"When our client was looking for sustainability in their new police headquarters, HJ Kessler Associates provided our entire design team with vision, inspiration and the necessary focus to turn that desire into green reality.  Helen’s knowledge, common sense and integrated approach demystified the process for our team and inspired everyone from engineers to owners to start expanding their limits and expectations.  Our client’s desire for sustainability soon became LEED Gold Certification."   

Jake Davis, AIA, LEED AP, Project Architect, SRBL Architects, Ltd.

 

"Exelon’s objective was to develop a corporate headquarters that demonstrated its commitment to environmental stewardship by applying sustainable principles to drive recognizable value for its customers, employees, communities, and investors. In her role as LEED consultant to Exelon, Helen provided sustainability consulting services and coordinated the LEED efforts of the various disciplines. Helen did fabulous work when LEED-CI was hot off the USGBC press and there were few projects from which to draw for past experiences. Helen's role and contributions were critical to our accomplishments.”

Deb Kuo, Director of Real Estate for Exelon

 

"For the past three years I have had the opportunity to work with Helen Kessler on a major renovation for one of Northwestern University’s Chicago Campus Buildings.  Helen was a valuable member of the Owner/Architect/Engineer/Contractor team identifying opportunities to improve the energy usage of the building, improve student, faculty and staff comfort, to identify ways to minimize material waste through the use of recycling demolition debris and use of recycled materials in products we purchased.
As a result of Helen’s work and advice, Northwestern University achieved a Gold rating for LEED Commercial Interiors.
Her knowledge, expertise, enthusiasm, and persistence contributed greatly to elevating the project from a LEED Certification to a LEED Gold Certification.  I enjoyed working with her and appreciate her willingness to share her knowledge with others."

Sue Budinsky, AIA, Project Manager, Northwestern University

 

Helen Kessler has been a consultant, teacher, mentor, and friend. Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation hired HJ Kessler Associates as LEED consultant on our new construction project. Helen's breadth of knowledge of green architectural principles, nuances of LEED points, and Credit Interpretation Reviews were invaluable in both the design and construction phases of JRC's LEED Platinum project. In addition to her wealth of personal experience and technical expertise, she also brings a wide network of colleagues and associates who can be called upon as specialty consultants when needed.
Helen accepted each team member at his or her own level of LEED experience.  With a caring touch, she gently taught, guided and inspired us to build the most efficient, functional, and cost effective building possible. She challenged the whole team to stretch, struggle, persist, and grow. HJ Kessler Associates helped us not only to become the first LEED Platinum house of worship, but to grow into a greener and more committed community!

Julie Dorfman, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston, IL