It’s no secret we’re active members and proponents of the Built Green program by Master Builders Association. They define themselves as “an environmentally-friendly, non-profit, residential building program of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, developed in partnership with King County, Snohomish County, and other agencies in Washington state to set standards of excellence that can make a significant impact on housing, health and the environment and are readily do-able today.” A handful of staff from our office and field crew attended their conference on September 14^th at Cascadia College—here’s what we saw, discussed and learned.

The Case for ADUs, Low-Rise Buildings and Duplexes

Keynote Alan Durning, founder of Sightline Institute—an independent, nonprofit research and communications think tank on sustainability—opened the day with a talk aimed at addressing some of Seattle’s biggest housing challenges. With an influx of residents and inflated home prices (and rents), it’s becoming more difficult to live in the city. Outdated zoning and nervous homeowners are making change a slow process, preventing building that could alleviate some of the housing pressure.

What many local Seattlites don’t realize is that the housing their opposed to already exists in spades, and exists in other, very livable cities much more prevalently. For example, many Seattle neighborhoods are resisting backyard cottages and low-rise building, but dozens (if not hundreds) of these building exist already and have been grandfathered in to the new zoning requirements. Occupancy rules for mother-in-laws can also be prohibitive to homeowners renting out a unit, since adding additional space does not increase the occupancy capacity on a lot.

Alternately, Durning says “in cities such as Vancouver, 35% of homes have accessory dwelling units (ADUs). If we adopted more relaxed zoning rules, we could add over 45,000 dwelling units to the market.” Living in the city may not be so expensive if similar policies were adopted. The reality is: Seattle is growing and neighborhoods will have to change. Worrying too much about that change can be equivalent to preventing progress—we as leaders in this industry need to be the positive voices of change in our communities.

Green Building Growth Can’t Stop Here

Our own founder, Jason Legat, later moderated a panel of builders (Jason Leer from Batt + Leer and Justin Hooks from Green Canopy) about cost-effective and green remodeling solutions. They discussed topics from: certification, to the most economical upgrades, to the reason why more builders aren’t going green. It was a lively discussion with many audience members joining in and offering insights of their own.

New construction projects are reaching the highest levels of Built Green, LEED and Passive House certification, but remodels are inherently more difficult to “green up.” There are absolutely ways to make a home healthier during a remodel, and a lot of it comes down to client choice. Jason stated: “You have to ask the question. ‘Do you want a healthy home?’ Framing it in this way results in the obvious answer and opens up a door to the conversation.” Green remodeling increases home values and longevity, but some green products will come at a slightly higher price point. It’s important to give homeowners choices and communicate the value of better building materials and methods.

Other areas that are important for first-time Built Green remodelers are air sealing and insulation. Those things can have huge impacts on the efficiency of the home, and really don’t cost much more.

Much of the future of green building depends upon owners and project managers of building companies seeking out new information and trying new things. Jason Leer said “those of us in the industry need to become as educated as we can,” and the first step could be setting up a time to meet with Built Green. Justin Hooks echoed the sentiment by saying “we have to set the example for those people who are interested, but need the extra push [to start building green]. We have to inspire them!” For builders on the fence, check out the Built Green Remodel Certification Checklist and a Home Refit Certification Checklist and give this article a read.

Ratings & Tools

A final notable session, though there were many more throughout the day, was a presentation by Dan Wildenhaus, Building Science Manager for CLEAResult. He detailed the rating systems currently used to determine efficiency of a home, and explored upcoming rating systems that we’re likely to see in the near future. Some of these include: the Home Energy Score Report (HERS) Index, the Hayward Score, and the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS program. He reminded attendees that do’s and don’ts lists are available online for building materials:

• Do’s: https://spot.ulprospector.com/en/na/BuiltEnvironment
• Don’ts: https://living-future.org/declare/declare-about/red-list/

Our team was interested to get his take on tankless water heaters and hear about new products. The consensus: tankless water heaters are getting better and better. And the hot new product? Aeroseal, a duct leak sealing product that can reduce leakage by up to 90%.

It was a another successful and informative year at the Built Green Conference—we’re looking forward to seeing the progress over the coming year!

The post Built Green Conference 2017 Recap appeared first on Model Remodel.

