Rooted in place: Mark Goldman on green building, receiving the Ré Peace prize

TAOS, N.M. - For architect, UNM-Taos instructor and Construction Technology Coordinator Mark Goldman, receiving the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Lifetime Achievement Award from UNM is more than a professional milestone-it is deeply personal.

"I was and am still kind of in shock to receive such an honor," he said, reflecting on his long-standing mission and his connection to Taos and its vibrant, competitive green building community. "Becoming an architect and a builder has been my goal since my teens. I never even dreamed I'd get such an award."

The award recognizes Goldman's contributions to community well-being through the sustainable construction methods that are near and dear to his heart-and soul. Traditional building methods, used with a critical understanding of building science and codes, be it adobe, timber-frame, rammed earth, etc., simply create healthier, energy-efficient homes with less of an adverse impact on the planet.

"What's better than making a home with the unfired soil from beneath your feet, and logs from the local forests? Also, stemming from my first degree in Studio Art at UCSB (University of California, Santa Barbara), I just love the opportunities for detailed craftsmanship that arise from using humble, natural building materials and methods," Goldman expressed. "I am a person who can't get my mind still enough to meditate, but when I am building or designing, I often find a calming meditative state of mind where time disappears."

His work has been shaped by a belief that UNM-Taos could carve out a unique niche in eco-friendly design. Early in his career, he saw the region's living traditions as an opportunity: "I thought green building and architecture was something UNM-Taos could really excel at … due to the rich local history of natural building traditions that were still alive."

That philosophy has carried through decades of work, including the DreamTree Project-an initiative he began in 1999 as "a humble dream … of providing a shelter for young people in need." Today, the project has grown significantly, employing more than 45 people and serving as a tangible example of mission-driven design.

At the heart of Goldman's practice is a commitment to accessibility and place-based solutions. "My concerns are with grassroots activism and simple, natural, healthy housing," he explained, emphasizing that Taos itself offers a model. "Taos is ground zero for natural, healthy, accessible housing … just look at the Taos Pueblo … [and] Spanish colonial adobe housing."

He remains critical of contemporary building trends that rely heavily on imported materials and overlook the needs of working-class residents. "So much of the modern material [being used] is not helping the working class of the area," Goldman noted. Instead, he advocates for a return to Northern New Mexico thinking: "Green building should come from an analysis of what the region has to offer."

The biennial Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize honors UNM students, faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers whose work advances peace, harmony, and understanding through meaningful community impact. Goldman was nominated by UNM-Taos Construction Technology Education Dept. Chair Graig Delany.

For specific event questions, contact [email protected].

** Photo courtesy of the Taos News.