Growing up in Jerusalem, Israel, Niv Ben-Adi learned about green and sustainable architecture from his everyday life. Studying at Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, School of Architecture in Jerusalem, Ben-Adi was able to combine art into his designs and transition from building things out of cardboard to using traditional building materials. With certain natural resources being a commodity, Ben-Adi attempts to make clients aware of the use of the natural environment, such as natural lighting and natural irrigation, and incorporate those into the designs of their living spaces. Through his work, Ben-Adi has earned the rating of number one health-related facility for the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center in Far Rockaway, Queens. In order to make it more welcoming to the community, Ben-Adi insisted that as much of the natural surrounding environment be used. In keeping with current trends in New York City, he has a roof renovation project coming up where he will be redesigning a roof into a “softer and more sustainable” living space. Ben-Adi feels that while green and sustainable architecture is flourishing, governments can aid in the process by raising people’s awareness about it and making people aware of how to properly use their natural surroundings and environment. Ben-Adi feels that new architects entering the field should always look at a new project as a “tabula rasa” or a blank slate. “Nothing is obvious. Don’t just look at a window as a window,” says Ben-Adi. He also encourages new architects to question everything.