Property Wealth Strategies Podcast - Lily Patrascu

Profit From Sustainable Property Design - Kevin Kennon and Lily Patrascu

Kevin Kennon · April 2, 2026

Entrepreneur · Wellness · Leadershipin

Interview with Kevin Kennon

Profit From Sustainable Property Design - Kevin Kennon and Lily Patrascu

Podcast: Property Wealth Strategies Podcast - Lily Patrascu

April 2, 2026 · 45 min

Internationally Renowned Architect Shares How To Profit From Sustainable Property Design - Kevin Kennon and Lily Patrascu

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Profit From Sustainable Property Design - Kevin Kennon and Lily Patrascu

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Property Wealth Strategies Podcast - Lily Patrascu

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Key topicsGood Bones — Why the Best Return Is in the Building Already StandingKevin Kennon has spent 40 years putting buildings up and taking old ones apart, including the conversion of the American Express Building in Tribeca and the rebuild of Macy's Herald Square. Most developers price a site as if the structure on it were a cost to clear, when the frame, floors and shell are often the most valuable thing in the deal. He walks through how he reads an existing building for what it can carry, where reuse beats new construction on cost and timeline, and where it does not. Listeners leave able to look at an older property and tell whether the return sits in the land or in what is already standing.Own Worst Client — Why the Best Projects Start When You Stop Taking CommissionsAfter 40 years taking commissions from other people, Kevin Kennon founded Beyond Zero DDC and became the client he used to work for. He argues that the work practitioners are proudest of only happens when they carry the risk themselves, and that waiting to be hired quietly caps what a firm can ever build. He covers what changed once he was raising the money, picking the sites and answering to investors: slower decisions, harder trade-offs, and far fewer compromises written into someone else's brief. Listeners leave with a clear view of what a practice gives up by staying on the commission model, and what it takes to fund a first project of their own.How to Build Zero-Carbon Where There Is No Power GridKevin Kennon builds at zero carbon on sites with no power line, no water main and no road, as founder of Beyond Zero DDC and after 40 years on projects as large as the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American headquarters. A remote site removes the usual escape route: there is no grid to buy clean power from, so the building has to make and store its own. He explains what that forces, from off-grid generation and local materials to the trade-offs between what gets shipped in and what gets built on site. Listeners leave knowing which of those choices transfer to ordinary projects on the grid, and which only work when there is nowhere to plug in.View all topics →

About Kevin Kennon

Award-Winning Architect and Sustainable Design Visionary

40+ Years of architectural practice40+ Design awards20+ Iconic buildings1.5M sq ft Barclays North American Headquarters

Kevin Kennon is an internationally renowned architect with more than 40 years of experience designing landmark cultural, commercial, and hospitality projects around the world. Known for combining design ambition with deep human insight, he brings a humanity-first philosophy to architecture — creating spaces that do more than impress visually; they shape how people feel, connect, recover, and remember an experience.

As Founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC Inc., Kevin is leading the development of a new model of luxury hospitality: zero-carbon wilderness resorts designed around intimacy, wellbeing, adventure, and safety. Rather than treating sustainability as a marketing layer, Kevin approaches it as a natural consequence of building responsibly in remote environments — while placing the guest experience at the center of every design decision.

His portfolio includes the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American Headquarters, the Rodin Museum in Seoul, multiple award-winning Bloomingdale’s stores, and leadership of United Architects, a finalist in the World Trade Center design competition. His work has been featured in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York, and he has received more than 40 international design awards.

Kevin’s expertise spans architecture, adaptive reuse, urban development, hospitality design, and high-level real estate advisory.

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About this episode

Internationally Renowned Architect Shares How To Profit From Sustainable Property Design -Kevin Kennonand Lily Patrascu

Kevin Kennon is an internationally renowned architect, sustainable design expert, and founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC Incorporated with over 40 years of experience in environmentally responsible architecture.

