Featured Project

View the case study here.

Going Green at the Beach
This month's featured project is also a green building tour event. "Going Green at the Beach," the brainchild of Dave Porter, a green building lender from Countrywide Home Loans, and his wife Anna, is a unique exploration of the possibilities open to all of us to make meaningful changes in how we live and the choices we make. Located in Snohomish County, the project is expected to receive Built Green's 5-star certification rating. The project is aiming to meet the requirement of all the residential green building certification programs, including Energy Star® Home, and the American Lung Association Health House.

The project converts a 100-year-old house into an energy-efficient, environmentally responsible home while providing a beautiful, comfortable living space that would meet the family's current and future needs.

To help others benefit from their experience, the project is a demonstration home for green design, systems and materials, documenting options, choices and decisions, as well as the ongoing performance of the home. Through the website, www.goinggreenatthebeach.com, tours, presentations, media coverage and other educational tools, the Porters will share much more than just the look of their "deep green" home. You'll learn the opportunities and obstacles they faced, understand why they made the choices they did and see first-hand how a green home is built.

Project Vision
The rebuilt home demonstrates the latest in green building standards and green living "best practices." Features will range from available and affordable components that anyone can embrace to deep green ideas meant to challenge and inspire.

Site and Efficient Use of Space

Educational and Outreach Goals
"Going Green at the Beach" is not just about rebuilding a home: it's about using the home, the process of building it and its subsequent performance as an educational tool for the building industry and the public.

To see other previously featured virtual tours, click here.

Sustainable Development Task Force of Snohomish County presents a private tour – Friday, November 2, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., contact Cate O'dahl, (206) 999-0124 to R.S.V.P.Watch the website for public tours, scheduled for October 27 and 28, November 3 and 4 and 10 and 11. Parking and directions will be listed on the website.

Case study photos by Northwest Property Imaging.

Letter from the Director

Green building is continuing its emergence into the mainstream and gaining widespread recognition. But how big is it? How many people know about it, and how many people care? Every once an awhile, we need to take stock of where exactly the movement is, and what it means, so I'd like to take this opportunity to tell a story that put it into perspective for me.

September 20-22 marked my second annual pilgrimage to the West Coast Green Conference in San Francisco. Upon my arrival at the San Francisco airport I was promptly picked up by a hybrid taxi and began the requisite small talk that one has with a cabbie over a 30 minute drive from the airport regardless of what city you're in. The conversation eventually migrated to my being in town for a green building conference and a light suddenly lit afire behind the cab drivers eyes. The conversation took a sudden turn to an article he had read on a "living machine" home in Sweden that recycled all of it's storm-water, wastewater, and even human waste or "black water" on site. I was so impressed to see the vigor and excitement with which he discussed sustainability, that I couldn't help but get a positive feeling, even a little laugh out of my situation. Riding in a hybrid cab to a green building conference and talking with the cabbie about living machine homes, I realized that this mainstreaming of environmentalism may just be working - better than having a chance, it may even be likely that we can usher in a new era of stewardship and collective responsibility for global vitality and health.

High on my optimism, I was brought back to earth by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome who, despite launching an initiative that will have all taxis and buses in San Francisco be either hybrid or biodiesel by 2010, made one very poignant statement. To truly find the stewardship ethic we are seeking, we cannot be satisfied with merely doing better than bad. If we presume that our destructive practices have brought us to our current environmental predicament, just being less destructive is a start, but it may not be enough. Rather than actual sustainability, much of what green building is doing today is moving us in the right direction. I am an ardent advocate for incremental change, but while focusing on the path, we must also keep an eye on the destination. One thing I do know, and that gives me hope, is that if we're going to end at destination sustainability, cab drivers talking about living machine homes is a great start.

- Aaron Adelstein

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!

