Featured Home

Conover Commons by "The Cottage Company"

This home is one of 12 small cottages built by The Cottage Company in its Conover Commons community in Redmond. The development, that will ultimately contain about two dozen homes, features a central garden courtyard shared by the residents, a community building for hosting gatherings, and preserved woodlands. It is the first cottage housing development east of Lake Washington, and is the first to take advantage of Redmond’s new, innovative “cottage code.”

The homes are Built Green-certified at 236 points! Trees that were cleared on the property were milled and 14,500 feet were used as building materials in the homes -- as flooring, as beams across front porches and as massive columns to support the community commons building. FSC-certified lumber was also used as flooring, and FSC countertops were installed in kitchen islands, along with durable granite tile on the counters.

Even though the homes are between 1,100 and 1,200 sq. ft., each has two bedrooms, are spacious-feeling and filled with light. Premium materials and designs were used throughout, including special ceiling details, skylights, second-story decks, breakfast nooks and 50-year siding from James Hardie. Ductless heating systems are centrally located to reduce the size of the distribution system. A 1.4 kW photovoltaic solar electric system is installed for the common area electrical system and is net-metered with the utility. Conover Commons is the first full community to be designated as a Natural Yard Care Neighborhood..

New Members

Ben Leland Construction, Bellevue – the premier builders in Seattle’s eastside neighborhoods

Lochwood-Lozier, Bellevue - original homes with unique and timeless designs

View our current members.

More Good Member News
Two of our member companies were recently honored as being the best companies to work for in Washington state by Washington CEO magazine based on both employee and judge scores. Quadrant Homes was the top choice for a medium-sized company, with 162 employees. Parsons Public Relations, with six full-time employees, was No. 4 in the small companies category. Quadrant has been a member and supporter of the Built Green program since its inception in 2000, and has certified every home it has built over the past four years. The June issue of the magazine features a profile of Quadrant with president Peter Orser, who is also president of the MBA this year. Parsons is dedicated to spreading the word about green building, and this spring generated terrific PR for the PSE Built Green Idea Home. It seems that sustainability is more than just a cause or business for these companies – it carries into their day-to-day operations and creates an atmosphere that fosters employee loyalty, too! Congratulations to both!

Events

Friday thru Sunday, August 6-8
The MBA’s Building Materials Surplus Sale is August 6-8, benefitting the Master Builders Education Foundation. Many companies have donated quality products and materials such as appliances, flooring, windows, paint, plumbing fixtures, roofing, siding, tools, insulation, drywall, furniture and other new or like new items. The sale is open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. It will be held at Sand Point Magnuson Park in Seattle (6310 NE 74th Street, Building 30).

Thursday, September 16
Built Green Membership Meeting
Our second annual membership meeting will be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. It is followed by the MBA Fall Builders Trade Show from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and the General Membership Dinner at 6:30 p.m.

MBA Calendar of Events is posted at the bottom left of the homepage. For more information, contact James Cadungug at (425) 460-8213.

MBA University

Thursday, September 9
Introduction to Built Green provides an overview of the entire program on Thursday, September 9 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the MBA. The course is free and open to anyone. Register by calling (425) 460-8238. This course (or equivalent) is required for certifying a Built Green project.

MBA University Fall Education Catalog. Contact education@mbaks.com or (425) 460-8238 for information or to register.

Green Restaurant

More than Salad Makes a Green Restaurant
While traveling this summer, you may have the opportunity to visit the only certified green restaurant in the state of Washington: Lake Crescent Lodge in the Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula. The dining room at the lodge has achieved 31 steps towards its Green Restaurant rating. The restaurant industry - as the No.1 electricity consumer in the retail sector - accounts for 33 percent of all U.S. retail electricity use. Green restaurants are estimated to save 10 to 20 percent on energy bills. Lake Crescent Lodge has incorporated greater energy efficiency into its laundry, lighting, refrigeration, ice machines, office equipment and ovens. It has increased water conservation at dishwashing stations, sinks and toilets. The restaurant recycles cardboard, glass, plastics, grease and paper, and composts food waste. It also uses chlorine-free, tree-free, recycled and recyclable paper products. The GRA provides to its members only a comprehensive database of environmental solutions for the restaurant industry at their website.

