Women in Design: Kari Foster

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST: Kari Foster, Associates III, Denver

What led you to think about incorporating sustainable elements into your 
designs before going “green” was cool?
In the 1970s, when we were just going into business, the modern environmental movement began, so we were a part of the industry’s first awkward steps toward sustainability. But as our firm evolved, we sort of got caught up in the idea of ‘bigger is better.’ Every year, when the team got together to set goals, I’d ask, 'This year, what do you think about being really responsible in our designs in addition to being beautiful and functional and staying within the budget?’ A few people were always on board, but we never got to the tipping point until 10 years ago. Once we did, we hired an environmental consultant who facilitated the process of incorporating environmental values into our existing values. We didn’t do it because it was trendy. It was so not trendy; it was hardly even spoken of at the time.

What are the hallmarks of your designs?
We don’t have a look; we have a way. Many years ago, someone said is that we’re really able to create “home,” no matter what the style is. We work really hard to be timeless and not trendy. We like to find things for our clients that are high quality and durable and long lasting—and meaningful to them. We try to have a bit of whimsy in there as well, to not take it so seriously. 

What keeps you inspired?
I’m inspired by the people who have led the [green] movement. A great example is Kevin Surace, an engineer in the Silicon Valley who started Serious Materials and was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Inc magazine. He wanted to create a building material like sheet rock, but sheet rock is highly wasteful and fills up our landfills. So he decided he was going to invent a green drywall called EcoRock. It’s people like him. 

Do you think “green” design is here to stay?
Absolutely, positively. I think it’s here to stay because people want healthy homes and they want to be responsible about their purchases. They want to have a home that gives back to the environment instead of taking from it. I’ll be happy for a time when we don’t have to talk about it. But it needs to be talked about now because there are so few people in the design industry who think about [sustainability] when they’re selecting products. I think it will be some years before it’s what everyone does, but I believe it will happen. 

Tell us one of your secret design resources.
It’s our tried-and-true, there-for-the-long-haul woodworker and upholsterer. They use responsible materials and they do responsible construction.