---
title: "Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science) — Environmental Services & Restoration | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/environmental-services-and-restoration/mariana-pickering-emu-building-science-pfvwus-pf~1988150308
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1988150308.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)"
category: ["Environmental Services & Restoration"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/c1935a190fbba0de_7617-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "2590 Walnut St, Denver, Colorado 80205, United States"
latitude: 39.759
longitude: -104.9661
phone: "(303) 667-0492"
website: https://emu.systems/
rating: 5
review_count: 3
best_of_houzz_awards: 1
followers: 478
last_updated: 2026-09-23
---

# Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Original Houzz profile: [Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/environmental-services-and-restoration/mariana-pickering-emu-building-science-pfvwus-pf~1988150308)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Environmental Services & Restoration
- **Location:** Denver, CO
- **Serves:** Denver, Indian Creek, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial, Broomfield, Commerce City, Littleton, Northglenn, Englewood, Wheat Ridge, Sherrelwood, Welby, Greenwood Village, Federal Heights, Berkley, Derby, Cherry Hills Village, Sheridan, Edgewater, Glendale, Bow Mar, Mountain View, North Washington, Lakeside, Dupont, Henderson, International, United States
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2016), for Service.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Influencer
- 10,000 Ideabook Saves

Empowering the construction industry to build for the future through simplified, standardized, Passive systems.

Emu offers professional training, consulting services, and component/systems analysis for all aspects of the design and construction of high quality building envelopes and healthy indoor environments.

### Services Provided

- Component / System Analysis
- Consultation
- Professional Training

### Areas Served

- Denver
- Indian Creek
- Aurora
- Lakewood
- Thornton
- Arvada
- Westminster
- Centennial
- Broomfield
- Commerce City
- Littleton
- Northglenn
- Englewood
- Wheat Ridge
- Sherrelwood
- Welby
- Greenwood Village
- Federal Heights
- Berkley
- Derby
- Cherry Hills Village
- Sheridan
- Edgewater
- Glendale
- Bow Mar
- Mountain View
- North Washington
- Lakeside
- Dupont
- Henderson
- International
- United States

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science) |
| Address | 2590 Walnut St, Denver, Colorado 80205, United States |
| Phone | (303) 667-0492 |
| Website | https://emu.systems/ |
| Followers on Houzz | 478 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/emubuildingscience
- X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/EmuBldgScience
- LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/company/emu-building-science
- Blog — http://www.emubuildingscience.com

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/environmental-services-and-restoration/mariana-pickering-emu-building-science-pfvwus-pf~1988150308)
- **Website:** https://emu.systems/
- **Phone:** (303) 667-0492

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- LEED AP BD+C, CPHD, CPHT

- **Best of Houzz:** 1 award (2016), for Service.

**Affiliations**
- [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471)
- [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658)
- [Australian Passive House Association](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/australian-passive-house-association-pfvwau-pf~1763728803)
- [Passive House Institute US](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/passive-house-institute-us-pfvwus-pf~1579791328)
- [New York Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/new-york-passive-house-pfvwus-pf~1135103162)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews**

### All 3 reviews

**★★★★★ — Erika Bellelli, Aug. 2015**

> We commissioned Mariana the division of an existing villa into two flats. The project, impossible for the previous architects which it was commissioned too, was quite hard due to the distribution of the spaces and the nature of the house projected by an important architect.
> We had a preliminary interview to understand the needs of both the two families involved in the project. We then shared pictures to show Mariana the style we loved the most.
> We met for a first presentation: she made a lot of researches about the history of the house, as to respect its nature and to meet our needs. It has been a very accurate work and we immediately got an idea, although it was just a preliminary work, she totally matched our needs.
> She is open to objections and ready to explain why a change can be applied or not and to suggest the best solution ever.
> I totally loved the project she prepared for us and looking forward to start working on it.

**★★★★★ — Lee Strogov, July 2015**

> Mariana has been a true pleasure to work with! Although I am in the US and she is in Italy, we have found a wonderful way to communicate and work together. I am truly grateful to have found her and highly recommend her to one and all interested in thoughtful, conscientious, practical and beautiful design.

**★★★★★ — Boston Architectural College, Feb. 2014**

> Mariana and Enrico are dedicated to sustainable design and construction methods.  They are spearheading the sustainability conversation internationally and have demonstrated their abilities by work they have done in Italy.

