Environmental Leadership Program

I am an architect and Principal at Mershon Design LLC.  Established June 2011 and based in Philadelphia, Mershon Design is committed to modern and innovative design that improves people’s lives and engages the environment with care and respect.  We offer architecture and building design services (with a focus on residential and small non-residential projects), furniture and product design services and green building consulting services.

Previously with Re:Vision Architecture, SMP Architects and KieranTimberlake Associates, I directed a variety of green building design projects, including an environmental education center, an addition to a Quaker meeting house, and several private homes. I also managed a range of sustainable building operations & maintenance projects, focused mainly on developing policies and procedures to guide ongoing activities at a given facility, such as energy conservation, product purchasing and recycling. These sustainability initiatives were completed on behalf of a diverse clientele including PECO Energy, Armstrong World Industries, the Wharton School of Business and the National Park Service.

Outside of the office, I am concerned about the protection of natural and ecologically-sensitive areas, especially in this very densely-populated part of the country. Right now, I am particularly worried about the impending rush to plunder the Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves underlying much of Pennsylvania and New York State, despite the serious environmental consequences that will come with it. I feel that this situation serves to further magnify our utterly misguided and dysfunctional approach to the energy problem that we are all facing. I have been trying to make my voice heard with decision-makers on this issue, and also to build awareness (and hopefully the same outrage I feel) about it among other people.

In my spare time I enjoy long-distance bicycling, as it allows me to experience new places in a rich and multi-sensory way. The exercise is certainly welcome, but is really just a mean to an end! As well, I look forward each week to my French language class at the Alliance Française de Philadelphie. Pour moi, la langue est vraiment belle!