BuildingEnergy Access Participants
BuildingEnergy Access is a NESEA initiative to support the work of WMBEs (women and minority-owned business enterprises) by connecting them with the resources of the NESEA community.
BuildingEnergy Access is an expansion of existing NESEA programs, supplemented with professional services from our program partner, HELM Construction Solutions. This program is designed to serve businesses led by people who have traditionally been underrepresented in the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) space, including people of underrepresented gender and racial identities. At its core, BuildingEnergy Access is a cohort experience. Companies participate in NESEA’s signature BuildingEnergy Bottom Lines program, our business-development program based on peer mentoring around improving each businesses’s triple bottom lines (people, prosperity, planet).
Below, you can learn about some of the companies that this program has served.
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Emerald Design Build | Leominster, MAWe are a women-owned architecture + interiors firm in pursuit of providing sustainable building solutions to the custom residential and business-commercial sectors. We are passionate about fostering close relationships with our clients, and we take a psychological-architectural approach to providing designs that will fit, fill, and fuel their lives and project needs. Our team works closely with a family-owned builder-partner, Downing Construction, Inc. on many projects to offer an integrated design-build delivery method. We currently share a collaborative office space in Leominster, MA. You can read an interview with Emerald House Studio founder Megan Rajner here. Sectors: Single Family Service Area: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont Professional Specialties: Construction Management, Remodeling/Renovation |
![]() Maple Street Architects | Northampton, MAOur small, family-owned architecture firm focuses on serving our community with the efficiency and beauty of good design. We offer full architectural services, lightweight design consultation, and everything in between, tailored to the needs of your project. We also provide data analytics services, bringing insight and understanding to a massive pool of building energy data to provide engaging images to drive changes at an individual and policy level. You can read an interview with Rachel Stevens of Maple Street Architects here... |
![]() MVS Welding | Boston, MAMVS Welding provides exceptional service for all of your miscellaneous ironwork needs. MVS Welding is focused on growing the business into an organization with expanded operations to provide excellent high-level services to all our construction clients, a goal that aligns with our mission to promote the professional and economic growth of our community. Read an interview with MVS Welding founder Maria Storms here. Sectors: Commercial, Multifamily Service Area: Massachusetts Professional Specialties: Welding/Ironworks |
![]() Pioneer Valley Organics Landscaping | Amherst, MAWe deliver high quality land care services in an ecological and creative manner. PVOL is a full service ecological landscaping and home improvement company. We practice organic lawn and plant health care. Our design is informed by permaculture principles focusing on edible landscaping and sustainability. |
![]() Rebel Builders | Newton, MARebel Builders is a queer, Latinx, woman-owned and operated design-build firm based in the Greater Boston Area. Our diverse team offers residential whole home remodeling and addition services to clients in the surrounding Newton, Brookline, and Boston communities. We practice strong collaboration between our construction team and design team at every stage of the design process. We believe in fostering clear communication, transparency, and accountability with our clients and partners to ensure informed decision-making and project success. Our holistic, solutions-based approach guides clients through the entire project lifecycle, delivering innovative and modern solutions that reflect their unique lifestyles and vision. You can read an interview with Diana Pauro, founder of Rebel Builders, here. Sectors: Single Family Service Area: Massachusetts Professional Specialties: Architecture/Design, Remodeling/Renovation |
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![]() Rethinking Power Management (RPM), LLC | Boston, MAOur mission is to make sustainable practices standard operating procedures for our clients. We do this by sitting on their side of the table, helping to integrate green business practices and sound engineering from project ideation through implementation. We have a large focus on de-carbonizing existing buildings. Sectors: Commercial, Institutional, Industrial, Multifamily Service Area: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Professional Specialties: Certification/Commissioning, Consulting, Energy Auditing, Energy Monitoring, Engineering, Incentives |
