Featured Home

Kirkland Builders Group recently certified this Three-Star Built Green home in the Talus Community neighborhood of Wilderness Peak, along with 28 other home designs. This builder took extra precautions to protect trees and other native vegetation on the site during construction, and limited grading to within 20 feet of the building footprint to reduce soil compaction. Higher indoor air quality is achieved with low-pile carpeting, formaldehyde-free insulation, low-VOC sealers and adhesives, ceramic tile flooring, and low-VOC paints and finishes. Jobsite recycling, the addition of flyash to the concrete, and the installation of a 50-year siding product and a 30-year roof provide durability and materials efficiency. The home is currently on the market.

New Members

Dean Homes – Quality builder of exclusive Eastside luxury residences and one-of-a-kind homes.

JNG Sales, Inc. (Sea Gull Lighting) – More than 300 Energy Star-rated fixtures and 3,000 lighting products.

McNaughton & Associates – Over 15 years of experience in custom and builder residential architecture, for single and multi-family product information contact them via email.

Velocipede Architects - Specializes in environmentally responsible commercial and residential projects.

View our current members.

Save the Turtles!

Built Green member Parsons Public Relations is promoting conservation of turtle habitat in Costa Rica as a company-wide service project. The Second Annual “Save the Turtles” Auction Fundraiser will be held March 21 at 5:00 p.m. at the Mount Baker Community Club in Seattle.

Events

Built Green Seattle!
Design Competition Deadline for applications is Feb. 1.

Seattle Home Show will once again have a Built Green exhibit at the Seattle Exhibition Center on Feb. 14 – 22, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. most days. Want to participate as a Built Green member? Contact Robin Rogers via email.

Built Green Idea Home
The Grand Opening of the Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home will be on Saturday, February 14, in Issaquah Highlands. Directions to Issaquah Highlands. Map of Issaquah Highlands Community.

Built Green Conference April 6 The second Built Green Conference is scheduled for April 6 at Pickering Barn in Issaquah with anticipated 200-300 attendees. Plans are underway for an all-day meeting, focused on builders, with keynote speaker, break-out sessions, a trade show of green products and closing reception. For exhibits and sponsorship information, please contact Pam Worner via email or by calling 425.451.7920. Mark your calendars! To provide input for desired course content contact Robin Rogers via email.

Radio Marketing

Built Green members have the opportunity to participate in several great radio sponsorship programs that will help spread the good word about Built Green. Interested?

KPLU public radio, contact Beverly James via email.

Entercom: KIRO AM, KMTT FM and KBSG FM – news, oldies or adult rock.

Solar Decathlon

Washington State University (WSU) students in the School of Architecture and Construction Management are embarking on an ambitious project sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy called the Solar Decathlon. Twenty colleges from across the country are competing in this contest that entails designing, building and delivering a 500-square-foot house to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. by the fall of 2005. But there’s a catch…the house must be completely powered by the sun.

The home must provide all of the modern conveniences including cooking, cleaning, lighting and a home office, and must charge and operate an electric vehicle. Plus, the WSU team wants to showcase “green” products. Already Whirlpool--a leading Built Green sponsor and member--has committed to providing appliances! The team welcomes donations and support to successfully complete this project. Interested? Contact faculty advisor Mat Taylor at 509.335.1737 or email. Visit the team’s website.

The event attracts more than 200,000 people, so the contest is a great opportunity to get exposure for “green” technologies from the Northwest and provides an opportunity for the WSU students to prove to the rest of the country that solar power is possible in the cloudy Pacific Northwest!

Lighting Design Help

The Lighting Design Lab in Seattle offers free lighting design assistance to the public or lighting design teams in the region. In the United States, about 20 percent of electricity used in buildings is consumed by lighting. Daylighting and energy efficient fixtures can both help offset the amount of electricity used. Features such as clerestories, skylights, properly located windows, and compact fluorescent bulbs all help achieve savings, but should be incorporated early in the design process for maximum benefit.

The Lighting Design Lab provides technical expertise to help you improve lighting design for energy efficiency and environmental quality, design for daylighting, and test lighting schemes in its mock-up lab. The lab is sponsored by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish County PUD, British Columbia Hydro and Tacoma Power. For further info visit their website. For information on efficient lighting fixtures click here.

Green Realtors

"On Common Ground" features Green Building in its Winter 2004 Issue, published by the National Association of Realtors. Built Green member J. J. Johnston of RE/MAX Northwest Realtor is featured in the article, "Cultivating the Green Industry Building."