We’re excited to be participating once again in the annual Northwest Green Home Tour! Our Wallingford whole house remodel will be open for public touring from 11am to 5pm on Sunday, April 29th, 2018. We look forward to meeting you and showing you around this beautiful, Seattle modern home. A dated 1900s cottage is reborn as a light-filled, contemporary home with an open-concept kitchen. Walk around the large main floor, view the 2nd floor master suite and look out at Fremont views from the back deck.  Designed by CAST Architecture, and built by us, its high-performance envelope, systems and fixtures led to Built Green 3-Star certification. This translates to a much healthier home and at least $298 in yearly electricity savings.

Interior green specs include: low-VOC paint, EnergyStar appliances, water-based floor stain, dual-flush toilets, LED lighting and durable (often local) materials. Even the built-in shoe storage at the front door helps prevent dirt and germs from spreading. Many of these things make the home (and therefore occupants) healthier and lead to long-term cost savings. Plus, we achieved over a 70% recycling rate of materials during construction, reducing waste sent to landfills.

Free and fun for the whole family, the self-guided Northwest Green Home Tour features healthier and greener new single-family, multi-family, tiny homes and remodels in the greater Seattle area. Get inspired by projects in all shades of light to deep green, from backyard cottages and kitchen remodels to new homes built with cutting-edge green features. You’ll see and learn first-hand how your neighbors are generating their own electricity with solar panels, lowering their energy bills with insulation, and creating healthier home environments for their families with better building materials and systems. Learn from experts and really understand “what makes it green” on this education focused tour.

Visit www.nwgreenhometour.org and register for your free tickets ($10 suggested donation) and download the official tour map.

We look forward to seeing you at our tour stop at 3511 Ashworth Ave N, Seattle WA 98103 on Sunday, April 29th between 11am and 5pm.

Photos by: Cindy Apple Photography

The post Green Home Tour 2018: Come See Our Latest Whole House Remodel appeared first on Model Remodel.

We are honored to be recognized for two outstanding projects we completed last year, which both exemplify what our company does best: help people love where they live. This past weekend, our team attended the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties’ 2018 REX Awards ceremony to receive not one, but two, awards! Both projects were as complex as they were rewarding, so it’s a true testament to the work of our management, designer and crew that we are recognized for these projects.

The first award, Major Remodeling Excellence—Basement Remodel, was for our Modern Farmhouse Basement design-build project.

From an unfinished, 6-foot-tall basement to an industrial, farmhouse suite—this house lift and remodel in Sunset Hill was an incredible feat. The family of four had many dreams: a large space for movie nights, a guest suite, an office nook and a sewing station. Since there was little room to build an addition, we lifted the home and finished the basement. Beyond bringing the ceiling height to code, we increased the functionality of the basement tenfold.

We added a kitchenette, bathroom, fireplace, and murphy bed.  We creatively designed “spaces within spaces,” such as the kitchen sewing station with ample natural light, the office nook under the stairs, and the bed for conversion to a suite. Specialized storage was added for toys next to the fireplace and tall ski storage across from the stairs. Every wall, nook, and cabinet with a specific purpose to fit the family’s unique needs. Our designer chose a modern, farmhouse aesthetic, accomplished with: a sliding barn door, wood countertops, polished concrete floors, subway tile, barn lighting, and a large exposed beam. Simple, clean and convertible as a guest suite, this basement now maximizes every inch of space.

The second award, Green Remodeling Excellence, was for our build of a Contemporary Home With Chef’s Kitchen designed by CAST Architecture.

Recently featured on the Northwest Green Home Tour, it achieved 3-Star Built Green certification for its air-tight envelope, energy and water conservation, and our recycling/reuse efforts. The owners wanted to stay in their neighborhood, but add a 2nd floor and modernize their 1912 cottage, so we took it down to the foundation and rebuilt it as a contemporary, sustainable home. Our team guided the construction and execution to be as sustainable as possible within the existing design.

Interior green specs include: low-VOC paint, 70%+ recycle rate, EnergyStar appliances, water-based floor stain, dual-flush toilets, LED lighting and durable (often local) materials. Even the built-in shoe storage at the front door helps prevent dirt and germs from spreading. Many of these things make the home healthier and lead to long-term cost savings, which was more important to the client than budgetary constraints. The kitchen has a massive, single-slab quartz countertop and stainless steel prep area. The 2nd floor master suite is entered through a full-height, 220lb door that retracts flush into the wall. Below, the basement is a suite of its own: a semi-separate dwelling with a bedroom, bathroom and side entrance. Simple, but great for visitors!

