Better buildings
The science, technology, and craft of building better is not a secret but it can be complicated. We help our clients put the pieces together so the results match their vision.
No pretense, no jargon. Just answers, fast.
Matt Copeland founded the firm in 2018 after years of watching envelope problems get studied to death by generalists, with recommendations packaged in jargon and ignored by the people who needed to act on them.
Our goal is to build a firm that combines deep technical expertise with clear writing, plain speech, and an honest read on every situation.
Today we're a team of building scientists, engineers, and consultants working from offices in Boston, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, serving clients across the East and Midwest.
The point of all this work, in the end, is durable shelter. Resilient buildings. Resources used carefully. The next generation getting the buildings they deserve.
The science, technology, and craft of building better is not a secret but it can be complicated. We help our clients put the pieces together so the results match their vision.
We believe in sustainability through durability and resilience. There is nothing sustainable about dumpsters full of prematurely failed building materials.
We are building science nerds and we like talking about this stuff to anyone who will listen.

Office Manager
With over 20 years of experience, Bianca has become a go-to resource for supporting our team with everything from contracts to insurance and general admin work. Her expertise is a huge asset to the team!
With over 20 years of experience, Bianca has become a go-to resource for supporting our team with everything from contracts to insurance and general admin work. Her expertise is a huge asset to the team!
Aside from work, you’ll probably find Bianca indulging in her creative side—whether it's interior decorating, making jewelry, or capturing moments through photography. She’s also a big fan of concerts and loves discovering new hiking trails. Family time is important to her, and she’s grateful to have them nearby, with her loyal dog Maisie always at her side.

Principal, Southeast Director
Arjun is a building scientist with a background in structural engineering, specializing in the design, investigation, and rehabilitation of building enclosures — roofing, exterior wall, fenestration, and waterproofing systems. He holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license in five states (GA, AL, NC, SC, and TN) and the following certifications through the International Institute of Building Envelope Consultants (IIBEC): Registered Roof Consultant (RRC), Registered Roof Observer (RRO), and Certified Building Envelope Commissioning Provider (CBECxP). He serves as a voting member on IIBEC's Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting Awards Committee, which recognizes top global building envelope projects annually.
Arjun is a building scientist with a background in structural engineering, specializing in the design, investigation, and rehabilitation of building enclosures — roofing, exterior wall, fenestration, and waterproofing systems. He holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license in five states (GA, AL, NC, SC, and TN) and the following certifications through the International Institute of Building Envelope Consultants (IIBEC): Registered Roof Consultant (RRC), Registered Roof Observer (RRO), and Certified Building Envelope Commissioning Provider (CBECxP). He serves as a voting member on IIBEC's Excellence in Building Enclosure Consulting Awards Committee, which recognizes top global building envelope projects annually.
Aside from work, he enjoys playing tennis and the guitar.

Senior Principal, President
Founder of CopelandBEC and a building scientist and engineer with 25 years of experience spanning design, forensic investigation, litigation support, due diligence, and building enclosure commissioning. Licensed PE across all of New England plus Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas, and a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC); holds an M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from WPI and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Northeastern.
Founder of CopelandBEC and a building scientist and engineer with 25 years of experience spanning design, forensic investigation, litigation support, due diligence, and building enclosure commissioning. Licensed PE across all of New England plus Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas, and a Registered Roof Consultant (RRC); holds an M.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from WPI and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Northeastern.
Aside from work, a father of three, Matt loves family travel adventures and all kinds of outdoor activities. He’s also into never-quite-done DIY home improvement projects, analog stuff like pens and notebooks, and trying not to make a fool of himself on the basketball court.

Staff Consultant, Midwest Director
Founder and director of the Minneapolis Office and Midwest practice area, Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP). B.S. in Sustainable Building Science & Technology and a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota. Specializes in building science analysis, hygrothermal modeling, and enclosure commissioning. Building science lecturer at the University of Minnesota.
Founder and director of the Minneapolis Office and Midwest practice area, Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) and Building Enclosure Commissioning Provider (BECxP). B.S. in Sustainable Building Science & Technology and a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota. Specializes in building science analysis, hygrothermal modeling, and enclosure commissioning. Building science lecturer at the University of Minnesota.
Aside from work, you can probably find her camping or globetrotting, attempting to learn too many languages, working on her century home, or chasing toddlers (or a combination thereof).

