Common Sense Building & Sustainable Design
The building industry currently consumes over 50 percent of the world’s natural resources and produces over 40 percent of the solid waste stream. How building projects are designed, constructed, and operated in today’s environmentally conscientious world, with its limited resources, is becoming more and more important. The emerging field of “green building” technologies and sustainable design is based upon the need to reduce human impacts on the environment.
Positive Environmental Impacts:
- Changes to the local natural environment are minimized.
- Materials installed have less of an impact on the environment.
- Less reliance on fossil fuels.
- Energy and water resources are more efficiently consumed.
- Healthier and ergonomic indoor environments are created.
- Less waste is generated and more materials are recycled.
- Environmentally friendly procedures in the operations and maintenance of buildings are established.
Green Buildings Can:
- Reduce energy costs.
- Improve the health and attitude of the building occupants.
- Reduce consumption of resources.
- Reduce maintenance and operation costs.
- Increase flexibility and functionality of space.
- Increase productivity and efficiency of the occupants.
We Make it Easy to Be Green
Through the use of LEED and NYSERDA programs our design team and consultants are leaders in assessing the potential of your project to benefit from green building design and technology. Through detailed payback analysis and life-cycle costing of building products and mechanical equipment, we can evaluate and inform owners of opportunities available to them. Keeping owners aware of emerging technology and how it may benefit both operation and maintenance costs and improve the health and attitude of the inhabitants is something we pride ourselves on.
Knowing each project is unique in program, site selection and budget, we have the ability to recommend green building features that will be cost-effective to owners. Some projects may utilize only the minimum “common sense” approach, while others may choose to pursue green building technology to the greatest extent practicable. In either case, we can work with owners to supply them with the necessary information to make an educated decision when investing in sustainable building practices on any level.
Detailed analysis and LEED’s certification can require a considerable effort by the design team and the owner. If desired, our team can evaluate the potential of each project and the effort that will be required to meet sustainability goals and certification requirements.
6 LEED accredited professionals on staff
Michael R. Phinney
RA AIA NCARB LEED AP
Founding Principal
Michael R. Phinney
Founding Principal | RA AIA NCARB LEED AP
RA AIA NCARB LEED AP
Registered Architect: NY VT MA PA
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Bachelor of Architecture | Bachelor of Building Science
MPhinney@PhinneyDesign.com
Michael Phinney, Principal at Phinney Design Group is a licensed Architect, AIA Member and LEED Accredited Professional with over 25 years of experience in architectural design and construction observation services. As the founder and Principal at Phinney Design Group, Michael has organically grown a niche company that has developed a reputation as a thoughtful, responsive and highly creative design firm balanced with great technical thoroughness. Being a leader and pioneer in the sustainable design movement since the mid 1990’s, Mike has the been the team leader on many environmentally sensitive buildings including the first certified green building in New York State in 2001, the first certified green building in the Adirondack Park in 2008, and the first certified “Healthy House” in the Northeastern United States in 2004.
Having completed a great diversity of work and project types; Michael’s experience includes building design, interior design, landscape design, land use analysis, and urban and rural planning. Having often lectured on the sustainable design movement, he brings a revolutionary way of thinking to the way people build and develop in today’s society.
Being able to work across a diverse array of project types is a skill set very evident in Michael’s work; being an excellent listener while allowing our clients to discover what they didn’t think possible has become a goal for every project the firm is involved with. Having been the Project Designer and lead Project Architect on hundreds of projects over two decades, Michael brings great knowledge, depth, creativity and a passion for design and detailed execution of the project through construction. He has become a mentor and coach for many talented individuals who have added to Phinney Design Group’s reputation and talent over the past fifteen years.
BRENNAN D. DRAKE
RA AIA NCARB LEED GREEN ASSOC.
PRINCIPAL
BRENNAN D. DRAKE
PRINCIPAL | RA AIA NCARB LEED GREEN ASSOC.
RA AIA NCARB LEED GREEN ASSOC.
Registered Architect: NY
State University of New York | Bachelor of Science | Boston Architectural College | Master of Architecture
bdrake@phinneydesign.com
With over 15 years of experience, Brennan Drake is a principal architect renowned for blending high-quality design with sustainability across a diverse array of projects. His portfolio spans luxurious high-end residences, dynamic commercial spaces, inviting hospitality venues, and innovative multifamily developments. Brennan thrives on the opportunity to immerse in different fields, continually expanding his expertise and bringing fresh perspectives to each endeavor.
What excites Brennan most is the chance to delve into new project types, fostering continual learning and growth while delivering exceptional results. Whether exploring the intricacies of residential design or navigating the complexities of commercial development, Brennan relishes the challenge of pushing boundaries and achieving excellence.
