{"id":531610,"date":"2024-07-16T16:17:39","date_gmt":"2024-07-16T20:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com\/?p=531610"},"modified":"2024-11-07T13:40:10","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T18:40:10","slug":"leah-karmaker-design-and-project-coordinator-at-just-housing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finehomebuilding.com\/2024\/07\/16\/leah-karmaker-design-and-project-coordinator-at-just-housing","title":{"rendered":"Leah Karmaker, Design and Project Coordinator at Just Housing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leah Karmaker is a change agent. From cultural arts to building science<\/strong><\/a> to social justice, Leah\u2019s interests\u2014and visions for betterment\u2014are many. As design and project coordinator at Just Housing, a public benefit corporation designing ready-to-build zero-energy homes<\/strong><\/a> in Duluth, Minn., Leah\u2019s work addresses housing inequity, environmental injustice, and the \u201cgreen-collar\u201d workforce. Since joining the woman-owned agency in 2021, she has focused primarily on new single-family residential design, and describes recent forays into energy assessments<\/strong><\/a> for climate resilience as \u201csuper fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keeping Things Creative<\/h2>\n

A self-proclaimed artistic type, Leah never expected to work for a building contractor after graduating from Northeastern University with a degree in architecture. She was surprised to learn how much she enjoys the technical, hands-on aspects of building with a construction crew. This experience informs her approach when leading Just Housing\u2019s workforce trainings in green building<\/strong><\/a> principles and practices.<\/p>\n

Leah says she is passionate about \u201cadequate housing,\u201d which Just Housing<\/a> defines as healthy, durable, fossil fuel\u2013free, and accessible. \u201cMost people do not have access to buildings that keep them safe and healthy without polluting the atmosphere<\/strong><\/a>,\u201d Leah explains. \u201cBuilding adequate buildings is not a given in this industry; accessibility is still the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked where her career is headed, Leah replies, \u201cI would like to learn about high-performance<\/strong><\/a> multifamily design. And I am still figuring out how building expertise plays a role in systemic change\u2014maybe it\u2019s code work, maybe policy work. Also, building city halls, libraries, community centers, and other institutions to a high-performance<\/strong> <\/a>standard is so important as a collective resource during climate emergencies\u2014that\u2019s another path I could see for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wherever her path leads, Leah Karmaker is sure to make change.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kiley Jacques, senior editor, Green Building Advisor<\/em><\/p>\n

From Fine Homebuilding<\/em> #325<\/a><\/p>\n

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Keep Craft Alive<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is our campaign celebrating those who have chosen to passionately pursue a career in design, building, and remodeling. Find out more and show your support by visiting\u00a0KeepCraftAlive.org<\/a>, and use\u00a0#KeepCraftAlive<\/a>\u00a0to share your passion for the cause.<\/p>\n

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