From lead abatement, to a particularly rainy season during framing, building this home was challenging and required focus through its detailed finish. The clean lines of the design required extreme attention to spacing, from the baseboards up to the exposed floor joists. The home is now an open-concept with better flow, functionality, natural light, and pops of color to reflect the owners’ personalities.

Some of our most senior crew members worked on these projects. A special congratulations to our Carpenter Andy Ryan and Project Manager Ken Pearson for their expertise and execution. We’re also thrilled to showcase the work of our in-house designer Cat Schmidt, who has transformed dozens of Seattle homes with her thoughtful designs–including this Modern Farmhouse Basement. We’re looking forward to wrapping up more (hopefully) award-winning projects this year!

The post Model Remodel Wins Two 2018 REX Awards for Basement & Green Remodeling appeared first on Model Remodel.

In an era of “green living” and “sustainable sourcing,” it’s only natural to apply those characteristics to your home. Unfortunately, buying flooring isn’t as simple as picking out an earth-friendly dishwashing soap. There’s more to consider and it’s often an unfamiliar territory. This summer, the Model Remodel team spoke with Cameron Reith and Pieter Sundgren of Greenhome Solutions (GHS) about their favorite and newest products.

If you haven’t been to the showroom, it’s worth the visit. I’d go so far as to say anyone thinking about a remodel or new construction should take a peek at their selection. Greenhome Solutions is a family-owned, Seattle-based green building product supplier and showroom. Their friendly and down-to-earth team is happy to introduce homeowners and contractors to the latest green building materials, but some of the products you have to see to believe. As Cameron revealed: “We’ve poured a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place… and we continue to.” Their integrity shows with a lineup of great, certified products that they trust.

Cork Flooring

“People underestimate the quality and wear of cork,” said Pieter at GHS. We couldn’t agree more. Cork is exceptionally quiet underfoot, environmentally friendly, comfortable and serves as a natural thermal insulator. Typical skepticism includes: it’s not going to last, it going to dent, etc. All flooring has advantages and disadvantages, but the benefits outweigh in most scenarios with cork flooring. Cork flooring is sealed to prevent moisture absorption and staining. Sometimes, it can even be refinished like hardwood can.

Take one gander at the selection of cork they have in the store and you’ll see just how versatile cork can be. Colors, patterns and hues can all play a factor into the look of cork. Some of the colored cork doesn’t even resemble cork, but rather a tile or painted floor—with plenty of added comfort. Cork flooring patterns are natural and geometric at the same time, for those looking for an edgier option. “Overall, it’s one of the healthiest building materials out there,” says Pieter.

Recycled Countertops

Though the thought of a recycled countertop may not be as alluring as quartz, you may change your mind once you see the options. You may not find a marble look-a-like, but recycled countertops are twice as interesting as traditional options.

For starters, take a look at this countertop in the making: Azure Layering.

It’s a product by Paperstone, which is created from 50-100% recycled paper and a non-petroleum resin. Manufactured in Washington State with 100 percent made-in-the-U.S. raw materials, most PaperStone products are certified recycled by the Rainforest Alliance to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards. If you think paper could never be a durable countertop option, you’re not alone—but, you have to hold it in your hands to believe it. It’s reminiscent of soapstone and looks like a smooth slate. As a non-porous, hard surface, it’s surprisingly (but it makes sense!) warmer to the touch than stone alternatives. Like cork, it too comes in a variety of colors.

Another countertop option is Vetrazzo recycled glass countertops: made by hand in Georgia. A slab can be made of 100% recycled glass, but many are approximately 85% of the final material—a significant amount. The countertops use all sorts of specially selected glass: jars, windshields from cars, architectural glass from skyscrapers, pre and post-consumer glass from curbside recycling and more! The products range in colors and size of the glass particles, so you can find a look that fits your style.

