The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti

🌍 The Green Impact Report Quick take: This episode matters to green building professionals because it shines a spotlight on how grid-interactive buildings and HVAC optimization can eliminate energy waste, generate new revenue, and play a crucial role in decarbonization — right now. 👷 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Brad Pilgrim is the founder and CEO of Parity, a Series B company pioneering HVAC optimization and grid interactivity across North America. From his early days as a commercial carpenter to building a 100-million-square-foot energy optimization platform, Brad's entrepreneurial journey is driven by purpose, efficiency, and a deep love of the outdoors. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Brad Pilgrim revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: 🧠 Key Insight #1: Turning HVAC inefficiency into an intelligent grid asset The Challenge: Traditional HVAC systems run on outdated controls, often wasting energy with start-stop inefficiency. The Solution: Parity installs off-the-shelf hardware and proprietary software to align HVAC operations with real-time demand. ROI: Buildings slash energy waste, improve comfort, and unlock new revenue via demand response and grid participation. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Building the cleanest energy — by not using it at all The Challenge: The green energy conversation often ignores the carbon debt of manufacturing renewables. The Solution: Focus on energy efficiency first — reducing consumption before adding generation. ROI: Immediate carbon impact with zero added infrastructure. Efficiency is net-zero from day one. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Reimagining the smart grid with peer-to-peer energy flows The Challenge: The electrical grid is destabilized by EVs, data centers, and intermittent renewables. The Solution: Smart buildings that store, shift, and trade energy to balance grid load in real time. ROI: Reduced grid stress, avoided blackouts, and a resilient, decentralized energy ecosystem. 🎧 Sustainable Soundbite "The cleanest energy is the energy you don't use." – Brad Pilgrim ✅ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit HVAC operations — look for inefficiencies and explore retrofit potential. This Quarter: Assess your building's grid readiness and investigate demand response programs. This Year: Implement a scalable HVAC optimization strategy that supports both decarbonization and revenue. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast 🗒 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Brad Pilgrim: Website: https://www.paritygo.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bradpilgrim 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 💡 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: 👉 https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🎯 The Green Impact Report Quick take: How can we protect people as our buildings face hotter climates and evolving chemical risks? Dr. Christa Wright from UL's Chemical Insights Research Institute shares how predictive science, empathy in research, and bio-based solutions are shaping the future of healthier indoor environments. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Dr. Christa Wright is the Senior Research Director at the Chemical Insights Research Institute, part of UL Research Institutes. A trained environmental toxicologist and strategist, she leads the Center for Toxicology and Human Health, where her team studies how chemicals in products and materials affect people — and how data and partnerships can create safer, healthier spaces. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Dr. Wright transforms how we think about healthy spaces — connecting human health, materials, and predictive modeling for a new era of safety science. 🧠 Key Insight #1: Heat Changes Chemistry Indoors The Challenge: Building materials were never designed for today's rising temperatures. The Solution: Research from Chemical Insights shows even a 2°F temperature rise can release higher levels of formaldehyde from paints, flooring, and drywall — prompting a call for new standards and smarter material choices. ROI: Healthier air, longer material lifespan, and proactive protection from climate-related indoor pollution. 🧠 Key Insight #2: Nature Still Works The Challenge: Pandemic-era health strategies leaned too heavily on chemicals and filtration alone. The Solution: Wright's team is testing hydroponic classroom systems in New York, exploring how plants can filter toxins and improve indoor air quality naturally. ROI: Better student focus, cleaner air, and green innovation that reconnects sustainability and wellness. 🧠 Key Insight #3: Forecasting the Next Risk The Challenge: Most safety research is reactive — waiting for harm before changing standards. The Solution: Wright's team uses predictive modeling, AI, and machine learning to forecast future chemical and environmental risks. ROI: A proactive path for architects, product developers, and policymakers to prevent the next crisis before it happens. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "Our behaviors drive our exposures — and understanding them is key to building healthier environments." — Dr. Christa Wright 🏋️ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit how your materials perform under rising temperatures. Identify potential sources of indoor pollutants. This Quarter: Incorporate biophilic or plant-based filtration strategies into your next renovation or classroom design. This Year: Build partnerships that integrate predictive data and AI modeling into sustainability planning and certification. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources here 🗒 Read the transcript here 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 🔗 Connect with Dr. Christa Wright: Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) Website LinkedIn 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips twice a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🌍 The Green Impact Report Quick take: In this episode, Federico Steinvorth, a newly inducted LEED Fellow from Costa Rica, shares how he's championing sustainable building practices across Central America through early project integration, renewable energy, and a strong focus on community engagement. 🎓 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Federico Steinvorth is an engineer, marathon runner, and co-founder of a regional sustainability consulting firm based in Costa Rica. With a background in mechanical and electrical engineering and a master's in construction management from Michigan State University, Federico has been leading sustainability initiatives across Latin America for over 15 years. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Federico revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: 🎯 Key Insight #1: Early integration of sustainability consultants leads to better design outcomes The Challenge: Consultants often brought in late in the design process. The Solution: Engaging early to guide KPIs and sustainable design strategies. ROI: Avoided costly redesigns, better project alignment with corporate sustainability goals. 🎯 Key Insight #2: Leveraging Costa Rica's 99% renewable energy grid for electrification The Challenge: High energy consumption in industrial and manufacturing projects. The Solution: Aligning electrification and decarbonization efforts with a clean national grid. ROI: Reduced carbon footprint, cost-effective clean energy adoption. 🎯 Key Insight #3: Partnering with communities to define sustainable success The Challenge: Sustainability frameworks don't always capture local community needs. The Solution: Engaging community teams to integrate social priorities into projects. ROI: Higher impact, long-term community alignment, enhanced project acceptance. 🎧 Sustainable Soundbite "Being named a LEED Fellow isn't just an honor—it's a responsibility to push our limits, lead by example, and elevate the sustainability movement across our region." — Federico Steinvorth ✅ Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Reach out to community stakeholders to understand project impact beyond the site. This Quarter: Evaluate your region's energy grid for decarbonization opportunities. This Year: Commit to early-phase sustainability integration on every project. 📲 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources here 🗒 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Federico Steinvorth: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/federico-steinvorth Website: http://www.spherasostenible.com/ 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 💌 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.

🌍 The Green Impact Report Quick take: From authentic storytelling to biophilic design and grassroots sustainability, Giuli Ann Schacht shows how creative thinking and a deep respect for nature can transform communities like High Point, NC — and how you can do the same. 👋 Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Giuli Ann Schacht is a passionate creator, businesswoman, and advocate for biophilic design. With a background in brand storytelling, fresh food entrepreneurship, and green real estate development, she's now bringing it all together to inspire greener communities through film, design, and sustainable living. 🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Giuli shares how she's reimagining how we live, build, and connect — with a strong foundation in biophilia and community-driven sustainability. 📌 Key Insight #1: Redefining Real Estate in High Point The Challenge: Vacant buildings and underutilized space in a small North Carolina city. The Solution: Biophilic design + creative placemaking = vibrant living and production spaces. ROI: A thriving neighborhood hub where architecture, nature, and people connect, plus local job creation and property value growth. 📌 Key Insight #2: Biophilic Design Is a Lifestyle, Not a Trend The Challenge: Urban living often strips away our connection to nature. The Solution: Water features, cedar wood, filtered water systems, and intentional landscaping — even on a tiny lot. ROI: Better health outcomes, increased joy, and higher productivity — backed by neuroaesthetic science. 📌 Key Insight #3: Storytelling as a Green Industry Tool The Challenge: Green building messages don't always resonate with everyday people. The Solution: Use storytelling and media to inspire change and elevate local makers. ROI: Increased visibility, community pride, and new pathways for sustainable industry. 💬 Sustainable Soundbite "You don't have to redo everything to start changing your life. Just start small. Do it really." – Giuli Ann Schacht 🛠 Your Green Building Action Plan 1. This Week: Add a biophilic element to your home — start with a plant, water feature, or filtered drinking water. 2. This Quarter: Look for ways to reuse and repurpose materials in your next project. 3. This Year: Invest in community-based sustainability — whether it's real estate, education, or mentorship. 🔗 Connect & Learn More 🌿 Access full episode resources here 💚 Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe 🗒 Read the transcript here 🔗 Connect with Giuli Ann Schacht: LinkedIn, Website Museum piece- vimeo Daytona 500 Flash Mob- youtube https://www.gonaturalliving.com/ https://www.gonatural.live/pov Alexandra Dummit- https://thesageplant.com/ 📬 Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. 👉 Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc © 2025 | Good Green Fun.