OUR FIRM
Positive Energy offers outcome-focused engineering, design and consulting services with the understanding that buildings can be healthy, efficient, sustainable, and high performing. Based in Austin, Texas we work nationally and internationally in partnership with architects, contractors, and owners to improve the performance of residential and commercial buildings. We are guided by building science principles, forward-thinking technologies and human-factored design perspectives to arrive at solutions that support the well-being of those who live and work in buildings.
Our Mission
Positive Energy’s mission is to engage with the AEC industry in innovative ways, to skillfully provide building science knowledge to improve and transform the way buildings are created, to improve the lives of our employees, and foster meaningful relationships with our project partners.
OUR MOTTO
“Design around people, a good building follows.”
This motto is based on the fact that a home can rightfully be thought of as opportunity to promote human thriving. Positive Energy recognizes that architectural design is about curating and arranging materials to create an experience, and that all too often, important but invisible aspects of the client experience do not get the consideration they merit.
A moment of reflection can shift perspective. Consider the reality that we actually live adjacent to our homes while being immersed in the air contained by them. We live above the floor, next to the walls and below the ceiling, all the while living bathed in the mass of air contained by our home. Further consider that the qualities of the air and other invisible aspects of life indoors directly impact our health, comfort and well-being. With a sympathetic understanding of environmental design impacts, enclosure systems, construction practices, and human physiology, Positive Energy supports project teams to achieve multiple levels of quality experience for our clients.
OUR SERVICES
Building Science Consulting
Thinking of a building as a system of systems is crucial. Understanding how those systems operate in the real world is the business of building science. Our architectural consultants skillfully engage the unique demands of each project and offer expertise and design support when and where it’s needed most.
Residential MEP Engineering
Firmly rooted in building science and with an eye towards innovation and collaboration, we’re rethinking the stale, conventional paradigm of MEP design engineering. The AE design process itself is a technology that is due for an upgrade. Positive Energy recognizes that human factored building design is the new normal. All too often the status quo does not give the invisible aspects of great design, such as clean, dry, filtered air and thermal comfort, and the systems that deliver the thoughtful attention they merit. Each of our MEP engineering services is rooted in the perspective that indoor environments are about the complete human experience and the myriad dimensions of quality experience that the indoor environment can offer.
OUR PEOPLE
We are an inclusive organization, dedicated to out-of-the-box thinking, innovation, and holding ourselves accountable to one another, as well as to the future of the planet we are a part of. Our firm practices a culture of kindness, which means we care for each other, we care for our clients, and we engage in deep listening and careful reflection in our responses to others. When people are in touch with a sense of care for themselves and the world around them, creativity and kindness naturally exude in their interactions. By working with Positive Energy, you benefit from the experience, expertise and technical knowledge of our engineers, building scientists, and architects. Positive Energy’s team is reflective of our values: diversity, shared leadership, peer mentoring, and continuous learning.
Technical Leadership
Kristof Irwin, PE, M. Eng.,
Principal
Kristof Irwin has been working to increase the comfort, health, and efficiency of homes for the past 20 years. Kristof’s background includes 15 years as a research scientist and electrical engineer and physicist, 10 years building high-performance homes in Austin, Texas (including deep energy retrofits and zero-net energy homes), and 15 years engineering and consulting for high performance buildings. He is active in the local and national high-performance building community and is host of The Building Science Podcast.
Eric Griffin, BA, ABAA
Production Manager and Building Science Consultant (Enclosures, MEP Systems)
Eric Griffin leads our MEP design team. He has a deep understanding of buildings and how to optimize indoor air quality, comfort, energy efficiency, health/safety, and durability. He brings 7 years experience in design of high performance mechanical systems, and 10 years of experience as a multi-family and single-family residential builder. Eric is a skilled building science educator and has trained builders on topics related to sustainable building techniques and home energy efficiency.
Brian Ault, PE, CEM
Senior Design Engineer, MEP Systems
Brian has been a consulting MEP engineer since 2009, applying his knowledge to designing advanced mechanical systems for healthcare, education, and residential environments. Based in Positive Energy’s Ohio office, Brian’s knowledge and expertise extends beyond MEP design to include a wide range of building science topics, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Brian holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Architectural Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University where he was one of the lead mechanical designers and team leaders on the Penn State Solar Decathlon home during the 2007 DoE competition in Washington, DC. At Positive Energy, Brian leads and manages our Integrated Mechanical Design projects and provides technical leadership and mentorship for the design team.