## Selected projects

- [Casa in Sasso](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-in-sasso-pj-vj~314088)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 40
  - Description: \<b\>Borgo di Ventoso - historic renovation in Scandiano, Italy\</b\> This three-story house is part of an historic 'borgo' (hamlet) comprised of several stone buildings dating to at least the 18th Century, with foundations probably from before. The house had not undergone any renovations since the 1950's or 60's. Our clients were a young Italian family of three, and our design brief was to renovate the house to meet current national Italian seismic standards and a level of energy efficiency that wo…
- [Conte Re ClasaClima A](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/conte-re-clasaclima-a-pj-vj~401217)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 41
  - Description: HOUSE FOR SALE by Roverella SRL - www.roverella.it Single-family new construction in Albinea (RE), Italy, certified Class A by CasaClima Agency for high energy efficiency. This single-family home was designed as part of an existing development plan near Albinea (in the province of Reggio Emilia), for which there were prescribed traditional design guidelines imposed. The architectural form, therefore, references a traditional Emilian farmhouse with a central "porta morta" area that acts as the en…
- [Stormwater Runoff Mediation for a Texan Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stormwater-runoff-mediation-for-a-texan-garden-pj-vj~381947)
  - Location: Dallas, TX
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: My childhood house in Dallas has a tiny, tiny, tiny garden that we struggled with for years because of the hot Texan summers and the torrential storm-water runoff coming from up the hill after major weather events. Recently my mom hired a contractor (Starke Contracting - Dallas, TX) and a landscaper (Ladybug Landscaping) to help simulate a riverbed environment, in order to help manage some of the water. They also put in a stone path with gravel infill to give her easy access to the side yard wit…
- [Case Passive di Cavriago](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/case-passive-di-cavriago-pj-vj~1829751)
  - Location: Cavriago, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
  - Photos: 47
- [Emu Passive Pod Workshop, CPHT Course, and PHI Exam](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/emu-passive-pod-workshop-cpht-course-and-phi-exam-pj-vj~5683499)
  - Location: Arvada, CO
  - Photos: 49
  - Description: 5 day high-performance construction class, workshop, and exam in Arvada (Denver), Colorado, for building industry who are concerned about moisture control, air sealing, thermal bridging, durability, and healthy air.
- [Dora Riparia CasaClima Residences](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dora-riparia-casaclima-residences-pj-vj~1156566)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
  - Description: CasaClima Class A certified demolition/rebuild of a mutli-unit residential building overlooking the Dora Riparia River in Susa (TO), Italy. This project is a demolition and rebuild of a multi-unit residential building located on a riverside piece of land in the town center of Susa. The orientation of the site and the existing town council development regulations have allowed us to pay particular attention to the orientation and form of the plan. The south-facing building is comprised of four uni…
- [il Casino di Canossa](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/il-casino-di-canossa-pj-vj~1156470)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: Single-family passive house and "Living Building" on historic and environmentally sensitive site near Canossa Castle (RE), Italy. This project is near and dear to our hearts, as it will be our own future residence. We are currently in design phase and are only able to work on it in our spare time. As they say in Italian, "il calzolaio va con le scarpe rotte" (similar to: "the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot"). The concept is a house hidden into the hill beneath the Castle of Canossa. Our ob…
- [Casa del Marmista](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-del-marmista-pj-vj~1156355)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
  - Description: Structural and deep energy retrofit for single-family private residence near Correggio (RE), Italy. This project is a retrofit of a three story building, where the ground floor is a warehouse and the top floor is an unfinished attic. The ground floor will be maintained unconditioned as a work space. The first floor will become a single-family residence. And the attic will remain unconditioned. This was a particular building envelope design because the conditioned space is effectively "floating"…
- [Girondola Passive Duplex](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/girondola-passive-duplex-pj-vj~1156283)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
  - Description: Design and construction of a Passive House duplex with green roof in the Pratonera Development of Cavriago (RE), Italy. This project is a joint development with our sister company, Roverella SRL. The design phase is currently on hold until the completion of two other passive houses in Cavriago. Eventually this two-family duplex, conveniently located in the Pratonera Development near Pianella Shopping Center, will be for sale by Roverella SRL.