![]() Ruben Valenzuela Architects | Boston, MAI provide design and consulting services for sustainable ADUs and residential spaces that prioritize energy efficiency and wellness—both within the built environment and in harmony with the natural environment. My approach emphasizes the inherent relationship between your home and its surroundings, ensuring that every design supports sustainable living practices while promoting personal well-being. I specialize in helping clients create safe, accessible spaces for aging in place or for those facing cognitive, neurological, or sudden health challenges. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are a vital part of this work, offering flexible, sustainable solutions that support independent living while remaining connected to family and community. This is achieved by integrating science-backed design psychology, wellness principles, and research from healthcare environments to create healing, rejuvenating spaces. By applying proven strategies from hospital design to residential projects, I ensure that your home—whether it’s your primary residence or a thoughtfully planned ADU—serves as a true sanctuary: a safe, sustainable, and restorative place that enhances well-being for everyone who lives there. Sectors: Single Family Homes, ADUs, Universal Design, Small Scale Commercial, Hospitality Service Area: Massachusetts Professional Specialties: Historic Preservation, Building Science and Diagnostics, Design Consulting |
![]() Riverstone Sustainability | Newburyport, MAWe are a consulting firm that helps organizations to measure, manage, and report their sustainability impacts. We partner with clients to instill sustainability throughout their core business objectives and operating practices. Our approach is designed to:
Our clients include universities, municipalities, and private companies. We offer services ranging from sustainability planning to LEED/green buildings, ESG reports, climate action and waste reduction programs, and contract sustainability officer services. You can read an interview with Debra Shepard, owner of Riverstone Sustainability, here... Sectors: Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Service Area: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont |
![]() Samar Real Estate Solutions | Newton, MASamar Real Estate Solutions is the premier handyman and construction services provider in the Greater Boston area. With almost a decade of experience, we’ve seen it all. That’s why we cut the nonsense and get straight to work! Sectors: Single Family, Institutional Service Area: Greater Boston Area Professional Specialties: General Contractor Services, Small Repair and Maintenance, Installations, Cleanings |
Square and Plumb Builders | Gloucester, MASquare & Plumb Builders is an established full-service remodeling and new construction-focused company that strives to be the best in our industry. We have been meeting the unique needs of our residential customers by using our talents to provide each of our clients with a place that they’re proud to call their own. Creating spaces for families to grow, friends to gather, and memories to flourish is our specialty, and we can’t wait to show you what we can do. You can read an interview with Square and Plumb Builders here... Service Area: Massachusetts |
![]() Synergy Contracting, Inc. | Andover, MAHere at Synergy Contracting Inc., we understand the importance of hiring the right company to help you succeed. A company that’s experienced, dependable, and has clear and constant communication with you at every phase of your project. We have the latest technology, the tools, and the experience to get the job done with the highest standards. We specialize in Environmental Remediation, Demolition, Painting, Final Cleaning, Labor Support and Construction Services. We’re WBE, MBE, DBE, and LGBTBE Certified. Our teams of knowledgeable professionals are here to complete your project on time. Our goal is to exceed your expectations. Just give us a call – We’ll take care of the rest. Sectors: Commercial, Institutional, Industrial, Multifamily Service Area: Massachusetts Professional Specialties: Environmental Remediation, Demolition, Painting, Final Cleaning, Labor Support and Construction Services |
![]() Terra Design-Build | Dalton, MATerra Design-Build provides residential and light commercial design services for renovations, additions, adaptive reuse, new homes, building evaluations, and energy consultations. Our guiding principles are to use sustainable design principles, seek out earth-friendly material choices, and reduce fossil fuel use and carbon emissions. Owner/Architect Wendy Brown, AIA, has been involved in Berkshire County building since she started as a drafter for BETNR Construction at age 15 back in the 1980's. She's licensed in Massachusetts and Vermont. We prefer to have the Owner, Architect, and Contractor work as a team for collaborative results. You can read an interview with owner Wendy Brown here... Sectors: Single Family Service Area: Massachusetts, Vermont Professional Specialties: Design/Build, Remodeling/Renovation |
![]() West Work | Boston, MAFounded in 2020, West Work is a certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) committed to providing elegant design that is sustainable and resource-responsible. Led by Katie Faulkner, a talented team brings perspectives from various cultural and international backgrounds, with a shared commitment to environmentally respectful architecture, best facilitated by performance analysis and energy modeling embedded within the design process. You can read an interview with Katie Faulkner of West Work here... Sectors: Higher Education, Multifamily, Civic/Cultural Service Area: New England Professional Specialties: Architecture/Design, Affordable Housing, Decarbonization Retrofits, Energy Modeling Professional Specialties: Certification/Commissioning, Community Planning, Consulting, Incentives, Public Policy, Research |



