Resources

FSC-Certified Lumber in Washington State
If you’re hoping to achieve Built Green credits related to the use of certified wood, you can check out the Forest Stewardship Council’s list of certified chain-of-custody companies in Washington, including Built Green member companies Dunn Lumber and the Environmental Home Center. On the Built Green Homebuilder checklist, see credit numbers 5-36, 5-43, 5-44, 5-68, 5-69 that relate to using FSC (or equal) certified wood.

Athena Sustainable Materials Institute
Athena SMI is a nonprofit organization based in Canada that has developed a worldwide reputation for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and supplies the Athena Environmental Impact Estimator software. Athena's research teams follow common building materials from cradle-to-grave and calculate the environmental effects at each stage in the product's life cycle – roofing, steel, lumber, concrete, brick, gypsum wall board and building envelope materials have all been studied. Research reports are available on the website.

Understanding the LOHAS Consumer Reports: A Focus on Green Building
If you have a vested interest in what consumers really want when it comes to green, then this may be the resource for you (for $2,000). This green building products report is based on an annual consumer research survey of 2,000 U.S. general population adults. It addresses attitudes toward various building-related issues, usage of specific product categories and brands, product attributes that consumers consider important for building products, sources of influence, various lifestyle measures and usage of LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability)-related products and services --- with a specific focus on the intersection of the LOHAS market with green building products.

Local Nonprofit Restores Native Habitat
Need help restoring a site or constructing a trail? EarthCorps contracts on environmental restoration and trail construction projects of all sizes and types, and led 300 volunteer events throughout 2003! The organization is dedicated to developing creative solutions to maintaining the health of our natural environment, and is working to establish relationships with builders, developers and planners. Together, more than 8,000 volunteers provided over 100,000 hours of environmental service throughout the Puget Sound area. From urban green spaces to wilderness areas, EarthCorps focuses on restoring natural places, moderating the impacts of human activity and encouraging public stewardship. Founded in 1993, EarthCorps leverages public and private funding to implement habitat restoration projects throughout our region. Last year’s work included:

• Maintaining 10 miles of hiking trails;
• Planting 70,000 native trees and shrubs and removing 42 acres of invasive plants;
• Weeding 128 acres and watering 110,000 plants throughout dry summer months; and
• Removing almost four miles of abandoned logging roads.

To learn more about EarthCorps or to discuss your ideas, contact EarthCorps Executive Director Steve Dubiel at (206) 322-9296 ext. 201.

Construction Works
To enroll your project in King County’s construction recycling program, called Construction Works, or to learn more about it, contact Kinley Deller at King County Solid Waste Division, (206) 296-4434, or, if your project is located within the city of Seattle, contact Karen Price, (206) 389-7281.

For ideas on using sustainable products and technologies, visit the PSE Built Green Idea Home Interactive Website.

2005 Energy Value Housing Award Applications Due
The EnergyValue Housing Award (EVHA) is the nation's preeminent energy efficiency award honoring builders who voluntarily incorporate energy efficiency into the design, construction, and marketing of new homes. Apply for the 2005 EVHA by Monday, August 9, 2005. Builders submit detailed applications in any of five categories (Affordable, Custom/Demonstration, Factory-Built, Multi-family, Production) in one of three climate regions (Cold, Moderate, Hot). All applicants receive a written evaluation, an EVHA Guide, and free tickets to the EVHA Dinner Ceremony to be held during the 2005 International Builders' Show (the world's largest construction tradeshow) in Orlando. Complete details and applications are available by email or by calling (800) 638-8556, ext. 6277.  The website also contains valuable information on completing a winning application and details on previous winners.

From the Director

Major Program Improvements:

Two New Higher Levels Added to Built Green!
The Executive Committee for Built Green™ is proud to announce the implementation of new 4- and 5-Star levels for Homebuilders. The upgrade for the Homebuilder Checklist has been in the works for the past 18 months and includes significant enhancements to the popular program. Third-party verifiers will certify 4- and 5-Star homes as a prerequisite, are trained to Built Green standards and will follow a code of ethics. Our continuing goal is to improve and enhance our value to builders by recognizing and publicly acknowledging homes built to the highest environmental standards. These greener homes appeal to buyers because they are healthier to live in, save money to own and maintain, provide added value to consumers, and help preserve and protect our valuable natural resources.

New Website and Logo!
Be sure to check out the recent ‘facelift’ of our website where we’ve added some color photos of Built Green projects, made the green links more accessible, added more new members, and generally improved its look and feel.

