The Green Impact Report Quick take: Angela Gill Nelms shares how interdisciplinary approaches and customer-centered innovation can transform healthcare while creating more sustainable outcomes—offering valuable lessons for green building professionals seeking to drive change in their organizations. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Angela Gill Nelms is an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and board member with a diverse background in SaaS and medical device technology.  She excels in building teams and companies centered on global corporate culture, strategic planning, and process improvement.  As the founder and host of the mental wellness podcast, Recovery Advocate Network Coffee and Conversation, she addresses stigma and resource disparities in mental health. Angela has received numerous awards, including Georgia Tech's Academy of Distinguished Alumni Award and recognition among Atlanta's 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies.  She serves on the Georgia Tech Advisory Board and the Recovery Advocate Network mental health board. Outside of work, Angela enjoys hiking, reading, and engaging in activities such as woodturning, blacksmithing, and cycling, having completed six IRONMAN races. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Angela Gill Nelms revolutionizes traditional innovation approaches: Key Insight #1: Building interdisciplinary teams drives better innovation outcomes The Challenge: Siloed expertise creates narrow solutions that fail to address complex problems The Solution: Angela pioneered cross-departmental collaboration at Georgia Tech, bringing together electrical, mechanical, computer science, and biomedical engineering students to solve a medical device challenge ROI: This approach not only earned her team top honors but transformed how Georgia Tech approaches Capstone projects, creating a new category for interdisciplinary teams Key Insight #2: Customer-centric design prevents expensive innovation failures The Challenge: Medical device innovators often develop "amazing widgets" without consulting end users The Solution: Angela's approach involves getting stakeholders into the feedback loop early—whether doctors, patients, or facility managers ROI: This methodology dramatically reduces waste, shortens development cycles, and creates solutions people actually want to use Key Insight #3: Healthcare environments can learn from children's hospitals to create more healing spaces The Challenge: Traditional medical facilities often feel sterile, institutional, and anxiety-inducing The Solution: Angela suggests modeling adult healthcare spaces after modern children's hospitals with natural light, bright colors, and engaging environments ROI: These design changes not only improve patient outcomes through reduced stress but can speed recovery time, shortening stays and reducing resource consumption Sustainable Soundbite "I think part of it is being able to tell better stories about the successes we've had and why those successes matter… and also speaking with partners across different industries to ask, 'okay, what really matters to you and what have you nailed and how can we use that to become creative?'" – Angela Gill Nelms Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Identify a challenge in your organization where cross-discipline collaboration could create more sustainable solutions. Invite unconventional stakeholders to your next planning meeting. This Quarter: Implement Angela's customer-centric approach by creating a feedback mechanism for building end-users to evaluate your sustainability initiatives before full implementation. This Year: Explore how healthcare design principles might inform your green building projects, particularly focusing on environments that promote wellbeing alongside sustainability. Connect & Learn More 🌿 Connect with Angela Gill Nelms: 🗒️ Read the transcript 📧 Email Angela: [email protected] Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Mark Snyder introduces a groundbreaking approach to indoor air purification using microalgae bioreactors that not only clean air more effectively than traditional methods but could potentially save billions in energy costs while addressing common challenges in energy-efficient sealed buildings.   Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion As the CEO of VerdeTerra, Mark Snyder brings a diverse background spanning automotive engineering (including work on the Honda NSX supercar), aerospace contracting for NASA, and management consulting at Porsche Consulting.    With an engineering foundation complemented by an MBA from SDA Bocconi in Italy and studies in Shanghai, Mark combines technical expertise with business acumen to develop sustainable solutions that deliver both environmental and economic benefits.   🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Mark Snyder revolutionizes traditional construction approaches:   Key Insight #1: Harnessing Nature's Design for Indoor Air Purification The Challenge: Increasingly air-tight, energy-efficient buildings trap pollutants indoors, creating unhealthy feedback loops of recirculated air The Solution: The Albero, a microalgae bioreactor that mimics nature's own air purification system (70% of Earth's air is cleaned by ocean microalgae) ROI: Removes pollutants traditional filters can't touch: VOCs, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and sulfur dioxide   Key Insight #2: Making Sustainability Economically Resilient The Challenge: Sustainability initiatives are often the first cut during economic downturns The Solution: Design clean technology that provides cost savings, ensuring it remains valuable even when companies face financial pressure ROI: Potential integration with HVAC systems could save an estimated 54 billion kilowatt hours in the United States alone   Key Insight #3: Aesthetics as Key to Adoption The Challenge: Traditional air purifiers are often unsightly black boxes that detract from carefully designed spaces The Solution: Biophilic design principles using the golden ratio and nature-inspired architecture create purifiers that double as art ROI: Increased likelihood of adoption through products that enhance rather than detract from living spaces, available in both modern sculptural and traditional lamp-like designs   Sustainable Soundbite "Sustainability isn't just about the environment; it's about creating systems that endure—socially, economically, and ecologically." – Mark Snyder   Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit your building's current air purification methods and identify any VOC or gas pollution concerns traditional filters can't address This Quarter: Calculate potential energy savings from integrated microalgae air purification technology in your HVAC systems This Year: Pilot a microalgae air purification system in one space to demonstrate both aesthetic value and air quality improvements   Connect & Learn More 🌿 Learn about VerdeTerra's microalgae purification: 📚 Recommended reading: 📝 Productivity tool: 🗒️ Read the transcript 🔗 Connect with Mark Snyder: Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon!   Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Andre Baros shares how technology can transform the overwhelming process of material selection, making sustainability data more accessible and helping architects make responsible choices without disrupting their workflow. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Andre Baros is an architect whose career has been anchored in sustainability, curiosity, and rigor. After graduating from Illinois Institute of Technology, he worked with award-winning firms including Harry Weese Associates, Wheeler Kearns Architects, and HOK.  With over two decades of experience ranging from small-scale projects to 12-million-square-foot developments, Andre has recently joined ACE Labs to revolutionize how architects access material information.  His personal commitment to sustainability includes 17 years of plant-based eating and 25 years of primarily using bicycles and public transit for transportation. 🌱Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Andre Baros shares his insights on material selection and sustainability: Key Insight #1: Sustainability as Responsibility, Not a Buzzword The Challenge: The term "sustainability" often becomes siloed or treated as an add-on rather than integral to good design. The Solution: Andre's approach treats sustainable practices as "just the right way to do things" – a responsibility rather than a separate initiative. ROI: By integrating sustainability into core design decisions rather than treating it as a separate consideration, projects achieve both better performance and design integrity. Key Insight #2: Democratizing Material Data Through Technology The Challenge: Architects struggle with comparing "apples to oranges" when selecting materials, especially when sustainability metrics vary widely between product categories. The Solution: ACE Labs pre-populates normalized data across hundreds of material categories, making comparison and selection more accessible. ROI: Reduces time spent creating spreadsheets, increases data accuracy, and allows architects to make informed sustainability choices with performance metrics at their fingertips. Key Insight #3: AI as a Workflow Enhancement, Not Replacement The Challenge: Quality control for millions of data points requires substantial time and effort. The Solution: Strategic use of AI to assist with formula creation and data validation tasks. ROI: Tasks that would take a full day can be completed in half an hour, allowing professionals to focus on decision-making rather than data processing, despite the sustainability challenges of AI's power consumption. Sustainable Soundbite "Sustainability kind of runs through in the veins of everybody here... We also realize that one of the problems in the market is if you're only a sustainability tool, then you're one more thing people have to do. We want to say that sustainability isn't a separate bucket. It's part of the same bucket of all the decisions you make in a project." – Andre Baros Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Evaluate your current material selection process and identify information gaps that hamper sustainable decision-making. This Quarter: Create a systematic approach to material responsibility by looking at entire supply chains, inspired by tools like ACE Labs or methods from "Manual of Biogenic Housing Design." This Year: Implement technologies that integrate sustainability data directly into your workflow rather than treating it as a separate consideration. Connect & Learn More 🌿 Connect with Andre Baros: 📚 Recommended Reading: 🗒️ Read the transcript Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

The Green Impact Report Quick take: Quick take: Myles Cohen shares invaluable insights into the recycling industry, sustainable packaging innovations, and how professionals can drive value-based sustainability initiatives that benefit both business and the environment. Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Myles Cohen is a results-oriented leader in sustainable packaging, residential and industrial recycling, and environmental sustainability sectors. With senior executive experience at organizations including Pratt Industries, Sonoco, and Duracell, Myles has developed broad expertise in operations, sales, marketing, and general management. As founder of Circular Ventures Consultancy, he helps organizations address ESG issues related to waste, recycling, landfill diversion, sustainable packaging, and challenging public policy issues. A sought-after keynote speaker and industry advocate, Myles brings a creative, entrepreneurial approach to sustainability challenges. Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Myles Cohen revolutionizes traditional approaches to recycling and packaging: Key Insight #1: The Reality of Recycling Markets The Challenge: Misconceptions about recycling markets since China stopped accepting certain materials The Solution: Understanding recycling as a commodity with robust global markets, particularly for paper ROI: America collects 150 million tons of recyclable materials annually with strong markets for everything from metals (70% of US steel comes from recycled iron) to paper (40+ million tons collected yearly) Key Insight #2: Paperization: The Future of Sustainable Packaging The Challenge: Plastic packaging creating environmental concerns with limited recyclability The Solution: “Paperization” – converting plastic packaging to paper-based alternatives ROI: Over 100 product categories shifting from plastic to paper packaging, including innovations like paper-based six-pack holders, wine bottles, and shipping envelopes Key Insight #3: Business-Driven Sustainability The Challenge: Sustainability initiatives viewed as “vitamins” (nice-to-have) rather than “painkillers” (essential) The Solution: Focusing on value-based, economically viable sustainability initiatives ROI: Retailers and consumers driving demand for sustainable packaging, creating economic incentives for manufacturers to innovate with thinner papers and right-sized packaging Sustainable Soundbite Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Assess your current packaging or building materials – identify where you can reduce, reuse, or switch to more sustainable alternatives. This Quarter: Investigate “paperization” opportunities for your products or construction materials – what plastic components could be replaced with paper-based alternatives? This Year: Develop metrics that demonstrate both environmental and financial benefits of your sustainability initiatives – remember Myles’ advice to “run to me with bad news” and “hire for attitude, train for skill.” Connect & Learn More Connect with Myles Cohen:  Read the transcript:  📚 Recommended Reading: “Everybody’s Trash” by Duncan Watson – an educational and entertaining look at recycling and waste management Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources for all of your green building news at the  website. Want More Green Building Insights? Newsletter coming soon! Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun™

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.