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- #403 Rise & Resonate: Sustainable Communities with Architect Don Jacobs
#403 Rise & Resonate: Sustainable Communities with Architect Don Jacobs
Charlie Cichetti
October 23, 2025
QUICK TAKE
Donald Jacobs takes us back to the early days of Sea Ranch and shows how designing with the land — not over it — can spark a half-century of sustainable building practices. From passive solar to international design work, his career proves sustainability is both timeless and scalable.
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🌱BREAKING DOWN TRADITIONAL BUILDING
[Key Insight #1] Disappearing Architecture
What's outdated: Conventional homes often clash with natural landscapes.
The innovation: At Sea Ranch, Jacobs embraced a philosophy of blending structures into the land, using native materials and natural tones to minimize visual impact.
Impact: A community where homes feel part of the ecosystem, preserving views and reducing environmental disruption.
[Key Insight #2] Passive Solar Before It Was Popular
What's outdated: Rising energy costs and inefficient heating/cooling in the 1970s.
The innovation: Jacobs collaborated with pioneers like David Wright to integrate passive solar design, shielding from northwest winds while capturing southern sun.
Impact: Homes that were more comfortable, energy-efficient, and decades ahead of green codes.
[Key Insight #3] Scaling Sustainability Globally
What's outdated: Mainstream developer housing often resisted sustainable innovation.
The innovation: Through JZMK, Jacobs pushed design excellence and brought sustainable principles into master-planned communities across six countries.
Impact: International recognition, larger project scales, and ripple effects for future sustainable developments.
✅ CONNECT AND CONTINUE
🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast
🗒 Read the transcript: HERE