In addition, our new logo is a sleeker, updated version of the original that we hope continues to convey our residential green building program that goes the extra mile towards conserving the natural environment, including fish and trees!

Robin Rogers, Program Director

Product Spotlight

Eco-Stone®: The environmentally-friendly permeable pavement system that provides new options in  stormwater runoff management.

For information on how to list your "green" products* in this space, please contact Pam Worner by phone at (425) 460-8238.

*Products must be able to meet at least one Built Green credit (see the four Built Green checklists on our website) to qualify, and the company must be a member-in-good-standing of Built Green.

New Sponsor

We welcome our new sponsor, Snohomish PUD!

Snohomish PUD Offers Zero Interest Loans for Home Efficiency Projects
Snohomish County PUD has introduced zero-interest, no-fee loans to help its customers make energy efficiency measures in their homes and reduce energy bills. The new loan program eliminates all interest on the borrowed amount and all administrative and inspection fees. Customers pay back loans over a 10-year period.

Projects must be pre-approved through a PUD application process. Some of the types of projects funded include:

• Insulation measures
• Insulated windows and doors
• Heat pumps
• Installation of clock thermostats
• Caulking and weatherstripping

To qualify, customers must meet the following terms: the home must be electrically heated; it must be a residence, meaning it contains living facilities including provisions for sleeping, eating and cooking; and it cannot have a secondary fuel heating system (supplementary wood/pellet stoves and gas fireplaces may be acceptable). Mobile or manufactured homes on leased or rented land are not eligible.

PUD customers can obtain more information, and/or request an application packet, by calling the PUD’s Energy Hotline at (425) 783-1700, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM.

To find out more about sponsoring Built Green, please visit our homepage and click on sponsorship.

Greening Conventions

Greening the Democratic and Republican National Conventions
The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions (CERC), working with the organizers of the Democratic and Republican conventions, has and will deploy and showcase environmental best practices at the political parties' 2004 conventions in Boston and New York. CERC is a non-partisan alliance of more than 60 organizations and 200 volunteers promoting environmental best practices for large meetings, urban living and commerce. A few of the efforts include: renewable power; low-emission hybrid buses; confetti made from recycled paper; biodegradable balloons; a paperless system to recruit volunteers; wastepaper generated by the first day of the conventions transformed into posters; recycling more than 3,000 sheets of unpainted gypsum wallboard and miles of fiber optic cable; the use of locally-grown food and composting of food waste.

New Certified Projects

Congratulations to the 189 projects certified in June! Quadrant Homes certified 131 homes; Burnstead Construction certified 46 homes in Issaquah Highlands; and The Cottage Company certified 12 homes in Redmond.

Call for Entries

'Exemplary Sustainable Building' Award
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council is offering the Exemplary Sustainable Building Award for the first time. All building design professionals--including SBIC members and nonmembers--are eligible to participate. This award recognizes residential and institutional buildings that demonstrate the successful application of the whole building design approach. This year's focus is on the integration of sustainability and cost effectiveness. The winning entry or entries in the Exemplary Sustainable Building category will be published as a case study on the Whole Building Design Guide website, which is visited monthly by 1.3 million users. The deadline for entry is 8 p.m. EST, Tuesday, August 31.

Bigger Not Always Better

One example of a small 1,650 sq. ft. home, certified as Built Green in Kitsap County by O’Brien

Bigger Not Always Better in Green Homes
In a recent (07/07/04) Salon.com article author Linda Baker writes that even the most eco-friendly home may do more harm than good when it is super-sized. Baker quotes Built Green members Kathleen O’Brien of O’Brien and Company and George Ostrow of Velocipede Architects in the article that claims that the issue of consumption - and over-consumption - is mostly absent from the sustainability discourse. The Built Green program offers point incentives for smaller projects; for example, Credit 5-3 Limit Project Size on the Homebuilder checklist offers a project of less than 1,500 sq. ft. 25 points, a project of less than 1,800 receives 15 points, and a project of less than 2,200 scores five points. On the Remodeling checklist, less than 1,000 sq ft. receives only five points, less than 500 sq. ft. gets 15 points, and less than 200 sq. ft. is allotted 25 points. For multifamily projects, there is a scale from five to 25 points for “optimizing the use of interior space.”

NOTE: Fifty years ago the average house size was 1,100 sq. ft. and the average household size was 4.2 people. Today, the average house size has nearly doubled to 2,150 sq. ft., while the average household size has declined to 2.3 people.