A D Shapiro Architects
(425) 778-5400 in Edmonds

Blox Construction Inc
(425) 339-2423 in Everett

Cardinal Heating and A/C Inc
(425) 827-9997 in Kirkland

Cobb Construction Inc
(206) 935-0318 in Seattle

David Evans & Associates Inc
To Improve the Quality of Life
(425) 259-4099 in Everett

GeoSonic LLC
(206) 631-8000 in Bothell

Golf Savings Bank - Mountlake Terrace Office
Everything you'd never expect from a bank
(425) 775-9968 in Mountlake Terrace

H + dlt Collaborative LLC
architecture+planning+design
(206) 545-0700 in Seattle

Jake's Development
(425) 742-2024 in Lynnwood

John L Scott Mill Creek Town Center and Edmonds
(425) 368-4900 in Mill Creek

Michael E Finch
(206) 618-4694 in Seattle

Neville and Neville Insurance
Insurance + Bonding for Contractors
(425) 483-8822 in Mill Creek

Nor-Pac Equities
(206) 632-5646 in Seattle

Salient Homes
(206) 957-4505 in Seattle

Sandall's Electric
(425) 787-2369 in Lynnwood

Shirk Bros Inc
Green Remodelers
(206) 240-9953 in Seattle

Tumbleweed NW LLC
Changing Whidbey Island One Tiny House At A Time
(360) 221-0162 in Langley

VERDEV LLC
Sustainable Development
Edmonds

Westcott Holdings Inc
(425) 485-1590 in Bothell

New Certifications

Congratulations to Aedifex, Inc. for certifying one home on W Crockett Street in Seattle and 4 townhomes on 18th Avenue in Seattle all as 3-Star Built Green; Batt + Lear, Inc. for certifying the remodel project on NE 60th Street in Seattle as 5-Star Built Green; Conner Remodeling & Design, Inc. for certifying the remodel project on NW 53rd Street in Seattle as 3-Star Built Green; the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association for certifying 11 townhomes on Croft Place SW in Seattle as 3-Star Built Green; Hoover Premier Homes for certifying 9 homes in Kenmore and Lynnwood as 2-Star Built Green; John Day Homes, Inc. for certifying a home on 270th Avenue SE in Maple Valley and a home on SE 49th Place in Issaquah both as 3-Star Built Green; RAFN Company for certifying a 45 unit multi-family mixed use building on 12th Avenue in Seattle as 2-Star Built Green; and Walton Group LLC for certifying 12 townhomes on California Avenue SW in Seattle as 3-Star Built Green!

Sustainable Development

Saturday, October 6, Everett
Sustainable Energy Fair and Solar Tour 2007
Join us for a day of enlightening solutions that sustain our lifestyles while preserving our natural environment.

The Green Everett Sustainable Energy Fair and Solar Tour is a solution based, hands-on, family oriented event designed to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about sustainable living practices and renewable energy.

Cecile Andrews, founder of the Phinney EcoVillage, will energize the Fair as our Keynote Speaker. We will feature two panel discussions and kick off the 2007 Snohomish County Solar Tour. Exhibitors and demonstrators will present a variety of options in the field of renewable energy.

The Fair is organized by Green Everett in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Community, the Sustainable Snohomish Development Task Force of Snohomish County and the Snohomish PUD.

Fair Location: PUD Headquarters Office, 2320 California St, Everett
Fair Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Solar Tour: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fair Admission:
Old cell phone or empty ink/laser cartridge
Clean plastic grocery bags
Suggested $5 donation
For more information contact: Karen Erickson at 360-862-9087 or e-mail. Carpooling to the event is encouraged

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.

Feature

Built Green Announces the 2007 Built Green Incentive Recipients!
Eight local companies will take a lead in local green building, thanks to the 2007 Built Green™ Incentive program. The incentives were awarded for new construction projects ranging from a single family home, townhome projects, and larger developments of 10 homes or more. The funding ranged from $2,500 to $15,000 for each project with a total of $47,500 awarded.

The Built Green Incentive was developed by the Master Builders Association's Built Green program to encourage environmentally motivated companies to try enhanced green building techniques in their building projects. The Built Green Incentive is funded by grants from King County and Seattle Public Utilities both of whom are committed to market transformation and the support of local high-level green building projects.

"The incentives are a great way for those companies that are already building green to take the next step into even greener pastures," said Aaron Adelstein, Built Green executive director. "Through their leadership and expertise, they will inspire others in the region, demonstrate market demand, and provide a model for others to replicate."

