What Your House Really Needs
October 19, 2009
Do you have shoes, backpacks, gloves and coats piled on the floor next to the door? Does your bedroom have a big blank wall with a little IKEA or Target shelving unit? Are your books in boxes in the attic or in precarious piles next to your bed?
In my experience, built-in cabinetry ranks as a top ingredient in making a house a home (right after paint). This month, Steven, my husband and the backbone of GreenBridge’s partner company Riverview Builders, built and installed a built-in bench in our mudroom.
We’ve been dreaming of this since we moved in, seven years ago. (!) It has absolutely changed our lives. Our two boys are not patient, organized or neat, to put it mildly. So, the bench was carefully designed with storage options, interest and organization in mind, all with the goal of getting them to use it! The bench has hooks (easy and within-reach), a lift-top bench (fun, with safety hinges to save little fingers) and is divided so each of us has our own area. Overflow is anticipated with high shelves and baskets for each person. I still have to remind them to use the storage, but now items have someplace to go…..
This shelving unit is on a large master bedroom wall. This built-in has adjustable shelving that will be removed when our clients purchase their big-screen TV, a small desk area for the mom of the house’s few quiet times and lots of storage for their books and decorative items. This formerly blank wall was transformed and now reflects our client’s personality and interests.
This cabinetry is built around the twin bed platform and gives a cozy feeling to the sleeping and reading space. Book and toy storage is easily accommodated in the shelves, and the closed cabinets below allow for more messy storage – drawing materials, Legos, and train equipment…. The built-in is also sometimes used as a climbing apparatus, and so far, has held up.
With Riverview Builders, we can provide affordable solutions for your home from initial meeting and design to the painted finish. If you’d like to talk about possibilities, contact us at www.greenbridgearchitects.com and we can help with some options and estimates.
Stay tuned for our upcoming library (man-cave) project!
Historically Green
September 9, 2009
As an architect, I approach any renovation or alteration to historic properties with deep respect for the occupants, designers and builders before me. The fact that historical buildings still exist and are useful is a testimony to their design and construction. Maintaining and improving these building is the ‘greenest’ construction option - when our work makes or keeps them viable and useful, we aren’t creating waste through demolition, and we aren’t using valuable resources and energy to create a replacement. Most of all, it connects us to our past.
Our family vacation this year was to one of my favorite places, New York’s Hudson River Valley, where there are some of the finest homes in America dating from the early settlers in the 17th century, to the estates of the landed gentry of the 18th century, to the summer mansions of the 19th century moguls of industry. My husband and I have great memories of traveling through the area in years past, sauntering around these historic properties and enjoying the buildings and their histories. This year was different, with an 8 year old and 4 year old in tow, we had to make concessions to visit the houses: one of us would visit a property while the other would hang out with the kids or watch a movie with them in the car. I was lucky and got to spend the time span of a whole movie on the grounds of the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park.
When visiting grand homes, I love to check out the ‘back-of-the-house’ areas – the kitchen, servant’s quarters, carriage houses, garden buildings. In these areas, I feel more able to see how life was lived on the property, and I am often struck by the attention to detail and craftsmanship found in even the most unimportant of spaces. The Vanderbilt Mansion and grounds have great examples of this type of construction.
These photos are of one of the carriage houses – intricately carved details and masonry are glorious:
These photos are of one of several small garden structures in the formal gardens:
It is true that these ultra-wealthy owners could do what they wanted and it was easy for them to spare no expense. But being in these spaces and seeing their beauty, I appreciate that the money was well spent, and that the craftsmen building these masterpieces walked away proud of their creations.