He explains how profitable property design can be achieved by building in harmony with nature while creating long-term value. Through his work, Kevin develops zero-carbon luxury eco resorts that use local materials, alternative energy, and self-sustaining systems in remote locations.

He emphasizes that sustainable properties not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance guest well-being and create unique destination experiences that drive revenue. By combining innovative technology, ecological responsibility, and tangible real estate value, he shows how investors can generate both financial returns and lasting personal and environmental impact.

About The Guest

Kevin Kennon is an internationally renowned architect with over 40 years of experience, specializing in environmentally sustainable and innovative design. As the founder and CEO of Beyond Zero DDC Inc., Kevin leads the development of zero-carbon emission luxury eco-resorts in remote wilderness locations worldwide, merging design excellence with ecological responsibility. His extensive portfolio includes projects like the 1.5 million square foot Barclays North American Headquarters, the Rodin Museum in Seoul, and multiple award-winning Bloomingdale’s stores. Additionally, he led United Architects, a finalist in the prestigious World Trade Center design competition, further solidifying his impact on architectural innovation.

Kevin’s expertise spans adaptive reuse, urban planning, and large-scale developments, with projects featured in the permanent collection of MoMA, New York. He has earned over 40 international design awards and is a sought-after thought leader, contributing to discussions on urban development, climate change, and sustainable architecture. His work extends beyond architecture; as an expert witness and lecturer at leading institutions like Yale and Columbia, he brings a multidisciplinary approach to his craft.

As a podcast guest, Kevin offers a deep understanding of architecture’s role in societal and environmental shifts. His unique perspectives on the future of cities, sustainability, and the intersection of culture and architecture make him a compelling and insightful speaker.

For More Info About Kevin Kennon, visit:

LinkedIn (20,500 connections): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkennonarchitect/

Instagram (1,700 followers): https://www.instagram.com/pkk2418/#

Portfolio / past interviews: https://www.guestsonair.com/profile/kevin-kennon

Timestamp

00:00 Why Sustainable Design Is the Future of Real Estate

02:20 Meet Kevin Kennon & His Architecture Journey

05:30 How Sustainability Became a Competitive Advantage

08:10 The Business Case for Green Building

11:00 How Design Impacts Property Value

13:45 Key Principles of Sustainable Property Development

16:30 Cost vs ROI in Sustainable Projects

19:10 Common Mistakes in Property Design

21:55 How Developers Can Maximize Profit Through Design

24:40 The Role of Innovation in Modern Architecture

27:20 Market Demand for Sustainable Buildings

30:05 Balancing Aesthetics, Function & Profitability

32:45 Long-Term Value vs Short-Term Gains

35:20 Case Insights From Real Projects

38:00 Advice for Investors & Developers

41:00 The Future of Sustainable Real Estate

43:30 Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

About The Host

Lily Patrascu is an ultra-creative book publisher and personal brand strategist for thought leaders, CEOs, luxury influencers. As an influencer, bestselling author, copywriter, global speaker, she supports busy entrepreneurs to find their message and share it with millions of people.

Feel free to connect with me or find out more about my book publishing/influential entrepreneur events/speaking/ projects here: https://linktr.ee/lilypatrascu & https://www.lily.global I am launching a few collaborative books: on property wealth strategies, confidence, millionaire secrets, health tools, AI, and seeking influencers with large communities to promote their expertise with the books. I can help you write/ghostwrite and publish your books in 90 days. Message me (Lily) on +447557351222 to collaborate.

If you want to be featured on this podcast, and you're a successful entrepreneur able to share about how you grew your company, book your spot here: http://www.lily.global/podcast -

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Welcome to the Property Wealth Strategies Podcast, hosted by Lily Patrascu! This podcast is your go-to resource for expert insights into the world of property investment, property management, and wealth-building strategies. Each episode features in-depth conversations with top industry professionals who share their expertise, success stories, and actionable tips to help you navigate the dynamic property market.

Guest: Kevin Kennon