April 23, 2019

Interview with Vandita Mudgal, Hensel Phelps

Vandita Mudgal is an an Architect, Landscape Designer and a Green Building expert working as Sustainability Manager for Hensel Phelps Construction Company.

Vandita has changed many hats in her professional life – working as a designer, an independent consultant and now for a big general contractor. It has been an exciting journey and one that has helped me to shape her ‘unique’ approach to supporting deep green projects. She has worked in India, China and United States which has given her a unique perspective of working in different regions of the world that are different culturally, climatically, and have different real estate development goals.


What’s been the coolest green feature or project you’ve been involved with?

Vandita Mudgal: San Francisco International Airport – Terminal 1C project, which is currently ongoing. A deep green project, with aggressive LEED v4 certification target. I am actively involved in talking and educating manufacturers on what EPD and HPDs are… its being a real change-agent. I am confident that SFO T1C project will definitely give 1 few more EPD and HPDs to the construction industry that never existed before!

What’s one way that Green Badger has simplified LEED for your team at Hensel Phelps?

Vandita Mudgal: I am working on many projects at the same time and I am asked for project LEED status for some or all in a day (sometimes). Green Badger helps in bringing all the contractor credit status on one platform. It is my one go-to dashboard to check on all projects. Also, it a great way to learn and share project documentation (like EPD, HPD, VOC etc) between multiple projects. I simply am able to avoid folder searches and just go the Green Badger product entries. Also, with big projects – large teams and changing hands, Green Badger is a fool-proof way to avoid excel sheet mess ups and file management protocols.

“Green Badger helps in bringing all the contractor credit status on one platform. It is my one go-to dashboard to check on all projects. Also, it a great way to learn and share project documentation (like EPD, HPD, VOC etc) between multiple projects.”

Can you give us a local beer recommendation from your neck of the woods?

Vandita Mudgal: Sorry, not a beer person! I can suggest a great brunch place in Seattle – Geraldine’s Counter.

What is the best sustainability-related book that you’ve read?

Vandita Mudgal: Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century

What is one thing you wish USGBC did differently? 

Vandita Mudgal: A more user-friendly LEED online interface. I wish in general that there were less green building certifications out there. We just need one consolidated and robust Green Building Certification system! LEED, BREEAM, ILFI, WELL, Fitwel, Green Globe… their intent is the same, their approach and focus a bit different.

Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century
Worldchanging: A User’s Guide for the 21st Century, by Alex Steffen

Stayed tuned for the next in our series of interviews with green buildings professionals, and while you’re waiting be sure to check out our interview with Structure Tone.

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