Sharon Block

As one of the pioneering women in green building, has done extensive training with residential energy efficiency and green building programs. These programs include LEED for Homes, Build It Green’s GreenPoint rated for New and Existing Homes, Energy Star New Homes, California Multi-family New Homes (CMFNH) and the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) programs. She has also completed advanced residential training with the California Building Performance Contractor’s Association (CBPCA) and Build It Green, specifically in home performance testing. She holds the following certifications: LEED AP + Homes, LEED for Homes Green Rater, GreenPoint Rater, HERS II Rater and Certified Energy Plans Examiner for both residential and Non-residential buildings. In the last couple of years, Sharon has consulted on over 50 green building projects that are striving to meet these new certification guidelines. Sharon is currently helping with the pilot to evaluate the new GreenPoint Rated Multi-family Existing Homes program. In 2010, she renamed the company Bright Green Strategies to reflect her commitment to pushing the leading edge of green building strategy and design. Sharon lives in Santa Cruz, CA, and works throughout the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Area.

 

Hannah Brown

manages operations at Feldman Architecture and assists with business development and marketing opportunities.  Spreading her enthusiasm for designing and managing business practices, Hannah is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Architecture Department at California College of the Arts, teaching in the Professional Practice stream.  She enjoys participating in projects which emphasize the connection between the city and the farm, such as Slow Food Nation ’08 where she was active in design and planning for the event.  Hannah has acted as Editorial Assistant for architectural publications such as Places magazine and The Sea Ranch by Donlyn Lyndon and is currently active in soliciting and editing articles for Green Architecture Notes. 

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.

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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. 

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 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

provides ecological design, sustainability and LEED consulting services for high-performance residential, commercial, mixed-use, public and institutional projects.  With diverse experience and a 10 year focus on ecological design, Michael works with owners and design teams to design, build and certify high-performance, environmentally sensitive projects.  Michael Heacock + Associates excels in high-performance creative design and an integrated team approach.  The firm believes in collaboration with the owner, builder and design team throughout the design and construction process with the goal of inspired, timeless, living buildings that delight the senses and grace the landscape. 
    

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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.

 

Ross Levy

is the principal architect of LSarc, one of the first independent studios in San Francisco dedicated to progressive, sustainable design. He is a licensed architect and building contractor. After completing graduate work at The Harvard University Graduate School of Design, he apprenticed with the Organic Architect, Mickey Muennig, in Big Sur, who was in turn trained by Gough and Wright.

In private practice, his work has been informed by the belief that contemporary, sustainable design is the thoughtful union of vernacular tradition and modern technology. His projects have been recognized by the AIA and featured in numerous publications. Commissions in urban and rural settings have included work with a wide variety of collaborators from biologists to developers and he is currently working on what will be the first self-sustaining home in San Francisco.  In addition to his studio work, Ross continues to be involved in a number of environmental initiatives both nationally and internationally. He is a founding member of The Viet Nam Green Building Council and an active member of the USGBC and E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) of NRDC.

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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Bridgett Shank

is a registered architect and LEED accredited professional who has been practicing at Feldman Architecture since 2007. Originally from rural Maryland, she grew up with a love of nature and a spirit for adventure.  She received her undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Cincinnati. Through UC’s co-op program, she gained experience on large-scale urban projects in San Francisco and London.

Bridgett moved to the Bay Area in 2003 to pursue her Master of Architecture degree at California College of the Arts.  Her thesis examined cross-border disparities of income and natural resources, leading to a proposal for a water reclamation plant in Ciudad Jaurez, Mexico.  She is passionate about exploring the world around her and using her knowledge of the built environment to create healthier communities.  To this end she promotes green building strategies among her colleagues. What free time remains, Bridgett spends traveling, climbing, studying Spanish and exploring San Francisco.

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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.

 

 

 

  

Elaine Uang

is a Project Manager/Designer at Feldman Architecture.  Before pursuing an M.Arch at the University of Virginia, Elaine obtained a BA in Human Biology at Stanford University.  She been a lifelong student of the built environment and is particularly interested in how human behavior, desires, groups and economies influence/shape spaces and communities throughout the world.  In addition to developing elegant resource conscious designs at Feldman, Elaine is also active in the San Francisco chapter of Architecture for Humanity. 

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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.