Sharon Block

is a LEED AP who specializes in LEED for Homes, Green Point rated for New and Existing homes, as well as California Multi-family New Homes Program.  You can reach her at or www.blockenergygreen.com.

 

Brendan Connolly

manages projects and is COO for Groza Construction in Monterey, CA.

Sally Dominguez

Trained and practiced in sustainable architecture, has moved from a sole practice specializing in architecture that “treads lightly” to a career in award-winning product design.  Sally’s products include the multi-award-winning Nest high chair, held in the Powerhouse Museum and the V&A in London, the Rainwater HOG which was named one of 2008’s Top 10 Green Building Products and recently awarded its fifth “green” award, and the O MOON outdoor light sold through Design Within Reach. Sally is a panelist on ABC TV’s New Inventors program, judges Car of the Year for Fairfax Media and Wheels magazine, and writes and lectures in Australia and the USA on innovative sustainable design and technologies.

Recently a judge of the Spark Design Awards and the TED/Lexus Living award, Sally is also developing more innovative rainwater storage systems and solar accessories for her company BeautifulUsefulGreen.

David Easton

is a graduate of Stanford Engineering’s Product Design Department in 1970; founder of Rammed Earth Works, California’s oldest structural earth wall company; author of The Rammed Earth House; and developer of mechanical systems, soil mix designs, quality control procedures, and seismic strategies specific to building with site resources in earthquake regions.  His project portfolio ranges from low-cost solutions for construction in developing countries to high-end commercial and residential projects in the United States.

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Jonathan Feldman

is the founder of Feldman Architecture, an award-winning residential design practice based in San Francisco. Established in 2003, the firm is recognized for creating warm, light-filled spaces that are site-sensitive and carefully detailed. 

Jonathan was born in Connecticut and grew up in Palo Alto, CA. He earned a liberal arts degree from Amherst College, majoring in Astronomy and English, and explored a career in filmmaking and worked as a carpenter prior to pursuing architecture. Jonathan received his Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon where he took advantage of the program’s strong focus on sustainable design as well as Northwest’s spectacular mountains and back-country. After earning his degree he returned to San Francisco, where he now resides with his wife and their two daughters.

Feldman Architecture’s projects have been recognized with a number of prominent green design awards, including the San Francisco American Institute of Architect’s  Honor Award for Energy and Sustainability, the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ Award of Excellence and California Home + Design’s Eco-Friendly Design Award.  The firm also currently has two projects with the USGBC LEED for Custom Homes program that are candidates for Platinum certification, the Council’s highest rating.

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Michael Heacock

Michael Heacock + Associates is a LEED consulting firm with offices in San Francisco and Santa Barbara.  Their work includes schools, commercial, public, institutional and residential projects.

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Paul Kephart

Paul Kephart is the Executive Director of Rana Creek and Technical Consultant for Living Architecture.  Founded in 1997 under the guiding principles of ecology, Rana Creek is a premier design and build firm offering an extensive portfolio of services in land-use planning, sustainable design, ecological consultation and habitat restoration.  Our nursery provides quality plant material for the wholesale trade specializing in contract grow services.

Located on a 14,000-acre active ranch in the upper Carmel Valley watershed, Rana Creek’s goal is to replicate nature’s cycles, structure, function and diversity with each stage of project development.  From compliance and permitting to project implementation, Rana Creek offers over 60 years combined experience in environmental planing and design.  Our client list is comprised of world-renowned architects, developers, non-profits, land-use planners, government agencies, and community associations.  Rana Creek’s team of professional biologists, ecologists, designers, contractors and horticultural specialists are well versed in the rapidly growing commerce of sustainable development.

 

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Bobby Markowitz

, founder of Earthcraft Landscape Design, has been designing rainwater harvesting systems and educating professionals for nearly a decade. A licensed Landscape Architect, Accredited Professional by the American Rainwater Catchment System Association, Certified Permaculturist (taught by Founder Bill Mollison), Mr. Markowitz has advanced the viability of water conservation systems into the forefront of landscape architecture. A graduate of Rutgers University, Mr. Markowitz’s work is influenced by his study abroad in Japan and advanced water harvesting workshops in Australia. A frequent guest lecturer and keynote speaker for numerous Landscape Architecture and Rainwater Catchment System Associations, Mr. Markowitz has provided valuable insight into the design of sustainable sites and water conservation systems. In addition to his practice, Bobby Markowitz also teaches “Rainwater Harvesting System: Principles and Design” at Cabrillo College.

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Alrie Middlebrook

is a committed advocate and practitioner of the sustainable lifestyle, respected landscape professional and California native plant specialist. Her San Jose, California-based build/design firm, Middlebrook Gardens, has installed over 250 California native gardens and remains on the leading edge of the rising sustainability movement.

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Douglas Patterson

Guided by president , AIA, LEED-AP, Living Designs Group specializes in sustainable architecture for the Southwest. Widely recognized for sustainable resort-hotel architecture, LDG’s portfolio also includes educational, residential, commercial and large-scale planning developments.

 

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Michael Pellis

With over twenty years of architectural design experience and a passion for sustainability, , AIA, is clearly focused on the future of “green” design.  Currently, a Project Manager for Baskervill, Mr. Pellis approaches every project with the goal of being environmentally sensitive.  His designs incorporate active and passive heating and cooling whenever possible, as well as finding financial incentives to offset new technologies.  Recently, he co-founded a resource team for Baskervill called Baskervill’s Environmental and Energy Practices (BEEP).  This group promotes environmental awareness within the firm and acts as a resource that integrates sustainability into the designs for our clients.

Prior to joining Baskervill, Mr. Pellis owned and managed his own design practice for eight years in the San Francisco Bay area.  One career highlight includes the American Hebrew Academy, a 74-building campus in North Carolina with the largest closed loop geothermal system in the United States.  Another highlight, the Margarido Residence, is a 4,500-square foot residence located in Oakland, California, which was sponsored by the USGBC as part of the first LEED pilot project for new home construction and achieved the highest rating of Platinum.

 

Ben Sotero

Sotero Masonry has been operating in the Monterey Bay area for over 30 years.  became aware of masonry heaters through his travels in the colder portions of Europe. He was trained at the Tulikivi factory in Finland. He became a member of the Masonry Heater Association of North America and is the only certified masonry heater builder in California at this time.

 

Nabih Tahan

, AIA, MRAI is a licensed architect who returned to Berkeley from Austria to remodel his home while demonstrating sustainable design and construction techniques being used in Europe.  He is the founder and a principal of BauTechnologies.

  

Randall Whitehead

is an internationally known architectural lighting designer, based in San Francisco. He is not only a prolific author, but an enlightening and humorous speaker on the world of design as well. His work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Art & Antiques, House Beautiful, Kiplinger’s, Horticulture Magazine, Designs for Living, Metropolitan Home, Better Homes & Gardens, The Journal of Light Construction and many more.

Randall appears regularly as a guest expert on the Discovery Channel, CNN, HGTV and Martha Stewart Living Radio. He also writes a monthly column called “The Last Word in Lighting” for Residential Lighting Magazine, answering homeowner’s and designer’s questions on lighting.

Randall has written 7 books on the subject, including Residential Lighting, A Guide to Beautiful and Sustainable Design which is an informative…and entertaining reference book for home and garden lighting.

To get more tips on lighting or to learn more about our services go to www.randallwhitehead.com

His latest endeavor takes him back to his photography roots. It is a compelling collection of images called Lost Dolls, The Hidden Lives of Toys.