Emmissions Cuts

Whirlpool Corporation, a corporate sponsor of Built Green, announced that it is committed to reducing its global greenhouse gas emissions by 3 percent by 2008 from its 1998 emissions level. The 3-percent cut in carbon emissions translates into an annual reduction of approximately 4 million metric tons, or a more than 15-million-metric-ton reduction from Whirlpool's 1998 emissions level. The 15-million-ton reduction annually is equivalent to the carbon emissions released by 28 coal-fired power plants or 10 million U.S. cars. More info...

From the Director

The Year Behind
It’s been a good year. We’ve already certified almost 4,000 homes since the program’s inception in 2000, with more than double the membership of eight months ago. The continued partnerships with King County and Snohomish County have allowed the program to grow, improve and generate greater awareness about the benefits of green homebuilding in our area. City of Seattle has also supported Built Green efforts through Seattle City Light incentives and sponsorship of a Built Green Design Competition, one of the first such contests in the US. Several generous sponsorships from Puget Sound Energy, Whirlpool, Port Blakely Communities and the Dwelling Company have helped the program sprout new wings. And Cathy Waidelich and Kelly Lykken of MBA, along with the many member volunteers, did an awesome job of carrying the program before there was a full-time director.

The Year Ahead is looking quite rosy for Built Green as the program enters its fourth year. A few highlights planned for 2004 include:

• The grand opening on Feb. 14 of the Puget Sound Energy Built Green Idea Home, the unique demonstration project in Issaquah Highlands, sponsored by the MBA, Port Blakely Communities and Bennett Homes.
• The second Built Green Conference on April 6 in Issaquah at Pickering Barn, sponsored by King County, Snohomish County and the City of Issaquah.
• Built Green Seattle! design competition to increase the number of certified projects in the city of Seattle.
• A marketing plan sponsored by King County and developed by PRR in conjunction with our marketing subcommittee that we will begin implementing after the first of the year.
• The development of a more comprehensive database that will allow us to track projects more effectively.
• More courses offered through MBA University.

Feedback
We welcome your input, whether as an e-mail message, a note jotted on paper, or full-fledged membership on one of the important committees that help us navigate for program development, including: the steering committee, the 3rd party verification, 4th and 5th star level, sponsorship or marketing.

Finally, one small improvement that should provide a benefit upgrade to our constituency: check out our website’s improved Built Green Members’ Listing that separates companies/organizations into seven different categories.

Here’s to a great Built Green program everyone!

Robin Rogers, Program Director

Contact Built Green

Master Builders Association
335 – 116th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Directions
P: 425.451.7920
P: 800.522.2209
F: 425.646.5985
builtgreen@mbaks.com

Product Spotlight

Insulating concrete forms for all above & below grade walls. Exceeds energy code requirements. Made from more than 85% recycled content.

Distributor: www.greendepotinc.com.

For information on how to list your "green" products* in this space, please contact Pam Worner by phone at 425.451.7920 or via email.

*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. We will list no more than three per newsletter.

King County’s Green Building Ordinance Promotes Three Innovative Projects

Featured Project: Greenbridge (the second article of a series of three on King County’s Green Building Ordinance)

This redevelopment of a White Center neighborhood looks forward to a pedestrian-friendly, sustainable community with preserved sensitive areas and organized parks and open space for residents seeking affordable housing. King County Housing Authority is striving to achieve a 3-star rating under the Built Green™ Communities rating system.

Significant environmental benefits for this master planned community will be made possible thanks to the flexibility provided by King County’s green building demonstration ordinance that allows modifications and waivers to existing codes. Some of proposed modifications and waiver to county code would allow the following:

• A low impact approach to site improvements, including how stormwater runoff is addressed, will contribute to a 5-acre reduction of impervious surface. A major benefit of the overall plan is achieved by reducing street widths, utilizing the streets for parking, and allowing shared parking.
• Reduction of grading and integration of narrower streets with landscaping and drainage will increase the quality of open spaces and minimize the infrastructure costs for the development.
• Stormwater from approximately 11 acres of land will be diverted through a bioswale water filtration system away from the overtaxed Salmon Creek Basin, to a basin with more capacity, relieving downstream flooding.
• A system of parks, trails, sidewalks, open spaces and vistas and protection of sensitive areas will contribute to a greater sense of place and community.
• Building modulation will be closely matched to standard lumber dimensions to reduce waste and construction materials costs.

