Featured Home

This month's featured home is a 5-star remodel in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood. The first 5-star remodel certified by Built Green, this home is uniquely situated on a steep slope and features beautiful views of Puget Sound. The slope and a nearby eagle's nest provided additional challenges, so minimizing the project's impact on the land became an underlying guiding principle in the design and construction process. Designed by Grace Huang of Ming Architecture and Design, and built by Jon Alexander of Sunshine Construction, environmentally responsible options were chosen at every step of the project to reflect the stewardship ethic of the owner.

Site and water features include a 960-gallon rainwater collection cistern, no use of grass, dual flush toilets and the use of pier/pin footings. To achieve extraordinary energy efficiency, a 2-kilowatt photovoltaic solar system was used in conjunction with triple-glazed U-.23 windows, R-45 attic insulation, sun tubes and high efficiency appliances. Low VOC finishes were used throughout the home, and no formaldehyde-emitting materials were used anywhere in the project. No carpet or vinyl was used in the home, and the home was vented after each new finish was applied.

Efficient use of materials was a top priority of the homeowner, so the list of deconstructed and re-used materials included lumber, doors, wood trim, plumbing, electrical fixtures and brick. Salvaged material that came from other sites included cedar siding and trim, oak flooring and stair treads. While new wood was used for lumber, plywood, cabinetry and trim, only FSC-certified products were used. Additionally, products made from recycled or rapidly renewable resources were used, included cork, true linoleum, glass tile and Squak Mountain Stone slabs for the vanities and tub surround.

To see other previously featured virtual tours, click here.

Photographs by Jeff Case Photographic.

New Members

Are you a Built Green member and a member of the Master Builders Association? Then your company is designated with a small green tree on the Master Builders Association website as a Built Green member. Your company is also listed on the Built Green website.

Welcome to our newest member companies!

Alex & Rachel LLC
Real Estate Redefined
(206) 250-5622 in Seattle

Anderson Construction Group Inc
(206) 329-2878 in Seattle

Architechtronics
Providing unique home technology solutions.
(206) 774-3622 in Bothell

Atlas Disappearing Screen Doors
Your best door and window screen solution!
(425) 450-0115 in Seattle

Brio Realty Inc
(425) 417-0519 in Bellevue

Caledonia Bay Builders
(206) 320-1048 in Seattle

Creative Composites Corporation
Grenite Composed Surfaces
(323) 263-9000 in Los Angeles, CA

Earth Easy Homes LLC
(253) 887-0304 in Kent

First Olympic 1 LLC
(206) 618-6235 in Seattle

Fred Dowdy Company Inc
(206) 236-1079 in Mercer Island

James Hall & Associates Inc
(360) 387-6949 in Camano Island

John Day Homes Inc
(425) 831-4901 in North Bend

Linda Keene
(206) 755-1949 in Seattle

Logix ICF
(503) 653-4941 in Milwaukie, OR

M D K Builders LLC
(206) 769-8531 in Seattle

Mittendorf Quality Construction
Where Dream Homes Come True
(206) 283-1013 in Seattle

S C L Enterprises LLC
(206) 533-6038 in Shoreline

S M E Inc of Seattle
(206) 329-2040 in Seattle

Solatube International Inc
(253) 564-4445 in University Place

Teutsch Partners, LLC
Real Estate Services
(206) 728-1130 in Seattle

Tiger Mountain Innovations, Inc.
Proud makers of Squak Mountain Stone...Natural Beauty, Redefined.
(425) 486-3417 in Woodinville

Washington Bluwood LLC
(702) 491-7114 in Las Vegas, NV

New Certifications

Congratulations to Atlin Investments for certifying 48 homes at Issaquah Highlands in Issaquah as 3-Star Built Green; Dean Homes for certifying six homes at The Reserve in Newcastle and a home at Inatai in Bellevue as 3-Star Built Green; D.R. Horton for certifying 22 homes at Issaquah Highlands in Issaquah as 4-Star Built Green; Greacen Construction for certifying four homes at Issaquah Highlands in Issaquah as 4-Star Built Green; Greenleaf Construction Inc. for certifying five homes in Seattle as 3-Star Built Green; Lexington Fine Homes for certifying a home at The Reserve at Patterson Creek as 3-Star Built Green, as well as certifying The Aldarra Ridge Community as 3-Star Built Green; Noland Homes for certifying 30 homes in Seattle as 2-Star Built Green; Quadrant Homes for certifying 34 homes in Bothell as 3-Star Built Green; Stuart Silk Architects for certifying a new home and a remodel in Seattle as 3-Star Built Green; and Velocipede Architects for certifying a home at Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie as 4-Star Built Green.

