Growing up, my Grandfather’s favorite slogan was “re-use, re-use, re-use”! The concept of sustainable living was part of my upbringing, and to this day, I appreciate being taught the value of sustainability at such a young age. 

Sustainable building is a crucial step in the movement towards a greener future. It involves designing and constructing buildings with the aim of reducing their environmental impact and optimizing their energy efficiency. The benefits of sustainable building are numerous: it can reduce energy bills, help preserve natural resources, and contribute positively to the health and wellbeing of occupants. To us, sustainable building considers not just environmental impact, but also includes health, community, and design.

Environment – A big part of construction can actually be de-struction. When we start your remodel, we’ll consider options to preserve and re-use the elements already available in your home, minimizing what we send to landfills and reducing the energy expended on demolition. When items must be replaced, we source healthy, durable and preferably locally-made materials, such as lumber with FSC-certification, which preserves forests.

Health – we want you to live in a home that’s good for you. This means a home remodeled with minimal toxins, off-gassing and hazardous materials. We use low- or no-VOC paints, cotton insulation, and building materials made without formaldehyde.

Community – We use local businesses and craftsman whenever we can. We like to support our neighbors and fellow sustainable businesses.

Design – We love homes that integrate indoor and outdoor spaces. Using nature’s elements (sun, shade, breezes, water) to create a comfortable climate year-round are ways to incorporate natures’s elements in your design. Solar tubes increase inside lighting; low-e windows allow in all of nature’s beauty while keeping harmful UV rays at bay, windows, and doors positioned to allow cross breezes.

Sustainable building presents the opportunity to create a healthier environment for occupants, reduce waste and energy consumption, and make a positive impact on the environment. As builders and property owners, it is our responsibility to prioritize sustainability for the benefit of present and future generations.