Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti


Nov 12, 2025

🎯 The Green Impact Report

Quick take:

This episode uncovers how acoustics, materials, and design intersect to create healthier, more sustainable buildings. Dana Pucillo shares how listening β€” in design, leadership, and innovation β€” is transforming interior environments for human wellness.

πŸ‘‹ Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion

Dana Pucillo is the Vice President of the Acoustics Division at Carnegie, a leader in sustainable interiors. With a career spanning 30+ years in interior design, commercial manufacturing, and sustainability, Dana champions healthy materials, innovative product development, and people-first leadership β€” all with a strong New York edge and an artist’s heart.

🌱 Breaking Ground on Better Building

In this episode, Dana Pucillo revolutionizes traditional construction approaches:

πŸ’‘ Key Insight #1: Replacing Fiberglass with Recycled PET in Acoustic Panels

  • The Challenge: Fiberglass acoustic panels are industry standard β€” but come with VOC and chemical binder concerns.
  • The Solution: Dana’s team transitioned their fabric-wrapped acoustic panels to an American-made, recycled PET core.
  • ROI: Maintains acoustic performance while eliminating harmful materials β€” a big win for sustainability and indoor wellness.

πŸ’‘ Key Insight #2: Making Acoustics a Wellness Conversation

  • The Challenge: Acoustics are often overlooked in building performance and wellness.
  • The Solution: Carnegie positions acoustics as a central factor in how people feel in environments like classrooms and healthcare facilities.
  • ROI: Improved user experience and health outcomes β€” acoustics become a strategic part of wellness design.

πŸ’‘ Key Insight #3: Equipping Specifiers and Facility Managers to Make Healthier Choices

  • The Challenge: Budget and lead time constraints push decision-makers toward status quo materials.
  • The Solution: Dana’s team is building tools and visibility into acoustic solutions that meet budget and sustainability goals.
  • ROI: Democratizes green choices for specifiers and facility managers alike β€” without trade-offs.

πŸŽ™ Sustainable Soundbite

β€œJust because something might look good doesn't mean it’s necessarily solving the problem in the best way… we are solutions for our clients.”

– Dana Pucillo

🧩 Your Green Building Action Plan

Transform your next project with these steps:

  1. This Week: Reevaluate material choices for acoustic performance and health impact.
  2. This Quarter: Explore vendors and manufacturers using RPET or other low-VOC, recycled materials.
  3. This Year: Develop educational tools or internal guides to help specifiers choose sustainable acoustic solutions.

πŸ”— Connect & Learn More

πŸ—’ Read the transcript here

πŸ”— Connect with Dana Pucillo: Website, LinkedIn

🌿 Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast

πŸ’š Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe

Want More Green Building Insights?

Get sustainability tips 2x a week.

πŸ“© Subscribe to our FREE newsletter: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe

Green Building Matters, Inc Β© 2025 | Good Green Fun.