Member News

CMI Homes Wins 2006 Best In American Living Award
Professional Builder Magazine and the NAHB Design Committee have awarded CMI Homes a "2006 Best in American Living" Award for the Built Green Home at Suncadia. Professional Builder will be featuring all 2006 winners in the February issue. In addition, the project will be featured on their website for one year.

Green Dog Enterprises Becomes Built Green Third Party Verifier
Built Green would like to welcome Pam Worner of Green Dog Enterprises to our family of Third Party Verifiers. Third Party Verifiers are contracted by builders to certify at Built Green's 4 and 5-Star levels. Contact information can be found here.

If you are a member of Built Green and have news you would like to share with our readers, please email your announcement to Built Green.

Job Postings

Position Description:
Executive Director Urban Green Sustainable Development Center
Location: Seattle, WA.

Overview of Organization:
Urban Green is a Sustainable Development Information Resource with 501c3 status, founded by King County, City of Seattle, Urban Land Institute, Cascadia Region Green Building Council.

Overview of Responsibilities:
The Executive Director is the chief executive officer of the organization, conducting its administration in accordance with policies set by the board of directors. The Executive Director will have significant influence on the board and the direction of the organization as it grows.
For More Details see: urbangreenresource.org

Resources

Discover The Beam, a new online resource that enables people to make smarter, more sustainable lifestyle choices.

On November 15, The Beam will launch a fully illustrated, national directory of design & building professionals who are committed to sustainability. The directory will include all of the forward-thinking professionals who design, build, remodel, renovate, develop, sell, or finance green residences across the US.

Initially, The Beam's directory will be a tool for design/build professionals to find one another. Rich with both images and information, the Directory will provide a much-needed gathering place for the growing residential green building community to connect, share, partner, and profit together, coast to coast. In spring 2007, The Beam will begin marketing the directory to consumers.

Be a part of the network! Reserve your FREE Introductory Listing now by visiting theBeam.com.

King County

King County offering new green-building incentives Funds, permitting assistance available to commercial, residential developers

Commercial and residential developers who want to "build green" in King County could be eligible to receive financial assistance as well as free technical assistance through a new program from the King County Green Building Program in the county's Solid Waste Division.

The incentives are part of King County's efforts to support more green building practices, said Katie Spataro, program manager for the Solid Waste Division.

"We are continuing to look for ways to promote and encourage residential builders and commercial developers to design projects in ways that have minimal negative impact on our environment," Spataro said. Under the new program, commercial developers across King County (excluding Seattle) could be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in funds to help encourage higher performance green buildings.

In addition, residential developers who want to build green in unincorporated King County are now eligible to receive free project management and expedited permitting review from the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services.

"Green buildings can have lower energy and water consumption rates, and offer occupants excellent comfort and functionality. These new incentives provide terrific opportunities to stimulate and support green building throughout King County," Spataro said.

Residential projects in King County are eligible for green building incentives available immediately. For projects in unincorporated King County seeking the highest certification under the Master Builders Association's Built Green™ program, incentives include expedited permit review, free project management through permitting and free technical assistance. The incentives are administered by King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services and the Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

More information on green building incentives in King County is available at www.metrokc.gov, at (206) 263-6037, or via email.

Letter from the Director

Given the imminent decline of fossil fuel resources, and the state of our current international political climate, awareness around our dependence on foreign petroleum products, and the alternatives to those products is at an all-time high. Major auto manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen are touting their commitment to green by producing and advertising cars that are hybrid gas/electric, flex-fuel, ethanol fueled or biodiesel.

These alternative fuels are rapidly making their way in the collective gas tank of the American public, and are soon to be found in our homes as well. One example is soy-based spray foam insulation. In addition to this product being an excellent energy saving alternative, it also has a reduced environmental impact and supports the domestic economy. Domestic plant oil-based interior and exterior wood finishes can also be an excellent choice when compared to their petroleum-based alternatives. When purchasing a plant oil-based finish, try to find a brand that does not contain toxic drying agents. Soy-based plastics can be extremely durable while at the same time rapidly biodegradable. To find out more about soy-based products, visit the website of the United Soybean Board.

Just as the auto industry is transforming before our very eyes, so can the building products industry. You can send a message with your dollar that if given the choice you'll support domestic farm-based products over foreign petroleum. So if you're considering a remodeling project, addition, or building a new home, put your money where your mouth is and buy alternatives to petroleum products that are green (as in growing out of the ground) rather than sitting miles underneath it half a world away.

- Aaron Adelstein

Feature

Along with several other nonprofit partners, Built Green co-hosted a tour of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests and mills in early October. The tour offered 50 architects, builders and FSC vendors the opportunity to see first hand what FSC standards mean for working forest conservation.

