Press Release Almost Ready!
The first press release for the Green Access Home at Suncadia is almost ready. Please feel free to check it out!
Green Access Home at Suncadia Draft Press Release
- Jayme Mattson Carleton, Second Nature
Why should I verify my house?
We live in a society that media often tends to overuse things that are catchy or hip to boost sales or products. Green is one of those items, every so often the National Broadcast companies will have “Green Week” or some other promotion and everything under the sun becomes green….often called “Green Washing.” The unfortunate thing about this is it diminishes the true meaning of “Built Green” which consists of a detailed and exhaustive checklist of items starting with the site preparation, location and design of your home all the way to the type of light bulbs and appliances you use.
Third Party Verifiers complete rigorous training and testing and are certified by the National Association of Home Builders to actually verify by inspection that all of the items the Builder and Owner specify to be done in the home is in fact completed to the high standards required by the program. This certification will give true credibility to the home being built for the current owner as well as any prospective buyers in the future.
Studies have shown that true Built Green Certified homes actually sell faster with less time on market and for more money than their non green counterparts so there is motivation to market a home as green. Without this 3rd party verification it is too easy for Sellers to market their products as Green which could be substantially different than a specific “Built Green” designation.
When a buyer purchases a home that has been certified by a 3rd party verifier, they can be assured the home was built to standards based on the rating system used on the home and they are in fact receiving the full value of a Built Green home.
Steve Senger
Senger Construction, LLC / SC Design, Zero Energy Home Designs
Why do we do it!?!?
Why do we do it?
So often in the green building industry we get caught up talking about what level of green we have achieved or how much energy we have saved. All of that is a step in the right direction but missing the heart and soul of green and sustainable living. It is easy to overlook some of the qualitative aspects of green building (especially as it pertains to a second home) when trying to meet the required and measurable objectives of green building. But, a well designed Built Green home not only meets the metrics for energy, it should also support a healthy active lifestyle and utilize both indoor and outdoor living spaces. This can be done:
- By carefully choosing products and systems that are durable, timeless and have low maintenance requirements, a home owner can spend far less time maintaining their home and will not have to replace due to obsolescence or style;
- By eliminating the lawn and other formal landscaping and replacing it with natural drought tolerant landscaping, yard upkeep is minimal and the home blends in with its natural surroundings;
- By designing the home to integrate indoor and outdoor living, a smaller building feels more comfortable and accommodates more living.
The Green Access Home in Suncadia is smaller than many other Suncadia homes but lives big. The family and design team carefully designed indoor and outside spaces to blend together and complement each other so that extended family and friends could congregate comfortably and create memories together. Products and materials were selected to last the test of time, both from durability and a style aspect, and create a simple, casual and cozy environment. That means the Carr’s will have more time to enjoy all of the activities that Suncadia and Central Washington has to offer. They will have time to visit the Roslyn Farmers Market on Sundays this summer to pick up some great heirloom tomatoes and make my new favorite side dish; an easy to prepare simple addition to any great bbq meal.
BRENDA’S HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD (the secret is fresh seasonal food!)
- Heirloom tomatoes-cut into small chunks
- Fresh shelled peas or fava beans blanched
- Olive oil
- Fresh garlic and other herbs; salt and pepper to taste
- Freshly shave parmesan
- Bed of fresh pasta (I like Trader Joes Lemon pepper Pappardelle Pasta)
Cook pasta, cool and toss lightly with drizzled olive oil and spread on a platter; mix tomatoes, peas or beans, olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Layer tomato mixture on top of pasta. Enjoy!
- Brenda Nunes, Sustainability Foundation
House Placement on Lot
Why did you position the house this way? What are the benefits and drawbacks?
4D Architects positioned the house on the lot to reduce exposure to the wind and also in response to the owners desire to lessen the impact on the site. The home was recessed into the site about 4’. Energy efficiency is an obvious benefit; a minor drawback is having to incorporate the resulting concrete retaining walls into the design.
A major element, the greatroom, was angled out from the main mass of the home to benefit the view, create a large south facing window wall and provide an outdoor space that is sheltered from the wind. This configuration resulted in a somewhat more complex framing and roof solution, something that was carefully considered in our desire to make this project as sustainable as possible.
- Ben Mulder, 4D Architects
