The Materially Better Advantage™
Visionary Commitment to Healthy Materials
Where goals become buildings. See the results.
Our clients design and deliver buildings that advance human health, environmental responsibility, and social equity. We partner with them to turn ambitious goals into built results—bringing deep consulting expertise and disciplined execution that moves projects, and the market, forward.
Project Portfolio
From vision to verified results, these projects demonstrate the impact of embedded healthier materials expertise across design and construction.
The Living Village at Yale Divinity School
The project is pursuing full Living Building Challenge v4.0 certification.
The Yale Divinity School Living Village, a student residential complex, is designed to be the first Living-certified LBC project in the Ivy League. The building, housing 150 students, will derive all its energy from the sun with fully electrified mechanical systems. When opened, the $150 million project will be the largest Living Building in the higher education sector. Materially Better is providing sustainability support and LBC project management for a new 130,000-sf Yale Divinity School campus.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
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Architect:
PAE Living Building
The project is pursing LBC Materials petal certification.
Materially Better provided LBC Materials Petal support for this 55,000-sf historic commercial renovation project. Located in Portland, Oregon, the PAE Living Building is the largest commercial LBC project to date.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant:
Architect:
Materially Better
Science and Engineering Complex at Harvard University
Certified 04/2021: Living Building Challenge (LBC) Materials petal
Materially Better researched more than 5,600 building materials for this 544,000 sf building.
Materially Better began working with Harvard in 2016 to help achieve Living Building Challenge (LBC) Materials petal certification for the university’s Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), the school’s most significant new building in a generation and the largest LBC project ever built. This required, in part, contacting each manufacturer of every one of thousands of products needed for the massive building, and requesting transparent disclosure of all ingredients, place of manufacture and other details depending upon product type.
Materially Better assembled a dedicated team of healthy building materials researchers—an industry first—and began creating Red2Green (R2G), a comprehensive software platform to streamline research and organize documentation. The evolving database helped the team gather and systematically record all SEC project research (more than 10,000 hours work over nearly four years), report findings in real time and be LBC audit ready at completion.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
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The Stanley Center for Peace and Security
The project is pursuing full Living Building Challenge v4.0 certification.
Upon completion, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security in Muscatine, Iowa promises to be one of the most environmentally-friendly and ecologically-sustainable buildings in the world. From its new headquarters, a $10 million project, the Stanley Center will drive policy in three issue areas: mitigating climate change, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons and preventing mass violence and atrocities. Materially Better is providing LBC Materials petal support for this 20,000-sf renovation of a former public library.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant:
Architect:
Materially Better
The Davis Center at Williams College
The project is targeting LBC Materials, Health + Happiness, Beauty, and Equity petals.
Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, is undertaking a $27.5 million historic renovation and new construction expansion of its Davis Center for the advancement of institutional diversity, equity and inclusion. The project expands the 18,650-sf site into a 26,350-sf multicultural center with an addition, to provide a hub for education, community building, activism, academic exploration, and celebration.
Materially Better is providing LBC materials support on a historic renovation and new construction project for a 20,000-sf multicultural center.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant:
Architect:
Materially Better
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
The project is pursuing full Living Building Challenge v4.0 certification.
Opening July 4, 2026, the $333 million, 109,675-sf Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will feature immersive, hands-on learning experiences for visitors. An environmental showcase, the rammed earth, mass timber and steel structure will occupy a 93-acre site in Medora, near Roosevelt National Park in the North Dakota Badlands. Along with full Living Building Challenge v4.0, the project team, led by JLG Architects and Snøhetta, is pursuing both LEED BD+C v4.1 and Sustainable SITES Initiative v2 Platinum certifications.
Materially Better is providing LBC Materials Petal compliance support for the new museum and archive that incorporates Roosevelt’s legacy as a founder of the conservation movement.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
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91 Mount Auburn
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better provided holistic sustainability consulting to reduce the overall carbon footprint and ensure better product selection on the renovation of an historic 19th-century building located in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Architect: Bruner/Cott Architects
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better is providing healthier materials recommendations, research, and strategic support for the project. Our partner, HMFH Architects. is developing a new standard for healthy materials in K-12 public schools in collaboration with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Center for Developmental Economics at Williams College
Currently in its performance period, the project is seeking LBC Zero Energy certification.
