Bios
Thus far, the most rewarding part of our work together has been the number and caliber of people who have shown up at our doorstep to help. This page is a sampling of the bios of some of the central players who've been involved. Some day, we hope to have the time to collect the stories of the many interns and volunteers that helped us with fundraising, administration, design, and construction of our prototype. Until then, undying thanks to all of you. You have made it worth it.
 Clarke Snell Project Manager Clarke Snell considers himself an environmental activist focusing on the built environment. In that capacity, he has been a researcher, builder, project manager, and administrator of a residential design firm. Clarke has taught green building as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville and is a frequent lecturer at conferences and public events. He is the author of two books on alternatives to conventional construction, "The Good House Book" and "Building Green". |
 Jeff Buscher Systems Engineer Jeff is a registered Engineer specializing in energy analysis and mechanical systems design with an emphasis in integrated design, energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. After graduating with an Architectural Engineering degree from Kansas State University in 1994, Jeff designed a diverse range of projects including data centers, ski resorts, university buildings, condos, symphony space, convention center hotels, museums, theaters, some of the largest churches in the United States, and a yacht marina in the Caribbean. |
 Tim Callahan Architectural Design Tim has been designing buildings and assorted widgets since his first 2x4 go-kart built from recycled parts at the age of 5. In the intervening 50 years, he has been involved in the design and construction of musical instruments, custom homes, timber frames, bluewater sailing yachts and a myriad of sustainable residential and commercial construction projects. Presently, Tim runs Think Green Building, a residential design firm focusing on ultra-efficient and zero-net energy homes utilizing passive and active energy strategies, local resources, natural materials and permaculture-based landscapes. |
 Lisa Mandle Aesthetic and Spatial Design Lisa Mandle is a visual artist/consultant and teacher with a background ranging from clothing design, mural painting and dance to living roofs, floor plan design and edible landscape planning. She is tapped for everything visual on the Nauhaus prototype from overall house shape and flow to color and finish. She is a collaborator by nature, and grateful to bounce off the likes of the talented bunch on the Nauhaus team, in particular, lending her aesthetic knack to the 'big art' of residential carbon neutral design. |
 Sarah Brinker Permaculture Design Sarah is a certified Permaculture Designer and holds an Environmental Studies degree from Brevard College. She has an impressively varied knowledge set including sailing, animal herding, capturing landfill gas, installing renewable energy systems, teaching, both composting and standard toilet construction, gardening, and earthen building. |
 Michael Figura Urban Planning and Real Estate Mike’s passion and training is in sustainable planning and green real estate. He moved to Asheville with his wife in 2004 after graduating from the University of Virginia. He has since started Mosaic Realty, a unique company that has an innovative approach to helping its clients with services such as an Energy Retrofit Program and a commitment to be the change that we seek in the world. He is involved with numerous volunteer organizations in Asheville and is the chair of the Eco Consultants Division of the Asheville Board of Realtors. Mike is excited to partner with Nauhaus, where he will be working to fulfill his goals of developing buildings that rejuvenate the environment and are accessible to people of all incomes. |
 Jennifer Bennett Documentation and Computer Systems Manager Jennifer has a wide range of drafting and graphics-related experience, including teaching hand drafting and CAD, managing GIS data, creating advertisements, and drawing everything from utility maps to office buildings. |
 Billy Schweig Public Outreach Coordinator Billy graduated with a degree in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University. His research focused primarily on development theory, renewable energy, and environmental politics. During his undergraduate years, Billy was involved in several social justice campaigns and community action groups. He also designed and implemented the Living Learning Center Edible Schoolyard, a community garden project for college students and elementary school children. Billy started his first company, Appalachian Rainwater Catchment, to provide low-cost rainwater collection and storage for the drought-plagued region of Western NC. |
 Joachim Bruder Independent Designer and Consultant Joachim Bruder has a Dipl.-Ing. in Architecture (equivalent to Master of Architecture) at the Technical University, Darmstadt, Germany. He was also a non-degree student at the Ecole d’Architecture, Nancy (France). Before moving to Asheville in 2008, Joachim co-founded an architecture firm in Germany where he worked for 16 years specializing in Passive Solar Houses, Green Buildings, and Interior Design. He is working with NHI to help perfect construction detailing for high performance building envelopes. |
