Safwat A. Malek

Safwat A. Malek founded Enviro International in 1990 with a vision to nourish, encourage and promote the practical application of environmental concepts in the design and construction fields.  Under his guidance, Enviro International has taken these concepts and applied them to projects throughout the United States and Costa Rica. 

Born in Egypt, Mr. Malek witnessed firsthand the impact environmental degradation can have on quality of life. After initial research of water conservation issues in his country, Mr. Malek’s interests soon grew to include a wide range of sustainability issues relating to construction design and building, which he applied  when earning his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Alexandria, Egypt.  As an early leader in his field, Mr. Malekwent went on to dedicate his Master's thesis to analysis of the industrialization of construction and the similarities between European and American concepts. He received his Masters of Architecture from Edinburgh University, Scotland.

After moving to the United States in 1968, Mr. Malek worked in the San Francisco Bay Area as an architect for Wurster, Bernardi and Emmons Architects;Ehrich and Rominger Architects; and Wheatley Associates Contractors and Developers. Mr. Malek received a license in Architecture from the state of California in 1973, and his general building contractor license in 1977.

In 1978, Mr. Malek founded Malek Contractors, where he designed and constructed office buildings, multi -residential, single-family residences and churches. This work experience, coupled with his knowledge and passion for sustainability, led him to seek out more energy efficient energy, design and construction practices.  The home where he applied his first energy efficiency design was his own in Lot Altos Hills, where he added solar panels and water heating.

Mr. Malek currently resides in Pebble Beach, California, where he and Enviro International continue to search for opportunities to restore, design and build homes and development projects that uphold the firm’s beliefs and values of sustainable building.

Mr. Malek is involved in numerous professional and community organizations, including:

• Sustainable Carmel, Executive Committee Member
• U.S. Green Building Council, Member & Co-Founder of Monterey Bay Branch
• Green Building Cluster, Monterey County Business Council, Member
• City of Carmel-By-The-Sea Green Building Committee, Member
• Central Pacific Association for Sustainable andResponsible Development, Costa Rica, Co-Founder
• Hamish Tyler Foundation for Dramatic Arts at Robert Louis Stevenson High School in Pebble Beach, California, Co-Founder

Read more about Mr. Malek in Living Green Magazine (page 17).