Technical Lead
Technical Lead, RRO, and building scientist with 30+ years of building enclosure and architecture experience spanning forensic investigation, design and quality assurance across a wide range of building types and enclosure systems.
Technical Lead, RRO, and building scientist with 30+ years of building enclosure and architecture experience spanning forensic investigation, design and quality assurance across a wide range of building types and enclosure systems.
Aside from work, Ed enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, writing and performing music with his band SLACK, playing hockey, and tending to a household that includes three dogs, cats, and chickens. He has accumulated more hobbies and home projects than he can reasonably count — and is somewhere between mediocre and pretty good at most of them.

Staff Consultant
Derrick is a Civil Engineering graduate of UMass Amherst with a career-long focus on healthy, sustainable environments for people and the planet. He has construction industry experience spanning forensic investigations, drafting, and design documentation, with a project-management track record across hundreds of projects.
Derrick is a Civil Engineering graduate of UMass Amherst with a career-long focus on healthy, sustainable environments for people and the planet. He has construction industry experience spanning forensic investigations, drafting, and design documentation, with a project-management track record across hundreds of projects.
Aside from work, Derrick is on roller skates, where the things he values most — community, music, and learning new skills — coexist. He also loves spending time with his family; playing dominoes; taking photos; dancing; and experiencing new places, cultures, and foods.

Principal, Director of Operations
Director of Operations and Principal, with a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a Structural Certificate from Canada's University of Waterloo. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Vermont, and Iowa, and is an IIBEC Registered Roof Observer (RRO). Sean specializes in guiding projects from initial phase assessment through completion, including building enclosure: condition assessment and investigation, rehabilitation design, peer review, and Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx).
Director of Operations and Principal, with a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a Structural Certificate from Canada's University of Waterloo. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Vermont, and Iowa, and is an IIBEC Registered Roof Observer (RRO). Sean specializes in guiding projects from initial phase assessment through completion, including building enclosure: condition assessment and investigation, rehabilitation design, peer review, and Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx).
Aside from work, Sean enjoys hiking, playing hockey, and scuba diving. As it turns out, building enclosure consultants don't just study environmental exposure — they seek it out.

Junior Consultant
Graduate of the University of Minnesota program in Sustainable Systems Management and Building Science. Brings a systems-thinking approach to robust, efficient, and healthy buildings.
Graduate of the University of Minnesota program in Sustainable Systems Management and Building Science. Brings a systems-thinking approach to robust, efficient, and healthy buildings.

Staff Consultant
Staff Consultant with a B.S. in Sustainable Building Science & Technology and a Construction Management minor from the University of Minnesota. Passionate about advancing building sustainability across its environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Primary focus on design-phase services with expertise in Revit and energy modeling for code compliance, and additional condition assessment, investigation, and construction administration experience.
Staff Consultant with a B.S. in Sustainable Building Science & Technology and a Construction Management minor from the University of Minnesota. Passionate about advancing building sustainability across its environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Primary focus on design-phase services with expertise in Revit and energy modeling for code compliance, and additional condition assessment, investigation, and construction administration experience.
Aside from work, Phoebe is prone to picking up new hobbies. She enjoys making meals with family and friends, painting landscapes, spending time outdoors, playing the bass guitar, rock climbing, and thrifting.

Staff Consultant, Northeast Director
Leads the firm's Northeast operations, with a B.S. in Building Science and Technology and a minor in Architecture from the University of Minnesota. Spends most days working with existing buildings or supporting litigation matters, with a dabble in new construction too. Co-Chairs the National Women in Roofing Southern New England Council and finds real joy in opening doors for more people to thrive in the field.
Leads the firm's Northeast operations, with a B.S. in Building Science and Technology and a minor in Architecture from the University of Minnesota. Spends most days working with existing buildings or supporting litigation matters, with a dabble in new construction too. Co-Chairs the National Women in Roofing Southern New England Council and finds real joy in opening doors for more people to thrive in the field.
Aside from work, Carmen is a lover of CrossFit; hiking, biking, camping, and all things outdoors (unless it has eight or more legs); film photography; farmers market wandering; and cooking up the ambitious produce haul brought home.
Born in Boston, we love making buildings work better wherever they may be. Our networked team works across a fast-growing territory.
Northeast hub serving New England, New York, and the Mid-Atlantic.
Northeast Director: Carmen Prantil
Southeast hub serving Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Florida.
Southeast Director: Arjun Bir, PE, RRO
Midwest hub serving Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the upper Midwest.
Midwest Director: Autumn Dean
Licensed to provide engineering services in:
Connecticut · Florida · Georgia · Maine · Massachusetts · Minnesota · New Hampshire · North Carolina · Ohio · Rhode Island · South Carolina · Tennessee · Vermont
…and we’re always open to exploring licensure in new locales, so even if your project is elsewhere please get in touch.
Whether you're hiring an envelope consultant, looking for a job with us, or just want to talk building science — let's connect.