Design Philosophy, Background, and Experience
Brennan Schumacher is a principal and owner of Be Green Consulting™ (BGC) which he founded in 2004. BGC provides integrated lighting design services that maximize energy savings and create a high quality visual environment. BGC also provides consulting and educational services in green building, LEED™ and sustainable design. Consulting services include strategic planning/eco-charette, design consultation, LEED project team administration, specifications review and materials research. Educational services include curriculum development, presentations, lectures, seminars, and professional training workshops. BGC promotes conservation and preservation of the natural world, as well as a healthy and productive built environment. BGC is a proud member of the United States Green Building Council. Be Green Consulting works in conjunction with David Nelson & Associates, LLC providing architectural lighting design with a focus on sustainability on a number of high profile projects that are pushing the envelope in the green building industry.
B rennan Schumacher began working in the electrical industry in 1998 in Minneapolis, MN, while attending school at Dunwoody Institute. After completing two years of general studies at the University of Minnesota, Brennan transferred to Dunwoody Institute, graduating with a degree in Electrical Design and Construction Management. Internships at both an electrical engineering firm and electrical design-build firm led him to Fort Collins, CO where he worked in the engineering department at Merit Electric, Inc. Brennan hit the ground running, advancing to become a primary lead designer for highly technical projects in the first year. With a strong background in lighting controls, and an even stronger passion for the environment, Brennan began focusing on high performance projects dedicating his work to providing design concepts that benefit the occupants, building owners and the environment. The idea of playing a larger role on the performance of a building and its impact on the environment became a strong desire. Brennan became LEED accredited in 2002 and implemented a ‘green initiative’ at Merit Electric helping their business and construction practices become more sustainable. Applying these practices led Brennan to work on several projects serving the dual role of a LEED Consultant and a lighting designer specializing in daylight harvesting and energy efficient design. In 2003, Brennan began to work with a small group of professionals in Colorado to organize a Colorado Chapter of the USGBC. Brennan sat on the Education Committee and chaired the LEED Subcommittee.
Brennan began educating others on the LEED Rating System and general green building practices through presentations to design and construction firms. He created and continues to develop and teach a course in The Fundamentals of Green Building and how these practices relate to the LEED Rating System. He has published three books on the subject matter of green building and the LEED Rating System. This course has been taught to Colorado State University, Washington State University, Western Washington University, public and private agencies and has helped thousands of individuals become LEED Accredited.
