When SWA Architects and JAW Builders teamed up, it was decided that our goal would be to design and build a home that would attain the highest level of green certification within the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Building Program. It was important to set this goal before the first line of design drawings was ever put on paper, so that we could review all of the requirements of the Green Building Program, and incorporate everything that would be necessary to meet the Emerald level status.
The site of this new home is a tear-down property that’s existing home has reached its life span and is no longer efficient. This means that we are using an infill site, where existing infrastructure such as roads, sewer, water, etc. are already in place and will be used to serve the new home. The site is also located in an area where pedestrian access is already provided to many of community resources; including grocery stores, restaurants, while also being within close proximity to the Metra train line station.
Site Plan
When working on a site in an established community it is important to survey your lot and take an inventory of the existing trees, vegetation, and existing grading and storm drainage, and taking necessary precautions to preserve as many of these features as possible. Existing trees in the back and front yard will be protected by fencing so that they can be preserved during construction. A back corner of the existing lot sits in a 100 year floodplain, presenting us the challenge of maintaining storm drainage and protecting the home itself from potential flood waters. The existing lot slopes approximately five feet from the front of the lot to the rear which will be used as an advantage by putting several basement windows on the rear of the house bringing in substantial natural light into a space that typically would not have it. With the use of a retaining wall along the driveway and keeping the top of foundation at six inches above the 100 year floodplain, we were able to maintain the existing storm drainage pattern of the site.
JAW Builders will also be taking many steps during the construction process to ensure minimal impact on the site and its surroundings. Installation of silt fencing, staking off the limits of clearing and grading and fencing off “no disturbance” zones help to protect existing vegetation while also minimizing soil erosion. Utilities will be installed using shared trenches which will minimize the amount of excavation across the site.
Upon completion of construction the site landscaping will be laid out so that turf grass is limited to what is necessary and native plants will be used and zoned for similar watering needs, thus eliminating the need for an irrigation system that uses potable water.
Although many of these construction techniques will help accumulate the necessary points in section one of the NAHB Green Building Program, they are also good responsible construction standards for all builders to follow regardless of getting a home green certified or not. The less impact made on the site during construction, the more we are protecting our surrounding natural environment.
Read Going Green Part II
Read Going Green Part I
Next to come: Going for Green: Part IV (Construction Begins)
Tags: Green Construction, Gregg Stahr, Jaw Builders, Residential
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