GreenBridge Architects was honored to be the architect for a renovation and addition to a Newburyport home constructed in 1630. These last photos are of the just completed project (construction by Henry Becker Construction):
It was wonderful to see our clients moved in and using the much-improved spaces. The older parts of the home have been restored and freshened-up with careful improvements, and the addition and renovated newer sections of the home work seamlessly with the antique home and with our client’s modern lifestyles. This 17th century home now has a gracious entry foyer, a master bath, a chef’s kitchen, and is super-insulated with energy efficient mechanical systems. We hope that our ‘green’ piece of the home’s history will ensure that it is valued and cared-for for at least another two or three centuries! If you would like more information on this project or would like to discuss an upcoming project, contact me at juli@greenbridgearchitects.com.
Green Roofs – Digging Deeper
August 14, 2009
This month, I met with a friend to discuss the fit-out of a relatively non-descript office space. What the space lacks in amenities, it makes up for in potential, with planned windows opening to views of historic Newburyport in one direction and an expanse of marshland in the other. Adjacent to this space is a large flat roof that is nearly at the same height as the office’s floor -a great opportunity for a roof garden or a green roof.
Green roofs, also called living or planted roofs, are systems of living plants and vegetation installed on an existing or new structure. Popular in Europe for decades, the technology has seen continued improvement, making green roofs available in and appropriate for nearly all climates and areas of the United States, even in New England!
Chicago City Hall (photo by Roofscapes)
I relocated to the east coast from Chicago in 2002, just as the greening of the city was taking off. The then and still-reigning king of Chicago, Mayor Daley, was inspired by a trip to Germany in the late 90’s. The rest is Chicago green building (and green roof) history – In 2001, the first green roof in Chicago was installed on City Hall. Mayor Daley and the city’s efforts have been successful through mandates and incentives for green roofs and other green building features on public buildings and new developments that receive money from the city. Chicago now boasts more than 600 green roofs, or 560,000sf of green roof – my favorite view over martinis from the Signature Room in the Hancock Tower will never be the same!
Holyoke College, Holyoke, MA (photo by Roofscapes)
Boston Children’s Museum (photo by BCM)
As part of my research for this project, I sought local experts. Through Roofscapes, a green roofing product manufacturer, I made contact with two Massachusetts local green roof design/builders: Apex Green Roofs in Somerville and Earth Our Only Home in Boston. Both have vast experience in the construction of public/commercial and residential green roofs. Their websites offer loads of information about green roofs and photos of their work – we’re happy to have them as local resources.
Green Roofs – Some Basics:
I found clear and concise information on green roofs from Toolbase Design and Construction Guide. The following detailed descriptions are mostly gleaned from that site. I’ve also included other useful links at the bottom of the post.
What are the Benefits?
- The added mass and thermal resistance of green roofs reduces the heating and cooling loads of the building. These systems reduce the ambient temperature around the roof, decreasing the building’s urban heat island effect; reduce the ambient temperature of the roof’s surface; and slow the transfer of heat into the building, reducing cooling costs. They also provide added insulation to the roof structure, reducing heating requirements in the winter.
- Green roofs reduce stormwater runoff by absorbing and retaining the water in the soil medium for plant growth. The plants can filter pollutants and carbon dioxide from the air and rain water. These systems reduce rooftop temperatures and can reduce air and noise pollution. They also serve as living habitats for birds and other wildlife.
- Vegetation protects the roof from extreme temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, and harsh weather conditions, resulting in a longer lasting roof system.
Image by e-roofing.com
What are the components of a green roof?
All green roof systems consist of four basic components: a waterproofing layer, a drainage layer, a growing medium, and vegetation. Some green roofs also include root retention and irrigation systems, but these are not essential. There is a wide variety of materials used for each component of the green roof system, depending on the chosen plants, type of system employed, climate, and underlying structure.
- Waterproofing Layer – The waterproofing membrane is a critical component of the system and should include a root barrier to ensure the underlying roof surface is not compromised. If the weatherproofing material is not root-resistant, an additional layer must be applied to serve this purpose.
- Drainage Layer A drainage layer is required to adequately distribute water and prevent pooling. To minimize the weight of the system, drainage layers are often made from plastic or rubber, but may also be made of gravel or clay. The drainage layer may or may not include filter media to ensure aeration.