King County

Sunshine Construction of Seattle has installed several green roofs, including the one pictured.

House Plants Take on New Meaning
Once lumped together with geodesic domes and teepees, green roofs have brought the benefits of vegetated roofing systems to the attention of local builders -- especially since the recent installations of green roofs on the Justice Center and City Hall buildings in Seattle.

Green roofs are planted in a lightweight potting mix over a protective root barrier and a waterproofing membrane. The soil protects the membrane from exposure, expanding the lifespan of the roof up to twice that of a traditional roof. The soil also provides insulation from solar heat gain, lowering operating costs of the building. Green roofs provide stormwater mitigation, oxygen transfer for increased air quality, and increased wildlife habitat in urban spaces.

The up-front costs for construction of a green roof are currently higher than most common roofing materials, but the life cycle costs are more competitive because a green roof may last for 50 years. As green roofs become more popular, the installation costs are expected to drop until comparable to metal roofs.

Municipal projects have provided visibility for green roofs, but their real potential lies in the residential market. Patrick Carey, who spearheads the local green roof project, points out that 70 percent of the rooftop area in King County is residential. Last year King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) permitted the first residential green roof in unincorporated King County. The approximately 650 sq. ft. roof is planted with sedums and wildflowers. The owners say that since construction was completed one year ago, they have spent one day weeding and have watered weekly with a sprinkler during summer. They plan to stop irrigating once the plants are established.

It is seldom easy to be the first, and the owners admit that the permitting process wasn’t easy. They feel that their unique and beautiful roof was worth the extra effort, and take pride in the fact that their precedent will make permitting easier for those who come after them.

Click here for further information on the green roofs project.

NOTE: International Green Roof Congress
will be held in the green roof capital of the world - Germany Stuttgart/Nürtingen, Germany September 14-15.

Snohomish County

Electronics Recycling Program Receives National Recognition
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has awarded Snohomish County’s Electronics Recycling Program and Take it Back Network with a 2004 NACo Achievement Award in the Environmental Protection and Energy category. The award was presented July 18 in Arizona. The National Association of Counties’ Achievement Award program recognizes counties for improving the management of and services provided by county government -- promoting responsible, responsive and effective county government. Across the country, a rising tide of electronic products needing disposal is challenging solid waste programs. Snohomish County’s Electronic Waste Program has pioneered public/private partnerships to address this issue. Through its Take it Back Network, the county assists retailers and other private businesses in establishing recycling opportunities for their customers and the public at large. Take It Back Locations in Snohomish.

Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy Launches Energy Star® Lighting Fixture Rebate
PSE would like to introduce you to its new Energy Star lighting fixture program for new construction. Right now they’re offering you $20 off the price of both indoor and outdoor light fixtures that have earned the Energy Star label. As this new program is launched, PSE invites you to learn more at its website.

Recycle Equipment?

Need to Recycle a Piece of Office Equipment?
Now's your chance to do it for free until Labor Day. Just haul your unwanted PC, laptop, printer, handheld, cell phone – or any other qualifying product made by any vendor – to your nearest Office Depot. They'll take care of the rest - one product per customer per day.

Qualifying products are: PCs, Mice, Keyboards, Handhelds/PDAs, Monitors, Flat Panel Displays, Laser & Inkjet Printers, Scanners, All-in-Ones, Digital Cameras, Fax Machines, Desktop Copiers, Cell Phones, TVs (27” and smaller only, no consoles), and TV/VCR combos 27” and smaller. More info...

Further Reading

EPA’s 2004 Sector Strategies Performance Report provides a snapshot of environmental trend data for each of 12 sectors -- including construction and forest products -- that participate in EPA's multimedia Sector Strategies Program. More info...

Evergreen Monthly magazine published an article by Heather Nordell on a Built Green remodel in Seattle in the July issue. More info...

True to Our Roots, recommended by Carol Beck, co-chair of the Built Green executive committee, is the story of one company’s shift to an entirely sustainable business model -from conventional agriculture to organic grape growing to market leadership. More info...

Contact Built Green

Master Builders Association
335 – 116th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Directions
Phone (425) 460-8238
Tollfree (800) 522-2209
Fax (425) 646-5985
builtgreen@mbaks.com

MBA Calendar of Events

If you have news items for this newsletter, please send us an email.