E3: Energy & Efficiency With Emily

In this episode of E3: Energy & Efficiency with Emily, Emily Mottram sits down with building enclosure consultant Emily Fulton of SK Collaborative. They dive into the realities of construction; from managing moisture and humidity in challenging climates to the often overlooked importance of detailing, sequencing, and on-site training. The conversation explores how small decisions can lead to major building failures, why education and consistency matter across crews, and what the industry can learn from both successes and mistakes. It’s a candid, insightful look at building science, problem-solving in the field, and navigating the construction world as women in the industry.

In this episode we sit down with a residential mechanical engineer, Ashley Murphree, to talk about the systems most homeowners never see, but feel every day. From ventilation and filtration to hydronics, heat pumps, and indoor air quality, this conversation explores how mechanical design directly impacts health, comfort, and long-term building performance. We also talk about what it’s like to work as a woman in a male-dominated field, and why systems thinking, not shortcuts, is key to building better homes. A grounded, practical conversation about engineering for real life.

In this episode, host Emily Mottram celebrates the eighth season of E3 and discusses the recent merger of Mottram and Maines, which aims to enhance their architectural practices and educational outreach. They share their backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in the industry. The conversation delves into their design philosophy, focusing on the balance between aesthetics and functionality, and the significance of building science. They also highlight their virtual office model, the success of their book 'Pretty Good House', and their commitment to providing quality housing and resilient communities.

I had a chance to sit down with Jason Elmore and talk about air to water heat pumps and the future of heating technology from the experience of an installer in the field. It's exciting to think about what's up next, and we hope you enjoy this episode! Cheers, Emily

Show Notes:Website: https://peak1.law/LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemaya

Content in English:https://www.youtube.com/@efficientbuildhttps://www.instagram.com/efficient_build/Content in Spanish:https://www.youtube.com/@LosEfficientBuildshttps://www.instagram.com/losefficientbuilds/

Show Notes:URL: www.shurtapespecialty.comLinkedIn: Shurtape Technologies, LLCInstagram: @shurtapetechFacebook: Shurtape Technologies, LLC

Show Notes:www.buildingsciencesymposium.comDates:Kansas City Sept 9th/10thPhilly Oct 7th/8thCincinnati Nov 5th/6th

Show Notes:Website: www.integrobuilders.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allysoncaseanderson/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/integro_builders/

Show Notes:Anneke was just featured in the June issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine in the Keep Craft Alive column, linked here: https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2025/04/24/anneke-dunnington-carpenter

Show Notes:Sean Vo LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanvvo/Vanessa Wright LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-wright-1831098/Levven Website:https://levven.com/Levven Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@levvencontrolsLevven TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@levvenelectronics

Show Notes:Tyler Bernierwww.linkedin.com/in/tyler-bernier

Show Notes:Kali SudbrookWebsite: https://beachsideinteriorsremodeling.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalisudbrook/ Instagram: Kali the Contractor: https://www.instagram.com/kalithecontractor/Beachside Interiors Custom Gyms: https://www.instagram.com/beachsideinteriors_oc/ Built to Last Crew: https://www.instagram.com/builttolastcrew/ 

Show Notes:Charlotte Mustard [email protected]://www.instagram.com/imw_group/https://www.linkedin.com/company/imwgroup/?viewAsMember=true

Megan ThompsonLike many interior designers, Megan Thompson owns her design firm. She has a bachelor's degree in sustainable interior design from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Despite all the knowledge she gained in her education, she found implementing sustainability into her work frustrating. No single platform exists where all the information is easily accessible and saves you time on your projects.  She decided to take matters into her own hands and created Interior Design greenList to make sustainable design easy to understand and implement, regardless of a designer’s background or experience. At Interior Design greenList, Megan teaches designers about sustainability so they can navigate the industry, be ready for new baselines in industry standards, speak to industry partners with confidence, and become the go-to designer for sustainability in their area.  https://idgreenlist.com/

Show Notes:

Show Notes:| Tanya Savas, CPHTCOLLECTIVE CARPENTRY+1 (778) [email protected]://collectivecarpentry.com/https://heyzine.com/flip-book/5585825bcb.htmlhttps://www.instagram.com/collective_carpentry/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/collective-carpentry/posts/?feedView=allhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVtG3jO-ziI

