturing practices that reuse resources and minimize environmental impact. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Tom revolutionizes traditional waste management approaches: Key Insight #1: AI-Powered Recognition Transforms Recycling The Challenge: Traditional recycling systems are confusing for users and require manual sorting, leading to contamination and reduced effectiveness The Solution: DC1's Green Scanner technology—a smart sorting kiosk equipped with advanced cameras, an Nvidia chip, and barcode scanners that use AI to instantly identify recyclable items, calculate their carbon footprint, and direct users to proper disposal without requiring changes to existing bin infrastructure ROI: Dramatic increase in recycling participation with real-time carbon avoidance metrics, transforming a confusing process into an engaging experience that can be gamified through a companion app offering points and rewards Key Insight #2: Smart Infrastructure for Sports Venues and Universities The Challenge: Large venues like stadiums struggle with proper waste sorting among thousands of attendees despite aggressive sustainability goals The Solution: Strategic placement of smart kiosks that provide immediate feedback, gamification, and rewards for proper recycling behavior ROI: Enhanced community engagement through recycling competitions and incentives, with one university implementation achieving over 700 scans and 17kg of carbon diverted with just two stations Key Insight #3: Data-Driven Sustainability for LEED Buildings The Challenge: Buildings seeking LEED certification need verifiable waste diversion metrics rather than costly building retrofits The Solution: Cloud-based system for tracking and documenting recycling efforts while providing real-time feedback to building occupants ROI: Easier achievement of LEED certification points through waste stream improvements, enhancing building value without major structural changes Sustainable Soundbite "Universities have some of the most aggressive goals I've seen in terms of landfill diversion. Rather than trying to completely take apart their building, which is difficult once you've already got it built, it's a lot easier to go and look at your waste stream, clean it up, and use technology to help you there." – Thomas Grinnan Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Explore AI tools like ChatGPT to understand basic applications that can support your sustainability initiatives This Quarter: Investigate organizations like the Green Sports Alliance to connect with like-minded sustainability professionals and technology innovators This Year: Evaluate your waste stream management systems and identify opportunities for technology integration that can improve both participation and data collection Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link] 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Tom on 📚 Explore recommended books: by Eric Ries and Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Award-winning designer Blima Ehrentreu shares how thoughtful interior design creates spaces that enhance lives while minimizing environmental impact, revolutionizing healthcare experiences and community-focused projects through human-centered approaches. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion  As the Founder and CEO of The Designers Group, Blima Ehrentreu combines her creativity and talent to reform the design industry. Her passion for empowering women, giving back to the community, and championing women in the workforce earned her a spot on Globest's Women of Influence in 2020 & 2022.  The Designers Group's diverse project portfolio spans the residential and commercial sectors, and Inc. Magazine ranked The Designers Group no.15 among the top fastest-growing private companies in the New York Metro Area in 2021. Blima's journey began in Toronto, where she pursued a master's in interior architecture and design while simultaneously working at an architectural firm to understand the technical aspects of building construction. Inspired by watching her family's home transformation as a child, she developed a passion for the construction industry.  Starting with another female designer on a few projects, she grew The Designers Group into a multi-office operation with locations in New York, Miami, and Canada. Today, the firm specializes in high-end interior spaces for commercial, residential, and healthcare portfolios throughout the US and Canada. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Blima revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: Holistic Approach to Sustainability The Challenge: Traditional sustainability approaches focus narrowly on materials while overlooking broader impacts on human experience The Solution: Integrating sustainability principles that address both environmental impact AND human well-being through thoughtful design choices ROI: Spaces that enhance lives, minimize environmental footprint, and create meaningful, transformative experiences for users and communities Key Insight #2: TDG Smart Building Concept The Challenge: Technology integration in building design often lacks coordination and fails to promote long-term sustainability The Solution: The TDG Smart Building Concept that integrates technology to enhance well-being, improve energy efficiency, and promote sustainability long after project completion ROI: Spaces that