Stops included Ft. Lewis, the largest FSC forest in Washington by timber volume; O'Neill Pine Company, a family owned forestry and lumber sales company near Chehalis; and Mason County Forest Products, two recently certified timbers and studs mills in Shelton.

Many tour participants were struck by the visible differences in FSC harvest units compared to conventional practices. At a minimum, 10% of trees are retained in harvest areas, along with many more standing snags and downed logs than legally required. Ft Lewis forests are managed to even higher standards using variable density thinning, a technique that results in continuous forest cover while still producing large volumes of timber. These approaches create structural complexity in the forest, which leads to better functional complexity and ultimately a better capacity for biodiversity.

Built Green checklists offer up to 27 points that recognize the use of FSC certified forest products. While many FSC products have been difficult to access in the past, particularly structural commodities, an increasing number of certified vendors are active in the greater Seattle area. Existing FSC vendors have also strengthened their programs and added products.

For more information on how to access FSC products, please contact Ian Hanna of the Northwest Natural Resource Group (360-379-9421 or by email), a nonprofit organization that helps connect FSC supply and demand.

Call For Entries/Awards

2007 Built Green Conference, Call for Presenters
The 2007 Built Green Conference will be held March 13th, 2007 at the Everett Events Center in Everett, WA. We are seeking engaging speakers to share advanced technical knowledge, on-the ground expertise, and visionary wisdom on a wide range of topics. If you have a new angle on any facet of the industry, an insight into trends and/or breakthroughs in design and technologies, and you know how to capture an audience, we look forward to hearing from you. We will be showcasing both new and well-established experts in the field to present over 12 sessions.

ENERGY STAR Homes Northwest announces its 1st annual awards competition to recognize partners for outstanding leadership, commitment and accomplishments. Homebuilders, verifiers/home performance specialists, HVAC/PT contractors and lighting suppliers are invited to apply. To be considered, partners must meet eligibility requirements and submit a completed application by December 1, 2006. Winners will be recognized in February 2007.
For details, see 2007 Awards Competition Application.

Contact Us:
email: info@nwenergystar.com
web: www.northwestenergystar.com

Spotlight

Seattle PI Website Hosts New
Green Building Blog

The Seattle Post Intelligencer's website, a vast community information resource, and host for numerous blogs, is now featuring a blog called "Building Seattle Green." Launched and moderated by Danielle Johnson of Greenworks Realty, Building Seattle Green is an excellent way to stay up to date on all things green. From controversial issues to advice to event announcements, the blog is guaranteed to be both entertaining and informative So stay tuned and submit comments and questions. There's a good reason why blogging is the hottest form of e-communication since something called...e-mail.

For information on how to list your "green" products* in this space, please contact Built Green Director Aaron Adelstein by phone at (425) 460-8230, 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.

Events

Visit the Built Green Washington website for green home building courses and events across the state of Washington.

Monday, Nov. 6 – Wednesday, November 8, Wenatchee, WA
9th Annual NW Solar Summit
The Road Ahead: Toward a Norway/Washington PV Alliance
This event is taking place at the Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel.
For more information and registration please visit this link.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, Bellevue, WA
Sky High: Rising Energy Costs and the Growing Demand for High-Performance Buildings
Presented by the MIT Enterprise Forum
Sponsored by Puget Sound Energy
Time: 5 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. dinner and panel.
Location: Bellevue Grand Hyatt Ballroom
To register: click here or call 206-283-9595.

Energy costs are a top business expense line item, and some companies are using this to their advantage. Cool technologies are revolutionizing energy use, combating global warming, and giving rise to a hot new industry. An estimated 35% of U.S. electricity is used in commercial buildings. Owners and tenants spend $120 billion a year on energy, and as much as half of that is wasted. Buildings cause 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases annually -- four times as much as cars -- but change is in the air.

Super-efficient buildings create a competitive advantage for their owners and tenants. Customers and investors are asking about carbon footprints, and a growing list of major companies -- from AMD to Wal-Mart -- are going "green." Buildings are getting smarter. Advanced lighting systems harvest daylight, while new solar technologies make the whole building produce power. Smart buildings are potentially the next big software and networking play. Silicon Valley VC firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has pledged to invest $100 million in green technology. Can efficiency improvements and renewable energy pay for themselves? Do lenders value the intangible benefits? What brilliant technologies are on the horizon? Join us for a very engaging and thought-provoking evening as our moderator explores this topic with a panel of experts. You'll hear first hand about the opportunities, realities, and technologies.