- Growing Medium – Growing mediums include soils, peat and other organic materials, gravel, and other aggregates
- Vegetation – Plants used in green roof applications must be easy to maintain and tolerant of extreme weather conditions including heat, freezing, and drought, and must have relatively shallow, fibrous root systems. The plants should also be resistant to diseases and insects, and not generate airborne seeds in order to protect surrounding plantings. Climate-appropriate succulents, mosses, and grasses are often best suited for extensive green roof systems. These types of plants are available in a variety of colors, in both deciduous and evergreen options. Many nurseries throughout the country specialize in vegetation for green roofs.
What are the types of Green Roofs?
Green roof systems are often broken down into two types—extensive and intensive systems.
Extensive systems:
- Consist of low-lying plants such as succulents, mosses, and grasses
- require relatively thin layers of soil (1-6 inches), and plants usually produce a few inches of foliage.
- weigh 10-50 pounds per square foot on average
- typically accessible only for routine maintenance
- most common for residential applications
Intensive systems:
- feature deeper soil and can support larger plants including crops, shrubs, and trees
- harder to maintain, depending on the plants used
- weigh from 80 to more than 120 pounds per square foot
- typically designed to be accessible to building inhabitants for relaxation and/or harvesting
How difficult are they to install?
Green roof systems can be implemented in new and existing construction. The roof’s structure must be carefully considered to accommodate the additional loads. Roofs do not need to be flat to support green roof systems, but different systems have varying pitch recommendations and limitations, which should be considered during the design phase. The systems also require selection of appropriate plantings for the climatic region. Flood testing of the roof membrane should also be conducted prior to placement of the green roof system.
What are the costs?
Costs for research, design, and materials of the green roof system and structural support are higher than a conventional roofing system. Extensive systems can cost as little as $7 a square foot, though ranges tend to be $10-15 for extensive, and $15-25 per square foot for intensive systems.
There will be some additional costs involved with maintaining the roof top plantings, but overall maintenance of the roofing membrane will be reduced. Since planted roof systems increase the life-span of the roof, repairs and replacement should be minimized.
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If you have any additional local information on green roofs or want to talk about possibilities for your project, I’d love to hear from you! juli@greenbridgearchitects.com
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Some useful links:
Toolbase Design and Construction Guide
Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council – resource for all aspects of green roofs
The Green Roof Industry Resource Portal
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, Green Roof Industry Association
Local design/builders:
GreenBridge’s Favorite Green Building Websites!!
July 13, 2009
In May of 2008, as part of our involvement in the Seacoast Green Building Group, we developed GreenBridge’s list of our favorite green building websites – like a great bookstore’s referral cards, we included our comments on the sites and why we find them outstanding. We just updated the post so that the name can remain accurate. Enjoy!!
Local Green Supplies and Materials Donation Center:
Boston Building Materials Co-op
Boston Building Materials Co-op – a non-for-profit consumer co-op that is open to the public. They provide high quality materials at a reasonable cost and work to teach people how to maintain and improve their homes. BBMC sells products represented by the following categories: window repair, kitchen and bath, windows and doors, storm products, weatherization and green products. They offer advice and information on their products and home maintenance and energy-savings. They also resell donated and recycled building products.
Local Green Supplies and Valuable Information on Green Building and Renovation:
Seacoast Energy Alternatives in Dover, NH. SEA is a retail store that offers information and products geared to conserve energy, save money and improve environmental impact. The SEA website is also a great resource for up-to-date and local information on renewable energy.
This site offers information on green products for the home and landscape, assistance with ‘greening’ a project, information on national building standards and advice from ‘ask the experts’ . Green Depot has a store in Stoneham, MA.
