Architect Peter Caradonna foresees a sustainable future for Long Island

As a 3rd generation architect, Peter Caradonna eventually married (what else?) an architect. But his life's work truly started in the mid 1990s, working on a branch library in Brooklyn. Caradonna was handed the NYC Department of Design and Construction High Performance Building Guidelines. Curious what such a building would be, Caradonna spent the weekend reading the guidelines, gaining a new understanding of "the future of our business." Caradonna's introduction to sustainability convinced him that architects could regain their former importance to society, becoming "a catalyst to a critical paradigm shift." Starting his own firm in 1996, he sought to learn everything he could about green building. In 2000 he joined the US Green Building Council (USGBC), working on the programs committee for USGBC New York, one of the organization's six original chapters. Recruited to help start the Long Island Chapter, Caradonna became its first chair. His leadership skills impressed the national organization, where he now sits on the Chapter Steering Committee. USGBC now has over 79 chapters, and Peter enjoys a national network of bright, forward-thinking progressives to share ideas with anywhere he goes. Of course, sustainability faces a huge challenge from entrenched business and political entities. Caradonna says the green movement must work twice as hard to achieve its goals. He also believes the next generation will use their life-long relationship with computers to take up this struggle, informed by a different understanding of the world. "I can't wait to see what they come up with," he says. "They're my greatest hope." "Anywhere you go on earth," Caradonna said, "the human footprint is evident. Even in the furthest wilderness areas." In addition to sustainability, he foresees restorative and regenerative systems to maintain the planet, even as our society grows exponentially. For now, the current generation needs to determine the standards for making all buildings carbon neutral. "And you know what?" Peter said, "That's not a bad way to end this generation's work."