continue to deliver sustainability benefits throughout their lifecycle while providing enhanced user experiences through technological innovation Key Insight #3: Hospitality-Inspired Healthcare Design The Challenge: Traditional healthcare and senior living facilities feel institutional and clinical, negatively impacting patient/resident experiences The Solution: Applying hospitality design principles to healthcare settings, creating environments that feel more like hotels or resorts than institutional facilities ROI: Transformative patient and resident experiences that promote healing and well-being, improving outcomes while maintaining functionality Sustainable Soundbite "Sustainability is not just about materials, but it's also about creating spaces that enhance lives while also minimizing the environmental impact. So, we always have to understand that our actions have an impact." – Blima Ehrentreu Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate how your design approach can enhance lives beyond just material selection; consider the holistic impact of your choices This Quarter: Explore 3D visualization and AI tools that can help communicate sustainable design concepts more effectively to clients This Year: Develop a strategy for technology integration that promotes ongoing sustainability and well-being long after project completion Connect & Learn More 🗒️ Read the transcript . 🔗 Connect with Blima Ehrentreu: 🏢 Explore The Designers Group: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Singapore-based sustainability expert Nilesh Jadhav shares how AI, autonomous systems, and smart technologies are transforming buildings into intelligent, grid-interactive assets that can dramatically reduce carbon emissions while improving performance. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion  With over 20 years of experience in the field of clean energy and decarbonization, Nilesh Jadhav (NJ) is a passionate champion of accelerating the net-zero transition for organizations and communities. In his professional role at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, he leads the delivery of end-to-end decarbonization solutions and digital services for sustainability. He is also a certified adult educator and conducts courses in the field of energy and sustainability as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Nanyang Business School. Nilesh is also an entrepreneur, thought leader, professional trainer, and coach, with expertise in smart and sustainable built environment technologies and digital and innovation ecosystem platforms. He co-founded and served as the first CEO of BtrLyf, a spin-off company of Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore), that offers a digital built environment ecosystem platform. He also worked as a Senior Scientist and Program Director at NTU, leading the Ecocampus Sustainability testbeding initiative and the research group on Sustainable Built Environment Technologies. A chemical engineer by training, Nilesh earned his masters at Delft University before transitioning from petrochemicals to sustainability. He holds an MBA in Operations and Process Management and is a Singapore Certified Energy Manager. He published the book "Green and Smart Buildings Advanced Technology Options" in 2017 and is driven by the mission of creating innovative pathways and partnerships for achieving complete decarbonization and net-zero goals. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Nilesh revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: Virtual Energy Audits Transform Building Analysis The Challenge: Traditional building energy assessments require time-consuming physical audits and often miss optimization opportunities The Solution: Data-driven virtual audits that model building performance based solely on available data, enabling rapid identification of energy conservation measures ROI: Faster, more comprehensive energy analysis that scales across entire building portfolios while providing actionable energy-saving measures Key Insight #2: Autonomous Building Management Systems The Challenge: Buildings struggle with data management and optimization across multiple systems, making consistent sustainability performance difficult The Solution: AI-powered autonomous systems that manage building performance without human intervention, continuously optimizing for sustainability goals including Net Zero ROI: Buildings that self-regulate to maintain optimal energy performance, reducing consumption by 20-30% while improving occupant comfort and grid interaction Key Insight #3: Grid-Interactive Buildings as Energy Assets The Challenge: Buildings consume 20-30% of electricity but traditionally function as passive consumers rather than active grid participants The Solution: Smart technologies enabling buildings to participate in the renewable energy ecosystem through bi-directional electricity flow, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage ROI: Buildings that function as distributed energy resources, supporting grid stability while reducing operational costs and carbon emissions Sustainable Soundbite "Buildings being more autonomous in the way they are managed, highly digitally enabled, more smarter, and with the advent of AI being able to completely be autonomous in terms of their performance management, in terms of their sustainability goals, and able to deliver