The incentive was targeted at builders interested in developing projects that will meet the Built Green 4 or 5-Star certification levels. In the Built Green program, 4 and 5-Star projects meet superior environmental standards, including Energy Star® certification, and must be independently verified. The incentives will help offset some of those certification costs, which will include performance testing. Based on the past eight years of certifying local projects, Built Green has found that once a builder incorporates these advanced techniques into their building practices, that builder is much more likely to continue to incorporate them in future projects.

Competition for the incentives was fierce and made for some difficult decisions by the funding committee. Of the 35 projects that applied for funding, the following eight were selected. The recipients of the 2007 Built Green Incentive by project category are:
4-Star Level, Single Home
Fradkin Fine Construction – Rainier Beach Homes, Seattle
5-Star Level, Single Home
Shirey Contracting, Inc. – Zero Energy House, Bellevue
Pomeroy Consulting – Pomeroy Residence, Bellevue
Knox Family – Knox Family Residence, Seattle
Nelse Design Build – Green3, Seattle
4-Star Level, More than 4 Units
TMG - Cottages, LLC – Kings Cottages, Unincorporated King County
5-Star Level, More than 4 Units
CAST Architecture – Fremont Townhomes, Seattle
gProjects LLC – Urban Canyon, Seattle

For more information on the requirements to certify a project at the 4 and 5-star levels within the Built Green program, visit the checklist section of the website at www.builtgreen.net/checklists.html. In addition to the numerous requirements established within the checklist, there were additional requirements added specifically for the Built Green Incentive that included:

1. Meet the King County 2005 Surface Water Design Manual Standards or equivalent.
2. 75% min. recycling rate for all construction and demolition debris. For a list of recycling facilities, click here.
3. Meet at least 5 of the following:

These projects will ultimately serve as quality examples of innovative ways in which we can build high performance homes that are attractive and cost effective. Please stay tuned to the Built Green Incentive website for pictures and updates as the projects are currently underway!

The funding committee is currently assessing the first round of incentives and discussing the possibility of opening a new in early 2008. If you are interested in applying or would like more information on the Built Green Incentive application criteria and requirements, please visit the website.

About Built Green
Built Green is 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 and environmental groups in Washington state.

About Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
Founded in 1909, Master Builders Association is a local trade association comprised of more than 4,300 companies involved in the residential construction industry. It is the largest local home building association in the nation and is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders. Its philanthropic programs include the Master Builders Care Foundation, Master Builders Education Foundation and the Built Green environmental building program.

Classes

Tuesday, October 9, Everett
Introduction to Built Green™
This seminar provides an introduction to the Built Green program from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9 at ECC Applied Technology Training Center, 2333 Seaway Blvd, in Everett. 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 has a cost of $30 and is required in order to certify homes as Built Green. To register, contact the MBA University registrar at education@mbaks.com or go online.

Wednesday, October 17, Seattle
Stormwater: Turning a Potential Problem into an Asset A Practical Design Workshop for Professionals

Back by popular demand – register early!

Wednesday, October 17, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
NHS Hall, UW Center for Urban Horticulture
Sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities and UW Botanic Gardens
Fee $50, includes lunch.
Pre-registration required.
ISA Certified Arborist credits pending

Rainwater can be a resource. This practical course shows professionals how to use simple "Low Impact Development" stormwater management techniques to slow, infiltrate and celebrate rainwater in our landscapes. The class is designed for landscape architects, landscape contractors, designers, builders, engineers, architects and planners. Speakers will focus on successful projects around our region—large and small, municipal and private, as teaching tools. Rain gardens, cisterns, permeable paving options, bio-retention swales, soil improvement, plant selection and landscape design for projects will be presented, along with "how to" guidelines. Upcoming stormwater regulations will require many of these practices, customers are asking for them and there are many reasons to start using them now. This seminar will show you how.