Project Information:

• Existing: 98-acres with 569 units of public housing originally built in 1942 for World War II workforce housing.
• Redevelopment: Over a ten-year build out schedule, this 98-acre site will contain 900-1,100 units of affordable housing using a HUD HOPE VI grant and many other funding sources. The housing types will include cottages, townhouses, apartment buildings, and single-family attached and detached homes.
• 100,000 square feet of community facilities will include a community center, elementary school, Boys and Girls Club, Highline Community College, YWCA Park Lake Career Development Center, Head Start, King County Library, Neighborhood House, and a sheriff’s substation.
• There will be 22,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial retail space.
• Approximately 21 acres of parks, trails and open space will include a community park, 4 neighborhood parks, 11 pocket parks, and a trail network.

Developer: King County Housing Authority
Architect: GGLO (a Built Green member)

For more information about King County’s Green Building Ordinance contact Cynthia Moffitt, DDES via email. For more information about Greenbridge, contact John Eliason via email or visit their website.

New Certifications

Quadrant Homes certified 365 homes last month!

Green Building Plan

Here’s a brief look at the steps towards planning a green building in a brochure from the Kresge Foundation.

Built Green Seattle

Due to the success and popularity of the first full-day workshop on the Seattle Built Green Design Competition, another is planned for Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Mountaineers Club in Seattle. Find out more by clicking here.

MBA University

Achieving High Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) through Built Green is a half-day workshop focusing on non-toxic materials, proper care of finishes and the prevention of contamination in the home. Using Built Green checklists, the course will cover material selection, ventilation, filtration, design and diagnostics, along with how to mitigate the effects of poor IAQ. Instructors are Chris Dixon of Mithun Architects, Scott Finley of Atmosphere and Chuck Murray of WSU. Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $45 members, $90 non-members.

Building, Marketing and Financing Green Construction teaches real estate agents ot Realtors®, builders and other industry partners how to leverage green to benefit your business. Taught by Dave Porter of Countrywide Home Loans, a Built Green veteran and popular speaker on the topic, this course offers 3.5 clock hours. Thursday, Feb. 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $45 members, $90 non-members.

Site, Soils and Landscaping: Environmentally Friendly Techniques offers a greener bottom line with these low impact practices that feature easier installation, fewer callbacks and happier customers. Start with efficient site and soil management techniques to produce healthier soils, and progress to establishing a landscape using the right plants for the site, organic fertilization, compost, mulching, integrated pest management and other field-tested practices. Also learn how to sell these upgrades to your clients. All three instructors are experts in their fields: David McDonald of Seattle Public Utilities, Ladd Smith of InHarmony, and Len Zickler of AHBL. Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the MBA. Cost: $45 members, $90 non-members.

Built Green Orientation provides an overview of the entire program on January 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the MBA. Shown in the photo is Diane Glenn, Principal of the Construction Consultants, one of the course instructors. The course is free and open to anyone. Register by calling 425.451.7920. This course (or equivalent) is required for certifying a Built Green project.

New from MBAU!
Learn at Lunch is on the second Wednesday of every month at the MBA. On Feb. 11, Brian Cloward, from Mithun Architects and lead designer of the Built Green Idea Home, will be speaking about the project.

To register or for further information contact MBAU at 425.451.7920 or via email. Many other courses are also available through the MBA University.

Changes to PSE Rebate Programs effective 2004!
Beginning January 1, 2004, there will be a few changes to PSE’s Appliance and Gas Water Heater Rebate Programs.

Appliance Rebate Program
Some of the ENERGY STAR labeled clothes washers that had qualified for PSE’s $35 rebate in 2003 will no longer qualify for the rebate in 2004, as the qualification standards for carrying the ENERGY STAR label will be changing. To check and see if the model you are interested in purchasing qualifies, please visit their website.

Gas Water Heater Rebate Program
Federal energy conservation standards for water heaters are changing January 2004. Since the new standard is so close to PSE’s .60 energy factor criteria, PSE has made a change to the program’s requirements. The program will offer a $25.00 rebate for each installed gas water heater with a .62 or higher energy factor. The program will continue to require a capacity of 20-100 gallons of storage and a maximum input of 75,000 BTU/Hour. If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Reistad at 425.424.6605 or via email.

Rebates

Vending Machine Rebate
Does your office have a vending machine, and are you a Seattle City Light customer? If so, you can get an $80 rebate for installing VendingMiser. It reduces the energy consumption of cold drink vending machines by using an occupancy sensor to power down the lights and compressor, providing average energy savings of 35 percent to 40 percent. This translates into a reduction of $55 to $130 in the annual electricity bill for each machine! Visit SCL’s website for more information.

Toilet Rebate
Doing a bathroom remodel in Snohomish County? You can help your clients get a $50 rebate from the Public Utility District (PUD) by replacing their old 5-gallon-per-flush toilet with a 1.6 gpf model. Offer is open to PUD customers. For further information visit their website.

Check out the PSE rebates in the previous section.