Member Spotlight

Melissa Kops, AIA, LEED BD+C, LFA, CPHD

Project Manager, Architect
City of New Haven

International Living Future Hero: one of the first 20 Living Future Accredited Professionals

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“Being a member of this organization has given me a platform to share my expertise, become well-known for my passion for green building, connect with my heroes, and advocate for policy that is important to me.”

Tell us about your work.

I work for the City of New Haven, in the Department of Engineering overseeing the design and construction of municipal building projects. I also advise on other City infrastructure projects and sustainability initiatives, and serve as the municipal representative to the CT Energy Efficiency Board.

What’s your role in sustainability?

The City of New Haven has demonstrated a commitment to Climate action by passing a Climate Emergency and Electrification Resolution requiring that municipal buildings and fleet be electrified by 2030.

Working at the City I am able to apply my sustainable expertise to decarbonize municipal buildings and make them more energy efficient, resilient, and healthy. I also get to advise on City sustainability initiatives, zoning, and serve as the municipal representative to the State’s Energy Efficiency Board.

My commitment to a sustainable built environment has been recognized with a Judy Swann Green Advocate Award from the CT Green Building Council in 2018. I have also been named a 2020 Living Future Hero by the International Living Future Institute, and in 2022 received the CT Chapter of the American Institute of Architects President’s Award.

I also teach a course on Green Buildings at the Yale School of the Environment. The course is an overview of what makes a building green and includes many building tours and guest speakers. My students do projects on a broad number of topics such as policy, materials, project types, and strategies.

What’s your Why?

I became a member of BuildGreenCT (formerly CTGBC) to have more impact than I could working on individual building projects and to connect with other green building professionals.

Being a member of this organization has given me a platform to share my expertise, become well-known for my passion for green building, connect with my heroes, and advocate for policy that is important to me.

I honestly wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much, received as much professional recognition, or made the pivot to the public sector without the support of this organization.

Tell us about a project you are proud of. 

As the Project Manager for the Trowbridge Recreation Center, I am leading a team of Architects, Engineers, and Contractors to complete a historically sensitive renovation and deep energy retrofit of a long abandoned community resource. This building was once a beloved community center that when finished will make a big impact on the youth in this historically African-American community known for its ties to the underground railroad.

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What motivates you?

I want to do my part to make the world a better place, and feel like my handprint of positive impact is bigger than my footprint of negative impact.

What are your hobbies? 

I like to kayak. Getting out on the water almost every weekend got me through the pandemic times.

Fun Fact:

I bike commute to work in all different weather conditions.