About the Episode
In today’s episode, we are joined by a 20+ year green building veteran, John Boecker.
John is an Architect, and as a founding partner, he helped develop 7group as an internationally recognized multi-disciplinary consulting firm focused on integrative design and regenerative development.
His practice has focused exclusively on sustainability and regeneration since 1996. Along with his 7group partners and Bill Reed, he co-authored The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building.
Stay tuned to learn more.
Key Talking Points
- Background and influences
- John’s first green building projects, including first LEED projects ever
- John’s turning point in his career
- Who does John consider a mentor in his life?
- Getting to know 7group better and how to bring disciplines together
- Understanding Regenerative Design
- What John wishes he had known earlier in his green building career
Key Milestones of the Episode
[01:42] Getting to know John and his background
[02:44] John’s first green building at the Department of Environmental Protection
[04:14] The call that made a difference in John’s career
[06:03] What did John train in?
[10:02] Mentors & additional influences
[11:24] John’s proudest achievements
[12:11] Getting to know 7group
[16:29] What it will take for more significant breakthroughs with regenerative design
[18:03] Importance of collaboration
[20:48] John’s gift
[23:50] On the bucket list
[26:50] A must-read book
[28:40] What John wishes he knew earlier in his career
Key Quotes from the Episode
“What is it that you need to develop so that you can express your unique voice and think bigger about the contribution you’re being called to make?”
“Life is about asking the right questions.”
“There’s nothing new. It’s just rethinking how to put it back together again and express it in each individual case differently.”
“We can either hold that and sell it or give it away, and we made a choice to give it away.”
“Look, to see, to remember.”
Key Resources
The Overstory– by Richard Powers
Learn More about John Boecker
He served as Project Architect for two of the first 15 LEED certified projects worldwide and as primary LEED/Integrative Design Consultant on over 100 additional LEED certified projects in eight countries. His design work has been recognized by over 40 design awards, including 25 Design Excellence Awards from AIA, three Pennsylvania Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence, and AIA’s nationwide Top Ten Green Projects in 2000, 2009 and 2016. As a highly sought keynote speaker, John has facilitated workshops on the benefits of integrative design and regenerative development in 35 states and 14 countries.