Research, Design and Specification for Remodeling Projects:
ToolBase Service is provided by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center with funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. ToolBase Service offers information about selected innovative products and processes that can help us build or remodel homes at lower cost, with higher quality and/or energy efficiency, and/or that are safer. The above link to ToolBase Services resources page offers product descriptions, design & construction guides, performance reports, case studies and other resources in useful way for builders and designers.
The Green Building Advisor is part of Building Green, an independent publishing company committed to bringing their members accurate, unbiased and timely green design information. The GBA is focused on residential and small commerical buildings only. It is a valuable resource for tips on any kind or size of construction or renovation project you are taking on. The site is also valuable for product information and detailing for construction documents. There is a fee for full access to the site – I find it worth it and go to the site at least 4-5 times a week.
The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Green Home Guide offers a wealth of information including webinars on what makes a home green, green home standards, green resources, and green living.
greening your home and life:
This user-friendly site offers a wealth of information on products and providers as well as environmental impact calulators so you can see how your choices affect the environment. Low Impact Living is a great resource for both those who are ‘deep green’ and for those who have no idea where to start!
This innovative site offers water consumption calculators for the home and office and options for reducing consumption.
Other great weblink pages:
Database of state incentives for ‘renewables and efficiencies’ – with a link to available federal incentives
Energy Star Homes weblinks – includes voluminous links on green building, green energy and climate change and green products.
Green Home Guides Product Directory
U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) recommended green product directories.
Renewable Energy With a Rapid Payback!
July 10, 2009
Last week I journeyed north to visit Seacoast Energy Alternatives in Dover, NH. SEA is a retail store that offers information and products geared to conserve energy, save money and improve environmental impact.
SEA is part of USA Solar Store, a cooperative group of independently owned and operated retail stores that started in Vermont and is quickly expanding across the country. As Pamela Bingham, one of the co-owners described, being part of the cooperative gives them the benefits of:
- the group’s extensive product research and testing
- specialized expertise of other members
- the ability to offer reduced prices for their products
SEA has a wonderful range of products including appliances, composters, plumbing fixtures, lamps and photovoltaic systems. Of all their products, Pamela and her co-owner Jack Bingham love to talk about their solar water heating systems. As described by Dave Bonta in New Green Home Solutions, “Solar hot water systems are dependable, reasonably priced, and attractive. Clean trouble-free solar domestic hot water will let you shrink your energy consumption and give you freedom from fossil fuel-based heating sources.”
How does it work? A solar water heating system consists of solar collectors (roof or ground-mounted), pumps to circulate the hot water, a storage tank and a back-up heating system. Solar water heaters need super-insulated storage tanks, so it is usually best to replace an existing water heater. The Marathon, on display at SEA and pictured above, is super-insulated and is guaranteed for life.
At SEA, you can see the two basic styles of solar hot water collectors that make sense for our climate, flat plate and evacuated tube solar collectors. Their costs are similar, and the styles vary some in their use and applications.
The new Velux flat plate collector modelled to be compatible with their skylight products, and beyond, installed vertically, a flat panel collector.
An evacuated tube collector – also check out the composting toilet at left!
For any solar water heating option, proper sizing and installation are critical for maximum performance. A solar water heating system requires good southern exposure. If you don’t have that, you might want to consider another energy-saving option, a tankless water heater.
What are the costs and expected payback? Did you know that the average household spends 30% of their heating dollar on making hot water? The average system offered at SEA (for a family of 2-3), included the insulated water tank, costs approximately $10,000 and is guarantted for 5-10 years, but expected to perform for 20+ . With available federal tax credits (30% until 2016), the cost is reduced to $7,000. The solar water heating system should heat nearly all your domestic water supply in the summer and 40%-50% in the winter. Most households currently heating their water with oil will see a complete payback of the initial cost within 5 to 6 years. A typical solar hot water system will last much longer (40+ years) than a conventional hot water heater (10-12 years).
If you are interested in knowing more, check out www.seasolarstore.com or visit - Jack and Pamela enjoy giving tours of thier shop and products.