Materially Better is providing design support for a 7,500-sf dormitory addition.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: PBDW Architects
Class of 1966 Environmental Center at Williams College
Certified 05/2025: Full Living Building certification
This 9,500-sf building on a 1.1-acre site houses the Center for Environmental Studies and the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives for Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts. The building incorporates a historic 1790s frame structure and new construction. The original Kellogg House was stripped down to its basic framing to bring the wiring up to code, allow modifications to the original windows, air sealing, and insulation work. Significant regrading for the new building was required to prepare for an entrance courtyard, outdoor seating set into a hill, orchards and gardens, and the storm/waste water on-site treatment systems. Inside, the old and new are merged into one with offices, a library, classroom space, and a kitchen.
Materially Better consulted on all imperatives of the Living Building Challenge. This is the first historic renovation project for the International Living Future Institute.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Black River Design Architects
Confidential Academic Building
This project is currently undergoing LBC Ready Audit.
Materially Better is providing LBC CORE and materials support on the renovation of a 93,000-sf laboratory and academic building in Massachusetts. Once renovated, the building will serve as a state-of-the-art hub for quantum science and engineering collaboration.
The image above is representative only in order to protect the privacy of the owner(s).
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Confidential Biotech Campus
The project is pursuing LBC Core Green Building + Materials Petal certification.
This 464,000-sf facility will be a purpose-built research and development facility with laboratories of the future featuring modern design elements and upgraded technology to support the company in its efforts to advance humancentric innovation. Materially Better is consulting on all of the Imperatives associated with LBC Core Green Building certification, as well as providing Materials Petal imperatives consulting and software support for this project in Boston, Massachusetts.
The image above is representative only in order to protect the privacy of the owner(s).
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Confidential Mixed Use Building
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better is providing research and coordination in selecting healthier products for this 900,000-sf project in Massachusetts featuring a mix of research-focused companies, green space, residences and a hotel and conference center.
The image above is representative only in order to protect the privacy of the owner(s).
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Cumnock Hall at Harvard Business School
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better provided MEP healthier materials research and support for this center, which offers a wide array of amenities to retired emeriti faculty at Harvard Business School, Boston Massachusetts. Cumnock features office space, equipment use, archival document storage, conference room use, publications for reference use, staff assistance and event space.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Dr. Nettie Maria Stevens Science and Innovation Center at Westfield State University
LEED Silver certified
Materially Better provided LEED coordination services for this new 56,500-sf science building in Westfield, Massachusetts which features classrooms and laboratories for the university’s STEM-related degree programs in Nursing and Allied Health, Chemical and Physical Sciences, Biology and Environmental Science.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Cambridge Seven Associates
The Ecology School
The project is pursuing full Living Building certification.
The Ecology School in Saco, Maine promises to become one of the nation’s greenest residential environmental learning centers and has registered for the Living Community Challenge, the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment today. Located along the Saco River, the school includes a 105-acre organic farm with produce, livestock, and orchards, which will anchor lessons in sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Materially Better is providing support for the Materials petal as the first buildings on campus pursue full Living Building certification.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Kaplan Thompson Architects
Landscape Design: Kaplan Thompson Architects
Fort Bradshaw Hall at Williams College
Certified 03/2022: LBC Living Building petal certified for Equity and Access, Health and Happiness, and Materials
Fort Bradshaw, aka The Fort, is the home to 12 students in the Williams Graduate Program in the History of Art. The Fort underwent a full gut renovation, including replacement or upgrades to envelope, mechanical, and electrical systems. Finishes were replaced throughout. The building was made fully accessible including installation of an elevator.
Materially Better provided full LBC support for the project.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: MCWB Architects
The Frautschi Center
The project is pursuing the Energy Petal of the Living Building Challenge.
