2025 Women in Construction: Emily Durso, Bright Power

What is one project or achievement in your career that you are most proud of, and how did it impact your organization or community? 

I am really proud of our work on the Gail P. Duke Senior Residence in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The project is a 13-story building with an older adult center on the ground floor, and is already design certified under Phius in the construction phase. It’s exciting to be involved in a project serving the community in such an impactful way. The core passive house concepts of occupant health and comfort really serve this tenant population well.

What trends or innovations do you believe will shape the future of your field, and how are you positioning yourself (or your firm) to be at the forefront? 

There are always exciting advancements in HVAC technology, especially when it comes to improving efficiency, reducing refrigerant leakage, or lowering embodied carbon. Bright Power has the opportunity to see how these new technologies actually perform in the real world since we monitor building data. That hands-on, data-driven feedback loop helps us stay ahead of the curve and provide better informed decisions about building performance with teams during the design phase.

Do you have a hidden talent or a surprising fact about yourself that most people wouldn’t know?

I have a twin sister who is working at an architecture firm in upstate NY. 

What’s your favorite way to recharge or get inspired outside of work?

When I am not working, I love to explore the great outdoors.