Hap Pfeil, PE, LEED AP BD+C
MEP Systems Engineer, Electrical Lead
Hap has been active in MEP design, modeling, research, and engineering since 2008. His work includes MEP design and construction coordination for large retail, commercial, and government projects. Through the years he has also honed his knowledge of building science applications for residential designs. His expertise includes project management, BIM development, work flow and quality control improvement, and engineering problem solving. An avid cyclist, Hap completed the Texas 4000 ride in 2006 and spent nine years as a professional bicycle mechanic. Hap holds a BS in mechanical engineering and a BS in Geography from The University of Texas, Austin. Hap he was one of the lead mechanical designers on the University of Texas Solar Decathlon home during the 2009 DoE competition. At Positive Energy, Hap leads and manages our MEP design projects and provides technical leadership and mentorship for the design team.
Loren Bordelon, M. Eng., MPH.
Senior Design Engineer (MEP Systems)
Loren brings to Positive Energy knowledge from several fields, including public health, architectural engineering, and MEP engineering. Her engineering career began in 2015 and she has worked on a wide range of residential and commercial projects. Her current role at Positive Energy is to improve the quality of our design products and develop knowledge and skills of the team.
Scott Witt, AIA, CPHC
Lead Enclosure Consultant
Scott Witt has been working with Positive Energy on building enclosure systems since 2012. He brings a deep understanding of building enclosure design from the perspectives of high performance, aesthetics, durability, constructability, and cost. He is an architect in the states of Texas and New York and a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC). Scott shares his leadership and expertise with local organizations such as the AIA Austin Building Enclosure Council and the Passive House Austin Chapter.
Cody Neary, M. Sc., CPHC
MEP Systems Engineer, Electrical
Cody has a career history working as a field engineer for large scale renewable energy distribution projects in the US and Germany, as well as a built-environment researcher and energy modeler at the Rocky Mountain Institute. He has a deep passion for high performance buildings and as a leader in the space of electrical engineering at this crucial moment in a global energy transition to renewable sources, he is helping create a new perspective for project teams.
Consulting & Engineering Staff
Ernesto Leon, CPHC
Senior Designer (MEP Systems)
Ernesto has been designing MEP systems since 2017. His focus at Positive Energy includes performing design work, managing projects, as well as developing our firm’s 3-D drafting capacity. He is also currently pursuing a degree in architectural engineering.
Jessica Denova
Designer (MEP Systems)
Jessica is an Austin native who joined Positive Energy in early 2019. She completed the Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design program at Austin Community College in 2018. She supports our design team with her mechanical systems, plumbing systems, hydronic systems, and on-site water, electrical and energy systems.
Ningling Zhu, M. Eng. E.I.T.
Design Engineer (Water and Energy Systems)
Ningling Zhu recently joined Positive Energy after completing her master’s degree in architectural engineering with a focus on indoor air quality. With a background in building systems engineering, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, hydronic systems, and on-site water, electrical and energy systems.
Andrea Vigil
Designer (MEP Systems)
Andrea recently joined Positive Energy after completing her bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. With a background on the construction side of building systems engineering, she supports our designs of mechanical systems, plumbing systems, hydronic systems, and on-site water, electrical and energy systems.
Colleen Jones, E.I.T.
Designer (MEP Systems)
Colleen came to Positive Energy after years of MEP design for industrial buildings. She supports our designs of mechanical systems, plumbing systems, hydronic systems, and on-site water, electrical and energy systems.
Sean Harris, BA., BPA, TACLA
Building Science Consultant (Building Performance)
Sean Harris has 15 years of experience in high-performance building construction and testing. Sean has a deep understanding of applied building science, including diagnostics and forensics. He works closely with builders and mechanical contractors to assess and recommend best practices for HVAC systems and building enclosure performance. At Positive Energy, Sean conducts building performance assessments, residential commissioning, and consulting on building failures.
Business Leadership
Diane Irwin
General Manager
M. Walker
Building Science Consultant, Manager
Cameron Caja, M.Ed., CPHC
Business Development Manager
Michael Weiss
Office Manager