GFDA Journal
Reduce. Reuse. Rethink.
Stories and insights from the designers, builders,
and innovators rethinking the built environment.
GFDA Journal
Reduce. Reuse. Rethink.
Stories and insights from the designers, builders,
and innovators rethinking the built environment.
The Upcycle: What If Waste Was the Starting Point?
Two entrepreneurs. Two very different materials. One shared conviction.
Keep ReadingThe Upcycle: The Giving Trees
The Upcycle: The Giving Trees
Their core business grew from the urge to rescue local, mature hardwood trees in Denver scheduled for destruction. Now these trees see new life as works of art in the form of custom furniture. Meet Where Wood Meets Steel owners Marina and Ryan as they share their journey. Read more
Their core business grew from the urge to rescue local, mature hardwood trees in Denver scheduled for destruction. Now these trees see new life as works of art in the form of custom furniture. Meet Where Wood Meets Steel owners Marina and Ryan as they share their journey. Read more
Fountaingrove Passive House: A model for resilient, sustainable, and affordable recovery
Fountaingrove Passive House: A model for resilient, sustainable, and affordable recovery
A young couple with small children were committed to building an energy-efficient house in a Northern California fire-prone region. Despite their exhaustive research, they had never encountered Passive House principles. Yet when they described their goals to the architect, he realized they were already thinking like Passive House clients. They enthusiastically signed on and are now prepared to spread the word. Read more
A young couple with small children were committed to building an energy-efficient house in a Northern California fire-prone region. Despite their exhaustive research, they had never encountered Passive House principles. Yet when they described their goals to the architect, he realized they were already thinking like Passive House clients. They enthusiastically signed on and are now prepared to spread the word. Read more
2025 Wisdom of Crowds: Celestial Edition
2025 Wisdom of Crowds: Celestial Edition
By The GFDA Community 2025 felt like a cosmic shift. We’ve witnessed rollbacks of pollution regulations, stripped renewable energy incentives,...Read more
By The GFDA Community 2025 felt like a cosmic shift. We’ve witnessed rollbacks of pollution regulations, stripped renewable energy incentives,...Read more
The Moment Has Arrived for NYC’s Deconstruction Material Center
The Moment Has Arrived for NYC’s Deconstruction Material Center
The moment has arrived for NYC to create its own Deconstruction Material Center — turning construction waste into design opportunity. A growing network of local designers and builders is laying the groundwork for a 2026 pilot to make material reuse business as usual in New York. Read more
The moment has arrived for NYC to create its own Deconstruction Material Center — turning construction waste into design opportunity. A growing network of local designers and builders is laying the groundwork for a 2026 pilot to make material reuse business as usual in New York. Read more
The Upcycle: Market Resolution and Greening the Hotel Industry
The Upcycle: Market Resolution and Greening the Hotel Industry
Meet Sharni Gaskins, founder of Market Resolution and a pioneer in sustainable FF&E reuse.Read more
Meet Sharni Gaskins, founder of Market Resolution and a pioneer in sustainable FF&E reuse.Read more
Restoration Done Right: A Sustainable Revival in Cole Valley
Restoration Done Right: A Sustainable Revival in Cole Valley
A historic home in San Francisco’s geographic center, Cole Valley, gets a thoughtful remodel with time-traveling acts of preservation.Read more
A historic home in San Francisco’s geographic center, Cole Valley, gets a thoughtful remodel with time-traveling acts of preservation.Read more
10 COMMANDMENTS OF ZERO WASTE REHOMING
10 COMMANDMENTS OF ZERO WASTE REHOMING
Lauren West, of Next Highest Good, shares valuable insights on creating the 10 Commandments of Zero Waste Rehoming as practical principles to guide our daily choices.Read more
Lauren West, of Next Highest Good, shares valuable insights on creating the 10 Commandments of Zero Waste Rehoming as practical principles to guide our daily choices.Read more
The Upcycle: Saloni Mehta
The Upcycle: Saloni Mehta
An internationally trained architect, interior designer, and urbanist with a background in Sustainable Systems Management, Saloni sees sustainability as a flexible, integrative approach to resilient design—and a guiding force in her career.Read more