The Frautschi Center at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve serves as a new, welcoming front door to one of UW–Madison’s most iconic landscapes. The 9,000-sf visitor and education center supports experiential learning and research across more than 25 academic programs while improving access, safety, and connectivity for students, visitors, and the broader community.
Planned as Wisconsin’s first Living Building and UW–Madison’s first net-positive energy facility, the project sets a new bar for high-performance design on campus. Strategies include geothermal heating and cooling, passive ventilation, daylighting, green roofs, stormwater reuse, and the use of recycled and upcycled materials—all sited on previously disturbed land to protect and enhance surrounding habitat.
The center is designed as a public-facing place for learning, gathering, and stewardship. It honors the ancestral lands of the Ho-Chunk Nation through interpretive education and culturally informed land care practices, while reflecting a multi-generational philanthropic commitment to conservation, access, and environmental education..
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: TKWA
Harvard Business School at 25 Travis Street
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better provided materials consulting and targeted advocacy to manufacturers for Harvard Business School’s renovation of its 25 Travis St. facility. Materially Better facilitated installation of Red List free and Red List compliant products as well as capturing and organizing all decisions—enabling them to be easily applied to future projects.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Harvard Business School Department of Operations, Shad Hall
The Materially Better Advantage™
By providing healthier building materials support for the Department of Operations in Boston, Massachusetts, Materially Better helped Harvard Business School continue to build their own in-house palette of healthier products.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Hollander Hall at Williams College
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED consulting services, including design documentation and construction implementation for this 60,000-sf academic building in Williamstown, Massachusetts which includes faculty offices, classrooms and informal gathering spaces.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Bohlin, Cywinski, Jackson
Hitchcock Center for the Environment
Certified 04/2019: LBC Full Living certification
The Hitchcock Center for the Environment is a 9,000-sf environmental education center in Amherst, Massachusetts designed “to foster greater awareness and understanding of our environment and develop environmentally literate citizens.” The Center features indoor and outdoor classrooms, offices and educational exhibits. It is located on Hampshire College land and within walking distance of another Materially Better supported Living Building Challenge project: the R.W. Kern Center.
Materially Better provided support for LBC building material compliance.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: designLAB architects, inc.
Laboratory for Innovation Science (LISH) at Harvard University
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better provided LBC-inspired healthier materials support for the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which explores emerging business, scientific, and social trends at the macro- and micro-levels. LISH was the first follow-on project for Harvard’s Science and Engineering Complex, in which it is located.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Lexington Police Station
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better was the healthy materials consultant for this 30,000-sf new construction police station in Lexington, Massachusetts.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
LBC Office Renovations, Mahlum Architects
Mahlum’s Portland office was LBC Materials petal certified in 2019 and their Seattle office is working to achieve the same.
Materially Better provided Materials Petal imperatives consulting and software support for both Mahlum’s Portland and Seattle studio renovations.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Mahlum Architects
Lloyd Center for the Environment Welcome Center
The project is targeting full Living Building Challenge v3.0 certification, with expected net zero energy and water use.
Located on an 82 acre preserve on the coast of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the 990-sf Lloyd Welcome Center will educate and inspire visitors about its coastal forest surroundings. The Center will provide a lavatory and bus drop-off facility for the expanding programs of the Center.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: studio2sustain
Nuthatch Hollow at Binghamton University
The project is pursuing full Living Building certification.
Materially Better is managing the Materials Petal imperatives for this 2,500-sf environmental classroom and research facility.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Ashley McGraw
Pier 56 Office Renovation, Mithun Architects
The project is pursuing LBC Materials petal certification.
Mithun’s renovation of Pier 56 in Seattle, Washington reveals and celebrates the soul of this century-old landmark. Open spaces respect the fabric of the historic structure and integrate the firm’s activities, catalyzing design dialogue and innovation. Project teams work in multi-disciplinary groups connected by a central Main Street and a host of flexible conference, collaboration and maker spaces. Natural finishes, visible building systems and amenities support occupant health and comfort, from hand-operated clerestory windows to locker rooms for bike commuters. A resilient landmark and agile workplace for the future, Pier 56 provides a critical link between the past and future on Seattle’s evolving waterfront.
