Matt Coffey

"Ecosa was part of a multi-year fellowship grant that I was awarded. After Ecosa I went on to a two week workshop with Glenn Murcutt and friends in OZ and a week long workshop in the jungle of Costa Rica with the Biomimicry Guild. Had to make a quick stop to catch up with fellow alumni, Jose Colombari and found a few waves along the way.

I am now working with South Mountain Company, a progressive and employee owned design/build company on Martha's Vineyard that is well respected as pioneers in the New England sustainability scene. We have an incredible systems engineer, millwork shop, combined knowledge and solid karma.

I got married and my wife and I bought a zero net energy home in a small community of eight families, built by the company I work for now. We are coming up on a full year of occupancy without a single utility bill. 5KW system on the roof and no fossil fuels. I also had a baby daughter (and #2 is on the way), joined the Board of Directors for the Island Housing Trust (our local affordable housing group), and have taken two of seven ARE exams (and passed).

I am working on a set of prototype homes for working residents on the island and beyond. The goal is to build a 'zero net energy possible home' for 200-240k depending on number of bedrooms. The plans will be open source and free to use for all. This effort is possible because of a donation that was left to our company in a will with the intent of bolstering the 'affordable' housing on the island.

My life in a nutshell. I look back to my time at Ecosa with great respect for what you have done and the experiences it brought together. It was a timely push in the right directions for me and I hope for big success with the new programs."