September 27, 2018

Survey: Paladino & Co.

Photo from DBIA

HAPO’s Mill Plain branch in Vancouver is the first credit union to pursue Well Certification.

Specialty: Sustainability and green building consulting firm that aligns sustainability strategies to measurable business value

Management: Tom Paladino, founder and CEO

Founded: 1994

Headquarters: Seattle

2017 revenues: N/A

Projected 2018 revenues: N/A

Projects: Pursuing Well Certification for HAPO Credit Union in Vancouver; sustainability consulting for Forza Tower in Columbia

The DJC asked Deborah Hanamura, executive director of sales and marketing at Paladino, about trends and issues in the industry. Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Q: What types of projects has Paladino focused on recently?

A: The past year has shown an exciting diversity in rating systems and third-party back-checks. Highlights include the LEED EB O+M project for Camden Yards, the Well Certification effort to help HAPO Credit Union become the healthiest credit union in the world, being selected to provide sustainability consulting for Forza Tower, which will be the tallest building in Latin America.

These projects demonstrate that sustainability, wellness, and resilience reach across geographies, business types and budgets. We love the diversity of work and the challenges it brings.

Q: Has Paladino changed any services in the last year?

A: The biggest addition to our services has been a rapid escalation in our work with wellness, including Fitwel and Well Certification work. We are also seeing increased interest in sustainability’s link to climate resilience.

Q: You service architects, developers, corporations and the public sector — are you focusing more on any of these?

A: We work in partnership with architects to deliver a high-value asset to the project owner or developer. How that value is measured is based on the business circumstances of each owner and how they evaluate their pro forma. Our increased focus is on the link between sustainability and business value, with the certification functioning as a back-check on the decisions made.

Q: What regions where Paladino operates have picked up?

A: There is a general spike in secondary markets around the U.S., and we are seeing that in our business. We are particularly busy in Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Boston.

Q: Are you staffing up or down in response to changes in your business?

A: We are growing. Our firm is a boutique, and our aim is to carefully manage our growth. We are actively adding key positions in both Seattle and D.C.

Q: As sustainability evolves, are clients still receptive to new tech?

A: Absolutely. There is always a curiosity about new technologies combined with a healthy skepticism about being the first to deploy it. If you can bring the data, market proof and business case for a technical approach, a client will typically consider it. In terms of climate resilience, we are also seeing innovative solutions that come from passive strategies — using less technology with smart design can also be the right answer.

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