As the Spring semester comes to a close, we want to thank the students, faculty, and staff of RISD’s Interior Architecture Department for an engaging and rewarding experience. It was a privilege for Stephen Turner, Amanda Harding, and Chloe Castaneda of Stephen Turner Inc. to teach about Energy & Systems and to share lessons learned from commissioning and high-performance building projects. We were continually impressed by the students’ curiosity, creativity, and willingness to tackle complex challenges at the intersection of design and building performance.

Over the semester, students explored how buildings perform through the lens of energy, comfort, sustainability, and resilience. We examined topics ranging from building envelope and HVAC systems to daylighting, water systems, material selection, operational vs. embodied carbon, the challenges of adaptive reuse projects, and the critical relationship between design intent and real-world building operation. Through discussions, case studies, and applied projects, students developed a deeper understanding of how building systems shape both the occupant experience and environmental impact of the built environment.

Thank you to RISD and the Interior Architecture Department for the opportunity to contribute to the education of the next generation of designers. We look forward to seeing how these students apply their knowledge to create more thoughtful, sustainable, and resilient buildings in the years ahead.

We are thrilled to welcome two students to our team this summer as Commissioning Analyst Interns! Supported by the Office of Energy Resources and RI Commerce through the Clean Energy Internship Program, these students will gain hands-on experience in the growing field of building commissioning.

Meet our 2026 Summer Interns:

Ryley Perrino is currently a student at Bryant University majoring in Politics and Law with a concentration in Sustainability and Climate Action. She is passionate about researching and implementing solutions and systems that will create a more sustainable future.

Adam Wetherbee is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Rhode Island. Originally from New Hampshire, Adam is excited to deepen his understanding of HVAC systems by gaining hands-on experience with building commissioning and exploring sustainable building practices.

We are excited to support Ryley and Adam as they develop their skills and explore careers in sustainable design, engineering, and commissioning. Welcome to the team! 

We’re excited to welcome KC Harding back to Stephen Turner Inc. as Program Manager. KC was an integral part of our team from 2015–2019, and we’re thrilled to have him return with expanded experience in building enclosure commissioning, building automation systems, and multidisciplinary building performance consulting.

KC’s recent experience spans complex institutional, laboratory, and commercial projects, including work with NYC Dept. of Design & Construction, ASLM, Amazon tower complexes, and other large-scale public and private developments. His ability to bridge architectural, mechanical, and controls systems strengthens our ability to support clients through integrated, evidence-based commissioning. We’re excited to have KC back on the team and look forward to the impact he will continue to make across our projects. 

This week we toured South Street Landing with RISD Interior Architecture (INTAR) students, bringing classroom concepts into a real-world example of adaptive reuse and building performance. Lead by Amanda Harding, and Chloe Castaneda, this tour connected students directly with the systems and strategies that drive high-performance buildings.

Once a historic power station on the Providence waterfront, South Street Landing is now a high-performance academic and office facility, demonstrating how existing buildings can be transformed to meet modern energy, comfort, and operational goals.

This project is especially meaningful to our team—Stephen Turner Inc. provided commissioning services from 2016–2019, helping ensure that building systems were installed, tested, and optimized to perform as intended.

During the tour, students explored:

• How historic structures can be adapted into high-performing buildings
• The integration of modern mechanical systems within an existing envelope
• Real-world challenges encountered during construction 

This experience reinforced a key message we emphasize in our teaching and practice: design intent only becomes meaningful when it translates into measurable performance.

At Stephen Turner Inc., we believe in bridging the gap between design, construction, and operations. Engaging with RISD students is part of our broader mission to support the next generation of designers and thinkers. Stephen Turner and Jing Wu have been advising RISD INTAR graduate students on their thesis work since 2012, helping them understand buildings not just as spaces, but as dynamic systems that impact people, energy use, and the environment.

We’re grateful to RISD and the students for their curiosity and engagement, and we look forward to continuing to support hands-on learning opportunities that bring building performance to life.

Click to learn more about the South Street Landing Project Here + 

Stephen Turner Inc. will be supporting Rhode Island Energy’s Energy Code Technical Support Initiative through an upcoming Commercial Existing Buildings training at Taco Comfort Solutions in Cranston, Rhode Island.

This session will be presented by Stephen Turner, PE, CCP, in collaboration with CleaResult and Rhode Island Energy, and will be offered free of charge to Rhode Island building officials, inspectors, and industry professionals.

The training will focus on Chapter 5 of the 2024 IECC, covering existing building requirements for additions, alterations, repairs, and changes of occupancy or use. Topics will include permitting and compliance pathways, AHJ review and inspections, and how envelope, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing requirements apply to commercial projects, including recent Rhode Island code amendments related to electric-ready provisions.

Stephen Turner Inc. looks forward to continued collaboration with CLEAResult and Rhode Island Energy to support consistent code implementation and high-performance buildings across Rhode Island. 

Register and learn more Here +

For information on the Rhode Island Energy Code Technical Support Initiative and Free Energy Code Technical Support click Here +

On February 17, 2026, Dave Sungarian, PE, CEM, CPHC, of Stephen Turner Inc., led an AIA Rhode Island Continuing Education Webinar introducing the Passive House standard—an increasingly popular approach to high-performance building design. The session covered core Passive House principles, design strategies, certification criteria for both commercial buildings including multi-family, and specific examples of how the standard has been applied and implemented in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. This training offered valuable insights for building owners, designers, builders, and policy-makers seeking to improve building efficiency, comfort, and sustainability.

Thank you to AIA Rhode Island and CLEAResult for organizing this valuable event on behalf of Rhode Island Energy.
 

We’re excited to share that Stephen Turner, Amanda Harding, and Chloe Castaneda of Stephen Turner Inc. will be co-teaching the Spring semester “Energy & Systems” course in the Interior Architecture Department at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

The course introduces students to the energy and environmental context of the built environment, exploring how building systems influence architectural design, performance, and occupant comfort. Through lectures, case studies, and applied projects, students will engage with topics including envelope performance, HVAC systems, lighting and daylighting, water and plumbing systems, and adaptive reuse strategies.

Drawing on Stephen Turner Inc.’s expertise in commissioning and high-performance building design, the course brings real-world professional practice into the studio, helping students connect sustainable design intent with how buildings actually operate.

We’re grateful to RISD’s Interior Architecture Department and former course professor Kurt Teichert for the opportunity to collaborate and support the next generation of designers focused on performance, resilience, and responsible building design.

On January 6, members of the Stephen Turner Inc. team volunteered at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank as part of our annual charitable giving efforts. In addition to our yearly financial donation, team members spent the morning supporting food distribution operations that help ensure individuals and families across Rhode Island have access to meals.

Community engagement is an important part of our ethos and reflects our commitment to a triple bottom line approach—supporting people, strengthening the communities where we work and live, and operating responsibly as a business. We appreciate the opportunity to support the Food Bank and recognize the important role they play in providing food access throughout the year.

We’re proud to share that Stephen Turner, will be presenting at the RI ASHRAE October Chapter Meeting on October 14, 2025.

Steve’s session will dive into two timely and important topics:

• The newly adopted IECC 2024 building codes
• The application of ASHRAE Guideline 36: High Performance Sequences of Operation for HVAC Systems. 

This marks the second round of Steve’s Guideline 36 presentation, following a well-received and high-demand session earlier this year. He will expand on key code updates and advanced HVAC control strategies, offering practical insights for the AEC community.

Learn more and register Here +