What we're about.
Samskara.
[sam•ska•ra] / sÉ™mzˈkärÉ™ / noun
The Meaning of
It is the intention behind the action that gives power to that action.
The prefix sam means well planned, well thought out, and kara means “the action undertaken.” Thus, “samskara” means "the impression of, the impact of, the action we perform with full awareness of its potential."
Meet Kelley.
Kelley Tapia, a visionary in the field of architecture with over 20 years of directing high-profile projects, stands at the forefront of sustainable and regenerative design. A licensed architect with a deep-rooted passion for nature's genius, Kelley has dedicated her career to creating spaces that not only meet today's needs but also nurture future generations. Her journey in sustainable buildings is marked by a commitment to regenerative capacity - the belief that true sustainability enhances the ability of all living beings to co-evolve, thereby enriching our planet's diversity, complexity, and creativity.
Kelley’s leadership in design is shaped by empathy and an understanding garnered from extensive experience on both sides of the built environment design process. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors at EcoRise, an organization she joined first as a volunteer, driven by her intention to effect positive global change through mentorship and education. Her credentials include being a LEED and WELL-accredited professional, and a Fitwel Ambassador. Kelley’s focus remains steadfast on driving future design solutions that prioritize sustainability and well-being. ​ Beyond her professional pursuits, Kelley finds solace and inspiration in nature. She is an avid cyclist, often exploring trails on her gravel bike, and enjoys hiking in diverse landscapes like Colorado, the Catskills, and the Berkshires. ​ With a career marked by bridging sectors, organizations, and individuals, Kelley excels in bringing structure to complex challenges and fostering collaborative environments. Her work goes beyond constructing sustainable buildings; it is about laying the foundation for a future where life in all its forms thrives. Kelley believes in the power of collective efforts to address the interconnected challenges we face, and she invites others to join her in this mission: to build a sustainable, regenerative future.
Partners
Colleen Soden's extensive experience spans more than twenty years across sustainability, encompassing planning, architecture, and landscape architecture.
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Her diverse project portfolio includes some of the nation's most sustainable schools, award-winning science laboratories, prestigious institutional structures, mixed-use urban developments, modern office buildings, multifamily housing, vibrant retail spaces, and cutting-edge healthcare facilities. Colleen's career journey has taken her through the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, providing her with a comprehensive perspective that greatly informs her current role as a green consultant. Over the course of her career, she has led more than two hundred LEED and advanced sustainability projects, with a particular focus on driving initiatives for energy efficiency and natural resource conservation.
Karen Knight, a dynamic consultant specializing in Regenerative Leadership and Lifestyle, offers a unique blend of expertise in sustainability, biomimicry, and holistic well-being. With Living Future Accreditation, she's equipped to foster regenerative practices, crafting a blueprint for a greener future. Karen's leadership methodologies, including Generative Leadership, are seamlessly integrated into her practice, enabling transformative change within organizations and communities. Her immersive workshops and experiences, such as Biomimicry for the Built Environment and Social Innovation Thinking, fuel her abilities as a catalyst for innovation and inspiration.
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As a Possibilist, Karen walks her talk at Ardor Wood Farm, embodying sustainability and resilience principles while fostering collaborative environments. Her commitment to personal growth, evident through her participation in the Byron Fellowship and training in HeartMath® coherence techniques, adds depth to her consultancy work.
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With a passion for creating thriving ecosystems and resilient communities, Karen invites collaboration. Her role as a network weaver is exemplified in projects like Cities Connecting Children to Nature, showcasing her ability to spark collaborative impact and drive positive change. Karen's expertise is further enriched by a Masters degree in Coaching/Facilitation from the European Graduate School in Arts, Health and Society, bringing a highly creative perspective to her consultancy approach.
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Working with Karen means tapping into a wealth of expertise, creativity, and collaborative spirit, all geared towards co-creating a more regenerative world for generations to come.
Laura Lengnick is an award-winning soil scientist with 30 years of experience working as a researcher, policymaker, educator, activist and farmer to put sustainability values into action in U.S. food and farming. Her research in soil health and sustainable farming systems was nationally recognized with a USDA Secretary’s Honor Award in 2002 and she served as a lead author of the 2013 USDA report, Climate Change and Agriculture in the United States: Effects and Adaptation.
As founder and principal at Cultivating Resilience, LLC, Laura and her associates work with organizations of all kinds to integrate resilience thinking into operations and strategic planning. Since 2015, Laura has led federal, state and local climate resilience research and planning projects exploring agricultural climate solutions, conducted resilience assessments and developed carbon management plans for small- and mid-sized businesses, and designed and delivered climate risk management workshops tailored to diverse audiences throughout North America.
The second edition of Laura's award-winning book, Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate, examines climate change, resilience and the future of food through the adaptation stories of more than 45 leading sustainable, organic, regenerative and climate-smart farmers and ranchers growing food throughout the U.S. She resides in Asheville, NC.
What Our Clients Say.
Challenge: Using Technology to enhance Well-Being + Sustainability in the Workplace
"We had a chance to work together for a year or so on an innovative set of projects combining architecture and technology to build a Workplace Experience Accelerator Program for a client in the Technology sector.
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Kelley’s leadership with the client team and mentorship with the internal team was critical to the successful outcome. She leads with empathy, helping us all to achieve our best work. Kelley has an optimistic and enthusiastic nature. She is also extremely passionate about issues that impact people and she is not afraid to stand up for what is right."
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- Longtime Colleague
Our Goals.
We take seriously our responsibility to serve humanity. We believe in service with every fiber of our being - both with clients and in daily life. It’s our purpose in life.
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Minority / Women's Business Enterprise (MBE / WBE)
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New York City
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New Jersey
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PANYNJ
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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
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3 - Good health and Well-Being
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11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
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13 - Climate Action
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