Renu Building & Energy Solutions is a registered trade name under Baker Development Group LLC with a genuine focus on the existing home market providing homeowners more holistic energy-saving solutions ranging from initial, certified energy audits and whole-house energy upgrades to solar installations and green remodeling. Baker Development Group LLC’s other registered trade name, studio26 homes, has already set the standard for new home, green design and construction in eastern Pennsylvania having been published many times locally and nationally and being honored with multiple awards over the years, including the coveted Building Innovation Award by the Pennsylvania Builders Association.
Philosophy
Our overall philosophy is to build and maintain a strong profitable and sustainable business through:
- The use of honest, highly ethical and efficient business practices.
- Providing excellent customer service.
- Providing the utmost quality in the homes we service through a deep understanding of building science.
Buildings have a profound impact on our health, comfort, economy, and natural environment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, today’s buildings consume more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy, including transportation and industry. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that indoor air pollution levels may be 2-5 times higher, and sometimes 100 times higher, than outdoor levels. With energy prices continually rising and a more health-minded, environmentally conscious consumer base growing, there is a need more than ever for responsible, energy-efficient, healthy, high-performance solutions for all of our existing homes.
It is Renu Building & Energy Solutions’ objective to meet these heightened needs of today’s homeowners. Building on the experience, innovation, and success of our sister company and new homes division, studio26 homes, Renu brings proven building science research and development to the existing home market guided by a whole-house integrated-systems approach.
Our Mission:
- To deliver sustainable, healthy, and highly energy-efficient solutions for existing homes at competitive prices, through the use of comprehensive energy analysis and advanced building science knowledge.
- To be recognized and respected in the marketplace as the leading green custom remodeler, energy analyst, and renewable energy integrator in eastern Pennsylvania.
- To be active on the local, state, and national industry levels in the promotion and advancement of high-performance, best building practices throughout the existing home market.
Our Primary Daily Focus:
To develop superb customer service and trade-partner teamwork. These two areas of concentration will be accomplished through honesty, fairness, dedication, and continual communication.
Principals
James C. Baker, President
James is a graduate of Michigan State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanics and Materials Engineering and of Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Ph.D. degree in Materials Science. He spent 14 very successful years working on technology and in management within the steel industry. He then co-founded a startup company, American Computer Solutions (ACS), which was very prosperous and grew to over 400 employees with offices in four regions of the eastern U.S. The company strived to master new technology and successfully applying it in the marketplace. Excellence in customer service was one of the hallmarks of the company, and was continually emphasized throughout the firm and in its educational programs. Also, honesty and strong business ethics were always strongly emphasized within the company. Likewise, these values were embedded within the foundation of our current company. Presently, as President of Baker Development Group LLC, James oversees the overall business. In addition to leading the company management and planning, James provides various areas of technological insight through his broad experiences. Within the company, he champions energy-efficient, healthy, and sustainable home building research through the use of advanced building technology as well as the implementation of renewable energy sources.
Brian M. Baker, Vice President of Marketing and Design
Brian graduated from Lehigh University with a B.A. degree in Architecture where he was honored with several awards for his leadership skills, including the honorable “Lehigh Undergraduate Merit Award.” He then went on to graduate school at the University of Maryland where he received a Master of Architecture degree. Additionally, he studied architecture and land planning overseas in Paris, France learning about both modern and classical design strategies. Brian worked several years for the eighth largest architecture firm in the nation, Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership (ZGF) in Washington, DC and Spillman Farmer Architects in Bethlehem, PA conducting urban design and architectural work for large-scale commercial, institutional, and civic projects. He also has lectured on various green building topics at Lehigh University and throughout the region.
Brian is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional from the U.S. Green Building Council, a Certified Green Professional from the National Association of Home Builders, a Certified Building Analyst from the Building Performance Institute, and a RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) Rater Member. He is also the active Vice President of the Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum and a Supervisory Committee member of the Lehigh Valley Branch, Delaware Valley Green Building Council. As Vice President of Marketing & Design, Brian presently performs comprehensive energy audits and implements sustainable, energy-efficient design principles for each renovation project. Furthermore, Brian helps nurture lasting relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, realtors, and most importantly, homeowners.
