The Team

A west coast transplant, Tom is happily married to Marti, and father of two adult sons who live in Ann Arbor and with whom he spends time every day.

He is a principal of a medium-sized software firm serving publishers world wide, and spends about 25% of his time in western Europe working with clients there.

Tom has had a lifelong love of architecture and design. He reads theology and history avidly, and has, of course, a growing interest in permaculture.

Tom says, “We were introduced to the concept of green building and the Living Building Challenge by our architect Michael Klement. I’ve welcomed this opportunity to exercise fully my four major interests.

“Our Living Building will provide a base of operation for establishing a permaculture farm, and organizing community resources for growing and distributing fresh produce for the community.

“Our LBC project provides a wonderful platform for our team of professionals to move forward the cause of sustainable building. The new and engaging relationships seem endless.

“Our Living Building will provide a forum for ongoing education in sustainable building and farming, as well as a lively gathering place for family and friends.”

Marti grew up near the banks of the Erie Canal, in Western New York State. Following her Maize and Blue college years, she met Tom, and they’ve been happily married for 32 years.

She taught middle school math for several years, then stayed at home with their two young sons. As the boys grew up, she became a self-taught graphic designer, doing document and web design for nearly 30 years.

Marti’s love of nature and aversion to “store-bought” fits like a glove the inspiration behind Burh Becc at Beacon Springs and the Living Building Challenge. To take only what is needed and what nature so abundantly provides, and to return nourishment to the land, is a lifelong dream come true.

Marti says, “I’m learning that regenerative farming and habitat restoration is so much about growing soil. I look forward to growing soil at Beacon Springs: literally, on the worn out and badly used land, and figuratively, in our home, fostering abundant and joyful life for all who visit, and sharing what we learn to help lead the charge toward responsible land management and sustainable building and living.”

Michael R. Klement, AIA, is the principal of Architectural Resource, LLC, an Ann Arbor firm devoted exclusively to residential design.

Until now we have accepted contemporary built form as transgression upon the natural world. We have accepted that our buildings would be toxic vessels of ecological destruction powered by ancient sunlight leaving a legacy of environmental waste. The Living Building Challenge asks the audacious question: What if Nature designed our homes? What would they look like? How would they perform? How would they engage the ecology around them?

The answer can be found in one of nature’s simplest acts of brilliance: a flower. A flower uses current sunlight as its energy source; it uses rain from the sky or water stored in the ground nearby; it uses only immediately available non-toxic, sustainably-obtained raw materials to create and nurture itself; it enhances and improves the ecological system it occupies; it embodies beauty; and lastly, it creates no waste.

In Burh Becc at Beacon Springs, we have created a home which reaches far beyond “green” or even “sustainable,” and is the second residence in the world to achieve full Living Building Challenge certification.

AIA: Principal

Michigan Quality Electric

Midwest Plumbing

Gary Klein and Associates

Building Science Corporation

SDI Structures