In addition to his design work, Brennan is deeply involved in the construction management process, ensuring projects come to life seamlessly from initial concept to final completion. From the very first design meeting to the exhilarating moment of handing over the keys on move-in day, Brennan is there every step of the way, coordinating and overseeing every detail to perfection.
Brennan’s career is a dynamic journey of exploration, creativity, and collaboration, with the privilege of transforming ideas into reality while making a positive impact on the built environment and the communities he serves.
PATRICK W. PIPER
RA LEED AP
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | ARCHITECT
PATRICK W. PIPER
SENIOR ASSOCIATE | ARCHITECT | RA LEED AP
RA LEED AP
Registered Architect: NY
Boston Architectural College | Bachelor of Architecture
PPiper@PhinneyDesign.com
Patrick Piper, Senior Architect at Phinney Design Group is a licensed Architect and LEED Accredited Professional with 35 years of experience in both new construction and renovation projects. Patrick’s portfolio includes a broad range of projects for corporate, government, college and university clients. These projects include office buildings, academic facilities and new embassies for the U.S. Department of State. Patrick is responsible for the technical and production aspects of the project from the design phase through construction.
Steven J. Dodds
RA AIA
Senior Associate
Steven J. Dodds
Senior Associate | RA AIA
RA AIA
Registered Architect: NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Bachelor of Architecture | Bachelor of Building Science | Minor in Civil Engineering
SDodds@PhinneyDesign.com
Steven Dodds, a Senior Architect at Phinney Design Group, is a licensed architect, AIA member with over 25 years of experience in architectural design and project & construction management. He is accustomed to working on projects with dense and unusual programs, large consultant teams and complex regulatory environments. He has a wealth of experience working closely with clients and team members in schematic programming, design development and construction documentation for a wide variety of project types, including multifamily residential, education & childcare, religious & cultural institutions and craft beverage production.
Always open to a challenge, Steven is no stranger to unconventional programs. He has worked on two new buildings that were to be erected over existing occupied buildings and installed twelve new bells in the tower of a landmark New York City church. He has prepared designs for Jewish ritual baths, a floating boathouse, a new high security home for a world class coin collection and one of the first Passive House multi-family buildings in Manhattan.
Beyond the office, Steven has written two books and several magazine articles focusing on tools and DIY projects. He has also served as president and treasurer of a 100 year old residential coop in New York City, shepherding the building through a major exterior restoration. He currently sits on the Board and the Advocacy Committee of the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.
Tara Borodin-Galarza
RA AIA LEED Green Associate
Senior Associate | Architect
Tara Borodin-Galarza
Senior Associate | Architect | RA AIA LEED Green Associate
RA AIA LEED Green Associate
Registered Architect: NY
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Bachelor of Architecture | Bachelor of Building Science
TBorodin@PhinneyDesign.com
Tara Borodin has over 20 years of experience in architectural building design, adaptive reuse and additions, land use analysis and feasibility studies. For over seven years Ms. Borodin has been involved in a wide variety of project types at Phinney Design Group including residential, hospitality and commercial design.
Residential projects include custom homes, multi-family housing, the conversion of historic buildings and single family homes. Hospitality and hotel projects include expansion projects, renovations and new construction while working with both franchises and privately owned boutique hotels. Ms. Borodin has had a wide range of experience with libraries, cultural centers, churches, office buildings, tenant spaces, retail stores and market design.
Rachel Terragnoli
NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C
Senior Interior Designer
Rachel Terragnoli
Senior Interior Designer | NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C
NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design | Minor in Business Administration
RTerragnoli@PhinneyDesign.com
Rachel Terragnoli, Senior Interior Designer at Phinney Design Group, is a NCIDQ certified Interior designer with over 10 years of experience. She leads projects from conceptual to completion for clients across several market sectors which include Hospitality, Commercial, Education, High-end Residential and Retail.
Over the past years at PDG she has been involved in multiple renovations at The Q Hotel in Queensbury New York, Silver Bay YMCA- a conference and family retreat center and Phinney Design Group’s Saratoga and Troy office renovations to name a few.
Most recently, she has lead the design of the Coat Room, a speakeasy style bar and restaurant, located in Saratoga Springs, NY. This project is nestled within 385 Broadway which stands in the same place as the 19th century United States Hotel. With purposeful selections of historic artwork, tile, lighting and accessories it allowed the space to highlight the building’s vast history. This holistic design approach allowed the historic architecture to seamlessly blend with modern day touches creating a harmonious atmosphere for patrons to immerse themselves in during their dining experience.
Rachel continues to instill trust with each client by developing aesthetically pleasing, thoughtfully sophisticated and environmentally responsible interiors that enhances the project’s mission, philosophy and vision.
Mike Phinney on Green Architecture
Phinney discusses the evolution of green design and his career in the 21st century, along with future educational strategies and advancements in the field. The positive impact that clean, sustainable architecture can have on the environment is also explored. THE UPSTATE HOUSE article
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