Show Notes:https://www.oxalisadvisors.com/

Andrea CreweCo-Founder | COOOur Website | LinkedIn | Instagram

https://buildequinox.com/@buildlearnteach

Show Notes:Energy RavenShannon Bloemker, CEO of Energy RavenShannon is an experienced strategist with a strong foundation in real estate and sustainable construction. Her latest venture, Energy Raven, helps homeowners improve their homes' energy use and be part of the Climate Solution. Shannon is a former investment strategist with more than 15 years of experience in real estate investment, renovation, and property management. She holds a Master's Degree in Sustainability from Harvard and is a certified home inspector.

Show Notes:https://www.timberhp.com/Dan Edelman has been in the built environment for over 20 years, with 13 of those years inthe high performance building community. With a strong building science knowledge base,Dan educates and collaborates with architects, builders, insulation contractors and thesupply chain to better the industry with vapor permeable natural products. Increasingcomfort and durability are high on Dan’s priority list when designing and constructingbuildings that will ultimately reduce the embodied carbon of the construction process with wood fiber insulation from TimberHP.

Show Notes:

Show Notes:https://www.energyvanguard.com/

Show Notes:https://www.demetrickhousewrights.com/

Show Notes:https://www.demetrickhousewrights.com/

Show Notes:https://www.chefaf.com/

Show Notes:Jaga's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jaga-naJaga’s website: https://www.jaga-usa.com

www.buildequinox.com/zeros

www.buildequinox.com

https://rootandriver.com/

https://www.healthyhomeexpert.com/

www.coramhouses.org

E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily is all about building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship: Season 4: E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily is all about building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship: Season 4: This month I had the opportunity to sit down with the sustainability department at LP and talk building products. As an architect, we specify a lot of products. As a building science enthusiast, people often ask me about products and what I specify. And if you know me at all, you know that the answer is “it depends”. This is not a sponsored post, just an opportunity to talk to LP about their products, their commitment to EPD’s and the environment, and maybe answer a few questions that some of you might have. Enjoy ~ Emily

Show Notes:Caroline Blavovsky: https://www.healthyhomeexpert.com/The Pretty Good House: https://www.prettygoodhouse.org/Buy the book: https://www.tauntonstore.com/pretty-good-houseJoin us Thursday: https://www.thebsandbeershow.com/

Show Notes:Show Notes:Connect with Todd at [email protected]  Learn more about the products:www.classicroof.comwww.greenamericanhome.com Todd also have an educational website at www.asktoddmiller.com And a podcast: www.construction-disruption.com

Show Notes:Around The HouseEric Goranson, CKD is a Certified Kitchen Designer with the National Kitchen and Bath Association for over 20 years and has been designing since 1993.  Nationally recognized as “Eric G®”, he is a syndicated 10-year home improvement radio talk show host. Eric talks with homeowners and contractors about remodeling and new construction techniques every week. He is also a national podcaster and  is now heard internationally and with about half of the listening audience being from the building trade. His shows draw great support from the contracting community. Eric also hosts the Around the House “Pro Insider” podcast that is for the residential building and remodeling professionals.Eric has managed everything from home builders, design firms, to custom cabinet shops and has been involved in thousands of projects being constructed or remodeled. Eric also consults with national brands on product design and industry trends, with companies such as Baldwin Hardware, Kraft Maid Cabinetry, and many more.From opening keynote addresses to hands on training seminars, Eric uses his communications skills to inspire and educate the people that are attending his events. Eric is a design and home technology speaker at national construction and remodeling events such as the Northeastern Retail Lumber Associations Lumber and Building Materials Expo, National Kitchen and Bath, Association’s Voices from The Industry, and for the National Association of Home Builders.Eric was a Kitchen and Bath Design News: Top 50 Innovator for 2019 and served on the Baldwin Hardware Design Council: 2017-2019. He enjoys home renovation projects and use to play the bass in Seattle rock bands.