Additionally, Jack will be joining us for the August meeting of the Seacost Green Building Group to discuss solar water heating systems. We’ll be meeting on Tuesday August 11th, from 7-9PM upstairs at the Grog in Newburyport. All are welcome!
Feel free to contact me to talk about these and other great product options for your home or business or the Seacoast Green Building Group.
Tires, Cans and Bottles, Oh My!
June 8, 2009
This month I started the design work on a new garage in Georgetown that will have walls built from rammed-earth tires, cans and glass bottles… keep your mind open and read on!
Methods and Results
The construction methods are not new; this type of construction is closely related to indigenous building methods that have been used for centuries. However, an architect and builder in New Mexico, Michael Reynolds, is the visionary behind building with garbage. He has been using old tires, cans and bottles for decades, to create homes that are entirely self-sustaining and off the grid. His website www.earthship.net and the documentary ‘Garbage Warrior’ are the best resources on his life and his buildings.
A Michael Reynold’s design and built home
Tire building is an alternative construction technique that uses discarded tires and dirt as building materials. The tires are filled with dirt found on the site and then stacked to form walls. The tires are then covered with a stucco-like finish.
In another eco-friendly building method, glass bottles or cans are stacked like a masonry wall or within a wooden frame using mortar, and the wall is then finished with stucco.
These construction types have many benefits. First, they provide an environmentally friendly way to use items that would otherwise be either in a landfill or would need to be recycled. Second, they can be beautiful. The tire walls can have a smooth stucco finish and will be very thick, with deeply set window sills. When glass bottles are used (two bottoms of bottles are taped together to make an enclosed bottle), the walls bring in a beautiful dappled colored light to the interior of the building. Third, tire or dirt-filled-can construction in a habitable, heated structure (not a garage) has an added benefit of being a solid thermal mass, which holds the sun’s heat from the day and slowly releases it’s warmth throughout cooler evenings. And finally, these alternative construction types are examples of looking beyond status quo in construction practices to create more sustainable buildings.
The Project
The genesis of this project is my client, Elizabeth Rose, who is president of Long Way Home, a community-based, nonprofit organization in Guatemala that is building homes and schools using these construction methods. In Guatemala, these construction types are a perfect solution for very poor residents who need shelter and community buildings. In addition to the benefits noted above, building with tires, cans and bottles is cheap; the materials are virtually free, labor costs are low, and the building techniques are easily taught to otherwise unskilled laborers.
Elizabeth saw her family’s need for a garage as an opportunity to showcase alternative environmentally sustainable building practices and to help potential supporters understand the important work that Long Way Home is doing.
From the Long Way Home website:
“Long Way Home’s mission is to collaborate with community members, drawing together knowledge, experience, and creativity into the design and implementation of development projects. For example, by utilizing alternative building methods and community collaboration, Long Way Home has completed Parque Chimiya, a sustainable community park. In addition to the new soccer field, basketball court, and community kitchen, alternative building methods promote the collection and reuse of local garbage which help to combat environmental and health issues caused by trash burning. A healthy environment, Long Way Home believes, is integral in sustaining a healthy and empowered community.”
Making It Happen
The garage design is a simple gable form and incorporates elements (roof lines, window style and details) from the main house. In the craftsman-style wood detailing above the garage doors, we’re planning to use the glass-bottle construction. From a design perspective, we’ll be working on which of the building techniques make sense around the building and on the details with our Guatemalan experts, our structural consultant and the builder.
For the project to be feasible in Georgetown, we will be relying on structural demonstrations by our engineering consultant and on the open-minded building inspector in Georgetown. The construction itself will be a combination of local builders and a visiting team from Guatemala. We’re incredibly excited to see the project and the process take shape. I can’t wait to share the work of filling one tire with Elizabeth! Stay tuned and see the sites below for more information.
Long Way Home http://longwayhomeinc.org
Michael Reynold’s website http://earthship.net
A great post on alternative building materials: http://energysmartideas.com/blog/category/alternative-building-materials/
Think Spring – Think Green!
