About Treadlite Studio

Eric Menz, RA

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Treadlite Studio was established in 2020 by Eric Menz in response to the increasingly specialized demands of today’s modern built environment, and to fill the need for the quality construction of homes that meet the performance standards necessary for these increased demands.

Following the traditional education and internship path leading to architect licensure, deep concern for the impact of the built environment lead Eric to an unsettling discovery that 39% of all carbon emissions are produced via the construction and operation of buildings. Fueled by a passion for change, he focused his ongoing education onto alternative construction materials, techniques, and pursued a deeper exploration into Building Science and Net Zero design. Eric strives to make innovative energy and cost saving designs accessible, and to deliver these alternative construction details to clients.

While working on a historic preservation/adaptive reuse project, amidst the removal of years of renovations and uncovering of the original finishes and plaster details, Eric remembered the aspects of architecture/building that attracted him into the industry. While the love of old buildings and a sense of history is important, it is the details of historic buildings and the perfect imperfections of something hand-crafted seldom found in blank box designs of today, that draws him towards the craftsmanship of working with clay and lime plasters, natural wood, and other biophilic materials.

Introducing Piper, the newest member of the team. She is the director of fitness and office paper shredder.

Introducing Piper, the newest member of the team. She is the director of fitness and office paper shredder.

Eric Menz, RA

  • Licenses and Certifications

  • Licensed General Contractor - UT B100 Lic# 12793051-5501

  • Licensed Architect - NYS Registration Lic.# 039863

  • Building Science and Net Zero Design Certificate

  • Certified Home Inspector

  • Education

  • SUNY University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning

    • BPS Architecture 2002

  • Community Rebuilds - fall 2019

    • Living Building Challenge

  • Yestermorrow Design Build School

    • Building Science and Net Zero Design- Certificate program

  • Natural Building Workshops

    • Endeavour Centre

      - Timber Frame intensive

    • Sigi Koko (Down to Earth Design)

      - Finish Plasters (with Gabe Franklin - The Art of Plaster)

      - Adobe Floors, Cob Walls, Earthen Plasters, Strawbale Insulation, Living Roofs

    • Earthship Biotecture

      - Huntington, VT; Build Apprentice

  • Publications

  • “Achieving Net Zero: Budgeting for carbon in construction projects”, Rochester Business Journal October 2019 (republished Idaho Business Review November 2019)

  • “Cape Cod View Magazine”, April 2011 (photo contributions)

  • “Chatham Magazine”, 2009 (photo contributions)

  • “Architecture of the Cape Cod Summer: the Work of Polhemus Savery DaSilva”, 2008 (architectural and photo contributions)

  • Presentations

    1. “Real Estate Investing, creating positive social impact” : panelist on sustainable building materials, June 2019

    2. “IIDA What’s Next 2018 - Design for Urban Renewal” : panelist ‘Lincoln Alliance Building’, March 2018

    3. Rochester Minimalists - Tiny House panelist, 2017 & 2018

  • Resume (PDF)