Building Green: Reception & High-Performance Panel Discussion

In 2008, after years of hands-on experience in real estate construction, site work, and custom home building, we took a leap of faith and founded Top Notch Contracting. From day one, we knew that delivering truly exceptional work would take more than talent — it would take a team rooted in trust and shared purpose.

What began as a family-owned and operated business quickly grew into one of the region’s most respected construction teams — built on a foundation of sincerity, respect, and integrity.

Nick Schiffer, CEO, NS Builders

Nick Schiffer established NS Builders in 2014, and has since built a highly-skilled and creative team who share his enthusiasm for building luxury custom homes. Driven by a collective passion for quality craftsmanship, NS Builders has grown into one of the most renowned home builders in the Eastern Massachusetts area. Years of relentless attention to detail and meticulous quality control has fueled NS Builders’ reputation for building premier custom homes.

The NS Builders team lives for the nitty gritty particulars. Every project begins with a shared vision and thorough consideration of all possibilities. When priorities are clearly aligned, the entire team spares no detail in a comprehensive approach to crafting the perfect custom home.

Traverse Architects begins every project with careful listening and maintains that good communication is imperative throughout the entire project. This enables sensitivity to the unique needs and desires of each client, project and site. 

I am an award-winning licensed Architect based in Cambridge, MA.

Stephanie Horowitz, Architect, Principal at ZeroEnergy Design 

Stephanie Horowitz AIA, CPHC, is a Principal and Co-Founder of ZeroEnergy Design (ZED), an architecture and energy consulting firm focusing on the design of homes and buildings targeting exceptional energy performance, indoor air quality, durability and thermal comfort. ZED creates beautiful, healthy buildings to empower families, uplift communities, and improve our living world.

ZED is a WBE-Certified architecture and mechanical design firm headquartered in Boston’s Financial District. Their multidisciplinary design team is composed of professionals from the fields of architecture and mechanical engineering. This integrated design approach yields holistically designed solutions and brings much-needed technical and financial rigor to the residential sector.

Bijan Khosraviani, PhD., Principal and Founder, A9 Green

Bijan has been in the energy consulting industry since 2006. His main areas of interest are energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy. He has helped countless homeowners and businesses save money and reduce their environmental impact through energy-efficient solutions. 

Bijan is a PHIUS+ (Passive House) Rater and Verifier, RESENT Certified HERS Rater, BPI Building Analyst, ICC Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner, and holds a Ph.D. degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University.