Materially Better managed the Materials Petal imperatives for this 36,000-sf architectural studio set within an historic waterfront pier.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Mithun
Private Residence
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better was the healthy materials consultant for this modern 8,000-sf home nestled into the mountains of Waterbury, Vermont.
The image above is representative only in order to protect the privacy of the owner(s).
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Architect: Birdseye VT
R.W. Kern Center at Hampshire College
Certified 04/2018: LBC Full Living certification
This 17,000-sf building on a 2.3-acre site houses the new Admissions Office and Welcome Center for Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. The building features learning and program spaces, a gallery, coffee bar and campus store. The Kern Center also earned a 2017 COTE (American Institute of Architect’s Committee on the Environment) Top Ten award.
Materially Better consulted on all imperatives of the Materials petal.
Sustainable materials and project management support is provided by Red2Green.
LBC Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Bruner/Cott Architects
Schapiro Hall at Williams College
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED consulting services, including design documentation and construction implementation support for this 30,000-sf lecture hall and classrooms for Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Bohlin, Cywinski, Jackson
SRC Arena and Events Center at Onondaga Community College
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED coordination services for this 60,000-sf athletic facility, featuring a six-lane track, three flexible courts, meeting rooms and seating for up to 6,500 people in Syracuse, New York.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Cannon Design
Stetson Library at Williams College
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED coordination services for 177,000-sf library that incorporates restoration of historic library structure in Williamstown, Massachusetts..
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Bohlin, Cywinski, Jackson
Tobin Montessori School and Vassal Lane Upper Schools
The Materially Better Advantage™
Materially Better provided materials coordination, healthier materials research and advocacy to manufacturers for the complex in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which will house the Tobin Montessori School, Vassal Lane Upper Schools, the City’s Department of Human Services Programs preschool and afterschool programs, and Special Start. The work also provided the project’s design team with an ever-increasing schedule of products that comply with their healthier materials criteria and can easily be incorporated into future project specifications.
The Materially Better Building process begins by analyzing your team’s goals to create a sustainability strategy that incorporates your vision and standards, construction schedule, team buy in, budget considerations and more. The goal: ensure that each new project can be the best you’ve ever created.
Weston Athletic Complex at Williams College
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED coordination services for the redevelopment of this Williams College athletic complex in Williamstown, Massachusetts, which included a revived entrance, new athletic fields, a new team support building, grandstands and press box.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: CHA Consulting, Inc (formerly Clough Harbor and Associates LLP)
Weston Hall at Williams College
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED coordination services for the renovation of this 22,000-sf project, which houses the college’s admissions and financial aid offices in Williamstown, Massachusetts..
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Architectural Resources Cambridge
William R. Greiner Hall at State University at Buffalo
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED coordination services for this 550-bed dormitory with dedicated classroom settings as well as creative spaces for individuals and groups in Buffalo, New York. Greiner Hall includes an irrigation system drawing water from an on-campus lake and laundry room counters made from recycled Tide detergent bottles.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Cannon Design
Williamstown Youth Center
LEED Gold certified
Materially Better provided LEED support services for this 12,000-sf community center, a non-profit corporation in Williamstown, Massachusetts dedicated to providing quality recreational programs and activities for youths in grades 1–12.
Red2Green sustainable products and project management platform now supports LEED projects.
LEED Consultant: Materially Better
Architect: Black River Design
Your Next Project Here
The Materially Better team includes leaders in sustainable materials research and implementation, with extensive experience across diverse building types and scales. Our collective experience encompasses more than 70 projects targeting healthier materials selection, ambitious sustainability goals, and industry-leading green-building certifications. With a proven framework to guide our work in evaluating and managing sustainable materials, we are uniquely positioned to help your team navigate the complexities of materials attributes and client sustainability goals. Tap our wisdom and experience to make all of your projects Materially Better.