Sigal Shemesh, 31

Construction isn’t necessarily an environmentally friendly industry. After all, by many estimates, the sector contributes to about 40 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions. But Sigal Shemesh is trying to change that as a sustainability consultant.

“I influence architectural design to be the most optimized that it can be from a sustainability standpoint,” Shemesh said. “So, when our architects design a building, is it the best version to reduce the amount of carbon?”

Thanks to her work at SOM, one of the world’s most prominent architecture firms, she’s already got sizable projects to tout. 

Take a university building in the Middle East. Architects had drawn up an oblong-shaped building. Shemesh convinced them to rotate the structure east to west. The change reduced the solar exposure by about 60 percent, creating a more energy-efficient building. 

“Just by literally moving the building, you’re able to have a really subtle impact on design, but have a really drastic impact on reducing energy consumption,” Shemesh said.

Back in the New York area, she convinced clients the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum and the New York Climate Exchange project on Governors Island to seek the Living Building Challenge, one of the most aggressive and aspirational sustainability certifications. 

“The clients already had super-high [sustainability] aspirations, but didn’t really know how to highlight that to the public,” Shemesh said. “I was able to reframe the pursuit of the Living Building Challenge as the best showcase of their own aspirations.” (The park has secured the certification.) 

Her work is sure to proliferate. She’s teaching classes at Columbia University, her alma mater, and New York City College of Technology. “It’s something that I’m proud of,” Shemesh said. “It’s a bit of a milestone.”