 Building For Tomorrow
An update of the green building industry
for Whatcom County
JULY 2011
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BUILD GREEN. BUILD SMART. | |
Aiki Homes is proud to offer this newsletter to help keep local residents educated and informed about the green building industry in Whatcom County. Aiki Homes is a leader in the green building movement of Whatcom County and offer a wide range of services from planning, design, consulting and construction. |
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Sustainable Connections
Home and Landscape Tour
Stories of Conscientious Construction
| I heard once that green buildings have a story to tell. This was certainly the case for each of the stops on the Home and Landscape Tour this year. I was lucky enough to slip away from my volunteers duties to see and hear the stories told by labor of love and genuine passion for green homes.
Aiki Homes was once again featured on the Home and Landscape Tour showing off our innovative, sustainable construction. For two days, the folks at Aiki Homes toured over 300 people through the Millworks Co-housing project. The feedback was incredible, but I think it was our story that captured the interest of hundreds. Millworks is not just any housing development for obvious reasons including its commitment to community and sustainable design features. The story though was heard loud and clear through the creativity, custom designs and finishes, and amazing woodwork.
We are honored to work with clients, subcontractors and suppliers that have helped to write the stories that are now the some of the best in Bellingham.
Thank you to Sustainable Connection's for another great tour!
If you missed the tour and would like to check out Millworks we will be having another tour in August! Date TBD so stay tuned!
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Construction Recycling
the winning choice
| Building a green home is not just about the end product with energy efficient heating systems and bamboo floors. The construction practices are an essential element that are often overlooked when thinking of sustainable buildings. According to the most recent EPA study, construction and demolition waste totaled more than 135 million tons in the US in 1998.
Aiki Homes first began construction recycling by source separating and knowing that with extra labor, we would be fulfilling our goals for sustainable construction. Gone are those days of lots of piles and extra labor. Co-mingled construction recycling bins are now available with Sanitary Service Co. and Lautenbach Industries. These bins can include a wide variety of construction debris and are easy to use and inexpensive. Some may even say co-mingled bins are a "no-brainer."
Sustainable Connections in cooperation with Whatcom County BIA hosted a construction recycling round table discussion including representatives from both SSC and Lautenbach's, City and County staff, as well as several local builders and remodelers. After hearing the benefits to the builders bottom line, the asset to recyclers, and smart use of resources, it is clear it is a WIN for all. The question remains...why are most builders NOT recycling?
To further the recycling agenda, the City of Bellingham is proposing a construction and demolition debris ordinance. Aiki knows first hand how making shifts in construction practices can be difficult, but in the end the practice is easy, cost saving, and simply the right thing to do. Aiki Homes has a construction recycling agreement with our suppliers and subcontractors. This contract is to ensure everyone is following our construction waste recycling plan. But, more than that, it gives us a opportunity to start the discussion and make a plan for our waste stream. I see the City's proposed ordinance in exactly the same light. It is an opportunity to start the discussion and get people thinking in advance where they want our natural resources to go. Since builders are not changing of it on their own, cheers to the City for creating an environment for positive change!
On Aiki's last residential home we achieved a 72% recycling rate! And getting better all the time.
If you have questions about local construction recycling, Sustainable Connections publishes a great Construction Recycling Toolkit to help make your next project a win win with sustainable construction practices. |
Aiki Homes staff gets Certified
| Luke Shelton, Aiki Home's amazing Site Project Manager, and Albert Mathison, our incredible get-it-done specialist, have received their certification as a Certified Sediment and Erosion Control Leads. We are proud to have these gentlemen in charge of our stormwater management activities and ensuring a truly low impact development throughout the project.
Rose Lathrop, project coordinator, now has CGP following her name signifying Certified Green Professional from the National Association of Home Builders. The Certified Green Professional™ designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes- without driving up the cost of construction. Classwork leading to the designation provides a solid background in green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers, from the organization leading the charge to provide market-driven green building solutions to the home building industry.