on goals like Net Zero." – Nilesh Jadhav Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate your building's cooling systems – the largest energy consumer in tropical climates – for optimization opportunities This Quarter: Explore how smart building technologies could enhance your existing sustainability certification efforts (like LEED or Green Mark) This Year: Develop a strategy for incorporating grid-interactive capabilities into your building portfolio, including renewable energy and energy storage Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link] 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Nilesh Jadhav: 📚 Explore Nilesh's book: "Green and Smart Buildings Advanced Technology Options"   Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Legendary software CEO Dave Lemont reveals how Acelab is transforming sustainable building by creating the industry's first comprehensive material decision-making platform, bringing AI-powered intelligence to material selection. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Dave Lemont brings to Acelab more than three decades of experience in scaling software companies across various industries. He has held five CEO roles and ten board member positions. Throughout his career, Lemont has launched, grown, and guided numerous software companies from inception through dramatic growth and success. He is an expert in identifying industry-changing ideas and building winning go-to-market strategies.  He was CEO of Revit Technology, leading the company through its successful 2002 acquisition by Autodesk. Architecture practices currently using Acelab's platform include well-known firms such as AECOM, Gensler, and SOM. Acelab's product database boasts over 39,000 products across categories such as windows, doors, cladding, roofing, and insulation. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Dave revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: The Material Selection Workflow Gap The Challenge: Architects lack a robust workflow for material selection, often recycling old choices despite rapid innovation in sustainable materials The Solution: Acelab's comprehensive platform that organizes materials by aesthetics, performance, sustainability, certifications, and chemistry ROI: More informed material decisions that balance sustainability, performance, and cost—without adding time to the design process Key Insight #2: AI-Powered Material Research The Challenge: Individual architects can't possibly stay current with all the sustainable material innovations in the market The Solution: Acelab's AI-powered search using their "language of materials" taxonomy to find specific products that meet exact performance criteria ROI: Ability to discover innovative sustainable materials that might otherwise be overlooked, revolutionizing how materials are specified Key Insight #3: Firm Standards Libraries in the Cloud The Challenge: Architects' attempts to create material standards libraries often fail because they're difficult to maintain and update The Solution: Cloud-based firm libraries that stay current with manufacturer data and integrate with project workflows ROI: Consistent, up-to-date sustainable material selections across entire firms, making sustainability easier to implement at scale Sustainable Soundbite "Our tagline is 'make material choices that matter.' We're not going to only show materials because manufacturers pay us - we're going to return an honest search transparently—otherwise architects will not trust us. And we want to be the trusted advisor for them." – Dave Lemont Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Assess your current material selection process and identify where you might be recycling old specifications without evaluating newer, more sustainable options This Quarter: Explore how AI tools like Acelab could help improve your material selection process This Year: Develop a strategy to create or update your firm's sustainable material standards library Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link] 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Dave Lemont: 📷 Check out Dave's photography: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: From architect to researcher, Stuart Shell reveals how evidence and nature-inspired thinking are transforming sustainable design beyond conventional metrics to create holistic building solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Stuart Shell works with an interdisciplinary team at BranchPattern to create building solutions that place people first. As an architect-turned-researcher, he focuses on what occupants need to be healthy and engaged.  At BranchPattern, their beliefs are rooted in nature which has taught them that true sustainability sits at the intersection of human experience and environmental stewardship. Stuart Shell received a Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from the Illinois Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Stuart is also certified by the Center for Active Design as a Fitwel Ambassador, Autodesk in Building Performance Analysis, the League of American Bicyclists as a League Certified Instructor, and the State of Nebraska as a Registered Architect.  In addition, he is credentialed by the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED AP and by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) as a WELL AP. Finally, he has been certified by The Center for Health Design in EDAC. