Steve moved to Idaho in 1976 his interest in energy efficiency and renewable energy began to grow into a professional mission. While working for a Boise architectural firm, he was the project architect for design and construction documents for a 13,000 square foot solar heated church in Emmett, Idaho.

He began working at the Department of Water Resources Energy Division, where he provided training and technical assistance on energy efficient design and construction techniques, managed housing demonstration programs, and worked for passage of a state-wide energy code. During this time he was also the architect for a passive solar, superinsulated demonstration project home in Boise, Idaho.

In 1994, Steve left the energy Division to start his own architectural practice, Resourceful Architecture, which specialized in passive solar and sustainable design. During this time he won a Merit Award in the FrameWorks Home Design Competition sponsored by TrusJoist MacMillan.  He was also the project architect for a $1.6 million renovation of a 90 year old warehouse into dance studios, offices and a recital hall.

In 1997 he began working for CSHQA, working on various commercial, education, multi-family and military projects. Benner helped organize the Seminar on Sustainability for CSHQA and their clients in 2001, and later that year became a LEED Accredited Professional, one of the first in Idaho. He has encouraged fellow employees to pursue sustainable design with newsletters and study groups and by example.

Steve has worked on several designs intended for LEED certification, including the recently completed Wild Oats store in Boulder Colorado, which is hoping to become certified soon at the LEED Silver level. His role in that project was the daylighting design and research on low emitting and recycled content materials. He is currently working on two tenant improvement projects in shell and core buildings that will be LEED certified.

Benner has been a board member of the Livable Community Group and was on Boise City’s Design Review Committee for over seven years.  He was a founding board member of the USGBC Idaho Chapter, Past President and is continuing to serve as a board member.