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Vendor Spotlight
Daniel J Construction
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Most of us would love to go through life without having to worry or consider getting a new roof. Most composition roofing is supposed to last 30 years, right? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It is likely that sometime during your 30 year mortgage, re-roofing is bound to come up.
Until recently, reroofing your home would require a huge amount of waste taken to the landfill. Not any more. Daniel J Construction, Aiki Home's beloved roofing subcontractor, is now offering recycling of all those old, mossy shingles through Lautenbach Industries. These old shingles will be reused as paving materials throughout the pacific northwest. This is a big change in the roofing industry and Daniel J is proud to be on the forefront of such a positive change.
Daniel J is also a local expert on sustainable roofing materials including Nu Ray Metal roofs with a high recycled content, 100% recyclable, manufactured locally, low maintenance, and available in "cool-roof" colors.
Aiki Homes would like to thank Daniel J for his commitment to the greening of his industry.
Contact Daniel J Construction at 360-303-4321 or email Dan at Daniel J..
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McKenzie Green Commons
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Aiki Homes is working with Bellingham residents to create a senior cohousing community in lovely Fairhaven. Planning is underway to design and build up to 12 Built Green and ENERGY STAR homes within this active adult community. The project will focus on low impact development and universal design for aging in place. McKenzie Green Commons will become an owner occupied, single family residential neighborhood for active seniors where the land, common house, shared gardens, and other amenities will have common ownership. This community will create a living environment for seniors wanting to live more simply, in smaller homes, situated within a natural, socially friendly atmosphere.
For more information regarding this project contact Rose Lathrop, Project Coordinator.
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Upper Ridge Cottages | |
Located on one of the few remaining woodland parcels in Everett, Washington, Upper Ridge Cottages will be a cooperative community of like minded people who are environmentally progressive, enjoy walking through the woods, sharing the organic garden with their neighbors and being stewards of the forest and wooded wetlands.
There is still space available within this amazing community. Contact us soon to create a custom design and finishes for your own beautiful Built Green home. |
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INFILL LOT AVAILABLE
Ideal site for custom green home in a great, walkable neighborhood
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Are you considering building a green home? Would you like to be next to trails, parks, and Whatcom Creek, while still within walking distance of downtown? A vacant lot was just listed, and Aiki Homes knows what it takes to build a home and create lasting value.
Contact Hannah White for more details at hannah@aikihomes.com .
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Create your own Co-housing
Don't wait, be a change-maker!
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Co-housing is a great model for sustainable living. If you are interested in exploring the possibilities of creating your own co-housing, please contact rose@aikihomes.com. Let's dream big and make big changes!
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Upcoming Events
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BIAWC CONTINUING EDUCATION BIAWC Built Green Coordinator Linda Twitchell now is handling continuing education programs. If you are interested in particular classes or subjects, please contact her at lindat@biawc.com or 671-4247. Energy Star, for instance, is currently offering 4-hour classroom training in 5 categories that are available to us if enough people are interested:
� Meet and Exceed the Code with Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes
� Build it Tight, Ventilate it Right
� Thermal Enclosure Checklist
� Intermediate and Advanced Framing
� Residential HVAC Design
Business After Hours
May 11th, 5pm-7pm
GreemWorks Realty is partnering up with O'Brien and Company to present the Green Agent Essentials Course.
The Green Agent Essentials program is a unique 14 clock hour course provided through one of our scheduled classes or arranged as a private class at your company. It is designed for real estate agents, appraisers, home inspectors, investors, and homeowners considering buying or selling a green home. Our course is created and taught by market leaders who have shaped the green building industry and understand the marketplace.
Please visit: http://www.greenagentessentials.com/index.html for more details.
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Sustainable Design & Construction
Since 1992
- Green Building Consulting
- Custom Homes
- Permitting
- Design
- Planning
- Low-Impact Development
- Remodels
- Real Estate
We have the following professionals on the Aiki Homes team
- LEED Accredited Professional
- Sustainable Building Advisor
- Certified Green Professional
- Licensed Real Estate Agent
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Rose Lathrop, LEED AP, CSBA, and now CGP
Aiki Homes, Inc
360.715.0700
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