Show Notes:ROBERT SWINBURNE AIAAfter a few false starts at college Bob found architecture school and it was good.  Time consuming and expensive, but good. After graduation, Bob headed for the hills of Vermont, worked for several architectural firms and spent six years as a carpenter before becoming a licensed architect and starting his firm. He lives in a little house with a big barn, lots of woods, a wife, two kids and assorted animals.  MICHAEL MAINESMichael Maines designs homes and renovations that follow the Pretty Good House approach. He has a BS in structural engineering and has worked as a building contractor, carpenter, building science consultant and operations manager at a panelized building fabricator. He started BS* + Beer as a local discussion group and now co-hosts The BS* + Beer Show (*building science). He is a former contributing editor for Fine Homebuilding Magazine and is a co-author of the Pretty Good House book.JAY CAROLI, AIAJay chose architecture as a means to live a creative life.  Founder and lead architect of Great Blue Heron Studio Architects (BHA), he is especially interested in creating beautifully simple designs that are environmentally inspirational. 

Show Notes:Kiley Jacques joined the Fine Homebuilding team as a senior editor in spring 2018. After years spent writing for home magazines, she is thrilled to be developing the department’s design content. The annual HOUSES, Kitchens & Baths, and Downsize issues are her purview, which means her time is spent looking for projects that are remarkable not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for the lessons they offer—her aim is to give readers thoroughly researched information that inspires. Kiley brings to the table a deep appreciation for design done right and an equally deep respect for the underlying construction methods and systems that make it [email protected]

E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily is all about building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship: Season 4: Kicking the year off on a strong note, this month’s podcast is a recap or possibly a just a glimpse at why we talk about, teach, train, and collaborate in the built environment. My guest is a colleague, friend, mentor, and all around great human. If you haven’t had the opportunity to connect with him in person or virtually, watch one of his trainings or talks, or enjoy our friendly banter on BS+Beer, make sure you look him up. Enjoy ~ Emily

E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily is all about building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship: Season 4: Kicking the year off on a strong note, today’s podcast is all about women in construction. There are some amazing people in building & architecture and I hope those you find here become your inspiration, mentors, and collaborators. Enjoy ~ Emily

Erich KrugerErich Kruger has been in the building trades since 1997 when he was teaching carpentry in Antigua, West Indies as part of the Peace Corp/Crisis Corps.  In Vermont he has worked for several general contractors and on his own.  In 2005 he founded the non-profit ReNew Building Materials & Salvage, and has consulted with, and later ran, the deconstruction program at Finger Lakes ReUse in  Ithaca, New York .   He holds a degree in Wildlife Management & Environmental Ethics (minor).Erich is happiest when he is diverting building materials at a job-site in the company of other like-minded conscientious deconstructors, or on the wood floors of a local contra dance with his family.  He lives in a straw bale home he built with ecological features, including solar electric, solar hot water, composting toilet, and masonry wood heater/oven.https://www.deconstructionworks.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/deconstructionworksvtDeconstruction Works specializes in the salvage and reuse (green demolition) of houses, outbuildings, and commercial interiors in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts. Contractors and homeowners often lament the waste of perfectly good materials heading to the Dumpster every day.  If you have a project large (whole house or commercial interior) or small (kitchens, baths, additions), why not let Deconstruction Works quote for the recycling and reuse of those building materials?

Noah Lawrence is a HERS Rater working for Building Efficiency Resources, LLC (BER), a RESNET HERS provider, quality assurance and training organization. With a degree in sustainable energy management and a background in residential construction, insulation, and energy auditing, Noah is passionate about growing the energy efficiency industry. That passion has led him to this podcast where he will be talking about the work that he does and some exciting new training opportunities from the BER. Website: www.theber.com/Facebook @BuildingEfficiencyResources Instagram @buildingefficiencyresourcesTwitter @theber_comLinkedIn: Building Efficiency Resources, LLC

About Katherine MacPhailI believe that architects are for everyone and have made myself available to homeowners on a variety of levels. In my podcast Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven provides, I interview contractors, architects, and vendors about their expertise and homeowners about their renovation stories. I offer classes online in Home Renovation basics, Home Renovations on a budget, Environmental considerations in Home renovation and Home Renovation Design Studio. The Ask an Architect design help line offers a service to Massachusetts homeowners, contractors and designers who need a bit of help with their design. I continue to offer full service architectural services as well. After practicing architecture for 25 years, I am exploring the business side of architecture and helping young architects succeed through co-hosting Context and Clarity Live with Jeff Echols every Thursday afternoon at 4 eastern on YouTube, Linked In, Twitch and Facebook. The show is later published as a podcast. Email: [email protected] [email protected] In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharine-white-macphail/  About dEMios Architects Your home is an intensely personal space. Your life unfolds there. Babies come home from the hospital. Puppies are gated in the kitchen during housebreaking. 90th birthdays are celebrated in the garden. You watch stupid movies in the family room, work on jigsaw puzzles in a snow storm, get bad news. Countless dinners and coffees and nights in bed. Laundry. Sleepovers. Teenagers playing ping pong or Dungeons and Dragons. Band practice, book club, holiday parties and just being still. How will you arrange your space to make the most of all this? We have been there, and we can help you imagine it all. Most of our work consists of renovations and additions to existing housing stock in eastern Massachusetts. We prefer to work along with the client in the design process, which allows us to help the client realize their vision for their home and allows the client to participate fully in the process. We guide clients through the process of choosing their build team and ideally work closely with the contractor while construction is underway to minimize challenges and stress during that time. While we are primarily a residential design firm, we also consider the entire property, including inside and outside of the house. The living exterior informs the interior. The wall is a lens through which we perceive the world. Landscape design includes the hardscape and permanent structures of a site as well as the appropriate trees, shrubs and perennial beds. I am especially interested in the landscape during the dark and cold half of the year. https://demiosarchitects.com/ 

Maine Passive House

Connect with Kurthttps://linktr.ee/UrbanColab

E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily is all about building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship: Season 3: It’s always cool to me to catch up with Matt Blomquist in Taylorville Illinois to hear what he’s been up to with his students. Not only is he giving them a framework to build better projects in the future, he’s also go the ideal opportunity to evaluate how hard a particular task is and then change and try something new with a whole new group of students the following year. Hat’s off to Matt for everything he brings to that program. On today’s episode we talk about the house they are just wrapping up and what he will do differently next time. Enjoy ~ Emily

Show Notes https://building-wright.com/ Peter Yost is the person you turn to if you want to truly understand how buildings work: their design, specification, construction, performance assessment. He brings more than 30 years experience in building, researching, teaching, writing, and consulting on high-performance buildings. His expertise ranges from construction waste management and advanced framing to energy efficiency, indoor air quality, moisture management, and building durability.Peter has provided this building-science expertise to leading building industry high performance efforts, including USGBC’s LEED for Homes and REGREEN, EPA’s WaterSense, DOE’s Building America, and IWBI’s WELL programs. Peter is a Lecturer for Yale’s graduate program in Forestry & Environmental Studies, Technical Director for the web-based GreenBuildingAdvisor, and an Adjunct Faculty with the University of Massachusetts Department of Building Construction and Technology program. A LEED AP, he is a past co-chair of the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program, and a certified instructor/course author for the NAHB Advanced Green Building: Building Science certificate program. Peter’s work includes both academic and vocational instruction, field research on building products, building investigations, construction document review, and technical research and writing.Peter is an Accredited Building Enclosure Commissioning Process Provider (BECxP)/Commissioning Authority+Building Enclosure (CxA+BE) – University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering and Department of Engineering Professional Development (2016).

Show Notes:Gwendolen St.Sauveur EI LEED GA, is a lifelong Vermonter and lover of everything skiing & building. Gwen received an A.S. in Architectural and Building Engineering Technology from Vermont Technical College. She returned, after a working gap, to receive a B.S. in Construction Practices and Management. Gwen has been in the construction industry for nearly a decade and has worn the various hats of mechanical engineer, MEP designer, architectural designer and estimator. She has had hands-on experience with hundreds of commercial and residential projects throughout New England. With each project, her passion for residential construction continues to grow. In 2015 She launched BTF Residential Designs to specialize in space, energy & resource efficient homes. Most recently BTF launched stock Net Zero home plans - which blend mechanical engineering & architectural design for contractor's ease. Her design mantra: honor the simplicity of historical homes, the energy efficiency needs of today and the small footprint of tomorrow. 

E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily is all about building science, architecture, and female entrepreneurship: Season 3: Keeping up this trend of interviewing clients, I had the pleasure to sit down with another one of Bob Swinburne’s clients to discuss her project and how it feels from the client end of a design & construction project. Enjoy ~ Emily