^{© Greenhome Solutions}

Shou Sugi Ban Wood Siding & Paneling

Shou sugi ban is an ancient Japanese method of charring the surface of wood to preserve it, make it fire retardant, and resistant to rot, insects and decay. The burning process draws out moisture, so the resulting chemical compound protects the wood. Used exceedingly more in modern architecture, the charred wood makes a statement and is easy to spot. While it’s used primary for exterior purposes, it can absolutely be used indoors for decorative purposes as well. Shou Sugi Ban wood is installed using the same techniques as traditional siding, so installation costs won’t vary. It won’t need paint, sealing or any major care, so it is about as durable of a siding option as you can find. Traditionally, Japanese “Sugi” (cedar) wood was used, but Greenhome Solutions offers a hyper-local option: Douglas Fir from Blakely Island in the San Juan Islands. With a lifespan of up to 80 years, it’s a timeless and naturally beautiful product built to last.

While some of these products are virtually maintenance-free, it’s important to note that sustainable materials often come with some level of care required by the homeowner. As Pieter at Greenhome Solutions put it so wisely “Sustainable living takes a little more care and maintenance, but it looks and wears better in the long run.” He was speaking to EcoTimber, which MRM installed in a Columbia City Backyard Cottage last year and received much praise for it’s beautiful grain during the 2017 Green Home Tour. His sentiment though, holds true for many green building products. In the long term, your conscience and your home will be healthier because of the smart choices you made during your construction project. Our team and the highly qualified team over at Greenhome Solutions will help you find the right building materials to fit your needs—just ask!

The post 3 Eco-Friendly Building Materials for Your Home appeared first on Model Remodel.

MRM Ushers in Earth Day with a Eastside Harvest House Green Building Tour

On March 29^th almost 100 participants personally experienced the nearly completed Eastside Harvest House project.  The home’s design team hosted design / build professionals, realtors, city staffers and interested neighbors – all eager to see what’s been happening at this new construction site on the eastside of Lake Washington for the last year.

This green building educational tour was among several offered throughout the project’s development, not only to built environment professionals and enthusiasts, but also to several Environmental Science and Sustainability Design students from local junior and senior high schools.

Key features of this net zero energy concept home are:

• Use of energy efficient and renewable resources, including a highly insulated enclosure, energy simulation to optimize design, and 17Kw solar array to provide all of the home’s electrical energy needs, extensive battery back up and on-demand, energy use management systems
• On-site, high-capacity stormwater management and rainwater harvesting will provide 60 percent of the home’s needs; harvested water will be filtered to municipal standards for potable use
• Permaculture design with extensive edible and functional landscaping including fruit and nut orchard, berry bushes, bee fountain and terraced vegetables beds
• Materials and finishes included using 100 percent FSC lumber, low or no toxicity materials and finishes; minimum PVC used; highest standards set for indoor air quality; recycled content nails used in construction; recycled content counter tops and materials chosen for durability and low maintenance properties
• Waste management deconstruction plan recycled over 98 percent of previous onsite structure; advanced framing techniques reduced waste
• Design dedicated only a quarter of the expansive, one-acre site to the home and garage footprint while the balance works to harvest the sun, soil and rain
• Neighborhood attributes include a walkable community with nearby trails and lakeside walking promenade; located on main Metro bus routes

The home is targeting both Built Green 5 Stars, LEED for Homes Platinum and may be a candidate for a future net-zero-energy certification.

If you want to know more about building a new high-performance home or remodeling green, contact us anytime. — MRM Family

The post MRM Ushers in Earth Month with Green Tour appeared first on Model Remodel.

Eastside Harvest House Scores High with Deep Green

Conceived and built to achieve the highest point value for any Built Green 5 Stars and LEED for Homes Platinum project to date, the Eastside Harvest House is one of the most sustainably innovative, single-family residences in the region. Completed in May 2012, the home is designed to be beautiful, functional and green, as well as celebrate Kirkland’s farming culture that defined the community a century ago.

The home’s western-facing orientation optimizes stellar sweeping views of Lake Washington, the Olympics and the Seattle skyline. It sits on a quarter of the one-acre property, which includes an orchard, vegetable beds and edible landscape, as well as a giant rain garden.

Built to last, the home uses the highest standards in residential engineering and construction. Its complex, self-sufficient backup systems are enveloped by the home’s simple, modern and clean interior space design.

The 3,570 square feet home was designed with a separate mother-in-law suite for multigenerational living under one roof.  The open floor plan includes a light bathed great room, living / dining / kitchen, a modest master bedroom and bath, a private guest bedroom and bath, and highly functional his and hers offices. An exercise room supports the homeowners healthy lifestyle.