May 11, 2009
Spring is the perfect time for us to air out the house, throw open the windows and closets, and assess what we’ve got. It’s a wonderful time to start thinking about changes to your home – adding that extra bedroom or family room you’ve been dreaming of, remodeling your circa 1950’s kitchen, creating a better connection between your house and garden…Beginning the planning process in the spring is perfect for summer construction.
Renovation and addition projects make more sense than ever this year. Many homeowners have put aside thoughts of relocating and have decided to stay in their homes and work with what they have. Making thoughtful improvements to an existing home, so it will work better for your family and remain useful for decades, is one of the greenest steps you can take. Enormous savings in energy and material resources are found by renovating instead of building new, since building new not only includes the construction materials, but often also includes demolition or disturbing a previously undeveloped site. Savvy homeowners are learning how even small changes, such as adding cabinetry, enlarging an opening between rooms, or even painting can make a world of difference in their enjoyment of their homes.
In our projects, our evaluation and design process includes giving our clients options for additional home improvements they may not have considered to be part of their project: insulation, window and door repair, mechanical, electrical and plumbing upgrades. These not-so-glamorous changes enhance comfort and enjoyment of the home, bring substantial energy cost savings and reduce the home’s negative impact on the environment.
This year and next, we have large rebate, loan and tax incentives available from National Grid and the Federal government for weatherization improvements to existing homes. The following are summaries of what is available. See the websites for more information.
Utility Rebates and Loans:
Through the MassSAVE program, National Grid will fund 75% of the cost (up to $2,000) of insulation, air sealing, windows and caulking/weather-stripping for work completed through July 31st of this year.
Through their Appliance Mangement program, National Grid offers rebates for equipment insulation, energy-efficient water heaters, refrigerators, furnaces and boilers, programmable thermostats, lighting and duct/air sealing. These rebates vary depending on the equipment purchased.
Through MassSAVE’s statewide HEAT loan program, 0%(!!!) loans for energy-efficiency technologies up to $15,000 with terms up to 7 years are available. The technologies covered include water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, programmable thermostats, duct/air sealing, building insulation and windows.
Federal Tax Credits
A 30% tax credit (up to $1,500) is available for water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, building insulation, doors, windows and biomass stoves. This credit is available for items placed in service in 2009 and 2010. 
What do these incentives mean for the average homeowner?
A client of ours decided to include the installation of attic soy-based foam insulation to the other construction items underway in his home. The insulator helped with the rebate paperwork. With the 75% rebate from National Grid, coupled with the 30% tax credit from the Federal government (Yes, it adds up to 105%!), they will get money back for adding insulation! Of course, the increased comfort and energy cost reduction will benefit them for years to come.
Energy Audit
Each home is different. Having an energy audit done by a non-affiliated auditor is the best way to prioritize which projects will make sense for your home. Although the costs vary depending on the size of the house, you can expect to pay around $1200 for their full services. The auditors that we work with use blower-door tests to test the air-tightness of the home and an infrared camera test to see where leaks and gaps are in the walls and roof. They use this data with a year of the homeowner’s energy bills to create a written report that includes recommendations for energy efficiency improvements and associated expected cost-savings. They will also perform a follow-up test after the work is complete to verify the system upgrades are working as expected. With the auditor’s information and knowing the incentives available, you are equipped to make the right decision for improvements to your home.
With these incentives in place, this year is the time to take on these projects. It is important to start with an energy audit, to understand the requirements of the incentives and to have a qualifed and informed installation contractor. These contractors have a good handle on the incentives available and usually will help you with the paperwork.
If you need any assistance with your Spring planning or connecting you with an auditor, contractor or installers, let me know. As always, feel free to contact me with any other questions.
Happy Spring!!
For more information see: DSIRE USA and National Grid
Panel Discussion on Greening your Home and Workplace
April 11, 2009
It should be a great discussion with input from varied professional perspectives. Looking forward to it!
