Entrepreneurship in Green Building Industry
In 2011, Shane Gring launched BOULD, a social enterprise education start-up in Boulder, Colorado. The organization sought to address the “experience gap” in the green building industry by matching young professionals to “green seeking” affordable housing projects in their community.
The program provided green building opportunities for 400+ developing professionals, while also supporting over 40 LEED-certified affordable homes to low-income families across 10 states.
In 2015, the program was acquired by the U.S. Green Building Council (creators of the LEED Rating System) and is now available nationwide, as part of ADVANCE, the organization's social equity initiative.
His work has been featured in GOOD Magazine, Forbes, and Residential Architect; recognized by the Obama Administration White House, and the Economist Magazine as one of "9 Breakthroughs that made the World Better"; and received fellowships from the Unreasonable Institute, the Hitachi Foundation, and the Huffington Post Millennial Impact Challenge.
"My Miami education was critical for my success in the entrepreneurship world --- from learning how to articulate complicated ideas to understanding how to adapt to critical feedback, to gaining an appreciation of details and craftsmanship. Not to mention, post-graduation I've been overwhelmed by the active support of professors, students, and the College of Creative Arts, who continue to be committed to my growth as a professional and a person."
Shane Gring, Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, 2009
Founder of BOULD
Designer at Function, Pittsburgh, PA
"During my time at Miami, the graduate curriculum strengthened my design abilities, fostered collaboration among my colleagues, and generated the design philosophy for how I practice architecture today. Miami’s offering of diverse studios and seminars instilled a strong work ethic in myself, which motivated me to become a registered architect."