revisioningthebalance-blog-blog

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We helped Tasty Baking Company use rainwater for irrigation

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Never talk bad about a farmer with your mouth full.

Anonymous

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Alex Vondeling accepts SBN Award

When my colleague, Gaylen, and I saw the call for nominations for the Sustainable Business Award, our place of work immediately came to mind.  We were compelled to nominate ReVision Architecture, as we believe the ideas behind the triple bottom line – people, planet and profit – are deeply ingrained in our place of work.  This is evidenced in the service we provide – sustainable design and consulting services and how the company is run internally.

Just over three years ago, I moved to Philadelphia from Berkeley, CA to take a job at RVA, a small new architecture firm, co founded by Scott Kelly and Jennifer Rezeli.  I knew that I wanted to work at a firm dedicated to sustainable design but coming from one of the most progressive areas of the country, I wasn’t sure what to expect in comparison.  When I searched for green architects in Philadelphia, ReVision was the first company to pop up.  A good sign.  At my interview, we not only discussed the company’s mission and green projects, but also quality of life issues (walking to work and their financial support for home buying within City limits) and supporting local businesses (Mugshots as RVA’s second office and how I had to try the spicy pickles sold at the Fair Food Stand). I knew this would be more than just a job. 

Like many successful companies, RVA came into being as a result of a personal passion.  Scott had been doing guerilla green projects at his former firm…integrating green design without clients asking for it.  With each project, he got a little bolder and for the last project at Clarke School for the Deaf, he was letting the green flag fly.  The construction managers for that project, Sandy Wiggins and Mike O’Brien with W.S. Cumby, called Scott to have him help green Cumby’s own building.  That was the unexpected start of what became Re:Vision Architecture.  At that point, Jenn left the environmental non-profit she was running to see what good could be done through an environmental for-profit. 

In my 3 short years with ReVision, the company has more than doubled in size, both in terms of billing and staff size, this during a shrinking economic time. This is the only company where I have worked that has consistently been able to distribute bonus checks as part of profit sharing.

We believe our environmentalism is what informs our design sensibility.  For each of us, the company’s mission of revisioning and restoring the balance between natural and built environments goes beyond the office walls, it’s a way of life.  The office and our individual homes are test laboratories of the green strategies we recommend – whether it’s radiant heating, colored concrete or low flow shower heads and toilets. 

In many ways, it’s as if I am still working in Berkeley, which is a wonderful feeling.  We may not do yoga daily at 4, but you might see us commuting to work on a bike or sled, as the case was today.  Our individual belief in what we do, the friendly atmosphere, the democratic decision making process, our community service and even the pet friendly policy all align to create a truly sustainable place of work. More than once I have told people that this is the best place I’ve ever worked. 

ReVision Architecture is honored to receive this recognition from SBN.  However it must be noted that this business is largely the result of the vision, passion, and endless hours of work of Jenn and Scott, whose leadership and charisma have inspired a legion of clients and employees to join along in their cause.

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Jenn Rezeli recognized by PEC

Harrisburg, PA August 18, 2010 – Jennifer Rezeli, Managing Principal of Re:Vision Architecture was selected as a recipient of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s 40 Under 40 Awards. Jennifer will be honored at PEC’s 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Civic Club of Harrisburg on September 22nd.

Nearly 100 environmental professionals and volunteers were nominated for this statewide honor. Nominees included volunteers and professionals in a diverse range of environmental fields including planning, research, education and advocacy.

“I am so proud to help elevate awareness of Pennsylvania’s next generation of environmental leaders,” said Don Welsh, President and CEO of PEC.

“We learned that these young leaders stand poised to tackle our state’s most important upcoming challenges including Marcellus Shale development, renewable energy, and stormwater, among others,” he said.

Jennifer Rezeli is co-founder and managing principal of Re:Vision Architecture, a green architecture and consulting firm named “Best Green Architecture Firm” by Philadelphia Magazine. Since the firm’s inception in 2002, Jenn has provided leadership to RVA’s project teams for notable projects throughout the Philadelphia region, including green renovations to the iconic PECO building on Market Street, new construction of a LEED-Platinum rated residential development in Chestnut Hill, the first commercial scale straw bale building for a manufacturing facility, and energy and waste reduction projects for the University of Pennsylvania.

In her previous work as a non-profit executive, Jenn focused on environmental planning and education, and she founded an environmental education organization in Coastal South Carolina that is now over a decade old. After years of practice in the non-profit sector, Jenn continues to bring her values to work and is an advocate for socially responsible business. In 2007, Jenn certified Re:Vision Architecture as one of the first “for-benefit” B-Corporations in the country. Jenn has been recognized by Leadership Philadelphia as one of the top 100 Connectors, and under her leadership RVA earned the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Sustainability Award and the Pennsylvania Resources Council Leadership in Sustainable Design Award.

Locally and nationally, Jenn is a frequenter presenter on green design, collaborative design charrettes, and sustainable businesses practices.

For more information about PEC’s 40th anniversary celebration, visit www.pecpa.org/40.

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SKF USA Headquarters - Lansdale, PA

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Hayes Residence

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Berks County Community Foundation - Reading, PA