Fundamentally Green – Reuse and Salvage
March 25, 2009
One of my fondest memories of living in Chicago was ’shopping’ in the alleys. My quickest walk to the train was down our 3 block alley: on one side were condo buildings and the on the other were single-family homes. It worked this way – if you didn’t want something anymore, you left it in the alley, NEXT to the garbage, sometimes with a note, and it was usually gone in a few hours. Through the years I collected a great variety of treasures. Among them: lamps, a desk, many many chairs, my now favorite cookbook. My goal wasn’t to be green, but it really was an efficient (cheap!) and practical system.
Now I use www.freecycle.org. If you haven’t checked them out, give them a try – it is basically a local list-serve where members post items they want to give away or items they’d like to receive. It works similarly to shopping in the Chicago alley, but is a bit more civilized.
In construction, the act of restoring or remodeling a home is a form of reuse and salvage. Preservation instead of demolition and new construction saves in energy and materials consumption and reduces demolition landfill. There is a great opportunity in salvaging and reusing materials for remodeling and even new construction projects, if you are aware and know where to look. I was at a friend’s home the other day who found an incredible farmer’s sink in the basement at an open house, asked about it, and got it for a steal.
In addition to the somewhat familiar architectural salvage companies, who generally offer antique architectural elements (light fixtures, mantels, doors, decorative windows, hardware) there are also deconstruction stores that offer even basic construction items (flooring, plumbing, cabinetry). Both types of companies also offer an alternative to demolition and waste of unwanted but usable items, either by donation or in some cases buying the item. See below for some local architectural salvage and deconstruction stores. Many have searchable websites that make browsing easier.
Architectural Salvage:
Restoration Resources: 1946 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118 617.542.3033 www.restorationresources.com
Old House Parts: 1 Trackside Drive, Kennebunk, ME 04043 207.985.1999 www.oldhouseparts.com
Architectural Salvage Warehouse: 11 Maple St, Fiver Corners, Essex Junction, VT 05452 802.879.4221 www.architecturalsalvagevt.com
Nor’east Architectural Antiques: 16 Exeter Road, South Hampton, NH 03827 603.394.0006 www.noreast1.com
Vermont Salvage: Gates Street, White River Junction, VT 05001 802.295.7616 www.vermontsalvage.com
Deconstruction:
ReStore: 250 Albany Street, Springfield, MA 01105 413.788.6900 www.restoreonline.com
Free Green Home Seminars!
March 9, 2009
NEXUS, located at 38 Chauncy Street, 7th Floor in Boston, is offering free seminars for homeowners as part of the “Second Saturdays for Homeowners at Nexus” series : “Green Your Home. Green Your Life.”
NEXUS, exhibiting an extensive sample library of green products and materials for residential and commercial products, is a valuable resource for designers, builders, and the general public. In a market where ‘green-washing’ is a growing concern, their diligence in screening the products is refreshing. It is also a big help to be able to see, touch and smell products the products, a big step from reviewing data on a web site or browsing ‘green’ products at a retail store.
The NEXUS Second Saturday program offers an introduction to the free green building resources NEXUS offers and to green building strategies you can implement in your home. The seminars are from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and are free and open to the public.
March 14: Low Impact Landscaping for the Home
Who should come: Homeowners, community groups and others interested in minimizing impact of landscape maintenance routines and design choices; this may include residential landscaping contractors, landscape architects and managers of small residential facilities.
April 11: The Green Remodel
Who should come: Homeowners, builders, designers and community members interested in understanding the opportunity an existing home’s remodeling presents to minimize the home’s energy use and negative environmental impact while maximizing healthful environments for occupants.
RSVPs are appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. RSVP by the Friday before the even to Aaron Desatnik at aaron@greenroundtable.com with “NEXUS Second Saturday “ in the subject line or call 617-374-3740 x127.
For more information, see the NEXUS website:
