Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Kjell Anderson, FAIA, LEED Fellow, practices architecture and serves as a Principal and the Director of Sustainable Design at LMN Architects, working with all of LMN’s clients to set and exceed sustainable design goals. He wrote the first architect-centered book on energy modeling, co-authored AIA’s first policy statement on climate change, and has spoken extensively on energy, water, materials, and embodied carbon. He founded the Seattle Hub of the Carbon Leadership Forum and serves on the AIA National Committee on the Environment and the Washington State Building Code Council where he chairs the Energy Code Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
Kjell is a conceptual thinker who understands that details are often the only difference between success and failure. To ensure he continues to understand and apply sustainability at all phases, his time is split between Project Architect and Sustainability roles. A lifelong Washingtonian, he lives in Seattle with his wife and two daughters and enjoys playing music and soccer.
Show Highlights
Understanding what the scope is for sustainability to achieve certification goals.
Different programs for retail spaces.
Why the conversation around electrification is easier to have than solar resources in Washington.
Kjell shares the path for Zero Carbon, his team is working on.
University of Washington Founders Hall project analysis on carbon.
Transitioning from energy use to carbon is not a direct translation and demands a different conversation.
Sustainable action plans need to be updated for the future to include all the forms of carbon emissions associated with the environment.
We need great interactivity in our buildings to reduce the cost significantly by having grid friendly buildings.
The Inflation Reduction Act addresses climate action and climate justice to expand conversation surrounding inclusivity and practices.
“I would say working directly with clients who have expressed interest in sustainability, and all of a sudden they realize they can do it. And then they're like, ‘Of course I want that. I thought it was beyond my reach to get there.’ Getting a client to go from LEED Silver to LEED platinum, that's a big deal…”
-Kjell Anderson
Get the episode transcript here!!
Kjell Anderson’s Show Resource and Information
Design Energy Simulation for Architects
LinkedIn
Hoffman Construction — Founders Hall
The Invisible Woman- Audiobook
Volts | David Roberts | Podcast
Path to Zero Carbon Series
An Honest Conversation About Zero Carbon
University of Washington Founders Hall project
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to gbes.com/join to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!
If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Copyright © 2022 GBES
Kjell Anderson, FAIA, LEED Fellow, practices architecture and serves as a Principal and the Director of Sustainable Design at LMN Architects, working with all of LMN’s clients to set and exceed sustainable design goals. He wrote the first architect-centered book on energy modeling, co-authored AIA’s first policy statement on climate change, and has spoken extensively on energy, water, materials, and embodied carbon. He founded the Seattle Hub of the Carbon Leadership Forum and serves on the AIA National Committee on the Environment and the Washington State Building Code Council where he chairs the Energy Code Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
Kjell is a conceptual thinker who understands that details are often the only difference between success and failure. To ensure he continues to understand and apply sustainability at all phases, his time is split between Project Architect and Sustainability roles. A lifelong Washingtonian, he lives in Seattle with his wife and two daughters and enjoys playing music and soccer.
Show Highlights
Understanding what the scope is for sustainability to achieve certification goals.
Different programs for retail spaces.
Why the conversation around electrification is easier to have than solar resources in Washington.
Kjell shares the path for Zero Carbon, his team is working on.
University of Washington Founders Hall project analysis on carbon.
Transitioning from energy use to carbon is not a direct translation and demands a different conversation.
Sustainable action plans need to be updated for the future to include all the forms of carbon emissions associated with the environment.
We need great interactivity in our buildings to reduce the cost significantly by having grid friendly buildings.
The Inflation Reduction Act addresses climate action and climate justice to expand conversation surrounding inclusivity and practices.
“I would say working directly with clients who have expressed interest in sustainability, and all of a sudden they realize they can do it. And then they're like, ‘Of course I want that. I thought it was beyond my reach to get there.’ Getting a client to go from LEED Silver to LEED platinum, that's a big deal…”
-Kjell Anderson
Get the episode transcript here!!
Kjell Anderson’s Show Resource and Information
Design Energy Simulation for Architects
Hoffman Construction — Founders Hall
The Invisible Woman- Audiobook
Volts | David Roberts | Podcast
Path to Zero Carbon Series
An Honest Conversation About Zero Carbon
University of Washington Founders Hall project
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to gbes.com/join to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!
If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Copyright © 2022 GBES

![GBM with Nate Adams
Listen to the full episode here:
https://www.gbes.com/green-building-matters-podcast/
Nate Adams, The House Whisperer About this Episode In this episode, we talk with Nate Adams, aka “The House Whisperer” about the residential side of things, particularly energy performance.
Nate shares how he got into the field of improving home energy performance and
the powerful movement he is supporting to help make energy efficiency the norm in the industry.
Key Talking Points
• Nate’s nontraditional route into the “green” movement
• The “Electrify Everything” movement & Nate’s mission to improve energy performance in every home
• Why home performance needs a measurement upgrade
• The importance of teaching while learning to make a stronger movement
Key Milestones of the Episodes [1:19] Nate’s background
[2:13] Nate’s nontraditional route into sustainability
[4:16] The “Electrify Everything” Movement
[8:00] Nate’s movement into the “entrepreneur” side of building green
[14:03] The “House Whisperer” Process
[20:13] What should the industry be focused on?
[21:57] Why we need standardized energy measures
[23:59] Consistent routines & teaching while evolving
Key Quotes “The math has flipped to where renewable energy is the least expensive source [of energy] in most places.”
Key Resource The Home Comfort Book: The ultimate guide to creating a comfortable, healthy, long lasting, and efficient home.
Other Resources An Inconvenient Truth
Electrify Everything! A Practical Guide to Ditching Your Gas Meter
Energy-Efficient Homes Are Worth More. So Let’s Create an Easy Metric for Buyers
An Efficiency Manifesto: Energy and Home Performance Programs Need Serious Reform
Get in Contact with Nate Nate Adams is the owner of The House Whisperer, green building industry writer, consultant, business partner for One Knob Consulting and Energy Home Performance, and author of “The Home Comfort Book”
The House Whisperer Website
Nate Adams on LinkedIn
Don’t forget to catch more episodes and resources for all of your green building news at the Green Building Matters website
Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES: Charlie on LinkedIn
Green Building Educational Services
GBES on Twitter
Connect on LinkedIn
Like on Facebook
Google+
GBES Pinterest Pins
GBES on Instagram
GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more insurances that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to www.gbes.com/join to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community!
If you truly enjoyed the show, dont forget to leave a positive rating and review on iTunes . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the Green Building Matters Podcast !
Copyright © 2019 GBES GBM with Nate Adams](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mSvQvmpNvxs/mqdefault.jpg)








