In this episode of E3: Energy & Efficiency with Emily, Emily Mottram sits down with building enclosure consultant Emily Fulton of SK Collaborative. They dive into the realities of construction; from managing moisture and humidity in challenging climates to the often overlooked importance of detailing, sequencing, and on-site training. The conversation explores how small decisions can lead to major building failures, why education and consistency matter across crews, and what the industry can learn from both successes and mistakes. It’s a candid, insightful look at building science, problem-solving in the field, and navigating the construction world as women in the industry. 

In this episode we sit down with a residential mechanical engineer, Ashley Murphree, to talk about the systems most homeowners never see, but feel every day.

From ventilation and filtration to hydronics, heat pumps, and indoor air quality, this conversation explores how mechanical design directly impacts health, comfort, and long-term building performance. We also talk about what it’s like to work as a woman in a male-dominated field, and why systems thinking, not shortcuts, is key to building better homes.

A grounded, practical conversation about engineering for real life.

In this episode, host Emily Mottram celebrates the eighth season of E3 and discusses the recent merger of Mottram and Maines, which aims to enhance their architectural practices and educational outreach. They share their backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in the industry. The conversation delves into their design philosophy, focusing on the balance between aesthetics and functionality, and the significance of building science. They also highlight their virtual office model, the success of their book 'Pretty Good House', and their commitment to providing quality housing and resilient communities.

I had a chance to sit down with Jason Elmore and talk about air to water heat pumps and the future of heating technology from the experience of an installer in the field. It's exciting to think about what's up next, and we hope you enjoy this episode! Cheers, Emily