To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/vi0mEQemsck

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry sit down with Gene Myers, founder and CEO of Thrive Home Builders in Denver, Colorado. Gene shares his journey from land developer to one of the most forward-thinking builders in the country, known for creating high-performance, net-zero energy homes. The conversation explores the environmental impact of building materials—especially concrete—the importance of operational and embodied carbon, and how builders can balance sustainability with affordability. Gene also discusses innovative building practices, including fiberglass foundations, solar energy strategies, and the importance of building homes that serve both people and the planet.

Here's the link to Inspector Empire Builder: https://www.iebcoaching.com/events
To check Gene's company, click here: https://thrivehomebuilders.com/

Takeaways

Gene Myers transitioned from land development to home building during the savings and loan crisis.
Thrive Home Builders focuses on net-zero energy homes that are resilient, healthy, and sustainable.
Net-zero homes produce as much energy as they consume annually, often using solar panels and battery storage.
Concrete has one of the highest carbon footprints among building materials due to its production and transportation.
Fiberglass foundation panels offer a promising alternative to concrete, with lower carbon impact and faster installation.
Operational carbon (energy used to run a home) typically outweighs embodied carbon (carbon from materials and construction) over a home's lifetime.
Gene emphasizes a rigorous cost-benefit analysis to ensure sustainability is attainable for everyday homebuyers.
Partnerships with national labs and programs like Energy Star and DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home are key to Thrive’s success.
Builders should avoid “shiny new objects” unless they are cost-effective and scalable.
Municipalities with climate action plans may value sustainable builders more than individual consumers.
Building a strong, meaningful brand has long-term benefits and helps attract talent and opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Sponsors
01:32 – Guest Introduction: Gene Myers
03:08 – Gene’s Journey from Land Developer to Builder
04:43 – What is a Net-Zero Energy Home?
06:11 – Building Homes that Serve Communities
07:48 – Advice for Builders: Don’t Go It Alone
10:16 – Leveraging Energy Star and DOE Programs
12:11 – First Net-Zero Home and Choosing Solar Over Geothermal
13:48 – Solar Leasing Options Explained
15:45 – Balancing Sustainability with Cost
19:29 – Why Thrive Avoids Geothermal and SIPs
21:27 – The Carbon Footprint of Concrete
25:00 – Fiberglass Foundation Panels as an Alternative
28:08 – Operational vs. Embodied Carbon
31:53 – Using OneClick LCA for Carbon Calculations
33:26 – Offsetting Carbon Locally in Breckenridge
35:47 – Municipalities vs. Consumers: Who Values Sustainability More?
39:30 – What Thrive Homes Look Like

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/qaISUXRUJrQ

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry welcome Sam Rashkin, former Chief Architect for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office and creator of the Energy Star for Homes and Zero Energy Ready Home programs. Sam shares his journey into the housing industry, his passion for sustainable building, and his insights into why the U.S. housing market is fundamentally broken. The conversation dives deep into housing affordability, productivity challenges, regulatory barriers, and the transformative potential of advanced manufacturing in home construction. Sam also discusses the importance of purpose, resilience, and the need for a national roadmap to fix the housing crisis.

Here's the link to Inspector Empire Builder: https://www.iebcoaching.com/events
Check Sam's LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-rashkin-1684582/
To check his book on Amazon, click here: https://amzn.to/4nhU5nH


Takeaways

Sam Rashkin’s early passion for housing led him to a career in architecture and energy-efficient building.
The U.S. housing market is broken due to a growing disconnect between home prices and median income.
Productivity in the housing industry has declined over the past 150 years, with little innovation in construction methods.
Advanced manufacturing and factory-built homes, as seen in countries like Sweden, offer a model for cost-effective, high-quality housing.
Regulatory complexity and lack of a national building code hinder innovation and scalability in the U.S.
Labor shortages and aging workforce are exacerbating the housing crisis.
Sam advocates for a national attic upgrade program as a low-hanging fruit for energy efficiency improvements.
Emotional connection and simplicity in consumer-facing metrics (e.g., star ratings for home energy scores) can drive better decision-making.
Resilience and disaster preparedness must be prioritized in housing design, especially in high-risk areas.
A collaborative, stakeholder-driven roadmap is essential to transform the housing industry.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and Sponsors
01:35 – Guest Introduction: Sam Rashkin
04:06 – Sam’s Journey into Housing and Architecture
06:45 – The Power of Purpose and Personal Stories
11:18 – Why the U.S. Housing Market is Broken
15:48 – Housing 2.0 and the Need for Disruption
17:42 – Lack of Innovation in Home Construction
20:43 – Customization vs. Standardization in Homebuilding
23:50 – Lessons from Sweden: Factory-Built Homes
33:05 – Labor Shortages and Immigration Challenges
37:29 – The Future of Home Inspection
41:18 – Creating a National Roadmap for Housing Reform
44:07 – The Role of Building Codes and Regulation
50:11 – Insurance Costs and Resilience
55:06 – Government Programs and Hypocrisy in Efficiency
56:29 – Shifting Perspectives and Asking the Right Questions
57:51 – The Need for Change and Sam’s Call to A

To watch a video version of this podcast, click here: https://youtu.be/k8U1KBX8ObE

In this episode of the Structure Talk podcast, hosts Reuben Saltzman and Tessa Murry catch up on their recent activities, including conferences focused on building science and home inspection. They discuss the importance of integrating building science into home inspections, the growing interest among inspectors, and the future of high-performance building. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in the industry, personal updates about their families, and the challenges of training new inspectors. Additionally, they delve into carbon monoxide safety and the confusion surrounding kitchen faucet standards.

CO Experts Low-Level CO Alarms: https://coexperts.com/
Heartland Chapter Inspector Seminar: https://seminarhouse.org/
IEB Fall Mastermind: https://events.iebcoaching.com/FallMastermind2025#/

Takeaways

Tessa shares her experience at the Inspection Fuel conference in New Orleans.
Building science is becoming more integrated into home inspections.
Home inspectors are increasingly interested in expanding their services to include building science.
AI is rapidly changing the landscape of business efficiency in home inspection.
Reuben discusses the importance of training new inspectors for business growth.
Carbon monoxide alarms are designed for life safety, not for monitoring low levels of CO.
There is a need for standardization in kitchen faucet designs to avoid confusion.
Tessa emphasizes the importance of understanding how homes function as systems.
The hosts express excitement about upcoming educational opportunities in the industry.
Personal updates reveal a busy life for both hosts, balancing work and family.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:53 Conferences and Networking in Home Inspection
06:06 Building Science and Home Inspection
08:55 High Performance Building and Future Trends
11:45 AI Integration in Home Inspection
14:56 Personal Life and Business Updates
18:00 Upcoming Events and Educational Opportunities
31:54 Exciting Developments in Home Inspections
34:10 Understanding Carbon Monoxide Alarms
44:28 The Confusion of Kitchen Faucets
51:40 Engaging with Our Audience