About
Frightened and frustrated by the modus operandi of our current times, Counter Entropy seeks a new direction, a new pattern, a new way of doing things. Systems thinking vs specialization. Complexity theory vs reductionist science. Long term vs short term. We explore these concepts everyday and share our findings with an Open Source mentality through our consulting and educational efforts.
On the shoulders of giants . . .
Counter Entropy LLC was founded by Paul Trieu in 2016. The name and logo pay tribute to the 2012 Europe Solar Decathlon Team from German university RWTH Aachen, as well as the team's advising professor Peter Russell and his family; who originated the phrase. It is used now with permission from the Russell family. Paul encountered the Counter Entropy Solar Decathlon Team while working as an undergraduate researcher for the Institute of Computer Aided Architectural Design (CAAD) at RWTH Aachen in 2011. For Paul, the phrase "counter entropy" and the ideas behind it were unforgettable. He is honored to be able to carry them forward in the United States.
Towards a new modern . . .
Today, Counter Entropy in the US continues to expand the conversation of what it means to be "sustainable". In fact, we consider the term itself a bit of a misnomer. If we accept that many of our previously plentiful resources and healthy ecosystems have been depleted, then we must come to see the act of "sustaining" as a mere mandatory minimum and the act of "regeneration" as our new ideal worth striving for. It's not just about doing less bad, it's about doing more good! It is this fundamental idea that sits at the heart of the phrase "counter entropy", and it is our hope to use this way of thinking as a foundation for the future.
Why work with us . . .
Paul received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University in 2012 and has since worked in the areas of product design, MEP consulting, PV solar, and homebuilding. He received his Permaculture Design Certification (PDC) with Milkwood Permaculture in Australia in 2017 and is a Certified Passive House Tradesperson (CPHT) as of 2020. He currently runs Counter Entropy and works for Sustainable 9, an environmentally conscious residential Design+Build firm located in Minneapolis, MN.
Working with Counter Entropy means working with Paul, but also with his many business partners and friends across the globe. Projects are almost always collaborative in nature and the community grows daily.
