Alex Spilger ’03

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Green building consultant, KEMA

Green used to be just a color. Now it’s also a lifestyle. As a green building consultant for KEMA, Alex Spilger ’03 explains how a trip to Costa Rica led him to make a living out of protecting the environment.

What is KEMA?
KEMA is an international energy consulting firm with specializations in energy-efficiency, renewable energy and green-building.

What is green building and what do you do as a green building consultant?
Green buildings promote the economic health and well-being of the environment based on their design and construction. Our green building team works with owners, developers, architects and local governments to reduce the environmental impacts of buildings and developments. Much of the work we do deals with helping our clients incorporate sustainable design strategies in order to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED is a set of national building standards that help define what constitutes a green building. Without a national standard, anybody could call their building "green".

Is green building a costly alternative?
Some people assume that green building is expensive, but the reality is that green building can be very cost effective. Many of the strategies involved take little to no money to implement and can cut actual costs on the project. For example, by recycling or reusing construction waste, you can avoid costly dumping fees at landfills. Waterless urinals can be installed for minimal additional cost and each one saves thousands of gallons of water a year (not to mention, they are more sanitary than standard urinals). For some of the more costly measures, federal and local rebates are available, which help offset the financial burden. Although green buildings save on materials, energy and water, possibly the greatest benefit comes from increased employee productivity due to natural daylight, fresh air, individual comfort controls and reduced exposure to toxic chemicals.

Tell us about an ambitious idea a client has come up with for an environment-friendly building structure.
Green building encourages people to think creatively and leads to innovative ideas and team collaboration. One of the more creative ideas I've come across is for a new coffee roasting facility for Peet’s Coffee in Alameda, Calif. Peet’s is looking to capture the heat used in the coffee roasting process and direct it to power the lights in the building.

Give us your feedback on An Inconvenient Truth. Do you align yourself with the viewpoint presented?
From what the experts say, climate change is a very real problem facing our planet. As members of spaceship Earth, we need to recognize the consequences of the choices we make and do our part to reduce our impact on the environment. As Americans, we are responsible for 25% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. Every time we spend a dollar we essentially cast a vote for that product, service or company and it's important to consider who and what you're voting for. I think it's also important to recognize that environmentally friendly practices can be good for business and present new opportunities.

How did you become interested in green building?
I first heard about green building while volunteering as a teacher in Costa Rica in 2005. I met a friend there who specializes in bamboo construction. He explained the benefits of building with a rapidly renewable resource, such as bamboo. He suggested I get involved with green building when I return to the U.S.

Why did you go to Costa Rica to teach?
I studied abroad in Italy while in college, and it sparked my desire to see the world. After working for a year after graduation, I was anxious to travel again, and WorldTeach Costa Rica had everything I was looking for -- a chance to immerse myself in a totally different culture, to learn Spanish, to work with kids and to give something back.

Describe your life in a tiny mountain village in Costa Rica.
It was incredible! I spent 2005 volunteering with WorldTeach, which is a nonprofit based at Harvard University's Center for International Development. I was fortunate enough to be placed in San Gerardo de Rivas, a small, beautiful village of 350 people located in the mountains of Costa Rica. To give you a sense of how rural it is, there was no phone in the entire town and the nearest Internet source was an hour-and-a-half bus ride away. I lived with a host family and taught English to kindergarten through sixth grade students at the local elementary school. I spent my afternoons playing soccer with the locals, swimming in the river and drinking lots of coffee, and nights were reserved for stargazing. Although the people don't have much money, their lives are filled with laughter, family, good food and a connection to the land. The bonds I formed with my community and the perspective I've gained will last a lifetime.

What was the most unique or unusual experience that you had while there?
One night, our family dog killed a raccoon and we ate it for dinner the next day. How does it taste? Like beef jerky.

What did you miss the most and what didn’t you miss?
I missed my family and friends the most, and Diddy Riese was a close second. Things I missed the least include TV, traffic, smog and cubicles.

Since teaching English is such a departure from engineering, do you think that your year abroad postponed or negatively affected your career?
Absolutely not. It helped my career. Employers saw the year spent in Costa Rica as a worthwhile, enriching experience that set me apart from other applicants. It was a good lesson to follow my interests and know that everything will fall into place. It also gave me perspective on what I want to do.

Tell us about what you do to kick back and relax.
I love to be active. I enjoy playing basketball, soccer, biking and backpacking. I’m looking forward to competing in my first triathlon this spring. I also play the piano and guitar.

What are you most excited about in your life right now?
In September, I'm getting married to my college sweetheart, Amelia, whom I met at Bruin Woods when we were counselors together.