News
September 1, 2026

SGH Expands Passive House and Building Performance Expertise with Al Mitchell

SGH Expands Passive House and Building Performance Expertise with Al Mitchell

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is pleased to welcome Al Mitchell to the firm in our Building Technology group. Based in Chicago, IL, Al brings experience across building science, enclosure performance, mechanical systems, investigations, durability, and sustainable design, strengthening SGH’s ability to help clients evaluate and improve how buildings perform over time.

Al joins SGH from Phius, where he reviewed energy models and project documentation for passive building projects and helped develop new passive building performance standards. His background combines applied design experience, research, and computational analysis, including energy modeling for new and existing buildings, automation of calculation processes, and sustainable design workflow development. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the Illinois Institute of Technology, teaching “Net Zero Energy Building Design.”

Giant Quote

His expertise will help us expand the ways we support clients pursuing more efficient, resilient, and high-performing buildings.

“Al’s background in passive design building strategies, energy modeling, and research-based building performance enhances our team capabilities,” said Chicago office Managing Principal Peter Babaian. “His expertise will help us expand the ways we support clients pursuing more efficient, resilient, and high-performing buildings.”

The addition also supports SGH’s broader building science practice, where clients increasingly look for integrated guidance on enclosure performance, energy use, durability, and sustainable design. Associate Principal Cheryl Saldanha, Head of SGH’s Building Science Practice Area, noted that Al’s experience strengthens the firm’s ability to connect these priorities in practical ways for clients.