Moderator - Nik Blosser, President of Sustainable Industries Journal publisher Celilo Group

Panel - Ash Awad, VP Energy Services, McKinstry; Michael Brambley, Ph.D., Energy Sciences & Technology Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Dave Williams, CEO, Shorebank Pacific.

Classes

Classes listed below are approved workshops for fulfilling the annual Built Green education requirement for certifying projects.

Visit the Built Green Washington website for green home building courses and events across the state of Washington.

November 3, Everett, WA
Building, Marketing, and Financing Green Construction, a Workshop for Real Estate Professionals

3 1/2 State-Approved Clock Hours.
Instructor: Dave Porter, MIRM, 1st Vice President, Northwest Division Builder Manager, Countrywide Home Loans - National Builder Division

Homebuyers are demanding green. All building industry partners need to know how to leverage green to their benefit (as well as profit from it). Smart builders are positioning themselves with green options and appealing to a larger group of homebuyers. Real estate professionals are the bridge that communicates this benefit to the consumer. This workshop will provide a detailed look at how you can achieve that edge by spotlighting an upcoming Deep Green project case study.

This 3.5 clock hour state approved workshop will:
Define green construction.
Show and tell of green features.
Explain ways to position green in consumer marketing and education campaigns.
Evaluate marketing campaigns and financing methods to promote green building.

November 3, 2006, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Snohomish PUD #1 Commissioners Room
2320 California Street
Everett, WA 98201
Cost $15.00 per participant, certificates will be issued, breakfast will be served.

RSVP: Terri Hooper by email.

Thursday, Nov. 9, Seattle, WA
House as a System: Home Building Solutions Workshop™
An in-depth course on the principles of building science and the details of the best practices in energy efficient and healthy construction. Concerns over energy costs are at an all-time high. Moisture-related building issues plague the building industry. And the US EPA lists poor indoor air quality as one of the top five public health threats. Careful design and construction, and an understanding of basic building science concepts helps avoid these issues. Instructor Dan Cote is the Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes Program Manager and a Building Science Specialist with extensive training in building technologies and residential construction.

Details: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Library, Downtown Seattle 1000 4th Ave. 98104 Cost: $45 for ENERGY STAR Homes Northwest, Built Green and Cascadia Region Green Building Council Members. $65 for non-members.
Registration/continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Lunch included.
Seating is limited and advanced registration is required. Contact Thor Peterson, Seattle Dept. of Planning and Development: (206) 615-0731 or by email.

Tuesday, November 14, Bellevue
Introduction to Built Green™
This free seminar provides an introduction to the Built Green™ program from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, at the Master Builders Association Housing Center in Bellevue. Learn how to certify a project and use the checklist, how to join, how the program works, and other resources. The seminar presents examples of projects and covers how to fill out the Built Green checklist. This orientation is required in order to certify homes as Built Green. To register, contact the MBA University registrar via email or at (425) 451-7920.

Wednesday, November 15, Woodinville, WA
Managing Erosion and Water Quality on Construction Sites
New regulations are going into effect on Oct. 1. Meet with regulators, enforcement officials, and solutions providers to learn about:
- The new CESCL requirements
- Construction site water quality parameters
- BMP selection and implementation
- Advanced stormwater treatment technologies.

This class is being organized by the Northwest Environmental Business Council. It will be held from 1pm-4 p.m. at the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville as an educational forum for all those responsible for keeping construction sites under compliance and our rivers and Puget Sound clean. A reception will follow. Contact NEBC for more information.

Puget Sound Energy

Good news for builders and residential customers within Puget Sound Energy's (PSE's) electric service area: PSE is now offering a $250 rebate on air-source electric heat pumps with a HSPF of 9.0 or higher and a SEER of 13.0 or higher.

Qualifying heat pumps will help save money all winter long through lower heating bills. And when air-conditioning is needed in the summer, these high-efficiency models can help with reduced cooling costs, too.

Other new construction rebates available to builders include ENERGY STAR®-qualified natural gas furnaces, high-efficiency natural gas water heaters, ENERGY STAR-qualified dishwashers and clothes washers, ENERGY STAR-qualified light fixtures and bulbs, and ENERGY STAR qualified homes.

For more information on PSE's air-source electric heat pump rebate or other available new construction rebates, contact Kevin Peterson by email or phone: (425) 456-2414.

Contact Built Green

Master Builders Association
335 - 116th Avenue SE
Bellevue, WA 98004
P: (425) 460-8238
F: (425) 646-5985
builtgreen@mbaks.com
www.builtgreen.net

Master Builders Association Calendar of Events

If you have news items for this newsletter, please send us an email. Click here for Directions to the Master Builders Association.