This home was also built with the design/build team’s impressive professionalism, communications, and construction protocols.

• George Ostrow, LEED AP, architect, Velocipede architects, inc.
• Jason Legat, founder / president, Model Remodel LLC
• A long list of outstanding sub-contractors

And finally, we offer a special thank you to the visionary homeowners who continually pushed the team to design and deliver a technically advanced model for future residential development.

Here is a list of the significant strategies used throughout the home and site.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY SYSTEMS

• Highly insulated building envelope
• Insulation used to achieve R-20 to R-50 levels
• Energy modeling to inform and evaluate design options
• Highly-efficient heating, water and cooling systems
• Air-source heat pump is used to heat the house
• Renewable generation through photovoltaic system
• Nearly all of the home’s energy will be provided from the sun
• Sunshades deflect unwanted summer heat
• Energy Star efficient appliances
• Efficient LED and compact fluorescent lighting

MATERIALS AND FINISHES

• Only low- or no-toxicity materials and finishes inside and out
• Mechanical ventilation systems continually filter indoor air
• Utilized 100% Forest Stewardship Council certified wood throughout
• Low total carbon footprint in concrete installations
• Very little PVC
• Triple-glazed, argon-filled windows
• Materials spec’d with low maintenance as a key criterion in selection process

WATER-RELATED COMPONENTS

• Water efficient plumbing fixtures used throughout home
• High-capacity, onsite stormwater management system
• Rain collected in four, NSF-certified, HDPE plastic tanks totaling 12,000 gallons
• Water captured will be filtered to one micron and sterilized for use as the first permitted potable water in King County
• Rainwater harvesting system to provide 60 percent of the home’s total water needs
• Black and gray wastewater directed to municipal sewage system

WASTE REDUCTION STRATEGIES

• During site demolition, 98 percent of the debris was recycled, reused or repurposed
• Advanced framing construction methods used to reduce construction waste
• Materials chosen for durability, ease of upkeep, and where possible, high-recycled content

SITE FEATURES

• Soil conservation strategies whereby all excavated soil was reused on-site
• Erosion control construction plan
• Tree retention and protection plan
• Utilization of drought-tolerant plants
• Edible landscape design with orchards and beds for extensive vegetable garden
• Extensive rain garden design for beauty and functionality

NEIGHBORHOOD ATTRIBUTES

• Walkable community with easy access to schools, retail, restaurants and personal services
• Nearby trail supports healthy lifestyle of walking, jogging and biking
• Transportation options – personal electric car, bike to work, major bus lines to Seattle and around the Eastside

If you are in need some residential green building insights and expertise, please contact us we are always inspired to talk about our unique experiences and to learn more about your vision and goals for your new home or remodeling project.

The post Eastside Harvest House Scores High with Deep Green appeared first on Model Remodel.

Frequent flyers can find the magazine on Alaska Airlines flights during the month of July

If you’re traveling by air this month, and you’ve chosen Alaska Airlines, give that in-flight magazine another look. Flip to page 124. Alaska Beyond Magazine’s July issue features Model Remodel, partners CAST Architecture, and the two companies’ wonderful Laurelhurst clients who chose green building.

The story highlights the area’s Built Green program. The article opens with a two-page photo spread of the beautiful, 4-Star Built Green Remarkable Laurelhurst Remodel project—a second-story addition to accommodate the home’s growing family. The spread pinpoints the project’s sustainable features, such as refinished floors, radiant heating and natural lighting. The piece also covers the process of remodeling or building within the Built Green program; the financial and environmental benefits of sustainable design; and the cool features of this Built Green home.

So, if you’re on an Alaska Airlines flight, instead of wishing away the minutes, read up on green building! For everyone else, view the story online here.

The post Model Remodel in Alaska Airlines Magazine appeared first on Model Remodel.

Pre-construction meetings have just wrapped up for this modern Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in one of Seattle’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods. The Columbia City unit will be a photography studio and guest house, with a smart, modern aesthetic.

Sheri Newbold of live-work-play is designing the ADU, with construction going from the ground up. (For the companies’ previous partnership on ADUs, see photos from the Ballard Backyard Cottage.) The lower level will be a garage, with the living area designed above that. Sheri has created a space that is much more than a box; it incorporates an interesting mix of textures and angles. The siding will comprise boral and Hardie lap, with a standing seam metal roof. The materials are resistant to rot and provide “a fortress to the Northwest weather,” according to Model Remodel sales director Mark Lowe.

