Expert Q&As

A contractor who has been in the construction industry for 35 years, Scott Chrisner has devoted his career to promoting sustainable construction and design, and has been instrumental in the growth of the U.S. Green Building Council in New Jersey and throughout the country. After receiving an education in solar energy, Chrisner worked for a Princeton University scientist, researching a diagnostic tool known as the blower door. Working for himself since he was 18, Chrisner managed his own energy consulting business while doing construction work on the side. In 1999 he started the New Jersey Chapter of the Green Building Council and in 2002 he founded his green building consulting company. Today, the Chrisner Group works with building owners, design professionals, and contractors to evaluate buildings during all phases of design, construction, and building operation.

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On December 9, 2009, New York City's Council passed the "Greener, Greater Buildings Plan," placing New York City at the forefront of efforts to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings. Robert Ragozine, who has been involved with the energy business since 1990 and is currently the president of Donnelly Sustainable Energy Services, is an expert on these surveys, as well as the energy audits that this new plan necessitates. After selling his own energy consulting business and working with Donnelly, Ragozine has been dedicated to energy-efficiency consulting and services, helping clients lower their utility costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and upgrade facilities.

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When Tammy Schwolsky had children, she realized that, more than ever, our environment is in dire need of help, so in 2007 she started a consulting company called Residential Energy Assessment Services, Inc. (REASenergy.com). Schwolsky will take her commitment to the environment one step further with the opening of Zenergy house, an energy-efficient remodel of a home where she will live with her family for a two-year case study. We caught up with her to talk about her passion, her company, and the future of green homes.

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On January 11, the California-based energy management system firm Agilewaves Inc. proudly introduced its state-of-the-art Building Optimization System (BOStm), which was created to simplify energy efficiency retrofits. By revealing "hidden opportunities for efficiency," BOStm is expected to make retrofits easier for building owners, and hopefully, make the retrofit process a more attractive option. The innovative energy management system is also part of the recent emphasis on "Existing Buildings Commissioning," which Agilewaves supports. The CEO of Agilewaves, Cary Vandenberg, explained more about BOStm and how it is set to change the way we save energy. For more information, visit agilewaves.com.

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Headquartered in Calgary, Canada, DIRTT (which stands for Doing It Right This Time) has redefined workplace interiors throughout North America with their "Agile Architectural Solutions." The passionate young company-where employees affectionately refer to themselves as DIRTT Bags—has quickly flourished, being listed in Alberta Venture Magazine as one of the province's fastest growing companies, and even opening a new branch in Savannah, GA last spring. Meanwhile, DIRTT has become most famous for their sustainable, pre-manufactured and pre-engineered floors and walls, which can be easily moved and reconfigured. Environmental Lead, Kristin J. Moore, shared more DIRTT with MGB and revealed why recycling isn't their number one priority when it comes to sustainable building.

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Mars Incorporated, the international confectionary and pet food company best known for making M&Ms, Snickers, and Mars bars, has been making significant headway in its sustainability program, including renovating its Hackettstown, New Jersey headquarters to be more energy and water efficient. Lauren Nodzak, spokesperson for Mars Incorporated North America, explains some of the technical ins and outs of the renovation and also tells of future plans for the company's eco-transformation.

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Founded in 1946, Simonton Windows, a Fortune Brands company, has built their reputation on high-quality and impact resistant windows and doors. But the company has also developed an increasing focus on energy efficiency, offering a line of Energy Star qualified products. President and COO, Mark Savan, encourages his clients to choose these ecofriendly options and on December 15, 2009, was one of several business leaders invited to meet with President Obama to discuss the future of sustainable residential building. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie B. Jarrett were also present, and the group addressed possible ways to promote more energy efficient homes in the U.S. Savan shared more on the incentives and options discussed, as well as the affect of the economy on green industry.

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President and owner of Manhattan-based Plant Fantasies, Teresa Carleo has built her full-service landscaping, maintenance, and floral decor business on 22 years of hard work and dedication. With an impressive clientele of New York City developers and companies, Carleo’s green thumb has been sought after by real estate heavyweights like Macklowe Properties, The Trump Organization, World-Wide Holdings Corporation, and Jack Resnick & Sons, just to name a few. In recent years, Carleo has seen an increasing demand for green roofs, which have become one of Plant Fantasies’ specialties. These environmentally-friendly solutions provide building tenants with a beautiful outdoor space and help create new ecosystems in an urban environment. Carleo shared insight on green roofs with MGB, and discussed how she found her calling as a successful entrepreneur.

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Originally founded in Charlotte, NC, NCFI Polyurethanes was created in 1964 through a partnership between research chemist Dr. H. W. Bradley and the Barnhardt Manufacturing Company. Now located in Mount Airy, with more plants throughout North Carolina, Georgia, and Utah, the company has grown into one of the leading manufacturers of flexible polyurethane foam. One of their most successful products is Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation, and NCFI offers people the chance to establish their own businesses and become GoldStar certified applicators of SPF. NCFI prides itself on providing a thorough training process and exceptional support system, ensuring that their SPF experts are the best in the field. Senior Vice President Nelson Clark answered a few questions from MGB on NCFI's role in green building and the insulation industry.

