PHIL SEYBOLD - Eco-Construction Guru
Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Phil's family always enjoyed the outdoors and, while growing up, he learned to rexcycle or reuse just about anything (including dryer lint). These principles have stuck with him. Phil was graduated from Ball State University with a degree in Anthropology, augmenting his studies with courses in architecture, manufacturing, engineering, photography and art. While there, he dabbled with sustainable home design. Phil's path into the "green" led from being a museum curator to the presrvation of historically significant architecture, specializing in helping preserve and maintain historic properties in a way that was both practical and responsible. Through this process, Phil recognized that conservation had to be part of any restoration. Eventually, Phil branched out, founding a new home construction company, introducing super-insulating and recycled building materials to his customers. Phil employed his knowledge and experience by leading the redevelopment efforts at the Cope Environmental Center (CEC), turning their property into a sustainable and "green" example, incorporating wind and solar power, on-demand hot water and Energy Star appliances in an effort to show visitors how do-able "green" can be. Today, Phil acts as a consultant to CEC and helps them continue to bring on more and more sustainable adaptations to the property. Phil also does personal energy plans through CEC for the public. Phil is a distributor for ARXX, an insulated concrete form manufacturer and a member of the Indian Wind Wroking Group as established by the Indiana Department of Energy and Defense. He is a consultant to people who want to incorporate sustainable and "green" concepts into their new home plans. He also lends his 20 years of building experience to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, helping them "green" up their homes.