How long have you been in the PHCP-PVF industry?
ES: I’ve been in the construction industry for 16 years, focusing on PHCP for the last 13.
What drew you into the industry?
ES: My dad was an architectural designer, so I grew up wanting to design buildings and see them be built. It took a few years of working in the industry before I had the opportunity to see the HVAC and Plumbing side of the industry, and when I was given an opportunity to learn design, I jumped at it.
What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the industry?
ES: I love driving past buildings I’ve designed, knowing all the struggles that the team went through to get it to completion, and seeing it operating well. Knowing that the users of the facilities will never notice a difference in function, even though I know all the pain points of making sure the building systems work as intended.
What motivates you every day?
ES: My drive comes from providing excellence: be it ensuring water quality and health or achieving the most energy efficient system we can, with the site and budget constraints of the project. Each project and each system is an opportunity to solve the same question, but there is a newness to the question every time: how do I meet code, provide what the owner is asking for, without spending more than is available, and without creating problems for the system over time?
What is one thing you wish more people knew/understood about the PHCP-PVF industry?
ES: PHCP is often seen as a luxury, and often considered a nicety, but these are actually life impacting systems. Plumbing: clean water and waste disposal, are some of the first forms of group healthcare. Heating and cooling save lives from risks of exposure! We have an exciting opportunity to build on and improve these ancient practices! And we are responsible for moving progress forward, but we are also responsible for ensuring our progress does not come with the result of less safe systems.
What has been your proudest moment in your career so far?
ES: The proudest moment in my career came after I finalized the design for a high-rise multifamily building with a combined central plant. The system included rainwater and wastewater reclaim, as well as waste water heat recovery as part of a robust heating, domestic cold water/chilled water, and hot water central plant serving the building. When all was said and done, we were able to design a Net Zero building, achieve three ILFI petals, and allow residents to track and react to their energy usage. When we presented the system to the local AHJ for feedback on what extra documentation might be required for permitting, one official expressed that they were not concerned about adding documentation processes to prove the safety of the system design, because I was the designer. I knew, then, that my commitment to excellence was recognized in our local plumbing community.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
ES: One thing people may not know about me is that I’ve baked and decorated the wedding cakes for four of my siblings. I’m not as good at cakes as I am with plumbing design, but I’m proud to have contributed something meaningful to each of their weddings!