[See all 9 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/environmental-services-and-restoration/mariana-pickering-emu-building-science-pfvwus-pf~1988150308)

## Ideabooks

- [3 Things to Know About Building a Green Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/120555726/list/3-things-to-know-about-building-a-green-home) — 14 ideas
- [The Passive House: What It Is and Why You Should Care](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21075737/list/the-passive-house-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-care) — 12 ideas
- [How to Keep Water Vapor From Ruining Your House and Your Health](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68355769/list/how-to-keep-water-vapor-from-ruining-your-house-and-your-health) — 5 ideas
- [Photo Gallery: Green Construction](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/68999866/list/photo-gallery-green-construction) — 17 ideas
- [6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29448664/list/6-ways-to-cool-off-without-air-conditioning) — 16 ideas
- [An Expat’s Guide to Making a Home Away From Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25442651/list/an-expat-s-guide-to-making-a-home-away-from-home) — 15 ideas
- [5 Ways to Hide That Big Air Conditioner in Your Yard](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29385453/list/5-ways-to-hide-that-big-air-conditioner-in-your-yard) — 9 ideas
- [21 Creative Ways With Load-Bearing Columns](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26902635/list/21-creative-ways-with-load-bearing-columns) — 22 ideas
- [How to Add a Solar Water Heater](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23933311/list/how-to-add-a-solar-water-heater) — 6 ideas
- [10 Ways to Hide That Air Conditioner](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29446243/list/10-ways-to-hide-that-air-conditioner) — 14 ideas
- [Expo: Fuorisalone 2014 Design Week in Brera, Milano](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33006750/list/expo-fuorisalone-2014-design-week-in-brera-milano) — 32 ideas
- [Conference: International Green Roof Congress in Hamburg  2013](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33006464/list/conference-international-green-roof-congress-in-hamburg-2013) — 15 ideas
- [Expo: CERSAIE Bologna, Italy 2013](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33006560/list/expo-cersaie-bologna-italy-2013) — 72 ideas
- [Photo Gallery: Passive Homes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17570636/list/photo-gallery-passive-homes) — 142 ideas
- [Photo Gallery: Expat Homes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23789076/list/photo-gallery-expat-homes) — 48 ideas
- [Photo Gallery: Homes in Italy](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21248082/list/photo-gallery-homes-in-italy) — 60 ideas
- [Expo: MADE Milano 2013](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33006272/list/expo-made-milano-2013) — 52 ideas
- [Green Grows Up: The Many Faces of Today's LEED Homes](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17665095/list/green-grows-up-the-many-faces-of-today-s-leed-homes) — 8 ideas
- [Landscaping Tricks to Manage Stormwater Runoff](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20373788/list/landscaping-tricks-to-manage-stormwater-runoff) — 16 ideas
- [Heat Pumps](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/70985323/list/heat-pumps) — 6 ideas

[See all 50 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/emubuildingscience)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Where can this mug be purchased?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: not sure! try google? :)

**Q: lumber floor and wall tile** *(in Photo Questions)*

where'd you get it and what's it called? it's awesome!

A: as mentioned in the photo title, it's by Sant'Agostino, an Italian ceramics company... this was a photo I took at CERSAIE, which you can read more about here: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/tile-goes-high-tech-at-italys-big-expo-stsetivw-vs~18271079

**Q: Where can I get this?** *(in Photo Questions)*

Live in Chicago, where can I get these in the US or something similar? Love the craftsmanship!

A: these are by Natucer - you might try to search for their US distributors

**Q: IKEA Discontinuing Expedit Bookshelves - Oh no!** *(in Design Dilemma)*

Just heard that IKEA is discontinuing these shelves.  Is panic ensuing or are you ready to wave it a fond farewell? I'm going to be FINALLY getting some for my daughter's room before the exit, I think.  Do you have any in your home currently? 

Tell us about it! (photos encouraged)

A: Don't fret, everyone. They are just shaving off a couple centimeters and changing the name. (See here for photo of new model, called Kallax: http://gizmodo.com/heres-why-ikea-is-discontinuing-everyones-favorite-sh-1527126312) Side note: did you realize that Ikea uses up ONE WHOLE PERCENT of the WORLD's wood demand? Yikes! I'm supportive of them shaving off as much as they can!

**Q: Amazing!  Is there a distributor in the USA that I can contact?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It was a new prototype that they were debuting at the expo, so I'm not sure if it's in production yet. Check the Treemme website to see if you can get more details. Let me know if you find it! Gorgeous, isn't it?!

**Q: Very interesting design of urinal, what are the dimensions please and** *(in Photo Questions)*

For a new City Town House. Hoping to be suitable for small boys to grown men.
Regards Tony

A: @rogton - Sorry, no idea on the dimensions, but you can try contacting Cielo for more info - http://www.ceramicacielo.com/

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*