Model Remodel is especially happy to team up with the clients and designer, as all three parties highly value sustainable remodeling. With features like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) framing lumber, salvaged items for finishes, and fortified insulation, the project is trending toward a 4-Star Built Green Rating.

For progress photos and project updates, keep your eyes on the Model Remodel blog!

The post 4-Star Built Green ADU in Seattle’s Columbia City Neighborhood appeared first on Model Remodel.

Location: Columbia City

Type: Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU)
Year Built: 2016
Building Recap: Detached office and guest house built in the backyard
Considerations: Sustainability, multi-purpose usability, maximizing square footage

The DADU is a building by many names: backyard cottage, mother-in-law unit or carriage house are also widely used. This backyard cottage in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood was recently built by Model Remodel and designed by live-work-play as an extension of the existing bungalow home, though a separate structure entirely. The owners intend to use the dual-purpose space as a home office and extra storage, and have found new use for their backyard space with the fun, blue dwelling. Receiving a Built Green 4-star certification means the property is not only functional, but it’s highly sustainable too!

Detached Accessory Dwelling Units are small structures next to, most-often behind, the existing home on a lot. They can be used for a variety of purposes including: guest house, rental property, yoga or art studio, hobby space, and more. DADUs are a great way to supplement living space without creating a traditional home addition. Since they’re separate from the main property, they have more flexibility and opportunity for evolution as the owner’s needs change. In 2001, Seattle legalized the addition of these small properties on residentially zoned lots, making this couple one of the many homeowners taking advantage of the change.

Though more common today, Seattle backyard cottages are held to a strict list of DADU requirements that must be considered during design and building:
– Maximum size of 800 sq. ft.
– Must have a dedicated off-street parking spot
– The property owner must occupy either the home or the backyard cottage as a permanent and main residence for more than 6 months out of the year
– Entrance placement restrictions

With these considerations in mind, designer Sheri Newbold created a plan that met these requirements and satisfied the multi-functional needs of the clients. The upstairs space is designed to be a home office, but may also serve as a guest house as needed. As the larger space, it is cantilevered to give it a treehouse atmosphere. Juxtaposed with the exterior stairs and deck, the upper level is partially shaded by the lot’s large cherry tree. This natural element, along with smartly placed landscaping, gives the space a natural environment that is too often missing from modern backyard cottages. Putting the stairs on the exterior of the building was a thoughtful way to save precious interior square footage. Contrarily, the lower level serves as extra storage and is open and accessible by the adjacent driveway.

In order to receive a Built Green 4-Star certification, the property had to meet a lengthy list of requirements during a third-party inspection. Some of these requirements include:
– Using low toxic/low VOC paint on all major surfaces
– Achieve 20% improvement over the Washington State Energy code
– Landscape with plants appropriate for site topography and soil types, emphasizing use of plants with low watering requirements
– Practice waste prevention and recycling and buy recycled products
– Achieve a minimum recycling rate of 50% of waste by weight

Careful consideration was paid to use lasting, durable, high-performance materials such as: Boral TrueExterior siding and trim, dense-packed cellulose R-21 insulation, and standing seem metal roofing. During the building process, our team recycled 1.84 tons—yes tons!—of material that was a natural result of demolition and building. Recycled materials included: wood, cardboard, cement board, plastics and treated lumber. They were dropped off periodically at Drywall Recycling Services in Georgetown, which is a recycling facility we work closely with on many of our projects. The building crew was diligent to protect trees during construction and the clients worked to create a thoughtful and grass-free landscaping solution for the surrounding lot after construction.

We’re thrilled with the outcome of this DADU, its Built Green certification, and another successfully completed project with live-work-play.

Photos: Cindy Apple Photography

The post Columbia City Backyard Cottage appeared first on Model Remodel.