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Studart revolutionizes traditional construction approaches:  Key Insight #1: Evidence-Based Design Changes Everything The Challenge: Design decisions often made without proper research about actual performance outcomes The Solution: Applying rigorous research methodologies (like EDAC certification) to understand how buildings truly impact people ROI: More effective buildings that serve occupants' real needs, reducing the risk of "architectural failures"   Key Insight #2: Expanding Sustainability to Include Biodiversity The Challenge: Climate-focused sustainability often neglects broader ecological impacts The Solution: Incorporating biodiversity into building projects, similar to UK's net biodiversity gain requirements ROI: Buildings that not only reduce carbon but actively support natural systems and habitat creation   Key Insight #3: Salutogenesis as a Building Design Model The Challenge: Traditional "pathogenic" approaches focus only on eliminating negative factors The Solution: Designing for salutogenesis—creating environments that promote resilience and healing ROI: Spaces that provide occupants the resources to overcome challenges rather than just avoiding harm   Sustainable Soundbite "We're in an industry that runs on construction and yet construction is inherently diminishing environments. The movement towards regenerative design is where I think a lot of that research has to be."  -Stuart Shell Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps:  This Week: Explore how evidence-based design methodologies could enhance your current projects This Quarter: Investigate ways to incorporate biodiversity elements into your building designs This Year: Consider how reuse strategies and circular economy principles could transform your design approach   Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: [Link] 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Stuart Shell: 📚 Book Recommendation: Check out Aaron Antonovsky's work on salutogenesis Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc ©2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: From Midwestern roots to LEED Fellow status, Kristen Fritsch shares how sustainability becomes second nature in architecture and how biomimicry can inspire truly innovative design solutions. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Kristen (Atchity) Fritsch, AIA, LEED Fellow, WELL AP is a Senior Associate and Director of Sustainability at Elkus Manfredi Architects where she has been implementing initiatives related to the AIA 2030 Commitment, healthy materials and embodied carbon.  Her role also involves advising and assisting design teams with LEED, WELL, materials and systems research, and performance analysis such as solar mitigation and daylighting concepts.  She has led firm-wide training on sustainable design practices and the greening of office operations and practice. Outside the office she has taught design studios at the Boston Architectural College on using biomimicry in the design process and is a member of the Board of Directors for Built Environment Plus (USGBC MA). Kristen is also a member of the LEED Materials Technical Advisory Group for USGBC. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Kristen revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: Key Insight #1: Sustainability as Second Nature The Challenge: Sustainability initially treated as an add-on feature rather than an integral part of design The Solution: Embedding sustainable thinking from project inception, making it "the way we do things" ROI: When sustainable practices become standard, achieving LEED Gold or Platinum becomes more accessible and cost-effective   Key Insight #2: Biomimicry as Design Inspiration The Challenge: Traditional design approaches that fail to learn from nature's 3.8 billion years of innovation The Solution: Looking to nature for problem-solving inspiration, like self-cleaning paint inspired by lily pad cell structures ROI: More efficient, elegant solutions that work in harmony with natural systems rather than against them Key Insight #3: Material Reuse at Commercial Scale The Challenge: Difficulty implementing material reuse beyond small-scale residential projects The Solution: Developing systematic approaches to reuse furniture and materials in larger commercial projects ROI: Reduced embodied carbon, cost savings for clients, and inspiring designs that tell a story of sustainability Sustainable Soundbite "The greatest thing is the thing that's already existing. So how do we do that at a commercial scale? I think we've done it at a residential scale or a small scale... But how do we break that and figure out how to do it at the commercial scale?" – Kristen Fritsch Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Take inventory of what materials in your current projects could be reused or repurposed This Quarter: Research biomimicry principles that could be applied to a current design challenge This Year: Develop a comprehensive approach to materials selection that prioritizes health, wellness, and embodied carbon reduction Connect & Learn More 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Kristen Fritsch: 📚 Book Recommendation: "Birding to Change the World" by Trish O'Kane Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.