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Rick Alfandre, president of Alfandre Architecture, is a LEED accredited professional and has been specializing in sustainable design and building for over 28 years. A leader within the New York Hudson Valley’s green movement since 1976, Alfandre is a founding member of the Hudson Valley Branch of the United States Green Buildings Council. He and his firm also work in connection with the Builder’s Association of the Hudson Valley, as well as the New Paltz and Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Through this cooperation with building officials and the community, Alfandre has become known for his collaborative approach to sustainable building and his advocacy for health-conscious design. Meanwhile, Alfandre will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Hudson Valley Green Real Estate Development Conference this October in Kingston, NY.

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As regional architect for the Reckson Division of the SL Green Realty Corporation, Jason Black oversees a whopping 5.5 million square feet of commercial Class A office space throughout Westchester and Connecticut. With experience ranging from interior architecture to tenant office development and capital, Black has become a leader within New York City’s largest commercial office landlord. He has also become a leader in sustainable building, specializing in creating high-quality, green commercial office space. As a result, the Reckson Division has initiated a successful sustainability program, in connection with the Westchester County Climate Change Action Committee and the White Plains Green Technology Committee. MGB asked Black a few questions about his work at Reckson and the importance of sustainable architecture and construction.

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Mark Jupiter and Tyler Schmetterer, best friends of almost 25 years, are the co-founders behind the successful modular home company, New World Home. After realizing that traditional modular homes lacked both substance and style, Jupiter and Schmetterer decided to combine great design with sustainable building. The results are attractive, LEED Platinum-certified homes which can be found throughout east coast. Currently, New World Home is looking to expand their business, with their sights set on upstate New York’s Hudson Valley. Jupiter will be attending the Hudson Valley Green Real Estate Development Conference in October, and was happy to answer a few questions for MGB.

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With over 12 years of experience in the construction, development, and inspection industries, Peter Berman can certainly be considered an expert in real estate and building. A Certified Graduate Builder with The Ruby Group, Berman has tackled a variety of projects in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Central New Jersey, and most recently, in New York’s Hudson Valley. He is also a faculty member at the New York Real Estate Institute and the NAHB University of Housing, and has published many articles regarding the construction and development industries. In October, Berman will be speaking at the Hudson Valley Green Real Estate Development Conference, and he was able to share some of his insights with MGB.

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Located in Warren, Vermont, the Yestermorrow Design/Build School offers 150 courses in design, construction, woodworking, and architecture each year, with a strong focus on sustainable building. Founded in 1980, the school offers programs directed towards students of all backgrounds and skill levels, and provides a practical approach to learning. The executive director, Kate Stephenson, began her affiliation with Yestermorrow in 2002, as a design/building intern. Since then, she has held a variety of positions within the school, such as Associate Director and Director of Operations, and has become an integral part of the institution. Stephenson was happy to answer a few questions from MGB on Yestermorrow’s unique and eco-friendly mission.

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It's a question being faced by regions all over America: what do we do with that now-defunct industrial property? When IBM pulled its operations from Kingston, N.Y. in the 1990s, their physical plant laid fallow for some years, alongside the town’s commercial strip and yet not of it.
Enter one extremely determined entrepreneur, Alan Ginsberg, who defined the property as an opportunity waiting to happen- and the man who aims to help him make that vision happen. Dan Wieneke took on the redevelopment of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base and got it done in eight years when the experts said it would take thirty.
MGB spoke with Wieneke about Tech City’s future, shortly after the news broke that they’d gained another clean tech tenant.

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It’s an evocative name, bringing to mind as it does Kermit and his famous anthem. What could be greener, after all, than a frog? Not much, as it turns out. MGB spoke with Mark Miller of the Flexible Response to Ongoing Growth project to find out more about their cutting-edge building practices.

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We spoke to Kate Lowry, product manager for the Lancaster, PA-based company ECORE International, the makers of ECOsurfaces, a sustainable commercial flooring product whose main ingredient is recycled tires. ECOsurfaces not only benefits the environment, but looks stylish and feels great underfoot. ECOsurfaces is manufactured by ECORE International and distributed solely by Gerbert Limited in the United States.

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In 1998, some of the people involved in metal roofing decided to cooperate and educate people about the benefits of their product. They did a really good job, to understate the case- they managed to get that product written into the recently passed stimulus bill without- to the best of MGB's knowledge- even one Congressman objecting in order to get some on-camera time. President Bill Hippard explains why below.

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In conceptual renderings, it looks like a set for a sci-fi movie about a better future. It's been called "the eco-friendly apartment we should all live in," by Fast Company magazine. It requires no heat- that's right, none. MGB spoke with designer Tony Kettle about the "eco-friendly concept apartment" he unveiled at Cannes on March 10.

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Nabih Tahan has been designing buildings in various corners of the globe for 27 years- in a position, as he notes on his website, to practice, learn, evaluate and compare "how we do things" in different parts of the world. Through this experience, Nabih feels that we can all improve our systems so that we can reach our global goals of protecting our local environment and planet.“ MGB talked with Mr. Tahan about the state of his art and his multinational perspective.

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