On Tuesday, several members from the Model Remodel team attended the Built Green Conference held at Cascadia College in Bothell, WA. We send a few members to every green building conference each year so that we can stay current on trends and remain an active part of the discussion on the future of sustainable building. As Leah Missik, Built Green Program Manager, wrote in the event brochure “though understanding how green building is connected with complex issues such as equity, health, and climate change can be daunting, it is incredibly heartening to know that as we improve in one area, we also rise in others.” As a builder, we are committed to building in a way that is structurally sound, but also environmentally-friendly. We do this because we believe it to be right, it is a shared-value of our entire team, and it is the only way to build for the future. This is a view we thankfully share with a large community of advocates in the Puget Sound area, and it was a pleasure hearing from and speaking with some of these great minds. As Shannon Affholter, Executive Director of the local Master Builders Association, said “It’s about being a good neighbor.”

The future is looking bright for green building in the Seattle-area. Roughly one-third of new homes built in King County last year were certified Built Green, and the goal is to have 100% enrolled in a green program by 2030. The Built Green team also shared preliminary data that shows how Built Green 4 and 5-star homes well exceed the energy efficiency numbers they aim for, meaning that the regulations are holding builders to a high standard and those builders are rising up to meet (and exceed!) them. It’s good for the clients, but it’s also good news for an industry that can seem radical to some. Who doesn’t want a gas or electrical bill that’s cut in half? What an accomplishment by the green building community!

The keynote speaker, Hunter Lovins, was an inspirational and energetic way to start off the day. As a consultant for sustainability, she had plenty of anecdotes and experiences to share about how standards for sustainability and green building need to change and grow. “If we don’t like the standards, we can reinvent them. We’re going to have the opportunity to do so, as [green building] becomes thee way we build.” It was a great sentiment that reminded the people in the room that they are pioneers of a quickly expanding industry that is poised to become the new norm. The pros: healthy environments, return on investment, increased building lifespan and higher property values, absolutely outweigh the extra cost during construction. Other speakers and panels expanded upon topics from smart home technology to financing and affordability to retrofitting the more than 398,000 homes in King and Snohomish counties that were built before 1979.

Panel: “How Can Green Builders & Built Green Support Affordability” (from left to right) Aaron Fairchild, CEO, Green Canopy Inc (moderator) Shannon Affholter, Executive Director, MBA King and Snohomish Counties Hunter Lovins, Founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions Mike O’Brien, Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Vatske, Director, Washington State Housing Finance Commission

The event wrapped up with a wonderful awards reception, during which the community applauded those who embodied green building in the past year. As one of the award recipients, we know we could not have won this award alone. The project designer, Sheri Newbold of live-work-play, was an integral part of our project’s ability to reach Built Green certification. It takes a passionate designer to plant the seed of green building into the client’s mind from the start. A construction project is a huge undertaking, during which the focus on sustainable materials and practices can easily slide down the priority list without a campaigner to hold it in place. Many thanks to Sheri for being that campaigner. We were ecstatic to be the builder of a project that had sustainability built into its very bones. It is precisely how we approach our own design-build projects, and we are always excited to collaborate with a designer who shares our personal and professional values. With the support of this great community, the leadership of our office staff, and the hard work from our talented crew including: Ricky Bribiesca, Matt Everett, Cody Dance, Colin Eikeland, Andy Ryan, and Dave Marks, we accept the Judge’s Choice award for the Columbia City Backyard Cottage together. Thanks Built Green! A huge shout out to our peers:

• Builder, Large Production: Isola Homes
• Builder, Small Production: DEP Homes
• Builder, Small Speculative or Custom: Fairwinds Development LLC
• Builder, Multi-Family, 1-50 Units: Sola24 LLC
• Builder, Multi-Family, 51-150 Units: Aegis Living
• Builder, Multi-Family, 150+ Units: Heartland Construction Inc
• Builder, Remodel: Malboeuf Bowie Architecture
• Judge’s Choice: Model Remodel (designed by live-work-play)

It’s always great to see friendly faces while having open and productive dialogues about the future of our industry. Many presenters focused on the idea that: there are no wrong ideas. As this fairly new program and approach to building grows, we as an industry must remain nimble and willing to try new things. Perfect solutions are not born overnight. It is events like the Built Green Conference that give our voices a productive place to interact and brainstorm new solutions. Our team was excited to participate this year, and humbled to receive the Judge’s Choice award for our recently completed 4-star DADU. We look forward to keeping the conversation alive and continue our commitment to sustainable building all year round.

The post The Future of Sustainable Building: Built Green Conference 2016 appeared first on Model Remodel.