Mark Hoberecht
Mark Hoberecht is the principal and founder of HarvestBuild Associates, Inc. He holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, and M.S. degrees in Engineering Science and Sustainable Systems. He also has a professional Bau-Biologie certification, and has taken a number of courses in Architectural and Construction Engineering Technology as well as Passive House Consultants' Training. Mark has worked as a NASA engineer for nearly 30 years, with most of that time spent developing fuel cell power systems for space vehicles. His true passion, however, is natural building.
Mark's passion for natural building began during his graduate studies at Slippery Rock University, where he extensively researched vernacular building methods from around the world, nearly all of which rely heavily on the use of natural building materials. As a chemical engineer, he has been able to gain an in-depth understanding of the building science concepts that apply to these vernacular building methods. He has successfully made the transition from "rocket scientist" to "natural building scientist."
Since 1996, Mark has designed or consulted on over 20 natural building projects, many of which have been featured in newspaper and magazine articles as well as on local radio and television stations. He has taught workshops for the Cleveland Green Building Coalition and Natural Building Colloquium East, lectured at Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University, and given presentations at the Timber Framers Guild Eastern Conference and U.S. Passive House Conference. Mark, his wife Awnhee, and their dogs and wildlife friends all live in Columbia Station, Ohio, just outside of Cleveland.