An internationally trained architect, interior designer, and urbanist with a background in Sustainable Systems Management, Saloni sees sustainability as a flexible, integrative approach to resilient design—and a guiding force in her career.Read more
The Upcycle: Matthew Tenzin of Home Within
The Upcycle: Matthew Tenzin of Home Within
A former Buddhist monk turned interior designer, Mathew Tenzin blends creativity and spirituality, helping create sustainable, purpose-driven spaces.Read more
A former Buddhist monk turned interior designer, Mathew Tenzin blends creativity and spirituality, helping create sustainable, purpose-driven spaces.Read more
The Upcycle: Michelle Jacobson of ML Jacobson Design
The Upcycle: Michelle Jacobson of ML Jacobson Design
From the classroom to industry committees, she has dedicated her career to advancing health, wellness, and sustainability in the built environment. Now, as the newest member of GFDA's Board of Advisors, she’s ready to lead the charge in educating the next generation of conscious designers.Read more
From the classroom to industry committees, she has dedicated her career to advancing health, wellness, and sustainability in the built environment. Now, as the newest member of GFDA's Board of Advisors, she’s ready to lead the charge in educating the next generation of conscious designers.Read more
The Upcycle: Linda Alexanian of Organic Weave
The Upcycle: Linda Alexanian of Organic Weave
Growing up in a family business, she never intended to step in and change the way rugs were made. But, upon learning the secrets of the rug trade, it made Linda Alexanian determined to do better.Read more
Growing up in a family business, she never intended to step in and change the way rugs were made. But, upon learning the secrets of the rug trade, it made Linda Alexanian determined to do better.Read more
WHAT MAKES HOUSING SO (GOSH DARN) EXPENSIVE?
WHAT MAKES HOUSING SO (GOSH DARN) EXPENSIVE?
We take a deeper dive and break down the specific costs for building a home and explore where there are ways to reduce costs. Read more
We take a deeper dive and break down the specific costs for building a home and explore where there are ways to reduce costs. Read more
REBUILDING FOR RESILIENCE: A PASSIVE HOUSE JOURNEY IN THE WAKE OF THE MARSHALL FIRE
REBUILDING FOR RESILIENCE: A PASSIVE HOUSE JOURNEY IN THE WAKE OF THE MARSHALL FIRE
Passive House design is increasingly popular due to its high energy efficiency. Will it become the norm in the wake of climate change?Read more
Passive House design is increasingly popular due to its high energy efficiency. Will it become the norm in the wake of climate change?Read more
HOW TO SELL YOURSELF AS A SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER
HOW TO SELL YOURSELF AS A SUSTAINABLE DESIGNER
How this former interior designer is pushing change toward sourcing more sustainable materials.Read more
How this former interior designer is pushing change toward sourcing more sustainable materials.Read more
The Upcycle: Chris Youssef, Sustainability Consultant and Materials Specialist
The Upcycle: Chris Youssef, Sustainability Consultant and Materials Specialist
How this former interior designer is pushing change toward sourcing more sustainable materials.Read more
How this former interior designer is pushing change toward sourcing more sustainable materials.Read more
The Upcycle: with Eric Law of Urban Machine
The Upcycle: with Eric Law of Urban Machine
By: Michelle Johnson | GFDA Contributor Unsettled by the fact that 37 million tons of wood waste go into U.S....Read more
By: Michelle Johnson | GFDA Contributor Unsettled by the fact that 37 million tons of wood waste go into U.S....Read more
The Upcycle: with Caleb Anderson
The Upcycle: with Caleb Anderson
Having that approach with our planet, all our natural systems, and mirroring the regeneration designed into it, is where humanity is headed, period.Read more
Having that approach with our planet, all our natural systems, and mirroring the regeneration designed into it, is where humanity is headed, period.Read more
The Upcycle: Meet Alison Davin of Jute
The Upcycle: Meet Alison Davin of Jute
The Upcycle: A GFDA Q&A. Jute creates harmonious environments using chemical-free fibers—designed to benefit the health and well-being of their clients.Read more
The Upcycle: A GFDA Q&A. Jute creates harmonious environments using chemical-free fibers—designed to benefit the health and well-being of their clients.Read more
