“How did you become a green building consultant?”

“What does someone study to be a green building consultant?”

“You’re an engineer, right?”

I love these questions! I am not an engineer, architect, or builder by training and many of my colleagues have traveled equally interesting paths. The construction industry, and residential construction in particular, is very slow to change. This is probably why so many of the innovators bring an outsiders perspective. In an attempt to encourage folks to embrace “alternative” paths, here is my journey to green building consultant. For those already in the industry, please share your journey in the comments!

From an early age, I was drawn to construction and the environment. Throughout high school, a typical weekend would include hiking, volunteering with a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, or building sets in the theater. I enrolled in Oberlin College, fully intending to change the world, though not yet understanding how. Environmental Studies was the logical first step. My courses ranged from international renewable energy policy to the geology of northern Ohio. In addition to my degree in Environmental Studies, I discovered a love of history. I was fascinated with the interplay of natural and built environments. My history courses explored how natural elements, such as soil fertility and proximity to water, influenced the location of cities and how, in response, cities changed their surroundings.

One of the reasons I was drawn to Oberlin is their Adam Joseph Lewis Center (AJLC) for Environmental Studies, which was designed by William McDonough. The AJLC was designed to be a cutting edge teaching tool and remains one of the most ecological buildings in the country. David W. Orr, professor and director of Oberlin’s Environmental Studies Program, coordinated efforts to design, fund, and build the AJLC. The overarching goal was to physically demonstrate that buildings can be designed “so well and so carefully that they do not cast a long ecological shadow over the future that our students will inherit…buildings can be designed to give more than they take.“

While at Oberlin, I learned the global need for green building and studied many of the strategies and technologies that go into such structures. But it was at Southface Energy Institute in Atlanta that I really learned about the construction process and received hands-on experience. Initially, I coordinated all services for existing homes and home energy modeling (both HERS ratings and heating and air conditioning load calculations). This provided me with valuable experience in evaluating homes. Over time, I found my niche in builder, contractor, and homeowner education. I was the lead HERS Trainer and helped administer the ENERGY STAR program.

After leaving Southface, I worked for one of the largest waterproofing contractors in the southeast. The company was committed to keeping structures dry through high-performance moisture management systems. Saving the environment was not the primary goal of the company even though its services contributed to green buildings. One of the owners described green building simply as “the right way to build” and said that their goal was to create long-lasting, healthy buildings. They also installed conditioned crawl spaces and spray polyurethane foam insulation. I managed their green building certification and inspection services. During my time with the company, I inspected over a hundred new and existing homes. I witnessed first-hand the range of home designs to which green building principles can be applied, as well as the spectrum of homeowners they attract.

In 2009, I started my own consulting company, Kruger Sustainability Group, to provide green building training, consulting, and curriculum development for colleges, utilities, corporations, and nonprofits. We are committed to strengthening and expanding the green building community through education and outreach. We partner with organizations to empower builders, contractors, and homeowners to green their homes and work places.

My journey has taken me down many surprising paths. One week, I may be conducting a green building training for builders, and the next consulting with an electric utility on its demand-side management or energy efficiency programs. The green building industry is constantly evolving and is filled with energetic, talented, and passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds who are working hard to move our industry ahead.