“Ben’s passion for building science and Passive House Design is evident in his day-to-day work as a senior project manager at SV Design. His thorough and thoughtful design solutions for project details, especially related to building envelope and airtight construction, aid in the success of his projects from layout through to construction administration phases. He is an asset to all projects and a devoted mentor to his peers, sharing his knowledge and excitement for the way in which we create, detail, and construct our projects.” - Krista Broyles, AIA, Associate at SV Design.

What recent professional milestone or project are you most proud of, and why? Building Science has been a career interest for the last 14 years of my career. Gaining an intricate understanding of how air and moisture move through different building materials is important in making educated design decisions. Studying for the Passive House Certification and ultimately getting certified was an investment in my understanding and by extension SV Design’s knowledge base. Growing one’s knowledge base is always exciting and inspiring, and I hope to be a source of encouragement and inspiration for others to do the same.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far, and what did it teach you? The act of being challenged is in and of itself something we should all be comfortable with. Working with and adjacent to the construction of buildings is always going to have day- to- day challenges. It’s difficult accepting that you may not have all the answers, especially when others expect you to have them. Being comfortable not knowing so you can stay levelheaded and get to the answer is a challenging process. It’s a lesson in swallowing your pride and proceeding with an open mind.

If you could give advice to someone just starting out in your field, what would it be? Don’t rush to get there. Whatever goals you have for yourself and wherever you are headed, running does not make the road shorter. You get to where you’re going faster, but you may miss valuable lessons along the way. Trust the process. There is much to learn about architecture, and you’ll want to be available to absorb it all.

Who has played a pivotal role in your development, and how have they influenced you? I cannot give credit to one person as many have been important influences throughout my career. I pull influence from many sources. However, the leadership at SV Design has supported my growth as an individual more than any along my journey. They have never let me struggle alone and have cheered me through my successes. They understand personal growth is beneficial for the whole team and have made themselves available to support that concept.