Instructors include: Chris Webb PE (Chris Webb Engineering), Curtis Hinman (WSU), Tracy Tackett PE, Jim Johnson and David McDonald (Seattle Public Utilities), Peg Staeheli and Kathy Gwilym PE (SvR Design), and Shane DeWald ASLA (SDOT).

Download registration flier or call (206) 685-8033 for more information.

Thursday, November 15, Bellevue
Introduction to Ductless, Mini Split Heat Pumps
Join us for an introduction to ductless, mini split heat pumps and learn more about what PSE offers ENERGY STAR® builders in your area.
Do you find ductwork challenging?

Want to learn more?
Join us for an exciting opportunity to learn about the many advantages of ductless, mini split heat pumps and the benefits offered for your next project.

When: Thursday, November 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Where: MBA Housing Center: 335 116th Ave. SE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Cost: $30 (includes a continental breakfast)
To Register: contact Kristin Parker at (425) 460-8231 or via email
For more information: visit www.masterbuildersinfo.com.

Events

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

Thursday through Sunday, October 11 through 14, Qwest Field Event Center
Seattle Home Show 2
Seattle Home Show 2 features the theme of Better Ideas + Living Green. The show features nearly 500 exhibits of products and services for the home with an emphasis this year on sustainable construction products, recycled materials and services and products that facilitate energy savings. Each day at the show attendees can enjoy home improvement seminars and cooking demonstrations by local chefs as well as a tasting of Lake Chelan Valley wines. The NW Modern™ model home by ideabox showcases sustainable products and Energy Star™ lighting and appliances. Visitors may tour the home daily. Better ideas for landscaping, decorating, remodeling, and dozens of other home improvements are on display at the show. E-Tickets are available online. Details on free carpool parking and free weekend Metro shuttles to the show are also available at the website.

Wednesday and Thursday, October 17 and 18, Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center
2007 Northwest Environmental Summit
A Great Event Not to Be Missed!
Washington State's most comprehensive environmental conference is coming to the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center on Oct. 17 and 18. The Northwest Environmental Summit is a must-attend event for anyone who needs to stay ahead of environmental law, regulation, policy and technology best practices. Visit the Summit Tradeshow and learn about the newest technologies and services available to help your company become more profitable and effective.

For more information or to register, visit www.envsummit.com or contact Jennifer Costello at (360) 943-1600 or by email.

Wednesday, October 24, Tukwila
SAVE THE DATE - Amy Vickers Comes to Puget Sound Region
The Partnership for Water Conservation is pleased to announce that internationally-recognized water conservation expert Amy Vickers will be the keynote speaker at the PWC Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will take place Wednesday, October 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S, Tukwila, WA. Stay tuned for more info.

The Annual Meeting is free of charge and is limited to PWC Members Only! Space is limited!
To reserve your seat for this event, please RSVP to janetn@partners4water.org or call the PWC Office: (206) 957-2199.

December 11 and 12, Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue
2007 Northwest Builders Show
Learn.See.Network.Build
The 2007 Northwest Builder Show will offer extensive opportunities for our building and remodeling community to explore what's new in the marketplace. Register now for one of our many classes on topics such as: EEBA Built Green, Risk Management and Home Warranties, Team Building, Business Theft and 90-Minute Law. The 2007 Northwest Builders Show will feature a General Membership/Officer Installation Dinner, national speakers and much more. Visit our website for more information and registration.

Call for Papers

2008 Built Green Conference Call for Entries
The 2008 Built Green Conference will be held March 13 and 14, 2008 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, 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.

The education tracks presented at the 2008 Built Green Conference will focus on the following areas:
In The Field, which includes: building science; technical advise that can be applied to projects; energy efficiency; indoor air quality; deconstruction; and engineering.
Innovation: the future of our environment and built communities.
Green=Money: green building finance, appraisal, lending and real estate fields.
Planning, Permitting, and Public Policy: navigating jurisdictional hurdles, incentive programs and facilitating green building within public agencies.

We will be showcasing both new and well-established experts in the field to present over 15 sessions.

Submission Requirements:
The abstract submissions should be 300 words and include a short biography. Submissions are due by Oct. 15, 2007. For more information, please contact Built Green at builtgreen@mbaks.com.