Photo of mentor Charlie Berliner helping team leader Leah Davies use a saw
Construction mentor Charlie Berliner gives team leader Leah Davies a hand on the construction site.
Photo Credit: Amy Gardner
The team is guided by a group of dedicated mentors from the building industries. These mentors help students learn about professional practice and the art and science of integrated building design.
Mentors
  • Deborah Bauer, freelance architectural consultant - collaborated with communications team members for various endeavors including tour guide training, residents interviews and general strategy development
  • Grant Baxter, Baxter Floors - worked with the team to craft and install the bathroom woodwork and grate
  • Charlie Berliner, Berliner Construction - a cornerstone of the architecture and construction team, Charlie provided advice, mentorship and friendship to the entire team.
  • Dan Blankfeld, John J Kirlin, LLC - provided OHSA 30 hour training for the core construction team
  • Joe Bolewski, Whiting Turner - worked in partnership with the construction team and provided construction and carpentry mentorship to the team.
  • Brian Borak, Booz Allen Hamilton - provided expertise and assistance to the DC electric team.
  • Erin Carlisle, EYP Architecture & Engineering - provided Revit training and technical assistance to the drawing and documentation team
  • John Cartagirone, American Power and Light - a three-time UMD solar decathlon mentor and friend, John worked side by side with the electrical team to wire the house, install light fixtures and entertain the entire team.
  • Andrew Caruso, Gensler - Andrew worked with the team on the design and development of several pieces of innovative furniture in partnership with Gensler, Herman Miller and DatesWeiser.
  • Chris Cobb, Robert Silman and Associates - a dedicated mentor and friend who worked in partnership with UMD's SD2007 LEAFHouse team, Chris returned to again provide his expertise in the integration of architecture and structural systems.
  • John Coventry, Coventry Lighting - provided mentorship as the architecture team developed the lighting design
  • Adam Eurich, Robert Silman and Associates - a worked with the team to develop structural design, analysis, details and drawings
  • Taz Ezzat, Maryland Custom Builders, Inc - considered an integral team member, Taz collaborated with the team since the beginning on the construction, transport, assembly, and pick/set strategies.
  • George Fritz, Horizon Builders - hosted visits from the construction team to his demonstration and mock up facility where he shared best practices for building craft, construction and vapor management.
  • Julie Gabrielli, Gabrielli Design Studio - provided input to the communications team on the development of their strategy and concept.
  • Aditya Gaddam
  • Jennifer Gilmer, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath - worked side by side with the architecture team to design WaterShed's kitchen.
  • Jordan Goldstein, Gensler - Jordan worked with the team on the design and development of several pieces of innovative furniture in partnership with Gensler, Herman Miller and DatesWeiser.
  • Anne Hicks Harney, Ayes Saint Gross - worked with the drawing and documentation team to finalize the project manual
  • Maggie Haslam
  • Ray Hayleck, PMSI Consulting - provided cost estimating mentorship to the affordability team during the initial phases of estimating.
  • Joan Honeyman, Jordan Honeyman Landscape Architecture - collaborated with the landscape team on the landscape and plant selection
  • Ming Hu, HOK - provided energy modeling assistance to the engineering team.
  • Adam Keith, Whiting Turner - worked in partnership with the construction team and provided construction and carpentry mentorship to the team
  • Peter Kelley, American Wind Energy Association - provided media training to the team and worked with the communications team to develop the target market.
  • Benson Kwong, enVErgie Consulting - provided mentorship to the engineering cost estimating team during the design development phase
  • Mike Lawrence, National Museum of Natural History - worked with the communications team to develop the house tour strategy.
  • Dale Leidich, MTFA Architecture - provided project management guidance, insight, and advice to the team
  • John Love, Love's Heating and Air - consulted with the team on the HVAC design and implementation.
  • Kristen Markham, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger - consulted with the team on building envelope construction means and methods.
  • Evan Merkel, Greenspring Energy - worked with the electrical team to design and integrate the PV and micro inverter system
  • John Morris, Perkins Eastman - a veteran of UMD's LEAFHouse entry to SD2007, a practicing architect with a background in construction, John provided mentorship and assistance to the construction team.
  • Frank Plummer, Tremco - served as a trusted mentor for the construction team and provided expertise related to construction means and methods for liquid applied membranes for the building envelope and the constructed wetlands.
  • Don Posson, Vanderweil - a long-time teaching partner at UMD, Don reviewed the engineering and living systems design.
  • Kristin Potterton, Robert Silman Associates - worked with the team to develop structural details and drawings.
  • Rob Murray
  • Tyler Sines- provided mentorship to the engineering team developing the liquid desiccant wall.
  • Niklas Vigener, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger - consulted with the team on building envelope construction means and methods.
  • Dan Vlacich, Accenture - provided expertise, assistance, and his love of power tools to the DC electric team.
  • Fred Werth, Kensington Plumbing and Heating, Inc - provided his master plumbing expertise and assisted the team in the design and installation of the solar thermal and HXEST systems, and domestic plumbing systems.
  • Bill Wiley, the Potomac School - collaborated with the engineering team to design and build WaterShed's smart house controls system
  • Jay Williams, marketing and design specialist for the solar home industry - provided marketing assistance to the communications and marketing teams.
  • Dan Zimmerman, Shapiro & Duncan - A veteran of two decathlons, Dan provided experience and advice to the HVAC and solar thermal teams; facilitated donations,and tech service from Shapiro & Duncan; and provided the engineering team with his can-do perspective on the value of figuring things out through hands-on experience.