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Across the built environment, one of the biggest missed opportunities is not design related. It is financial.  Projects are moving forward every day without fully capturing the incentives, rebates, and funding mechanisms available to them. Not because the opportunities are not there, but because they are not identified early enough or integrated into the project strategy.  At Epsten Group, […]

Every great team has someone whose story reminds us what dedication truly looks like. For Epsten Group’s Jay Nasirifard, that story spans continents, careers, and a steadfast pursuit of excellence. After relocating to the United States in 2001, Jay’s first position was unloading materials at a JCPenney warehouse. His drive to learn and adapt quickly

Zoo and animal sanctuary design is experiencing a clear shift. What was once driven largely by precedent and visual interpretation is increasingly shaped by measurable outcomes and scientific insight. Across the industry, institutions are moving toward evidence-based planning that prioritizes animal welfare, behavioral health, and long term adaptability over design intent alone. This evolution is

2025 was a year of meaningful work, strong partnerships, and community engagement for the Epsten Group Architecture Department. We proudly advanced several high-impact projects, including our continued work with the North American Headquarters for Kingspan, where thoughtful design and sustainability remained at the forefront. We also supported the Salisbury Zoo with design efforts for their

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) officially released LEED v5 on April 28th of this year, representing the most ambitious update yet to the LEED rating system. This new version drives decarbonization, climate resilience, and human health through measurable outcomes, where previous versions focused on design intent. With a heightened emphasis on operational carbon, real-time

As zoos and aquariums evolve, their role extends far beyond conservation and education. Today, these institutions are also leaders in sustainable design, modeling how the built environment can protect ecosystems, reduce resource consumption, and create healthier experiences for both animals and people. By integrating strategies like green infrastructure, energy modeling, and sustainability certifications, zoos and

If you ask Briana Rushton, Sustainability Specialist at Epsten Group, what drives her, she’ll tell you it’s the intersection of the natural and built environments and the responsibility to make that relationship thrive. A Miami native, Briana’s journey into sustainability started in high school, where she developed a deep love for environmental conservation. That passion

Sustainability is no longer just a moral imperative. It’s a business strategy. At Epsten Group, we’ve proven that designing for environmental and social impact also drives performance, trust, and growth. Sustainability is more than a consulting service—it’s embedded into every square foot of our own operations. As trusted advisors in green building, wellness certifications, and

At Epsten Group, sustainability isn’t just about constructing new spaces—it’s about reimagining and revitalizing existing ones to better serve the environment, the community, and the inhabitants within. Our recent renovation of the African lion habitat at Zoo Atlanta, in collaboration with Breedlove Land Planning, who led the master planning and landscape architecture effort, exemplifies this

At Epsten Group, we know that no two career paths look the same—and John LeSage’s story is a great example of how curiosity, adaptability, and a passion for impact can come together in unexpected ways.  A Path to Purpose John graduated from the University of Notre Dame in May 2024 with a degree in environmental