Scott A. Baker, Vice President of Operations
Scott has a Muhlenberg College B.A. degree in Business Administration. He started his career with 84 Lumber where he managed a multi-million dollar yard in Deptford, NJ. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations and ultimately the profitability of the store. From this experience Scott gained valuable knowledge about building materials, working with contractors, and managing a business. He later worked at American Computer Solutions (ACS) where he managed the Information Technology department. He was responsible for recommending and implementing uniform IT policy and procedure throughout the entire organization. He also designed and implemented the company website. After ACS, Scott worked at East Penn Financial Group (EPFG) of MetLife, in Allentown, PA as a financial advisor. While at EPFG, he became one of the top new advisors in the entire organization, earning recognition with a “Fast Start Award”, awarded to top new advisors. He also was awarded as a Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifier, and a company “Leader’s Conference”, awarded to advisors who meet or exceed the company’s high individual sales goals. While working as a financial advisor, he helped families and small businesses reach their financial goals. He also was promoted to agency sales director with EPFG.
Scott is a Certified Green Professional from the National Association of Home Builders and a Certified Building Analyst from the Building Performance Institute. As Vice President of Operations, Scott heads up all building field operations, as well as purchasing, finance, and the management of trade contractors.
Partners
Baker Development Group LLC, through studio26 homes and Renu Building & Energy Solutions, is a proud partner with many national, regional, and local organizations.
Organizational Partners
United States Department of Energy (DOE), Building America Program
Building America is a private/public partnership sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy that conducts research to find energy-efficient solutions for new and existing housing that can be implemented on a production basis. Their primary goal is to enable industry to adopt systems engineering approaches to the design and construction of a large portion of all new housing. The Building America Program is aiming for a 70% reduction in energy use and up to a 30% increase in on-site power in new residential buildings by the year 2020.
buildingamerica.gov |
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Star Partner
Energy Star is a joint program of the EPA and the DOE helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.
energystar.gov |
United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED for Homes Pilot Program
The USGBC is the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. They initiated the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™, which is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
usgbc.org |
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
The NAHB is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association whose mission is to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry. Chief among the NAHB’s goals is providing and expanding opportunities for all consumers to have safe, decent and affordable housing.
nahb.org |
Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA)
The PBA is a trade organization that serves its membership by providing proactive leadership on state regulatory and legislative issues and serves Pennsylvania communities and consumers through its steadfast efforts to protect homeownership rights and advocate for varied housing options.
pabuilders.org |
Lehigh Valley Builders Association (LVBA)
The LVBA is a trade organization representing active builders, developers, and remodelers, as well as professionals, subcontractors, and suppliers associated with the building industry in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Through a variety of educational services and industry events, LVBA strives to enhance members’ professionalism and their ability to meet the needs of the community for quality housing.
lvba.org |
Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum
The Lehigh Valley Green Builders Forum is a regional organization founded to help promote sustainable development, design, and construction throughout the greater Lehigh Valley.
lvgreenbuilders.org |
American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
Established in 1954, the nonprofit ASES is the nation’s leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Its mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy helping to advance education, research, and policy.
ases.org |
Building Performance Institute (BPI)
Founded in 1993, BPI is a recognized global leader supporting the development of a highly professional building performance industry through individual and organizational credentialing and a rigorous quality assurance program.
bpi.org |
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
In April 1995, the National Association of State Energy Officials and Energy Rated Homes of America founded RESNET to develop a national market for home energy rating systems and energy efficient mortgages. RESNET’s activities are guided by a mortgage industry steering committee composed of the leading national mortgage executives.
natresnet.org |
Research Partners
IBACOS, Inc.
(Integrated Building and Construction Solutions)
IBACOS works with the nation’s leading builders, manufacturers, associations, government programs, and national laboratories all with a common interest in creating homes of inherently higher performance that are safe, healthy, durable, comfortable, and efficient.
ibacos.com |
Best Practices Research Alliance (BPRA)
The BPRA is a research-based community of industry-leading homebuilders collaborating with building scientists and product/material manufacturers working together to identify technologies, construction practices, and change management strategies that will allow builders to effectively and profitably deliver more energy-efficient, high-performance homes.
theresearchalliance.org |
Trade-Partners
Due to our high quality, high-performance design standards, it is critical for Renu Building & Energy Solutions to assemble only the very best trade partners. As valued members of our team, we take great pride in fostering productive working relationships with honesty, fairness, dedication, and continual communication always at the forefront. After all, Renu Building & Energy Solutions is only as distinctive as all of its members.
Suppliers
Manufacturers
